Bluey
11 May 2001, 04:10
**********
Collingwood v. Kangaroos
Sunday, 13 May 2001 - Colonial Stadium 2:10 PM
At the end of last season, the Kangaroos were in the top four,
and the Magpies were second last. Now there is almost a complete
reversal, with the Kangaroos only kept from the bottom by the
winless Dockers, and the Magpies, while not quite in the top
four, have been in superb form, making the absolute best of a
difficult draw, in which they've played three of the top four,
plus last year's number three Carlton. The question is whether or
not the form of these two sides will continue into this game.
For the Kangaroos, this may be their last chance to move back
into touch with the top half before sliding into bottom four
obscurity. For the Magpies, a win here would consolidate their
top eight position for the time being, with a tough game away to
Port the week after.
Collingwood's strengths have been all over the ground, but
primarily in their desperation and strength at the ball in the
midfield. The Kangaroos, by contrast, have looked slow and
disorganized. They must set themselves the goal of keeping the
ball away from O'Bree, Steinfort and Buckley, who have been able
to consistently win the ball out of the middle, with assistance
from the ever improving Josh Fraser. Denis Pagan has claimed his
side play well with their backs against the wall, and here is a
true test of this statement. If they can match the desperation of
the Pies, they will have done very well.
Other than Buckley, the most potentially important player is
undoubtedly Wayne Carey, who is returning from suspension.
Although named at center half-back, he would be expected to take
his standard role as general of the forwardline, where he can
have the most impact. For the first time, Collingwood are blessed
with a number of defensive options for 'The King'. Mark
Richardson is in superb form, as is Shane Wakelin, and Simon
Prestigiacomo has done the job well before. However, if Carey can
rise above these defenders, he could once again be the match
winner.
Collingwood, of course, have their own gun half-forward. Chris
Tarrant has had an excellent start to the year, and may be
difficult for the Kangaroos to match up. He is too quick for
Martyn or McCartney, too strong for Leigh Colbert and too tall
for Glen Archer.
Although the Kangaroos should be motivated enough to turn in a
better performance than they have so far this year, they are up
against a side in top form, with the players to shut down the
Roos' stars, and pose a problem for the defenders. While the
Kangaroos are certainly capable of winning this game, they cannot
afford to play as they have so far. Perhaps the dropping of
McKernan will serve as a wake up call, but otherwise expect a
comfortable Collingwood win.
Collingwood by 30.
- TomFC
http://www.afltips.com/people/tomfc.html
**********
Sydney v. Brisbane
Sunday, 13 May 2001 - SCG 2:10 PM
The fruits of the AFL's "national competition" - both of whom had
limited success in the 1990s - meet at the Sydney Cricket Ground
on Sunday, in a game which both sides desperately need to win.
The orange roughie, Justin Leppitsch will be a welcome return for
the Lions, who have won their last three games, albeit not in
Melbourne. Both the Swans and the Lions have been rather suspect
all year, with the Lions not able to win away from their safe
haven at the Gabba. Sydney, embarrassed by its loss to a
Stewart-Loewe inspired St Kilda, will be hoping Brisbane don't
react the same way to Martin Ashcroft, due to play his 250th game
for the Lions this week. Sydney has their own celebration this
week with Ben Mathews due to play 50 senior games.
Sydney trained impressively this week and can consider itself
lucky that the explosive Wayne Schwass is taking his place after
an aggressive bump against Chad Davis last week.
Highly skilled Swan Michael O'Loughlin and elusive
ruckman/forward Adam Goodes will be players to watch from the
'Bloods point of view. Possible opponents Chris Johnson and
Darryl White will be crucial in their team's fortunes. Johnson
destroyed Geelong's enigmatic Ronnie Burns last week, while White
was superb at centre-half-back.
Ruckman Beau McDonald has been far more effective at centre
bounces in recent weeks, which has helped his smaller players at
ground level. The centre breaks will be crucial on the smaller
SCG ground, and the Swans were badly beaten in that area during
the second half last week of their game against St Kilda.
Lions skipper Michael Voss, and Simon Black were both impressive
last week and they will take plenty of confidence into a contest
with Schwass and Daryn Cresswell. Cresswell may find himself
shadowed by the limpet-like Brad Scott who is one of the leagues
better minders. Black has been in fine form in his last two
visits to the SCG and is likely to come under close scrutiny from
the Swans' match ups panel.
The Lions have the ability to trouble the Swans with their height
in attack, and McDonald may be used as a marking option up
forward while resting.
It's a tough call but you'd have to say Sydney at home. The home
crowd does wonders for the Sydney players' confidence and that
combined with Brisbane's poor away record, points to a narrow
Sydney win. Sydney by 10 points.
- Jane Woolard
**********
West Coast v. Port Adelaide
Sunday, 13 May 2001 - Subiaco 2:30 PM (4:30 PM AEST)
There's not a lot to celebrate across the Nullarbor these days:
Angry mobs, roaming the streets of Fremantle seeking the head of
Damian Drum; combine that with a Weagles outfit that has
struggled of late, especially at home, and it's easy to see that
these are truly troubled times out west.
Enter Port Adelaide: Young, confident, playing a direct and
attractive style of footy on the back of a dominant centre and
one of the best ruckmen going around, the ex-royboy Matty Primus;
Francou, Cockatoo-Collins and Wanganeen playing the best footy of
their lives, and yet another Cornes making his debut.
Port have a young balanced side that is going places, it's hard
to see them being beaten in this encounter.
That is until you look at the West Coast team on paper. Is this
side really a bunch of ageing dinosaurs, like North, lumbering
along while quicker, younger and lesser known players put them to
shame? Or are these players under performing?
I think the Weagles effort at Colonial stadium a few weeks back
indicates that it is the latter. West Coast are capable of being
a better team than they have been playing of late. I don't think
this will be the walkover for Port that everyone is suggesting,
and if you're making room in your tips for an upset this week -
always a good strategy if you're falling behind the pack or out
in front - then this would be the game to pick the Weagles.
Otherwise, safety first would tend to suggest that Port would be
the rational choice for tipsters.
What do I think? I think Port will sneak this one in.
Port by a margin of 12 points or less.
- Phil Doyle
http://www.afltips.com/people/phildoyle.html
**********
Geelong v. Carlton
Sunday, 13 May 2001 - MCG 2:10 PM
This is the time of year when the teams are separated and the
wins are so imperative. The coaches aim to get as far above .500
as possible.
Geelong after starting brightly with two wins have gone on to
drop four in a row. But they can turn their season right round
here with a win. If they win against Fremantle next week as well
then they will be 4-4 and back on track.
Carlton are 3-3 and have gone win-loss in succession for the year
to date. They can get on a run here with a win and their next
game against the Lions, Kangaroos and Eagles all in Melbourne are
definitely winnable.
Who of these two teams will bounce back from their tough loss
last week?
Justin Murphy makes his first appearance against his old club.
Carlton fields two ex-cats in Adrian Hickmott and Michael
Mansfield. And the Houlihan brothers square off against each
other.
The difference should be the Carlton midfield.
Brett Ratten is currently the number one onballer in the
competition with no one having more disposals or hard ball gets
them him.
I think that the Carlton class advantage should see them prevail
but if the work rate of the Cats lifts considerably to that of
the past four weeks, they are a chance as well.
- David Wiseman
+----------+
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Collingwood v. Kangaroos
Sunday, 13 May 2001 - Colonial Stadium 2:10 PM
At the end of last season, the Kangaroos were in the top four,
and the Magpies were second last. Now there is almost a complete
reversal, with the Kangaroos only kept from the bottom by the
winless Dockers, and the Magpies, while not quite in the top
four, have been in superb form, making the absolute best of a
difficult draw, in which they've played three of the top four,
plus last year's number three Carlton. The question is whether or
not the form of these two sides will continue into this game.
For the Kangaroos, this may be their last chance to move back
into touch with the top half before sliding into bottom four
obscurity. For the Magpies, a win here would consolidate their
top eight position for the time being, with a tough game away to
Port the week after.
Collingwood's strengths have been all over the ground, but
primarily in their desperation and strength at the ball in the
midfield. The Kangaroos, by contrast, have looked slow and
disorganized. They must set themselves the goal of keeping the
ball away from O'Bree, Steinfort and Buckley, who have been able
to consistently win the ball out of the middle, with assistance
from the ever improving Josh Fraser. Denis Pagan has claimed his
side play well with their backs against the wall, and here is a
true test of this statement. If they can match the desperation of
the Pies, they will have done very well.
Other than Buckley, the most potentially important player is
undoubtedly Wayne Carey, who is returning from suspension.
Although named at center half-back, he would be expected to take
his standard role as general of the forwardline, where he can
have the most impact. For the first time, Collingwood are blessed
with a number of defensive options for 'The King'. Mark
Richardson is in superb form, as is Shane Wakelin, and Simon
Prestigiacomo has done the job well before. However, if Carey can
rise above these defenders, he could once again be the match
winner.
Collingwood, of course, have their own gun half-forward. Chris
Tarrant has had an excellent start to the year, and may be
difficult for the Kangaroos to match up. He is too quick for
Martyn or McCartney, too strong for Leigh Colbert and too tall
for Glen Archer.
Although the Kangaroos should be motivated enough to turn in a
better performance than they have so far this year, they are up
against a side in top form, with the players to shut down the
Roos' stars, and pose a problem for the defenders. While the
Kangaroos are certainly capable of winning this game, they cannot
afford to play as they have so far. Perhaps the dropping of
McKernan will serve as a wake up call, but otherwise expect a
comfortable Collingwood win.
Collingwood by 30.
- TomFC
http://www.afltips.com/people/tomfc.html
**********
Sydney v. Brisbane
Sunday, 13 May 2001 - SCG 2:10 PM
The fruits of the AFL's "national competition" - both of whom had
limited success in the 1990s - meet at the Sydney Cricket Ground
on Sunday, in a game which both sides desperately need to win.
The orange roughie, Justin Leppitsch will be a welcome return for
the Lions, who have won their last three games, albeit not in
Melbourne. Both the Swans and the Lions have been rather suspect
all year, with the Lions not able to win away from their safe
haven at the Gabba. Sydney, embarrassed by its loss to a
Stewart-Loewe inspired St Kilda, will be hoping Brisbane don't
react the same way to Martin Ashcroft, due to play his 250th game
for the Lions this week. Sydney has their own celebration this
week with Ben Mathews due to play 50 senior games.
Sydney trained impressively this week and can consider itself
lucky that the explosive Wayne Schwass is taking his place after
an aggressive bump against Chad Davis last week.
Highly skilled Swan Michael O'Loughlin and elusive
ruckman/forward Adam Goodes will be players to watch from the
'Bloods point of view. Possible opponents Chris Johnson and
Darryl White will be crucial in their team's fortunes. Johnson
destroyed Geelong's enigmatic Ronnie Burns last week, while White
was superb at centre-half-back.
Ruckman Beau McDonald has been far more effective at centre
bounces in recent weeks, which has helped his smaller players at
ground level. The centre breaks will be crucial on the smaller
SCG ground, and the Swans were badly beaten in that area during
the second half last week of their game against St Kilda.
Lions skipper Michael Voss, and Simon Black were both impressive
last week and they will take plenty of confidence into a contest
with Schwass and Daryn Cresswell. Cresswell may find himself
shadowed by the limpet-like Brad Scott who is one of the leagues
better minders. Black has been in fine form in his last two
visits to the SCG and is likely to come under close scrutiny from
the Swans' match ups panel.
The Lions have the ability to trouble the Swans with their height
in attack, and McDonald may be used as a marking option up
forward while resting.
It's a tough call but you'd have to say Sydney at home. The home
crowd does wonders for the Sydney players' confidence and that
combined with Brisbane's poor away record, points to a narrow
Sydney win. Sydney by 10 points.
- Jane Woolard
**********
West Coast v. Port Adelaide
Sunday, 13 May 2001 - Subiaco 2:30 PM (4:30 PM AEST)
There's not a lot to celebrate across the Nullarbor these days:
Angry mobs, roaming the streets of Fremantle seeking the head of
Damian Drum; combine that with a Weagles outfit that has
struggled of late, especially at home, and it's easy to see that
these are truly troubled times out west.
Enter Port Adelaide: Young, confident, playing a direct and
attractive style of footy on the back of a dominant centre and
one of the best ruckmen going around, the ex-royboy Matty Primus;
Francou, Cockatoo-Collins and Wanganeen playing the best footy of
their lives, and yet another Cornes making his debut.
Port have a young balanced side that is going places, it's hard
to see them being beaten in this encounter.
That is until you look at the West Coast team on paper. Is this
side really a bunch of ageing dinosaurs, like North, lumbering
along while quicker, younger and lesser known players put them to
shame? Or are these players under performing?
I think the Weagles effort at Colonial stadium a few weeks back
indicates that it is the latter. West Coast are capable of being
a better team than they have been playing of late. I don't think
this will be the walkover for Port that everyone is suggesting,
and if you're making room in your tips for an upset this week -
always a good strategy if you're falling behind the pack or out
in front - then this would be the game to pick the Weagles.
Otherwise, safety first would tend to suggest that Port would be
the rational choice for tipsters.
What do I think? I think Port will sneak this one in.
Port by a margin of 12 points or less.
- Phil Doyle
http://www.afltips.com/people/phildoyle.html
**********
Geelong v. Carlton
Sunday, 13 May 2001 - MCG 2:10 PM
This is the time of year when the teams are separated and the
wins are so imperative. The coaches aim to get as far above .500
as possible.
Geelong after starting brightly with two wins have gone on to
drop four in a row. But they can turn their season right round
here with a win. If they win against Fremantle next week as well
then they will be 4-4 and back on track.
Carlton are 3-3 and have gone win-loss in succession for the year
to date. They can get on a run here with a win and their next
game against the Lions, Kangaroos and Eagles all in Melbourne are
definitely winnable.
Who of these two teams will bounce back from their tough loss
last week?
Justin Murphy makes his first appearance against his old club.
Carlton fields two ex-cats in Adrian Hickmott and Michael
Mansfield. And the Houlihan brothers square off against each
other.
The difference should be the Carlton midfield.
Brett Ratten is currently the number one onballer in the
competition with no one having more disposals or hard ball gets
them him.
I think that the Carlton class advantage should see them prevail
but if the work rate of the Cats lifts considerably to that of
the past four weeks, they are a chance as well.
- David Wiseman
+----------+
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