swannies
Brownlow Medallist
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Armchair Endzone Minor Comp Winner
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After a scinitillating state match, this weeks match ups don't look half as appetizing, but I'll do my best to talk them up.
Peel v Swans - after a promising start the wheels have become loose on the Peel wagon, not off yet, because it's far too early for that, just a little bit wobbly. Can they overcome the might of the Swans running brigade, led by the mercurial Jetta and imposing Naitanui. Swans also regain Hinkley but lose Hansen, whilst Peel lose Morabito (to State 18's duties). Ballantyne may be back, so he should provide a big target up forward and around the ground. However, if there is one thing we know, the Thunder can have the happy knack of knocking off the boys from Basso at least once a year. They've already beaten them at Basso so I expect, nay, I demand, retribution on the filthy rats at Peel.
Tigers v Subiaco - both sides gain and lose at the AFL table, with B Jones back for the tiges, with Swift out, while the lions lose Stenglein and Broughton, but regain Cockie. Can the Tigers youngsters keep up their improving form, or will the Lions vets keep them rolling along. Can the tiges sustain the chase, tackle and harrass long enough to reverse the earlier 17 point loss? Will Chad Jones and Richardson get enough of the ball to put scoreboard pressure on the Lions and will Thomson line up on Smith again and do another decent job on him?
Sharks v Bulldogs - this is the big one, the Foundation Day derby, but both teams aproach with paradoxical form, with the Bullies regaining their bite and the Sharkies, well losing theirs. Added to McNamara and Foster being out, so are the state 18's, Sheppard, Lucas and ?, whilst the Bulldogs lose Head but regain Murphy. Murphy will most likely line up against Spangher and kick another bag full of goals, he seems to do that well at WAFL. Farmer looked good in the state team, in patches, so should continue that form and Bell was fantastic, whilst Graham was pretty good. The runners are what the Sharks look thin of with the outs to the Eagles and Freo, so expect it to be tough to match up on the Bulldogs brigade. Sorry Sharks fans.
Falcons v Royals - another derby, this being the non-recognised (except if you're a WP or EP fan, or non denominational) Perth derby. Fremantle (of the SF and EF variety) will argue long and hard that the Perth derby is like a Leprechaun, it simply is a figment of people's imaginations. EP and WP supporters will argue equally vehemently that it is like a Tasmanian Tiger, it really does exist. Either way you look at it, these are usually fierce encounters, with nothing left on the field after the final siren. WP have Seaby back, whilst Campbell, Longmuir and LeCras remain the strike force up front, fed well by Salecic, Chambers, Rice, James, Gaudagnin, Crossland et al. EP have a decent defensive unit but lack some potency up forward, but if they can get Merrington and Tim Noakes on the park at the same time, that will be a sizable step forward. Clarke is rucking well so the duel against Seaby should be fascinating. Wulff will run all day, as will Ben Noakes, Humm, Webster, MacAulay and Travers, et al.
Hope your footy is fine on the weekend and you enjoy a bit of fresh air and some spectacular highlights from this great game.
Peel v Swans - after a promising start the wheels have become loose on the Peel wagon, not off yet, because it's far too early for that, just a little bit wobbly. Can they overcome the might of the Swans running brigade, led by the mercurial Jetta and imposing Naitanui. Swans also regain Hinkley but lose Hansen, whilst Peel lose Morabito (to State 18's duties). Ballantyne may be back, so he should provide a big target up forward and around the ground. However, if there is one thing we know, the Thunder can have the happy knack of knocking off the boys from Basso at least once a year. They've already beaten them at Basso so I expect, nay, I demand, retribution on the filthy rats at Peel.
Tigers v Subiaco - both sides gain and lose at the AFL table, with B Jones back for the tiges, with Swift out, while the lions lose Stenglein and Broughton, but regain Cockie. Can the Tigers youngsters keep up their improving form, or will the Lions vets keep them rolling along. Can the tiges sustain the chase, tackle and harrass long enough to reverse the earlier 17 point loss? Will Chad Jones and Richardson get enough of the ball to put scoreboard pressure on the Lions and will Thomson line up on Smith again and do another decent job on him?
Sharks v Bulldogs - this is the big one, the Foundation Day derby, but both teams aproach with paradoxical form, with the Bullies regaining their bite and the Sharkies, well losing theirs. Added to McNamara and Foster being out, so are the state 18's, Sheppard, Lucas and ?, whilst the Bulldogs lose Head but regain Murphy. Murphy will most likely line up against Spangher and kick another bag full of goals, he seems to do that well at WAFL. Farmer looked good in the state team, in patches, so should continue that form and Bell was fantastic, whilst Graham was pretty good. The runners are what the Sharks look thin of with the outs to the Eagles and Freo, so expect it to be tough to match up on the Bulldogs brigade. Sorry Sharks fans.
Falcons v Royals - another derby, this being the non-recognised (except if you're a WP or EP fan, or non denominational) Perth derby. Fremantle (of the SF and EF variety) will argue long and hard that the Perth derby is like a Leprechaun, it simply is a figment of people's imaginations. EP and WP supporters will argue equally vehemently that it is like a Tasmanian Tiger, it really does exist. Either way you look at it, these are usually fierce encounters, with nothing left on the field after the final siren. WP have Seaby back, whilst Campbell, Longmuir and LeCras remain the strike force up front, fed well by Salecic, Chambers, Rice, James, Gaudagnin, Crossland et al. EP have a decent defensive unit but lack some potency up forward, but if they can get Merrington and Tim Noakes on the park at the same time, that will be a sizable step forward. Clarke is rucking well so the duel against Seaby should be fascinating. Wulff will run all day, as will Ben Noakes, Humm, Webster, MacAulay and Travers, et al.
Hope your footy is fine on the weekend and you enjoy a bit of fresh air and some spectacular highlights from this great game.
