Round 21 Match Previews

[Bluey]

Here they are....

[Bluey]

AFLTips.Com Trivia No. 021 - Questions
by The Half Back Flanker
http://www.afltips.com/people/halfbackflanker.html

1. Which player won the Brownlow Medal in 1989?

2. Who coached Richmond from 1941 to 1952, including being captain-coach for
9 years?

3. Who was Hawthorn’s captain from 1981 to 1985?

4. Prior to their merger with Brisbane, which team did Fitzroy achieve its
highest ever score against?

5. Which player was the leading goalkicker for North Melbourne in 1990?

Answers at the end of the thread.

[Bluey]

Geelong Cats vs. Brisbane Lions
At Shell Stadium on Sunday 26th August

By Chris Berry

15 years ago a guy by the name of Gary 'Buddha' Hocking was in his first
season with Geelong. Now the year is 2001 and this will be the last time we
get to see the great number 32 at home. It will also be his 300th match of
Aussie Rules Football.
I'm sure there will be tears on many people's faces.

Most say Geelong's season is over but mathematically they can still make the
finals.
Brisbane on the other hand are in 2nd and will want to win so they can
hopefully finish top and get a home final.

I think this will be a close match, with some very good match ups.

King/Street vs. Keating/McDonald
Riccardi/Hocking/Kilpatrick vs. Black/Voss/Akermanis

If Geelong can play all four quarters then they may be able to steal the win
from Brisbane.

Geelong's strength is its defense, while for Brisbane its their midfield.

Unfortunatly for Geelong that is where the match will be won.

Geelong by 15 points. Do it for Buddha, guys.

Other matches

Hawthorn by 11
Carlton by 23
Port Power by 7
Richmond by 35
Essendon by 28
Melbourne by 44
Sydney by 28

[Bluey]

West Coast v. Essendon
Subiaco 5:40 PM (7:40 PM AEST)
Saturday 25th August

For what its worth i think West Coast are half a chance against Essendon on
Saturday. Essendon have been out of sorts the last 5 weeks. While still
winning 3 of those games, they have not been in the easy fashion that the
Bombers are used to. West Coast could well push teh Bombers to the line
again on the weekend. The major thing that stands in the way of a Eagles
victory is Matthew Lloyd. His return from suspension should give the
Bombers the extra kick they need to finish off the Eagles.

West Coast lack the Lloyd type player who can turn the game around with a
few quick goals. They have Troy Wilson, but he isnt the type of player to
turn a game around. If West Coast can halt Lloyds influence on the game,
then they could well pull off a victory.

West Coast only have one player which could turn the game in their
direction, and that is Ben Cousins. He has been in terrific form this
season and if he can get a large amount of the ball then the Eagles will get
close. West Coasts forward line is basically non existant. Troy Wilson is
the only real target they have up there. Essendon on the other hand have a
number of forwards who can kick a few goals each and set up a likely win.

In the end i think West Coast will give the Bombers a run for their money
early, but a lack of options will give the Bombers the edge for the last
half.

Essendon by 28 points

[Bluey]

Sydney v. St Kilda
SCG 2:10 PM
Sunday 26th August


By Dark Avenger

Sydney will be looking for a big win before the finals when facing St.Kilda
at the SCG on Sunday. How big? That's debatable. If the Swans can put away
half-decent sides like the Roos and Adelaide by pretty big margins, they
should absolutely annihilate the hapless Saints, but then again the Swans
are also the same side that looked tired and decidedly ordinary against
Melbourne last week - possibly the legacy of their physical and hard
approach to the game, or maybe just a mental lapse. What better way to get
their form and confidence back, than a game against the brittle St.Kilda
outfit?

St.Kilda are short on class and experience, while Sydney have played some
very good footy this year beating several flag contenders and leading
Essendon for all but 30 seconds of their match two weeks ago.

The Swans regain Paul Kelly for this match, and have several players running
into red-hot form, including Michael O'Loughlin, Ben Mathews, Jason Ball and
Paul Williams. Conversely, ruckman Greg Stafford is opelessly out of sorts
and has been dropped, leaving Ball to shoulder the load in the ruck with
help from Adam Goodes and possibly Troy Luff.

The Saints horror season with injuries continues with fringe players Tony
Delaney and James Begley being lost to injury. The Saints are almost
completely devoid of a backline, midfield and forward line, mainly because
of long term injuries to key players and a suspension being served by
full-forward Barry Hall. As a result, the Swans look too strong all over the
ground, with a tight defence, ball-winning midfield and a versatile forward
line that is difficult to match up on.
O'Loughlin, Goodes, Kelly and Williams seem to be too hard a proposition for
the inexperienced and undermanned St.Kilda defence, and shopuld be able to
kick a winning score for the Saints.

The shining light for St.Kilda this season has been the superb ruckwork of
Peter Everitt, and with him winning in his position almost every week, has
kept the Saints a lot closer to their opponents than would otherwise be
possible. Jason Ball will prove a formidable opponent, but expect another
strong showing from Everitt whos eruckwork seems to get better as the season
progresses. It's a pity his midfield stars are all out injured.

This doesn't loom as a danger game for the Swans... it doesn't even loom as
an interesting game for the footy fan. The Swans will win this comfortably,
although the Saints may take it up to them for a couple of quarters.

The verdict : Sydney by 63 points.
Other tips : Richmond, Carlton, Essendon, Bulldogs, Adelaide, Melbourne,
Geelong.

[Bluey]

Richmond v. Kangaroos
MCG 7:40 PM
Friday, 24 August 2001



Maybe if I started going to football matches in the mid Eighties rather than the early Eighties. Or if I didn’t have the dual blessing and curse of a long memory. Perhaps there could be a bit more forgiveness in my heart. Any of these things and then maybe I could accept a good, honest performance by my boys and leave the G with heartfelt wishes to the Tigers for a good finals campaign. But the reality is that I remember with stunning clarity the North Melbourne versus Richmond battles of two decades ago, I remember the arrogance and the ferocity of the Richmond fans, and I remember the fear I always had going to games involving the Tigers. I wince whenever some youngster who wasn’t around them mutters something about how nice it would be for the Tigers and for football if they made the finals.

It’s been a wonderful twenty years of Schadenfreude for me, firstly watching the Tigers slumming it near or at the bottom of the ladder (pretty appropriate for those who do remember 80s Richmond – the suburb), and then watching them find all sorts of ways to avoid making the finals. But sadly, there seems to be no way short of a drugs scandal and/or the AFL finding that none of their players are actually registered (and thus, one would hope, causing a deduction of premiership points) that they can miss the finals.

The Tigers, and damn them for this, don’t make it easy to maintain the hatred. I mean, I think Cameron is a great player, Hilton has grunt, Ottens is wonderful to watch, and who cannot admire the work of Gaspar and Gale? So, what does one do? Easy. One tunes into redneck radio and listens to celebrity Steve Price for an hour or two. Oh, I can feel the hatred return.

I haven’t checked the draw to work out whether it is possible, but the best possible result is one that results in Richmond having to play their finals match (yes, MATCH….not matches…we want them out in the first week) interstate. Oh, the joy, the rich irony of the Richmond hater. Richmond making the finals but their fans can’t be there to cheer them on. One match, one loss…for the Tiger fan, they may as well not have made it.

Shinboners

[Bluey]

Melbourne v. Fremantle
Colonial Stadium 2:10 PM
Sunday 26th August

By Mark O'Connor


As one travels through life, getting older and hopefully wiser, one comes to
the realisation that certain things happen in this world for no apparent
reason. There are events, circumstances and even people that have no reason
to exist, and yet exist they do, confounding those of us who believe in such
things as cause and effect, and natural selection.

For example:

- Why do the news services tell you what happened on the All-Ordinaries
Index during the day? I know of no shareholder with holdings in All
Ordinaries Ltd.
- Why do people insist on turning left from the right hand land at the
southern end of Auburn Road?
- Nikki Webster. What's going on there?
- And, most pressing of all, Melbourne vs Fremantle. Where's the sense in
that?

The final eight system has its share of critics, but one of the advantages
of a finals system that includes half of the teams in the competition is
that most games leading up to the September action will have some importance
to the make-up of the eight. Not Melbourne vs Fremantle.

Even when some games have nothing riding on the result, the rivalry and
competition between two sides can make a seemingly boring game interesting.
Not Melbourne vs Fremantle.

Footballing purists can watch a game between two sides they have no
affection for, simply for the beauty of the contest and the quality of the
football being played. Melbourne vs Fremantle? Err, no.

Even if the teams involved are not much chop, some can take an interest in a
rivetting individual battle in the contest. Anyone for Ross Funcke vs Dion
Woods?

Simply, there's absolutely nothing to recommend this, *ahem*, contest.
There would be hard pressed to be any person who doesn't support either of
these teams who could be the slightest bit interested in this game. If
you're a punter, and you're betting on this match, can I suggest that you
have far too much money and instead of wasting it on betting on Melbourne,
send some of it to me, c/- afltips.com (If you're betting on Fremantle, can
I recommend therapy?).

As for the fans of these two sides, Freo supporters are still dining out on
beating 12 of the Hawthorn reserves a fortnight or so ago, the victory
making their season complete, while Melbourne fans are catching the best of
the season up at Thredbo or Buller at present, with all interest in this
year's AFL season long gone. So even for those with a vested interest in
the participants, there'd be precious few going through the gates. For the
first time in a very long time, there will be less than 10,000 people
turning up at an AFL game in Melbourne.

Melbourne will probably win, but in the grand scheme of things, this game is
as relevant as Mike Munro.

Melbourne by ... oh, who really cares?

Other winners: Roos, Blues, Dogs, Dons, Throws, Fitzroy and the Bloodstained
Angels.

[Bluey]

Geelong v. Brisbane
Shell Stadium 2:10 PM
Sunday 26 August


By Jane Wooloard


A battle of the felines looms this Sunday, with the domesticated house tabbies, Geelong, taking on the rampaging kings (almost) of the jungle, the Lions. The latter have won their last five meetings against Geelong, two of those being at Shell Stadium. So it’s unlikely the Lions will be daunted by the prospect of facing Geelong at Sleepy Hollow.

But it’s still not going to be a yawn fest by any means. One of Geelong’s favourite sons, Garry Hocking, will run out in front of the crowd he’s grown up with, for the very last time, and will become a member of the 300 club (including night and state games). You would think that the Cats players will show the same type of intensity Hocking has always played with, to mark his official send-off.

But for the Lions, this is a familiar scenario. Back in the final round of 1999 they ventured to Collingwood for the last ever game at Victoria Park, not letting the Pies score in the opening term, silencing the crowd and enjoying a big win.

Geelong’s height could cause some problems for the Lions. Big ruckman Beau McDonald didn’t play last week because of hamstring problems, and though named, may struggle to come up. If he doesn’t play, Clark Keating will take Steven King who rucked well last week and finished with three goals.

Captain Ben Graham may line up at full-forward, adding to their Cats’ tall marking ability. The Lions’ defence will be further stretched thanks to Darryl White’s suspension and Justin Leppitsch’s lack of match hardness. However, Geelong will only be able to make the most of that advantage if their midfield wins enough ball. Justin Murphy and Darren Milburn, and youngsters David Clarke and David Spriggs aren’t as talented as Brisbane’s Michael Voss, Simon Black, Nigel Lappin and Jason Akermanis, who comes back in. However if it’s pouring with rain, you’d imagine the Cats would have the edge over the tanned Brisbane boys.

While there is plenty riding on the game for Hocking and Geelong, who couldn’t consider Riccardi, Burns or Sholl but named Kilpatrick and Mensch, there is even more at stake for the Lions. They really need to win to stay in the top two and have a special occasion of their own – Chris Johnson’s 150th game. But it’ll be Hocking’s day and it’d be nice if his teammates lifted to give ‘Buddha’ a fitting farewell. Brisbane are due for a loss and I think the “do it for Gazza” thing, or whatever male bonding goes on in the build up to these occasions, will see the Cats clawing their way to a win. Geelong by 10 points.

Others:
North by 5
Ess by 40
Port by 2
Collingwood by 16
Sydney by 45
Melbourne by 15
Adelaide by 20

[Bluey]

Western Bulldogs v. Port Adelaide
Colonial Stadium 2:10 PM
Saturday 25 August

By HahnPremium8

This is another elimination final for the Bulldogs. Not that simply winning
their last 2 games will get them to the finals. They have to rely on Sydney
or Adelaide to lose 2 games. Or Adelaide lose one and a heap of percentage
while the Bulldogs gain a heap of percentage. Meanwhile, a win to 3rd placed
Port Adelaide will secure them a top four spot. They have won four out of
their past five matches.

Last time these teams met Port Adelaide had a comfortable win. The Bulldogs
were without ruckman Luke Darcy who was suspended. This time around the 2
best ruckmen in the AFL will fight it out, possibly for All Australian
honours as well.

Both teams strengths are probably their midfield. The Bulldogs smashed the
depleted Hawks in the midfield last week with Scott West returning to form
and Darcy dominating. Youngsters such as Alvey, Murphy and Giansiracusa
showed they are genuine options for the midfield. For Port Adelaide
midfielder Francou was best on ground last week against Geelong with 32
possessions and 9 clearances.

For the Bulldogs, defender Steve Kretiuk is a chance to play even though he
injured himself during last weeks game. While Port Adelaide’s Montomery is
reported to have recovered from an ankle injury. There should be few changes
for both clubs this week.

I am tipping the Bulldogs to win. They play at Colonial more than any other
team and will have a significant advantage over Port Adelaide who have only
played a few games at the venue. The Bulldogs should also be more desperate
given that they have more to play for. Not only finals but for some,
careers. There have been suggestions that the Bulldogs will flood Port
Adelaide’s forward line like Geelong did, but I don’t think they will. They
don’t just need the 4 points they need percentage as well. It will more
likely be a shoot out. The Bulldogs forwards such as Grant, Johnson and
Smith were great last week kicking 11 goals, 13 behinds between them. All 3
are strong marks and as long as they can kick more accurately this week,
should be too much for the Power to handle.

Bulldogs by 40 points

Other Tipping
Richmond to beat the Kangaroos by 25 points
Carlton to beat Collingwood by 20 points
Essendon to beat West Coast by 60 points
Hawthorn to beat Adelaide by 40 points
Brisbane Lions to beat Geelong by 40 points
Melbourne to beat Fremantle by 35 points
Sydney to beat St Kilda by 30 points

[Bluey]

Adelaide v Hawthorn
Football Park, Sunday August 26th, 2001 - 2:10PM AEST

By matto



VICTORIA BITTER

Q: How many wins does it take to make it to the finals?
A: One more than Collingwood.

Yes, it's sad but (most likely) true. And to rub it in to all those poor
Magpies, Bulldogs and Cats supporters, the almighty and currently quite
fashionable eighth ladder possie will probably go to Those Bloody South of
Alice Crows. Oh well, at least North Melbourne finished south on the ladder
this year.

And this is a recognisably nation-wide competition isn't it? Four
interstate teams in the finals? It's an Aussie Footy League's wet dream!
Bring on Canberra next, Tassie, N.T., New Zealand (shudder), Papua New
Guinea and perhaps Nairu because they're just so damn keen - well,
financially at least.

Our two spotlight teams this round Adelaide and Hawthorn shall of course be
required to attempt a painless merging procedure to make room for the new
participants. Hands up who will miss the old format, anyone? Good. The
new Kew / S.A. Corks Football Club team jerseys will look smashing in
original criss-cross design of brown and gold one way, then red, yellow and
blue the other. Superb!

And from that, Collingwood, Western Bulldogs or Geelong may then justifiably
(especially Collingwood) snare September action. Yes, I confess to a
fondness for Victorian teams playing on after the home and away rounds. No,
I do NOT want to see Brisbane versus Sydney in the Grand Final - unless it's
the Rugby League, nor do I want to see The Almighty Crow up against The
Power Brigade unless it's just another violent Tekken-style video game.

As for this Sunday, what chance the Hawks? Pretty fat I say! Their season
seems to have gone down faster than Shaun Rehn's fitness report in the
latter part of this year. Add Nick Holland (perpetually injured), Shane
Crawford (perpetually stupid - and now suspended), plus more injuries
including Daniel Chick, Joel Smith, Ben Dixon and Daniel Harford and you're
left with a hefty fourth quarter season fade-out. Not a good time to be
pitted against Adelaide, gleaming with form, player re-signings, good finals
prospects and a full team list. And at their home ground, no less.

So, fat chance Hawthorn, fair go Adelaide, thanks for coming Melbournians,
and see you by the telly.

Crows by 33 points.

round 21 tips:

Richmond by 24
Collingwood by 21
Essendon by 75
Port by 12
Adelaide by 33
Brisbane by 19
Melbourne by 43
Sydney by 85

[Bluey]

AFLTips.Com Trivia No. 021 - Answers


Thanks to John, Carol and Bigevo32 for politely pointing out that the
answers published in last weeks preview edition were in fact for Quiz No.
019 and not Quiz No. 020!

Without wanting to point the finger of blame at anyone in particular, let's
just say they are based in the UK and sit in the editor's chair :-)

So here are the questions and answers for No. 020, followed by the answers
for No. 021 ...


AFLTips.Com Trivia No. 020 - Questions

1. Who coached Brisbane from 1991 to 1995?

2. How many premierships have Geelong won?

3. Which player won the Brownlow Medal in 1998?

4. Who kicked the most goals for Sydney in the 2000 season?

5. Which team did Collingwood record its lowest ever score against?


AFLTips.Com Trivia No. 020 - Answers

1. Robert Walls coached Brisbane from 1991 to 1995.

2. Geelong have won 6 premierships – 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963.

3. Robert Harvey (St Kilda) won the Brownlow Medal in 1998.

4. Michael O’Loughlin was the leading goalkicker for Sydney in the year
2000, kicking 53 goals.

5. Collingwood recorded its lowest ever score, 0.8 (8), against South
Melbourne in 1897.


AFLTips.Com Trivia No. 021 - Answers

1. Paul Couch (Geelong) won the Brownlow Medal in 1989.

2. The legendary Jack Dyer coached Richmond from 1941 to 1952, including
captain-coach from 1941 to 1949.

3. Leigh Matthews was captain of Hawthorn from 1981 to 1985. He is now coach
of Brisbane.

4. Fitzroy achieved their highest ever score, 36.22 (238), against Melbourne
in 1979.

5. John Longmire was the leading goalkicker for North Melbourne in 1990,
scoring 98 goals for the season.

[Bluey]

Said Editor is winging his way to Ireland so he asked me to post all of these previews.

Enjoy.

[Blues2001]

What happened to my Carlton v Collingwood preview...????:( :(

[Blues2001]

Seems my preview was forgotten...:(

But I have thankfully tracked it down so here it is:


Carlton v Collingwood preview:


The last time these great rivals met, Carlton were coming off a trickier than expected win against St Kilda, and Collingwood were coming off a spirited performance against Essendon. Well not much has changed, except that Carlton are now a certain finalist, and Collingwood have an absolute mountain to climb to get there.

Collingwood's loss to Essendon last week was a good effort, but you get the feeling that Mick Malthouse is hoping for a bit more from his young side this week. A loss will see Collingwood missing the September action yet again, whilst a win will keep their slim finals chances alive.

As for Carlton - despite securing their finals berth, they also have plenty to play for. Hawthorn's loss to the Bulldogs has opened up a door to the top 4, and the Blues will no doubt be looking to somehow grab that 4th position - otherwise they may face their 2001 nemesis Adelaide in a knockout final.

Both teams come into the clash with injury clouds hanging over key players: Collingwood's Tarkyn Lockyer suffered concussion after a misdirected Jarrod Molloy shirtfront, whilst Matthew Allan has a groin complaint and Matty Lappin a corked buttock courtesy of ex-Carlton teammate Aaron Hamill. The suspension of Scott Camporeale is a huge blow to the Blues; his dash and skill against St Kilda a major reason for their victory.

Without Allan and Camporeale, Carlton's midfield looks considerably weaker, something that will have Nathan Buckley and Shane O'Bree licking their lips. Darren Hulme came back into the Carlton side last week and looked a little rusty, but with Camporeale missing, the Blues need him to step up and get plenty of the ball and help out regular contributors Brett Ratten and Craig Bradley. Buckley is a real worry for the Blues, a rotating tag team did nothing back in round 6 as Buckley destroyed Carlton. However, there is a slim chance that a Carlton youngster named Heath Culpitt could come into the side this week. When these two sides met in round 18 last year, Culpitt, having only played a handfull of games, did a reasonable job on the Pies skipper. Its only a slim chance, but look out for it if Culpitt wins selection this week.

Anthony Rocca was a star last week for the Pies, kicking six goals - the same number that he kicked last time when the Pies sunk the Blues despite a late Carlton comeback. However, on that day there was no Steve Silvagni and you get the feeling Carlton won't risk Glenn Manton on him again. Beaumont did a job on Tarrant last time, and despite Beaumont's iffy form of late, he will probably get the job again.

At the other end of the ground, Brendan Fevola made a good return to the Blues lineup last week, booting 5 goals. However, he is a player who lacks consistency.....badly. Its one thing kicking 5 goals against St Kilda at Colonial, its another to do the same against Carlton's (equally) most hated rival in front of a big MCG crowd.
When Lance Whitnall went forward halfway through the round 6 clash, he was picked up by Mark Richardson who is only a chance of playing. This time the job could go to Shane Wakellin or Simon Prestigiacomo. Matty Lappin has become a crucial player for the Blues lately, and Pies defenders Burns and Licuria need to keep a close eye on him, should he play.

All in all, this game looks pretty even. Well from what I have mentioned so far it does. But there is one factor missing.

Koutoufides.

Last week in the final quarter he played a ripper, putting the game beyond doubt for the Blues. With consistency having been a problem for Kouta all year, Carlton desperately need Kouta to fire this week - from the midfield. If Kouta can conquer his consistency problem, the Blues may just sneak home.

Tip: Carlton by 8 points.


Other tips:
Richmond by 26
Bulldogs by 12
Essendon by 65
Sydney by 23
Brisbane by 44
Hawthorn by 2
Melbourne by 16