swannies
Brownlow Medallist
10k Posts
Armchair Endzone Minor Comp Winner
Armchair Endzone Participant
Well, this weekend shapes as the most critical round of matches in the seasoon to date, possibly for the remainder of the season as well. It's top 4 v bottom 4 all the way, so if teams want to bridge that gap it will be now or never. This is where we will see if the gap is as big as it appears, or can be overcome.
All matches are in the traditional Saturday afternoon time slot.
Bulldogs v Royals
The Bulldogs and Royals both suffered a loss last outing and if the Royals have any aspirations of participating in finals football, now is the time to stand up. Last time they met the Bulldogs prevailed at Leederville by 24 points.
The Bulldogs have had a reasonable last month and certainly seem to have got a lot of their run back that was missing last year. Phillips back will have certainly helped that, along with young Gaff from the Eagles, but Palumbo, Cook, Dell-olio, Adams have all contributed greatly. Hayden back in that back line with McGrath gives it a touch of class. I was impressed with Kelly the last couple of games I've seen of his, big lump of a lad, hard to move and gives them some much needed height that was missing, but run remains the key with the Dogs.
The Royals have made numerous changes, with Polak and Pettifer presumably being given a rest. Will be interesting to see how they look without Pettifer up forward? Smith and Shepheard as the key forwards looks good, Prior and Delborello on the flanks have a bit of class and skill. In the middle it's going to be up to Lee, Wulff, Seal, Moss, Clutterbuck, JON, Travers, Macauley to run with the Bulldogs midfield brigade all day. They will need to at least split that contest to have a chance.
Unfortunately Royals fans I think the dogs will be too good and kill off the Royals season.
Teams
Bulldogs
B C White R Hayden C Wilson
HB J Head T Mcgrath A Mccarrey
C J Woods A Gaff H North
HF R Cook R Murphy C Dell-Olio
FF K Miller P Mugambwa R Adams
F L Kelly J Winter N Phillips
Int.T Adams, T Bairstow, P Hasleby, J Palumbo, D Ross, D Hayward, M Cooper
Royals
B N Kommer N Blee D Macaulay
HB J Oakley-Nicholls L Sampey P Travers
C S Payne C Wulff M Seal
HF J Delborrello H Shepheard G Moss
FF A Bennell J Smith A Prior
F B Higgins F Clutterbuck B Lee
Int.R Brookes, B Hancock, A Sweet, C Grover, S Mckenzie, R Smith, R Macaulay
In S Payne, A Bennell, B Higgins, C Grover, S Mckenzie, R Smith, R Macaulay, N Kommer
Out G Polak, K Pettifer, D Roberton, J Lalich, B Dobson
Swans v Falcons
I love nothing more than a game against the Falcons, especially in the wet when everything is on the line. It's all or nothing for Swans now, their premiership defense is probably gone but it hangs on a knife's edge, if they can keep winning. This is a huge test and if a game against the Falcons doesn't get you up, nothing will, IMO. Last time they met the Falcons won by 17 points.
Swans have been up and down and a little soft, IMO. You can't be soft against the Falcons. Panda back is a very big in, Walters, with his head in the right space, will be a big in and young Burnham, from the colts, is on the extended bench. Is it coincidental that James gets named against his old side? Those tricks don't seem to work these days. It will come down to run and hardness at the ball, with guys like Wolfenden, Riggio, Roach, van Groningen, Hinkley having to match the determination of the Falcons.
The Falcons look to be without Strijk, but they are led by one of the hardest runners of the lot, Salecic. Another guy I really enjoy watching and I've enjoyed since he debuted for EP as a 16/17 yo is Hutchings. Should be back on an AFL list, especially if I was a recruiting manager, is hard at it and reads the play so well. They will be ably supported by Guadagnin, Rice, Bartholomew, TedescoSaylor, Shadbolt, Tregear. LeCras has been pivotal in the back half and Zanetti equally as surprising up forward.
My head says Falcons, in a close, hard fought contest.
Teams
Swans
B K Hams T Ames G Jetta
HB M Outridge T Notte S Parry
C B Wolfenden M Riggio T Roach
HF J Simpson T Geappen B Van Groningen
FF B Colreavy A Hansen A Hunter
F L Spaanderman B Robinson J Jacky
Int.A Faulkner, W Lammie, M Walters, A James, M Aitchison, D Johnston, J Burnham
In A James, L Spaanderman, J Burnham
Out R Davis
Falcons
B D Burns D Hunt S Browne
HB J Van Berlo B Lecras D Fleay
C R Bartholomew M Guadagnin L Tedesco
HF S Tregear J Gobbells A Saylor
FF A Tsalikis S Zanetti C Shadbolt
F C Keunen J Salecic M Hutchings
Int.M Crisp, A Black, J Morrow, J Rice, S Bewick, F Stockley, J Pearce
In J Morrow, M Crisp, A Black, J Rice
Out
Lions v Sharks
4th v 5th, so should be a cracker. The Sharks have a heap of important outs and are probably vulnerable to a Lion attack this week.
The Lions still seem to be heavily reliant on Broadhurst, so shut him down, which is easier said than done, and you're a good chance of beating them. Anthony should be able to ease the load but he hasn't fully hit his straps yet and it will be a good test against another AFL listed defender this weekend. The young mids of the Lions have been quite good, in Kerr and Blechynden, Hughes has been fantastic, Hilder usually is and Bristow and Horsley give them that touch of experience they need. I don't think Rumble's move to the forward line has reaped too many dividends, maybe time to put him back with his old mate Parker, although the Sharks don't have the biggest back line.
The Sharks are the archetypical running side. They lack a bit in size but will run you off your feet, if you're not ready to go with them. The O'Brien brothers have been very hard to match up on this year and with Dunn, Stevens, Palmer out means more focus will be on them. Griffin should be a welcome return for them though, was playing good footy and seemed to go up a notch with the Dockers, so his battle with Rix will be a highlight. Fasolo has been an important ingredient the past month, and has played good football, and his pairing with Masten will provide some headaches for the Lions.
Can't go past the Sharks but it will be close.
Teams
Lions
B R Forrest C Wheeler K Bloxsidge
HB B Randall A Parker B Keevers
C D Hughes C Phelan S Hildebrandt
HF P Hassett J Anthony R Mcdonnell
FF A Pickett B Broadhurst D Rumble
F M Rix J Bristow K Horsley
Int. J Joyce, R Blechynden, R Kerr, S Douglas, A Davey, B Stevenson, S Worthington,
In A Pickett, S Douglas, A Davey, J Anthony,
Out R Sheehan,
Sharks
B S Dodd L Weller J Brennan
HB J Mcnamara M Brown C Yeo
C B Dalziell M Mcgough T Houlihan
HF R O'Brien M Warren R Hadley
FF B O'Brien L Teakle D Chidlow
F R Young C Masten L Fasolo
Emergency S Henson T Viney T Houlihan
Int. S Lee-Steere, S Horsburgh, A Tropiano, M Boyle,
In M Boyle, M Brown, M Warren, R Hadley, C Masten, S Henson, T Viney, T Howlett
Out B Bucovaz, R Palmer, K Stevens, B Sheppard, J Monaco, R Dunn
Tigers v Demons
Some of the Tigers haven't played in nearly 3 weeks, so how much will this affect them? In their earlier match the Tiges won by 80 odd points, but the Dees won their last match, so can they continue that?
The Tigers are a well oiled running machine, we all know that. They have blokes sitting in reserves that would get a run in most other teams midfields. Nisbett and Anderson are cases in point. Both have had very good first or second game for the season matches, but they've had to wait until round 10 or so for a game. Brabazon has huge running ability and he, Blackwell and Mitchell knocked up getting possessions in the state game. Schammer does as he pleases and Weedon and Gilligan are developing quite nicely into their midfield roles. C Jones hasn't hit his straps, but he's got the remaining 10 rounds to do so.
The Demons can enthusiastically attack the second half of the season, with a decent team on paper. They need a bit more from their seniors and maybe another good forward, but I see Houghton is back this week. Hodge was quite impressive last year and he has very good pace, so he's one I'd have in against the Tigers. The mids all need to run very hard defensively and put pressure on the Monts free wheeling mid. Guys like K-T and Young will need to go hard at Blackwell and co. Florio, Pitt and Hodge will need to use their speed and kicking skills to really hurt the college boys.
Tigers comfortably for mine in this one though.
Teams
Tigers
B B Anderson J Laurie L Stevenson
HB B Jones B Franz J Murphy
C C Rudeforth T Handley I Rowe
HF L Broome D Crawford M Orzel
FF I Richardson B Wilkes B Schammer
F M Andrews G Weedon L Blackwell
Int. A Hamp, B Saunders, B Nisbett, T Lee, A Gilligan, K Mitchell, C Mclernon,
In
Out
Demons
B S Siekierka A Zucconi C Vidot
HB D Robinson C Sibosado N Kane
C M Florio D O'Sullivan J Kayler-Thomson
HF S Armstrong H Busher M Rogers
FF J Brennan M Moody J Pitt
F A Mcdougall R Young A Elari
Int. C Billings, D White, J Hansen, R De Jongh, J Jacobs, M Tedesco, J Houghton, B Hodge
In C Billings, J Hansen, J Houghton, R De Jongh, M Rogers,
Out
All matches are in the traditional Saturday afternoon time slot.
Bulldogs v Royals
The Bulldogs and Royals both suffered a loss last outing and if the Royals have any aspirations of participating in finals football, now is the time to stand up. Last time they met the Bulldogs prevailed at Leederville by 24 points.
The Bulldogs have had a reasonable last month and certainly seem to have got a lot of their run back that was missing last year. Phillips back will have certainly helped that, along with young Gaff from the Eagles, but Palumbo, Cook, Dell-olio, Adams have all contributed greatly. Hayden back in that back line with McGrath gives it a touch of class. I was impressed with Kelly the last couple of games I've seen of his, big lump of a lad, hard to move and gives them some much needed height that was missing, but run remains the key with the Dogs.
The Royals have made numerous changes, with Polak and Pettifer presumably being given a rest. Will be interesting to see how they look without Pettifer up forward? Smith and Shepheard as the key forwards looks good, Prior and Delborello on the flanks have a bit of class and skill. In the middle it's going to be up to Lee, Wulff, Seal, Moss, Clutterbuck, JON, Travers, Macauley to run with the Bulldogs midfield brigade all day. They will need to at least split that contest to have a chance.
Unfortunately Royals fans I think the dogs will be too good and kill off the Royals season.
Teams
Bulldogs
B C White R Hayden C Wilson
HB J Head T Mcgrath A Mccarrey
C J Woods A Gaff H North
HF R Cook R Murphy C Dell-Olio
FF K Miller P Mugambwa R Adams
F L Kelly J Winter N Phillips
Int.T Adams, T Bairstow, P Hasleby, J Palumbo, D Ross, D Hayward, M Cooper
Royals
B N Kommer N Blee D Macaulay
HB J Oakley-Nicholls L Sampey P Travers
C S Payne C Wulff M Seal
HF J Delborrello H Shepheard G Moss
FF A Bennell J Smith A Prior
F B Higgins F Clutterbuck B Lee
Int.R Brookes, B Hancock, A Sweet, C Grover, S Mckenzie, R Smith, R Macaulay
In S Payne, A Bennell, B Higgins, C Grover, S Mckenzie, R Smith, R Macaulay, N Kommer
Out G Polak, K Pettifer, D Roberton, J Lalich, B Dobson
Swans v Falcons
I love nothing more than a game against the Falcons, especially in the wet when everything is on the line. It's all or nothing for Swans now, their premiership defense is probably gone but it hangs on a knife's edge, if they can keep winning. This is a huge test and if a game against the Falcons doesn't get you up, nothing will, IMO. Last time they met the Falcons won by 17 points.
Swans have been up and down and a little soft, IMO. You can't be soft against the Falcons. Panda back is a very big in, Walters, with his head in the right space, will be a big in and young Burnham, from the colts, is on the extended bench. Is it coincidental that James gets named against his old side? Those tricks don't seem to work these days. It will come down to run and hardness at the ball, with guys like Wolfenden, Riggio, Roach, van Groningen, Hinkley having to match the determination of the Falcons.
The Falcons look to be without Strijk, but they are led by one of the hardest runners of the lot, Salecic. Another guy I really enjoy watching and I've enjoyed since he debuted for EP as a 16/17 yo is Hutchings. Should be back on an AFL list, especially if I was a recruiting manager, is hard at it and reads the play so well. They will be ably supported by Guadagnin, Rice, Bartholomew, TedescoSaylor, Shadbolt, Tregear. LeCras has been pivotal in the back half and Zanetti equally as surprising up forward.
My head says Falcons, in a close, hard fought contest.
Teams
Swans
B K Hams T Ames G Jetta
HB M Outridge T Notte S Parry
C B Wolfenden M Riggio T Roach
HF J Simpson T Geappen B Van Groningen
FF B Colreavy A Hansen A Hunter
F L Spaanderman B Robinson J Jacky
Int.A Faulkner, W Lammie, M Walters, A James, M Aitchison, D Johnston, J Burnham
In A James, L Spaanderman, J Burnham
Out R Davis
Falcons
B D Burns D Hunt S Browne
HB J Van Berlo B Lecras D Fleay
C R Bartholomew M Guadagnin L Tedesco
HF S Tregear J Gobbells A Saylor
FF A Tsalikis S Zanetti C Shadbolt
F C Keunen J Salecic M Hutchings
Int.M Crisp, A Black, J Morrow, J Rice, S Bewick, F Stockley, J Pearce
In J Morrow, M Crisp, A Black, J Rice
Out
Lions v Sharks
4th v 5th, so should be a cracker. The Sharks have a heap of important outs and are probably vulnerable to a Lion attack this week.
The Lions still seem to be heavily reliant on Broadhurst, so shut him down, which is easier said than done, and you're a good chance of beating them. Anthony should be able to ease the load but he hasn't fully hit his straps yet and it will be a good test against another AFL listed defender this weekend. The young mids of the Lions have been quite good, in Kerr and Blechynden, Hughes has been fantastic, Hilder usually is and Bristow and Horsley give them that touch of experience they need. I don't think Rumble's move to the forward line has reaped too many dividends, maybe time to put him back with his old mate Parker, although the Sharks don't have the biggest back line.
The Sharks are the archetypical running side. They lack a bit in size but will run you off your feet, if you're not ready to go with them. The O'Brien brothers have been very hard to match up on this year and with Dunn, Stevens, Palmer out means more focus will be on them. Griffin should be a welcome return for them though, was playing good footy and seemed to go up a notch with the Dockers, so his battle with Rix will be a highlight. Fasolo has been an important ingredient the past month, and has played good football, and his pairing with Masten will provide some headaches for the Lions.
Can't go past the Sharks but it will be close.
Teams
Lions
B R Forrest C Wheeler K Bloxsidge
HB B Randall A Parker B Keevers
C D Hughes C Phelan S Hildebrandt
HF P Hassett J Anthony R Mcdonnell
FF A Pickett B Broadhurst D Rumble
F M Rix J Bristow K Horsley
Int. J Joyce, R Blechynden, R Kerr, S Douglas, A Davey, B Stevenson, S Worthington,
In A Pickett, S Douglas, A Davey, J Anthony,
Out R Sheehan,
Sharks
B S Dodd L Weller J Brennan
HB J Mcnamara M Brown C Yeo
C B Dalziell M Mcgough T Houlihan
HF R O'Brien M Warren R Hadley
FF B O'Brien L Teakle D Chidlow
F R Young C Masten L Fasolo
Emergency S Henson T Viney T Houlihan
Int. S Lee-Steere, S Horsburgh, A Tropiano, M Boyle,
In M Boyle, M Brown, M Warren, R Hadley, C Masten, S Henson, T Viney, T Howlett
Out B Bucovaz, R Palmer, K Stevens, B Sheppard, J Monaco, R Dunn
Tigers v Demons
Some of the Tigers haven't played in nearly 3 weeks, so how much will this affect them? In their earlier match the Tiges won by 80 odd points, but the Dees won their last match, so can they continue that?
The Tigers are a well oiled running machine, we all know that. They have blokes sitting in reserves that would get a run in most other teams midfields. Nisbett and Anderson are cases in point. Both have had very good first or second game for the season matches, but they've had to wait until round 10 or so for a game. Brabazon has huge running ability and he, Blackwell and Mitchell knocked up getting possessions in the state game. Schammer does as he pleases and Weedon and Gilligan are developing quite nicely into their midfield roles. C Jones hasn't hit his straps, but he's got the remaining 10 rounds to do so.
The Demons can enthusiastically attack the second half of the season, with a decent team on paper. They need a bit more from their seniors and maybe another good forward, but I see Houghton is back this week. Hodge was quite impressive last year and he has very good pace, so he's one I'd have in against the Tigers. The mids all need to run very hard defensively and put pressure on the Monts free wheeling mid. Guys like K-T and Young will need to go hard at Blackwell and co. Florio, Pitt and Hodge will need to use their speed and kicking skills to really hurt the college boys.
Tigers comfortably for mine in this one though.
Teams
Tigers
B B Anderson J Laurie L Stevenson
HB B Jones B Franz J Murphy
C C Rudeforth T Handley I Rowe
HF L Broome D Crawford M Orzel
FF I Richardson B Wilkes B Schammer
F M Andrews G Weedon L Blackwell
Int. A Hamp, B Saunders, B Nisbett, T Lee, A Gilligan, K Mitchell, C Mclernon,
In
Out
Demons
B S Siekierka A Zucconi C Vidot
HB D Robinson C Sibosado N Kane
C M Florio D O'Sullivan J Kayler-Thomson
HF S Armstrong H Busher M Rogers
FF J Brennan M Moody J Pitt
F A Mcdougall R Young A Elari
Int. C Billings, D White, J Hansen, R De Jongh, J Jacobs, M Tedesco, J Houghton, B Hodge
In C Billings, J Hansen, J Houghton, R De Jongh, M Rogers,
Out
Missed Hutchings, who didn't play, but Tregear stepped up, as did Keunen, Bartholomew, Browne and Gobbels, I thought, played very well.