Bluey
26 Apr 2001, 14:10
AFLTips.Com Preview News
Round 5 - 24 April 2001
w: http://www.afltips.com/
e: adrian@afltips.com
* Brought to you in conjunction with BigFooty.com - http://www.bigfooty.com/
* Play the BigFooty Fantasy Footy game here - http://footy.virtualsports.com.au/?partner_id=1
+----------+
INDEX
1) Prize Draw
2) Quiz Questions from The Half Back Flanker
3) "Out of Bounds" - Phil Doyle sounds off.
4) "Weekly Round-Up" - previews of all matches from our Regular
Contributors
5) "The Quick Snap" commentary article from The Half Back Flanker
6) Quiz Answers
7) Various info about AFLTips.Com
+----------+
1) Prize Draw
The first Cats fan to tell me in 150 words or less why their team
is the best wins a stubby holder! Entries close in eight hours.
Until next time,
Adrian Appleyard
adrian@afltips.com
+----------+
2) Footy Quiz No. 005 - Questions
by The Half Back Flanker http://www.afltips.com/people/halfbackflanker.html
AFL Trivia No. 005 - Questions
1. Which player won the Brownlow Medal in 1988?
2. Who coached Footscray from 1969 to 1971?
3. How many premierships have St Kilda won?
4. Who was the last North Melbourne player to kick 100 goals in a season?
5. In season 2000, which Essendon player had 419 possessions, kicked 35 goals, and polled 16 votes in the Brownlow Medal?
Answers are at the end of this newsletter.
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3) Out of Bounds
- Phil Doyle's Bit http://www.afltips.com/people/phildoyle.html
"Seconds Out"
'Players were sacked for several reasons. One punched the team manager just for fun. Another was detained in the Southport lock-
up for being drunk and disorderly. It was on the eve of a game. Several chose to train and play as it suited them, and one looked me in the eye and said: "This place is a joke and I'm playing dead until I can get out of here".'
Robert Walls, on the halcyon days at Carrara.
The only thing we have to fear is the game itself.
Out Of Bounds has been engaged in Vaipashna retreat for the last two weeks, trying to get in touch with the fullback within. In a Vaipashna retreat the individual is not allowed to speak, smoke, drink alcohol, eat rich or satisfying food or engage in pleasures of the flesh. While Vaipashna does not guarantee that you will live forever, if you follow these guidelines it will certainly seem like it.
This column was inspired by St Kevin Sheedy's suggestion that on Anzac Day football be played from midday to midnight. What a corker of an idea. Three hour quarters! What I'd like to see is a set of goal posts at Byron Bay, and another set at Port Headland, and we could turn the country into one big footy field!
Anyone who has been on the executive of a football club will know the relationship between sport and war.
But Sheedy's suggestion was truly spiritual.
Truly.
God hates Carlton.
He threw down bolts of lightening at Pretty Park last Saturday, demanding apologies for everything from having John Elliott as president to charging extra to get under cover on a day when the Tasman Sea visited Coburg via the sky.
Poor old Coburg-Fitzroy-Richmond Lions, Tigers and All The Beasts Of The Jungle got the old pumperoonie on Saturday at the hands of Billsville in the VFL. It was wet, even the chips in Williamstown were soggy.
The VFL is, of course, sponsored by one of these whiz-bang privatised power companies. Power supply has improved so much in Victoria that the power gave out at Williamstown and the local Plod was called on to provide the siren at the start and end of each quarter. This placed the blokes at Coburg in a distinct disadvantage, as everyone from Coburg knows that when you hear a siren you keep running.
The only thing good all day was Tassie pumping Carlton's seconds. The solution to the financial crises that have been plaguing clubs was revealed, with player payments set to be halved after Melbourne, Sydney, Geelong and a whole host of other teams have started winning by only playing half a game of football.
In news to hand, the Liberatore-Knights love story is symptomatic of a greater malaise. Sanitised corporate football is bloody boring. This story has been the best thing to happen to football since Greame Cornes took up TV commentary, but it will take it's toll. Christ, the guy got suspended! They should have given him a bloody medal. As one sage barracker explained: '... now footballers won't stick up for each other and wait until they played them later in the season or saw them in a nightclub.'
Also, it showed up the fact that Garry Lyon's skills as journalist are on a par with his television ads.
How's that for an idea, Tuesday nights and they get a journalist in a circle of players with boxing gloves on...
- Phil Doyle - having a rest in the forward pocket.
If you would like to receive the very irregular and factually unreliable Out Of Bounds directly via email then send a message to phildoyle33@hotmail.com. Out Of Bounds can also be seen at the wonderful http://www.afltips.com/ website.
+----------+
4) Weekly Round-Up
from our Regular Contributors http://www.afltips.com/people/
(E-mail adrian@afltips.com if you'd like to become a
contributor.)
**********
Essendon v. Collingwood
Wednesday, 25 April 2001 - MCG 2:10 PM
Last week Collingwood lost and Essendon won This week everyone says Essendon will win and everyone says Collingwood will lose,so welcome to the anzac day clash exclusive only to Essendon and collingwood. The last 4 days in melbourne we have seen one of the biggest rainfalls on record,chuck the class out in this match and bring in the old 'last man standing scene' as this one should be a ripper.Im not convinced Collingwood will lose this one as easily as what is expected. Collingwood's form this year excels Essendon's form.
Collingwood with a little luck should be 4-0 going into this match with unlucky losses to hawthorn and richmond,One gets the feeling Essendon are struggling to maintain any sort of resemblance to last years power breaking season.Collingwood were given a great boost at the tribunal with 'molly'malloy being cleared of a farcical charge report,this guy on a good day in wet conditions can just about get Collingwood over the line.
And of course Collingwood have nothing to lose simply because every one from tony's barber shop to the other side of cairns say's so.Enter the youngest side in the competition with it's backs to the wall aided by that informidable fighting magpie spirit if you drongo's think 'how far Essendon'you will be proved to be football fool's and rightfully so.
You can rant and rave about matchups and blah blah blah it is irelevant
the magpies will come out to play and im tipping them to win in what will be one of footballs greatest upset victories.
So you see Collingwood cant lose, if Essendon dont put Collingwood away as easily as predicted they will be judged by the scribes as losers and if the pies get up the football world will breathe a sigh of relief because quite frankly the football world is gut sick of the accolades and crap that have gone Essendon's way since last years premiership.
Enter nathan buckley and a warning to the football world this guy doesnt put two bad ones together.
COLLINGWOOD BY 6 POINTS.
- JoffaMagpie http://www.afltips.com/people/joffamgpie.html
**********
West Coast v. Richmond
Friday, 27 April 2001 - Subiaco 6:40 PM (8:40 PM AEST)
Richmond have never beaten the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco and they have a great opportunity to break their duck this weekend.
The Tigers are 3-1 and are playing as good as footy as they have played since making the 1995 Finals.
The Eagles have also recovered since their rocky start to the season and have made the most of bring drawn to play two of the bottom four teams.
In recent times, Richmond has become a byword for inconsistency. They have struggled to win consecutive games let alone three in a row.
They have tried their best to indicate that those times are now behind them. Bowden, Campbell and Hilton are getting a lot of the footy and Richardson leads the competition in marks. They are starting to come together nicely.
The Eagles, have for the time being got themselves out of the hole they dug for themselves.
The young stars in Morrison, Cousins and Wirrpunda are leading the way with a few of the senior guys like Banfield, McIntosh and Taylor are playing nice football as well.
This game will be a real litmus test for the Tigers. If they win, then you can state with some confidence that the side has come of age and can be a genuine finals contender this season. If they lose then its status quo.
This is a must win game for both sides as they tough assignments to come. Richmond have the Kangaroos and Bombers whilst the Eagles have the Bombers and Power. So there should be no absence of desperation between the two teams.
Ultimately, whilst the Richmond side is a better prototype then recent models which they have wheeled out, it hasn't shown sufficient signs of improvement to suggest that they can win in Perth.
The Eagles by 4 goals.
- David Wiseman
**********
Carlton v. St Kilda
Saturday, 28 April 2001 - Optus Oval 2:10 PM
Welcome Home Aaron Hamill!! ......Hmmm, somehow I don't think there will be an awful lot of fanfare for this event, nor do I think that the only thing coming over the fence will be confetti.
Rightly or wrongly, most Blues fans believe that Hamill abandoned the club that made him. Forget for a minute that John Elliott insulted him and ranted and raved about loyalty. Every Blues player has heard it all before. They know to humour the old bugger and then let him go about doing something he does have a clue about. Running the business side of the club. But ......... Aaron on the other hand, showed that he had the thinnest skin in the AFL this side of Kevin Sheedy and money was the only compensation.
The Blues will have a point to prove here as will Hamill. Rice and Lappin continue to have old Saints scores to settle. The Blues have the possibility of Christou and Franchina returning offset by the loss of Silvagni for six weeks. Both forward lines look a little thin and with the loss of SOS, so do the defences.
The class in both sides is around the midfield with Harvey, Burke, Thompson and Beetham taking on Ratten, Camporeale, Bradley and Hulme. Beaumont may get the job on Hamill as he did the job on another strong marking, mobile forward in James Hird just a fortnight ago. The Saints may struggle to match up on Brendan Fevola with his pace on the lead and agility while Barry Hall would be the perfect physical match up for Lance Whitnall.
I have a theory on Whitnall and Hamill. Both have hardly set the world on fire since Aaron's defection and it is no secret that their games complimented each other perfectly. Batman and Robin, Burke and Wills, Salt and Pepper, Abbott and Costello!!!!! Hamill, the hardworking straight man who sets plays up for his partner and Whitnall, the star who gets the accolades Costello type .......um just a analogy Lance, the health retreats are working a treat! There is a major incentive here for one of these key players to stand tall and prove who was carrying who.
Can Carlton conceive of losing three home games in succession? Was the defeat of Essendon the true Blue form and the loss to Adelaide an aberration, or is the reverse true? I won't speak of the Saints form as there is none to speak of, but they do have a habit of lifting against the Blues in recent years and it won't surprise me if they can pull it off.
I the Blues do recover and beat the Saints on Saturday, my plea to all media ......... I implore you, do not stick a microphone in Big Jack's face. It is too easy a target and the club does not want to be paying the wages of Aaron Hamill's lawyers.
Blues by 16.
Other Games:
Bombers by 25
Eagles by 10
Hawks by 30
Crows by 15
Lions by 55
Cats by 6
Demons by 18
Cheers
- Old Dark Navy's http://www.afltips.com/people/olddarknavys.html
**********
Footscray v. Hawthorn
Saturday, 28 April 2001 û The Source of All Our Misery, 2:10 PM
Frustrated gardeners around the world will be pleased to know that the entire centre square and beyond is being re-laid at the Source Of All Our Misery, although how this is supposed to help the leak in the roof is anyone's guess.
Hawthorn are good things and it's hard to tip against them in their current form, but I've said before that the Doggies will probably play their best football against stronger opposition this year - and competition doesn't come much stronger than the hawks.
Fitter, bulkier, more focussed, a lairising Crawford, Lord kicking goals, more ruckmen than Peter Keenan's family reunion - the hawkers really have it all. They dominated the strong Melbourne midfield last week, and could threaten to blow their less fancied opponents away this week.
Or will they?
The most dangerous thing for successful teams is complacency. It's what has stopped Richmond, Geelong and Adelaide in the past, and this week will be a big test for the Mayblooms.
Speaking of the Mayblooms, anyone who has had the good fortune to see Hawthorn's jumper from the post war era may be struck by it's resemblance to a certain pre-season jumper that was abandoned mid-match during the Civil Aviation safety Authority Cup.
Collingwood beat the Dogs by kicking over their heads, thus nullifying their flooding defence strategy. Hawthorn have the tall men in Thompson and Croad et cetera that would make it tempting to look for a target up forward rather than bomb the long speckies in. This would be a mistake, as Footscray are developing into a strong outfit on the back of their solid half-
back line. They also posses an ability to rattle more fancy opponents. Both sides are coming off a win. It should be a cracker of a game, and in the end the hungriest side will get over the line. For mine that's Footscray.
- Phil Doyle http://www.afltips.com/people/phildoyle.html
**********
Adelaide v. Kangaroos
Saturday, 28 April 2001 - Football Park 7:10 PM (7:40 PM AEST)
Adelaide play the Kangaroos this weekend at Football Park, in a clash that could have a great impact on both teams' season. Both teams are 1-3 after winning their first games for the year in the wet last weekend, and will be keen to make it two on the trot to resurrect their respective finals prospects.
The conditions both sides played in last weekend were great levellers and it is pointless to read too much into those results, and to draw any lasting conclusions about form.
In the absence of any true indicators of form, the history between the two clubs points to a Kangaroos win. The Roos have had the wood on the Crows, save for the Crows upset win in the 1998 Grand Final.
The Roos have beaten the Crows in their last three encounters by 3, 76 and 56 points, the last two of those meetings being at Football Park. The Kangaroos' Football Park record stands at 5-4, which includes winning the last five matches there in succession.
The likely player match-ups do Adelaide no favours either. The Kangaroos' tall defenders are all coming off good games against their Geelong opponents, and full-back Michael Martyn will be much better off having that match under his belt. Martyn, Colbert, McCartney and Archer will come up against the hopelessly out-of-sorts Adelaide attack of Welsh, Robran, and probably two out of Biglands, Perrie and Hewitt. After a good match shadowing Ronnie Burns, Troy Makepeace will be hoping to follow up with the scalp of Peter Vardy, who has been one of Adelaide's few forward line positives of the last few weeks.
Darren Jarman played a great game against Carlton, but the Roos' defensive midfield general, John Blakey, has had his measure over the years, and should see to it that Jarman has little impact on Saturday night. The Crows have few other midfield options, with McLeod and Goodwin being the only others in any sort of form. Simpson and Clayton look the most likely candidates for those two, while the out of form (in the midfield) Ricciuto is likely to find himself next to Cochrane.
Adelaide also look deficient in defence, where they are not likely to have the height to counter the Kangaroos' tall forward set-up. With Sav Rocca back this week, plus McKernan and Carey patrolling the 50 metre arc, the Crows' defenders will be stretched to match them for height and strength. Bassett, Hart, Crowell and Stevens are all good players but will be severely undersized to cover the big Kangaroo trio.
The rucks look fairly even with Burton and Clarke both being centre-bounce specialists, with few other dimensions to their make-up. McKernan and Biglands will ably assist them respectively, who will play primarily up forward but relieve on the ball when required.
The verdict : The Kangaroos have too much class, too much experience and are too big and strong for the Crows. Roos by 30 points.
HISTORY
Adelaide vs Kangaroos
Head to Head : Adelaide 5, Kangaroos 11, no draws
At Football Park : Adelaide 4, Kangaroos 5, no draws
Last Time : Kangaroos 19.14.128 def. Adelaide 19.11.125, Rd 9, 2000, at Football Park.
- Dark Avenger http://www.afltips.com/people/darkavenger.html
**********
Brisbane v. Fremantle
Sunday, 29 April 2001 - Gabba 2:10 PM
This is the battle of the struggling sides! Brisbane, expected to be a top four finisher, has one win on the board and Fremantle are claiming bottom spot on the ladder yet to record a win. Neither side has been impressive this season and are both desperately fighting to change that situation on Sunday. The Dockers do have the advantage in the injury situation, with the Lions having 10 injury concerns To Fremantle's 4. However it is the quality of these Lion cripples that is the damaging point with five of the Lions top players a part of this injury list. Brisbane will be relying on the youth of their side along with players such as Michael Voss, to pull them across the line. . It's too early in the week to show the ins and outs of the sides, but there wont be too many surprises for the Dockers, but maybe a few to replace the injured Lions.
Leigh Matthews came out today and said that his side would be concentrating on their goal kicking and looking to convert the hard shots on goal The Dockers will be relying on the fine form of McManus and Longmuir who were two standout big men from last weeks 'local derby'. Fremantle don't hold a great record at the Gabba, partly due to a very weak supporters base outside of WA. But football is a funny game.
My tip... Lions by 7 goals
Other matches:
Wed 25.4
Essendon v Collingwood (MCG) ..... Essendon Fri 27.4
West Coast v Richmond (Subi) ..... Richmond
Sat 28.4
Carlton v St. Kilda (OO) ..... Carlton
Bulldogs v Hawthorn (CS) ..... Hawthorn
Adelaide v Kangaroos (FP) ..... Adelaide
Sun 29.4
Brisbane v Fremantle (Gab) ..... Brisbane
Geelong v Port Adelaide (SS) ..... Port Adelaide
Melbourne v Sydney (MCG) ..... Sydney
- Josh Hemelaar http://www.afltips.com/people/joshhemelaar.html
**********
Geelong v. Port Adelaide
Sunday, 29 April 2001 - Shell Stadium 2:10 PM
Port make their second trip to Victoria this season, having had three impressive wins at Football Park. The Power have emerged as one of the early top four contenders, and this week they have the chance to prove themselves by winning at Shell Stadium. For Geelong, this game is an important opportunity to cement themselves in the eight, at least for the time being, and also to regain some pride after a disappointing result against the Kangaroos.
If the Cats are to win this game, they will need to shut down the Power midfield, which ran amok against the Saints last week. Stevens, Burgoyne, Francou, Wilson, Kingsley, James, Francis and Montgomery provide a heap of depth in the centre of the ground, feeding Cockatoo Collins, Cornes, Wanganeen and Tredrea in Port's new look forward-line. In contrast, with Snell injured and Hocking doubtful, Geelong rely on Riccardi and Milburn, backed up by youngsters Clarke and Spriggs, to provide the attack from the midfield. Geelong's strength lies in its flankers, rather than its on-
ballers, and this may be where the Cats can gain an advantage. Sanderson, Sholl and Kilpatrick are all capable of tackling Port's smaller forwards, who have become so dangerous, and also rebounding into attack. At the other end, the Power may have to reorganise their backline to combat Burns, Bizzel and Houlihan.
The big wildcard is the interstate form of Port Adelaide. While they beat the Cats in the Ansett Cup, they have not won a home and away game in Victoria since round 14 1999, when they beat wooden spooners Collingwood by one point. They will need to win this type of game on the road if they are going to challenge for a top four position, but they may not have reached that stage just yet.
Geelong are in real need of a win this weekend, and if their midfield can prevent the Power from dominating, their forwards and backs have every chance of getting on top at home. Perhaps the most important, and certainly the most interesting, individual match up will be in the ruck, where Geelong's Steven King will come up against Port skipper Matthew Primus. With centre breaks such an important aspect of football, whoever wins this battle may in fact win the match. Port would win at Football Park, but Geelong by a nose at Shell Stadium.
Geelong by 6.
- TomFC http://www.afltips.com/people/tomfc.html
**********
Melbourne v. Sydney
Sunday, 29 April 2001 - MCG 2:10 PM
As is the way with amateur publications, the people you rely on are not always 100% reliable.
I'll send out this preview in a separate e-mail later in the week.
- Adrian Appleyard
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5) The Quick Snap
The Tradition of Anzac Day
Comment from 'The Half Back Flanker' http://www.afltips.com/people/halfbackflanker.html
Anzac Day is a special day for all Australians û one to show
appreciation to those who gave all that they could, so that we can enjoy the freedom we do today.
Many people, including myself, will rise before daylight and attend the local dawn service to pay respect to those that shall not grow old and age shall not weary. Others will line city streets and honour returned soldiers as they march proudly by.
It is usually a time for both reflection and revelry û reflection
on how lucky we are to live in this great country of ours, and a celebration of how much this country meant to those who served in its hour of need, and how much it means to us now.
Football is also part of the Anzac Day tradition. While football on this great day now has much wider appeal, it originally started when returned soldiers went along to watch a game in the afternoon after having marched in the morning.
The Anzac Day matches have always been well attended, making for a great atmosphere and in turn usually a good contest.
However, the AFL seems set on having an Essendon versus Collingwood game every Anzac Day, regardless of whether such a match might be one-sided. No other team seems to get a look in.
Why not consider staging a grand final rematch instead ... have the two sides that met in the previous year's grand final playing each other?
If such a match were the only game programmed for Anzac Day, then naturally it would always be well attended. And, in theory, it should pit two of the better sides in the competition against each other, in a tough and tight game, typical of the Anzac spirit.
This would also give all teams the opportunity of playing on Anzac Day, and not merely leave it as the sole domain of Essendon and Collingwood. Playing on Anzac Day would become an honour only achieved by reaching the grand final the previous year.
From the players' perspective, it means you would no longer have to play for either the Bombers or the Magpies to have a chance of playing on this great day and sharing in the Anzac tradition. Instead, your club would earn the right by making the grand final.
Why not commence another tradition, one that would add to the already great tradition of Anzac Day, and replace the annual Essendon versus Collingwood clash with a grand final rematch instead?
Feedback to this article can be sent to:
afl.info@excite.com
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6) AFLTips.Com Trivia No. 005 - Answers
1. Gerard Healy (Sydney) won the Brownlow Medal in 1988.
2. The late, great Ted Whitten coached Footscray in two stints, from 1958 to
1966, and again from 1969 to 1971.
3. St Kilda have won 1 premiership û 1966.
4. The last North Melbourne player to kick 100 goals in a season was Malcolm Blight, who kicked 103 goals in 1982.
5. James Hird (Essendon) had a good season in the year 2000, achieving 419 possessions, kicking 35 goals, and polling 16 votes in the Brownlow Medal. He also won the Norm Smith Medal as the best player in the Grand Final.
Any feedback, queries and/or corrections regarding AFLTips.Com
Trivia, please send an e-mail to:
afl.info@excite.com
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7) Info about AFLTips.Com
Feel free to forward this newsletter on to your mates.
AFLTips.Com is not associated with the Australian Football League
in any way. We just talk about them. A lot.
The views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily those
of Adrian Appleyard. I recommend that you do your own independent
research before acting on ANY information found in this e-mail.
In fact I demand it - and let me know what you find out...
If you received this e-mail from a friend and wish to SUBSCRIBE,
go to http://www.afltips.com/ and fill out the form on the front
page.
Copyright (C) Adrian Appleyard, 2001
ENDS
************************************************************ *****
Round 5 - 24 April 2001
w: http://www.afltips.com/
e: adrian@afltips.com
* Brought to you in conjunction with BigFooty.com - http://www.bigfooty.com/
* Play the BigFooty Fantasy Footy game here - http://footy.virtualsports.com.au/?partner_id=1
+----------+
INDEX
1) Prize Draw
2) Quiz Questions from The Half Back Flanker
3) "Out of Bounds" - Phil Doyle sounds off.
4) "Weekly Round-Up" - previews of all matches from our Regular
Contributors
5) "The Quick Snap" commentary article from The Half Back Flanker
6) Quiz Answers
7) Various info about AFLTips.Com
+----------+
1) Prize Draw
The first Cats fan to tell me in 150 words or less why their team
is the best wins a stubby holder! Entries close in eight hours.
Until next time,
Adrian Appleyard
adrian@afltips.com
+----------+
2) Footy Quiz No. 005 - Questions
by The Half Back Flanker http://www.afltips.com/people/halfbackflanker.html
AFL Trivia No. 005 - Questions
1. Which player won the Brownlow Medal in 1988?
2. Who coached Footscray from 1969 to 1971?
3. How many premierships have St Kilda won?
4. Who was the last North Melbourne player to kick 100 goals in a season?
5. In season 2000, which Essendon player had 419 possessions, kicked 35 goals, and polled 16 votes in the Brownlow Medal?
Answers are at the end of this newsletter.
+----------+
3) Out of Bounds
- Phil Doyle's Bit http://www.afltips.com/people/phildoyle.html
"Seconds Out"
'Players were sacked for several reasons. One punched the team manager just for fun. Another was detained in the Southport lock-
up for being drunk and disorderly. It was on the eve of a game. Several chose to train and play as it suited them, and one looked me in the eye and said: "This place is a joke and I'm playing dead until I can get out of here".'
Robert Walls, on the halcyon days at Carrara.
The only thing we have to fear is the game itself.
Out Of Bounds has been engaged in Vaipashna retreat for the last two weeks, trying to get in touch with the fullback within. In a Vaipashna retreat the individual is not allowed to speak, smoke, drink alcohol, eat rich or satisfying food or engage in pleasures of the flesh. While Vaipashna does not guarantee that you will live forever, if you follow these guidelines it will certainly seem like it.
This column was inspired by St Kevin Sheedy's suggestion that on Anzac Day football be played from midday to midnight. What a corker of an idea. Three hour quarters! What I'd like to see is a set of goal posts at Byron Bay, and another set at Port Headland, and we could turn the country into one big footy field!
Anyone who has been on the executive of a football club will know the relationship between sport and war.
But Sheedy's suggestion was truly spiritual.
Truly.
God hates Carlton.
He threw down bolts of lightening at Pretty Park last Saturday, demanding apologies for everything from having John Elliott as president to charging extra to get under cover on a day when the Tasman Sea visited Coburg via the sky.
Poor old Coburg-Fitzroy-Richmond Lions, Tigers and All The Beasts Of The Jungle got the old pumperoonie on Saturday at the hands of Billsville in the VFL. It was wet, even the chips in Williamstown were soggy.
The VFL is, of course, sponsored by one of these whiz-bang privatised power companies. Power supply has improved so much in Victoria that the power gave out at Williamstown and the local Plod was called on to provide the siren at the start and end of each quarter. This placed the blokes at Coburg in a distinct disadvantage, as everyone from Coburg knows that when you hear a siren you keep running.
The only thing good all day was Tassie pumping Carlton's seconds. The solution to the financial crises that have been plaguing clubs was revealed, with player payments set to be halved after Melbourne, Sydney, Geelong and a whole host of other teams have started winning by only playing half a game of football.
In news to hand, the Liberatore-Knights love story is symptomatic of a greater malaise. Sanitised corporate football is bloody boring. This story has been the best thing to happen to football since Greame Cornes took up TV commentary, but it will take it's toll. Christ, the guy got suspended! They should have given him a bloody medal. As one sage barracker explained: '... now footballers won't stick up for each other and wait until they played them later in the season or saw them in a nightclub.'
Also, it showed up the fact that Garry Lyon's skills as journalist are on a par with his television ads.
How's that for an idea, Tuesday nights and they get a journalist in a circle of players with boxing gloves on...
- Phil Doyle - having a rest in the forward pocket.
If you would like to receive the very irregular and factually unreliable Out Of Bounds directly via email then send a message to phildoyle33@hotmail.com. Out Of Bounds can also be seen at the wonderful http://www.afltips.com/ website.
+----------+
4) Weekly Round-Up
from our Regular Contributors http://www.afltips.com/people/
(E-mail adrian@afltips.com if you'd like to become a
contributor.)
**********
Essendon v. Collingwood
Wednesday, 25 April 2001 - MCG 2:10 PM
Last week Collingwood lost and Essendon won This week everyone says Essendon will win and everyone says Collingwood will lose,so welcome to the anzac day clash exclusive only to Essendon and collingwood. The last 4 days in melbourne we have seen one of the biggest rainfalls on record,chuck the class out in this match and bring in the old 'last man standing scene' as this one should be a ripper.Im not convinced Collingwood will lose this one as easily as what is expected. Collingwood's form this year excels Essendon's form.
Collingwood with a little luck should be 4-0 going into this match with unlucky losses to hawthorn and richmond,One gets the feeling Essendon are struggling to maintain any sort of resemblance to last years power breaking season.Collingwood were given a great boost at the tribunal with 'molly'malloy being cleared of a farcical charge report,this guy on a good day in wet conditions can just about get Collingwood over the line.
And of course Collingwood have nothing to lose simply because every one from tony's barber shop to the other side of cairns say's so.Enter the youngest side in the competition with it's backs to the wall aided by that informidable fighting magpie spirit if you drongo's think 'how far Essendon'you will be proved to be football fool's and rightfully so.
You can rant and rave about matchups and blah blah blah it is irelevant
the magpies will come out to play and im tipping them to win in what will be one of footballs greatest upset victories.
So you see Collingwood cant lose, if Essendon dont put Collingwood away as easily as predicted they will be judged by the scribes as losers and if the pies get up the football world will breathe a sigh of relief because quite frankly the football world is gut sick of the accolades and crap that have gone Essendon's way since last years premiership.
Enter nathan buckley and a warning to the football world this guy doesnt put two bad ones together.
COLLINGWOOD BY 6 POINTS.
- JoffaMagpie http://www.afltips.com/people/joffamgpie.html
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West Coast v. Richmond
Friday, 27 April 2001 - Subiaco 6:40 PM (8:40 PM AEST)
Richmond have never beaten the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco and they have a great opportunity to break their duck this weekend.
The Tigers are 3-1 and are playing as good as footy as they have played since making the 1995 Finals.
The Eagles have also recovered since their rocky start to the season and have made the most of bring drawn to play two of the bottom four teams.
In recent times, Richmond has become a byword for inconsistency. They have struggled to win consecutive games let alone three in a row.
They have tried their best to indicate that those times are now behind them. Bowden, Campbell and Hilton are getting a lot of the footy and Richardson leads the competition in marks. They are starting to come together nicely.
The Eagles, have for the time being got themselves out of the hole they dug for themselves.
The young stars in Morrison, Cousins and Wirrpunda are leading the way with a few of the senior guys like Banfield, McIntosh and Taylor are playing nice football as well.
This game will be a real litmus test for the Tigers. If they win, then you can state with some confidence that the side has come of age and can be a genuine finals contender this season. If they lose then its status quo.
This is a must win game for both sides as they tough assignments to come. Richmond have the Kangaroos and Bombers whilst the Eagles have the Bombers and Power. So there should be no absence of desperation between the two teams.
Ultimately, whilst the Richmond side is a better prototype then recent models which they have wheeled out, it hasn't shown sufficient signs of improvement to suggest that they can win in Perth.
The Eagles by 4 goals.
- David Wiseman
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Carlton v. St Kilda
Saturday, 28 April 2001 - Optus Oval 2:10 PM
Welcome Home Aaron Hamill!! ......Hmmm, somehow I don't think there will be an awful lot of fanfare for this event, nor do I think that the only thing coming over the fence will be confetti.
Rightly or wrongly, most Blues fans believe that Hamill abandoned the club that made him. Forget for a minute that John Elliott insulted him and ranted and raved about loyalty. Every Blues player has heard it all before. They know to humour the old bugger and then let him go about doing something he does have a clue about. Running the business side of the club. But ......... Aaron on the other hand, showed that he had the thinnest skin in the AFL this side of Kevin Sheedy and money was the only compensation.
The Blues will have a point to prove here as will Hamill. Rice and Lappin continue to have old Saints scores to settle. The Blues have the possibility of Christou and Franchina returning offset by the loss of Silvagni for six weeks. Both forward lines look a little thin and with the loss of SOS, so do the defences.
The class in both sides is around the midfield with Harvey, Burke, Thompson and Beetham taking on Ratten, Camporeale, Bradley and Hulme. Beaumont may get the job on Hamill as he did the job on another strong marking, mobile forward in James Hird just a fortnight ago. The Saints may struggle to match up on Brendan Fevola with his pace on the lead and agility while Barry Hall would be the perfect physical match up for Lance Whitnall.
I have a theory on Whitnall and Hamill. Both have hardly set the world on fire since Aaron's defection and it is no secret that their games complimented each other perfectly. Batman and Robin, Burke and Wills, Salt and Pepper, Abbott and Costello!!!!! Hamill, the hardworking straight man who sets plays up for his partner and Whitnall, the star who gets the accolades Costello type .......um just a analogy Lance, the health retreats are working a treat! There is a major incentive here for one of these key players to stand tall and prove who was carrying who.
Can Carlton conceive of losing three home games in succession? Was the defeat of Essendon the true Blue form and the loss to Adelaide an aberration, or is the reverse true? I won't speak of the Saints form as there is none to speak of, but they do have a habit of lifting against the Blues in recent years and it won't surprise me if they can pull it off.
I the Blues do recover and beat the Saints on Saturday, my plea to all media ......... I implore you, do not stick a microphone in Big Jack's face. It is too easy a target and the club does not want to be paying the wages of Aaron Hamill's lawyers.
Blues by 16.
Other Games:
Bombers by 25
Eagles by 10
Hawks by 30
Crows by 15
Lions by 55
Cats by 6
Demons by 18
Cheers
- Old Dark Navy's http://www.afltips.com/people/olddarknavys.html
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Footscray v. Hawthorn
Saturday, 28 April 2001 û The Source of All Our Misery, 2:10 PM
Frustrated gardeners around the world will be pleased to know that the entire centre square and beyond is being re-laid at the Source Of All Our Misery, although how this is supposed to help the leak in the roof is anyone's guess.
Hawthorn are good things and it's hard to tip against them in their current form, but I've said before that the Doggies will probably play their best football against stronger opposition this year - and competition doesn't come much stronger than the hawks.
Fitter, bulkier, more focussed, a lairising Crawford, Lord kicking goals, more ruckmen than Peter Keenan's family reunion - the hawkers really have it all. They dominated the strong Melbourne midfield last week, and could threaten to blow their less fancied opponents away this week.
Or will they?
The most dangerous thing for successful teams is complacency. It's what has stopped Richmond, Geelong and Adelaide in the past, and this week will be a big test for the Mayblooms.
Speaking of the Mayblooms, anyone who has had the good fortune to see Hawthorn's jumper from the post war era may be struck by it's resemblance to a certain pre-season jumper that was abandoned mid-match during the Civil Aviation safety Authority Cup.
Collingwood beat the Dogs by kicking over their heads, thus nullifying their flooding defence strategy. Hawthorn have the tall men in Thompson and Croad et cetera that would make it tempting to look for a target up forward rather than bomb the long speckies in. This would be a mistake, as Footscray are developing into a strong outfit on the back of their solid half-
back line. They also posses an ability to rattle more fancy opponents. Both sides are coming off a win. It should be a cracker of a game, and in the end the hungriest side will get over the line. For mine that's Footscray.
- Phil Doyle http://www.afltips.com/people/phildoyle.html
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Adelaide v. Kangaroos
Saturday, 28 April 2001 - Football Park 7:10 PM (7:40 PM AEST)
Adelaide play the Kangaroos this weekend at Football Park, in a clash that could have a great impact on both teams' season. Both teams are 1-3 after winning their first games for the year in the wet last weekend, and will be keen to make it two on the trot to resurrect their respective finals prospects.
The conditions both sides played in last weekend were great levellers and it is pointless to read too much into those results, and to draw any lasting conclusions about form.
In the absence of any true indicators of form, the history between the two clubs points to a Kangaroos win. The Roos have had the wood on the Crows, save for the Crows upset win in the 1998 Grand Final.
The Roos have beaten the Crows in their last three encounters by 3, 76 and 56 points, the last two of those meetings being at Football Park. The Kangaroos' Football Park record stands at 5-4, which includes winning the last five matches there in succession.
The likely player match-ups do Adelaide no favours either. The Kangaroos' tall defenders are all coming off good games against their Geelong opponents, and full-back Michael Martyn will be much better off having that match under his belt. Martyn, Colbert, McCartney and Archer will come up against the hopelessly out-of-sorts Adelaide attack of Welsh, Robran, and probably two out of Biglands, Perrie and Hewitt. After a good match shadowing Ronnie Burns, Troy Makepeace will be hoping to follow up with the scalp of Peter Vardy, who has been one of Adelaide's few forward line positives of the last few weeks.
Darren Jarman played a great game against Carlton, but the Roos' defensive midfield general, John Blakey, has had his measure over the years, and should see to it that Jarman has little impact on Saturday night. The Crows have few other midfield options, with McLeod and Goodwin being the only others in any sort of form. Simpson and Clayton look the most likely candidates for those two, while the out of form (in the midfield) Ricciuto is likely to find himself next to Cochrane.
Adelaide also look deficient in defence, where they are not likely to have the height to counter the Kangaroos' tall forward set-up. With Sav Rocca back this week, plus McKernan and Carey patrolling the 50 metre arc, the Crows' defenders will be stretched to match them for height and strength. Bassett, Hart, Crowell and Stevens are all good players but will be severely undersized to cover the big Kangaroo trio.
The rucks look fairly even with Burton and Clarke both being centre-bounce specialists, with few other dimensions to their make-up. McKernan and Biglands will ably assist them respectively, who will play primarily up forward but relieve on the ball when required.
The verdict : The Kangaroos have too much class, too much experience and are too big and strong for the Crows. Roos by 30 points.
HISTORY
Adelaide vs Kangaroos
Head to Head : Adelaide 5, Kangaroos 11, no draws
At Football Park : Adelaide 4, Kangaroos 5, no draws
Last Time : Kangaroos 19.14.128 def. Adelaide 19.11.125, Rd 9, 2000, at Football Park.
- Dark Avenger http://www.afltips.com/people/darkavenger.html
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Brisbane v. Fremantle
Sunday, 29 April 2001 - Gabba 2:10 PM
This is the battle of the struggling sides! Brisbane, expected to be a top four finisher, has one win on the board and Fremantle are claiming bottom spot on the ladder yet to record a win. Neither side has been impressive this season and are both desperately fighting to change that situation on Sunday. The Dockers do have the advantage in the injury situation, with the Lions having 10 injury concerns To Fremantle's 4. However it is the quality of these Lion cripples that is the damaging point with five of the Lions top players a part of this injury list. Brisbane will be relying on the youth of their side along with players such as Michael Voss, to pull them across the line. . It's too early in the week to show the ins and outs of the sides, but there wont be too many surprises for the Dockers, but maybe a few to replace the injured Lions.
Leigh Matthews came out today and said that his side would be concentrating on their goal kicking and looking to convert the hard shots on goal The Dockers will be relying on the fine form of McManus and Longmuir who were two standout big men from last weeks 'local derby'. Fremantle don't hold a great record at the Gabba, partly due to a very weak supporters base outside of WA. But football is a funny game.
My tip... Lions by 7 goals
Other matches:
Wed 25.4
Essendon v Collingwood (MCG) ..... Essendon Fri 27.4
West Coast v Richmond (Subi) ..... Richmond
Sat 28.4
Carlton v St. Kilda (OO) ..... Carlton
Bulldogs v Hawthorn (CS) ..... Hawthorn
Adelaide v Kangaroos (FP) ..... Adelaide
Sun 29.4
Brisbane v Fremantle (Gab) ..... Brisbane
Geelong v Port Adelaide (SS) ..... Port Adelaide
Melbourne v Sydney (MCG) ..... Sydney
- Josh Hemelaar http://www.afltips.com/people/joshhemelaar.html
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Geelong v. Port Adelaide
Sunday, 29 April 2001 - Shell Stadium 2:10 PM
Port make their second trip to Victoria this season, having had three impressive wins at Football Park. The Power have emerged as one of the early top four contenders, and this week they have the chance to prove themselves by winning at Shell Stadium. For Geelong, this game is an important opportunity to cement themselves in the eight, at least for the time being, and also to regain some pride after a disappointing result against the Kangaroos.
If the Cats are to win this game, they will need to shut down the Power midfield, which ran amok against the Saints last week. Stevens, Burgoyne, Francou, Wilson, Kingsley, James, Francis and Montgomery provide a heap of depth in the centre of the ground, feeding Cockatoo Collins, Cornes, Wanganeen and Tredrea in Port's new look forward-line. In contrast, with Snell injured and Hocking doubtful, Geelong rely on Riccardi and Milburn, backed up by youngsters Clarke and Spriggs, to provide the attack from the midfield. Geelong's strength lies in its flankers, rather than its on-
ballers, and this may be where the Cats can gain an advantage. Sanderson, Sholl and Kilpatrick are all capable of tackling Port's smaller forwards, who have become so dangerous, and also rebounding into attack. At the other end, the Power may have to reorganise their backline to combat Burns, Bizzel and Houlihan.
The big wildcard is the interstate form of Port Adelaide. While they beat the Cats in the Ansett Cup, they have not won a home and away game in Victoria since round 14 1999, when they beat wooden spooners Collingwood by one point. They will need to win this type of game on the road if they are going to challenge for a top four position, but they may not have reached that stage just yet.
Geelong are in real need of a win this weekend, and if their midfield can prevent the Power from dominating, their forwards and backs have every chance of getting on top at home. Perhaps the most important, and certainly the most interesting, individual match up will be in the ruck, where Geelong's Steven King will come up against Port skipper Matthew Primus. With centre breaks such an important aspect of football, whoever wins this battle may in fact win the match. Port would win at Football Park, but Geelong by a nose at Shell Stadium.
Geelong by 6.
- TomFC http://www.afltips.com/people/tomfc.html
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Melbourne v. Sydney
Sunday, 29 April 2001 - MCG 2:10 PM
As is the way with amateur publications, the people you rely on are not always 100% reliable.
I'll send out this preview in a separate e-mail later in the week.
- Adrian Appleyard
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5) The Quick Snap
The Tradition of Anzac Day
Comment from 'The Half Back Flanker' http://www.afltips.com/people/halfbackflanker.html
Anzac Day is a special day for all Australians û one to show
appreciation to those who gave all that they could, so that we can enjoy the freedom we do today.
Many people, including myself, will rise before daylight and attend the local dawn service to pay respect to those that shall not grow old and age shall not weary. Others will line city streets and honour returned soldiers as they march proudly by.
It is usually a time for both reflection and revelry û reflection
on how lucky we are to live in this great country of ours, and a celebration of how much this country meant to those who served in its hour of need, and how much it means to us now.
Football is also part of the Anzac Day tradition. While football on this great day now has much wider appeal, it originally started when returned soldiers went along to watch a game in the afternoon after having marched in the morning.
The Anzac Day matches have always been well attended, making for a great atmosphere and in turn usually a good contest.
However, the AFL seems set on having an Essendon versus Collingwood game every Anzac Day, regardless of whether such a match might be one-sided. No other team seems to get a look in.
Why not consider staging a grand final rematch instead ... have the two sides that met in the previous year's grand final playing each other?
If such a match were the only game programmed for Anzac Day, then naturally it would always be well attended. And, in theory, it should pit two of the better sides in the competition against each other, in a tough and tight game, typical of the Anzac spirit.
This would also give all teams the opportunity of playing on Anzac Day, and not merely leave it as the sole domain of Essendon and Collingwood. Playing on Anzac Day would become an honour only achieved by reaching the grand final the previous year.
From the players' perspective, it means you would no longer have to play for either the Bombers or the Magpies to have a chance of playing on this great day and sharing in the Anzac tradition. Instead, your club would earn the right by making the grand final.
Why not commence another tradition, one that would add to the already great tradition of Anzac Day, and replace the annual Essendon versus Collingwood clash with a grand final rematch instead?
Feedback to this article can be sent to:
afl.info@excite.com
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6) AFLTips.Com Trivia No. 005 - Answers
1. Gerard Healy (Sydney) won the Brownlow Medal in 1988.
2. The late, great Ted Whitten coached Footscray in two stints, from 1958 to
1966, and again from 1969 to 1971.
3. St Kilda have won 1 premiership û 1966.
4. The last North Melbourne player to kick 100 goals in a season was Malcolm Blight, who kicked 103 goals in 1982.
5. James Hird (Essendon) had a good season in the year 2000, achieving 419 possessions, kicking 35 goals, and polling 16 votes in the Brownlow Medal. He also won the Norm Smith Medal as the best player in the Grand Final.
Any feedback, queries and/or corrections regarding AFLTips.Com
Trivia, please send an e-mail to:
afl.info@excite.com
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7) Info about AFLTips.Com
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Copyright (C) Adrian Appleyard, 2001
ENDS
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