swannies
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After a weekend when some of the bottom 5 bridged the gap with the top 4, there is a chance to further close that gap. The Sharks have the bye and Perth can close in on 4th, whilst the Falcons and Lions clash in a grudge match and Tigers and Bulldogs tangle on the Sunday.
Royals v Thunder, Sat 2:15 pm
This will be the battle for bottom spot, with the loser being a game clear on the bottom. Don't worry, I'm not saying they have bottom spot sewn up. However, with Ebert, Faulks and Crichton coming back in I think the pendulum has swung in Peel's favour.
The Royals have done it tough this year, with some high profile recruits not paying off. They have a second retirement, with Glancy announcing he will no longer be playing for the club he served so well. The Royals need run, pure and simple and with Sweet going out, that doesn't help them. Brookes, who I like, gets an extended run, Payne has looked OK, Lee should win the F&B, if it was counted now, but they look a young group on paper and probably need to blood these players. I like Prior at FF, seems to be struggling this year but get the ball in front of him and see what he can do and they'll need everything he can do, with Seal out.
The Thunder have been gradually improving and probably see this as a very winnable game. Ebert, Faulks, Crichton - 3 AFL listed players in are good ins. They have Herring and Lycett up forward who can take grabs and kick goals. The defence, whilst young, looks pretty solid and with Faulks leading that, it should get better. There is a decent running brigade with Crichton, Jonesx2, Thorntons, Healey and Fotheringhame against his old club will be interesting.
I've changed my mind during the week and think Peel can get over the line.
Teams
Royals
B C Wulff L Sampey R Smith
HB J Oakley-Nicholls N Blee R Macaulay
C S Payne B Hancock N Kommer
HF G Moss J Smith D Macaulay
FF A Bennell A Prior R Brookes
F B Higgins F Clutterbuck B Lee
Int.S Mckenzie, C Grover, H Shepheard, J Keath, D Chartres, D Bawden, R Maldenis
In S Mckenzie, J Keath, N Kommer, D Bawden, R Macaulay, R Maldenis, D Chartres
Out P Travers, M Seal, J Delborrello, A Sweet
Thunder
B B Wilson M Battye M Green
HB J Jones P Faulks C Eddy
C R Healey K Thornton B Fotheringham
HF J Crichton R Herring B Ebert
FF B Jones B Holmes P Pohlenz-Saw
F S Lycett R Nye R Beswick
Int.D Mcfarlane, A Thornton, B Thornton, M Brown, J Williams, R Mason, L Meyers
In J Crichton, B Ebert, P Faulks, L Meyers, R Mason
Out D Beswick, M Barlow
Falcons v Lions
The lions and falcons seem to lift for each other, so this should be a cracking match. The Falcons rediscovered their very best form last week, whilst the Lions were good against the Sharks.
The Falcons had runners all over the ground, more commitment and skill than Swans last week and run is one thing they don't lack. Hutchings is back in, as if Subi need to deal with another good midfielder, as well as Guadagnin. Tsalikis was quiet last week, so he's just as likely to bob up if Gobbels has a quieter one. I hadn't seen much of the Falcons but had seen bits and pieces of Tregear, who didn't disappoint last week (well, actually....).
The Lions have been slowly regaining some of their strengths from those halcyon years when they were nigh unbeatable. Ali Pickett must have turned back the clock last week, Broadhurst has been sensational all year and Hughes has been a very good option for the team. Anthony needs a boost of confidence, in a hurry, but this week it will be tough with LeCras in such good form. Bristow, Blechynden, Kerr, Horsley, Keevers, Hilder will have their work cut out. Rix should give them an advantage in the ruck, can they use it?
However, I can't see the Lions getting over the Falcons.
Falcons
B D Burns D Hunt L Tedesco
HB D Fleay B Lecras J Van Berlo
C R Bartholomew M Guadagnin C Shadbolt
HF S Tregear J Gobbels A Strijk
FF F Stockley A Tsalikis J Salecic
F C Keunen M Hutchings A Saylor
Int. J Rice, S Browne, C Hutchings, M Crisp, J Morrow, S Bewick, J Pearce,
In C Hutchings, M Hutchings, M Guadagnin,
Out
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 J Joyce
FF A Pickett B Broadhurst D Rumble
F M Rix J Bristow K Horsley
Int. R Sheehan, R Blechynden, R Kerr, S Douglas, A Davey, B Stevenson, S Worthington,
In R Sheehan, A Davey, B Stevenson, S Douglas,
Out R Mcdonnell
Demons v Swans
The Dees can put pressure on the Sharks by winning, but they haven't had too much success against Swans of late. Win though, and there is a 2 game break between the bottom 3 and Perth.
The Demons have suddenly got some good big men back, with Houghton, Kane and Sibosado and Busher in good form. McDougall should have an advantage in the ruck, even though Lammie has surprised me. The running brigade is where the Dees will have the biggest advantage, IMO, with Young, K-T, O'Sullivan racking up plenty of posession and Siekerka, Pitt, Florio, Hodge, Jacobs, Elari providing run and dash. Sibosado on Hansen will be interesting, although I'd expect the bigger bodied Kane to get the job if Hansen looks like getting off the leash.
Swans have, well, given me a lot of heartache and frustration this year. They've lacked passion and run, amongst other things. A few of the young guys have brought and played with the passion, and one of those enters back into the team. Potente will be at the feet of big Ash and yapping at the heels of the Demons defenders. The Swans defense has been under siege this year and the Dees have a decent forward line, so it should be another tough day at the office. Lammie has improved with the last few outings and maybe taking the main ruck mantle will sit well with him?
My head tells me the Dees should win comfortably.
Demons
B C Vidot C Sibosado D Robinson
HB M Tedesco N Kane B Hodge
C J Pitt J Jacobs M Florio
HF D O'Sullivan J Houghton K Ransted
FF M Rogers H Busher M Moody
F A Mcdougall R Young A Elari
Int. S Siekierka, R De Jongh, C Rodgers, C Billings, J Leeson,
In J Houghton, C Rodgers, K Ransted, J Leeson,
Out A Zucconi, S Armstrong, J Kayler-Thomson, J Brennan
Swans
B K Hams T Ames G Jetta
HB B Van Groningen T Notte C Rintoul
C J Williams M Riggio T Roach
HF J Simpson T Geappen S Potente
FF B Colreavy A Hansen B Robinson
F W Lammie B Robinson J Jacky
Int. A Faulkner, S Parry, B Wolfenden, D Johnston,
In W Shea, C Rintoul, D Johnston, J Williams, M Aitchison, A James, W Shea,
Out M Outridge, L Spaanderman, M Walters, A Hunter
Tigers v Bulldogs
This should be match of the round with the Bulldogs being good over the past month and the tigers continuing to wobble a bit. The Tigers do have a few good ins though.
The Tigers running game plan seems to be a bit up and down this year, which is a strange thing to say when they sit second, just not as dominant as last year, I guess. The defensive running against them is still their weakness, but McGinnity and Waters in should help that. Brabazon in gives them more offensive run and I view Nisbett as a tough, blue collar worker, maybe I'm wrong? Mitchell will be a big out and Broome will be missed around that forward line, but that may give Richardson the chance to return to some good form or Gilligan to explode, some more. I think the Tiges might just have a few more KP options.
The Bulldogs will celebrate Adams' 100th and he's been a fine servant of the club. Phillips' return and Dell-olio's return to form have been welcome bonuses and Collica will inject a bit of liveliness into the Bulldogs. Gaff and Palumbo are 2 young mids with very bright futures and will need to be contained. Cook, Hasleby, Miller, McGrath give them some older heads through the middle. Bairstow probably gets a big job on Blackwell and this could be critical to the outcome of the game.
I think the Tigers might just prevail.
Teams
Tigers
B C Rudeforth B Franz J Laurie
HB I Rowe B Jones B Waters
C B Schammer R Brabazon A Gilligan
HF L Stevenson T Handley I Richardson
FF D Crawford M Andrews G Weedon
F T Lee P Mcginnity L Blackwell
Int. B Anderson, B Saunders, M Orzel, J Murphy, B Wilkes, A Foster, C Mclernon, B Nisbett
In B Nisbett, P Mcginnity, B Waters, A Foster, B Saunders, R Brabazon,
Out L Broome, K Mitchell
Bulldogs
B R Adams H North A Gaff
HB T Adams C Wilson T Bairstow
C M Cooper R Cook P Hasleby
HF J Head A Mccarrey T Mcgrath
FF C Dell-Olio R Murphy K Miller
F P Mugambwa J Palumbo N Phillips
Int. J Maiorana, C White, J Winter, L Kelly, J Woods, M Leece, A Collica,
In J Maiorana, A Collica, M Leece,
Out
Royals v Thunder, Sat 2:15 pm
This will be the battle for bottom spot, with the loser being a game clear on the bottom. Don't worry, I'm not saying they have bottom spot sewn up. However, with Ebert, Faulks and Crichton coming back in I think the pendulum has swung in Peel's favour.
The Royals have done it tough this year, with some high profile recruits not paying off. They have a second retirement, with Glancy announcing he will no longer be playing for the club he served so well. The Royals need run, pure and simple and with Sweet going out, that doesn't help them. Brookes, who I like, gets an extended run, Payne has looked OK, Lee should win the F&B, if it was counted now, but they look a young group on paper and probably need to blood these players. I like Prior at FF, seems to be struggling this year but get the ball in front of him and see what he can do and they'll need everything he can do, with Seal out.
The Thunder have been gradually improving and probably see this as a very winnable game. Ebert, Faulks, Crichton - 3 AFL listed players in are good ins. They have Herring and Lycett up forward who can take grabs and kick goals. The defence, whilst young, looks pretty solid and with Faulks leading that, it should get better. There is a decent running brigade with Crichton, Jonesx2, Thorntons, Healey and Fotheringhame against his old club will be interesting.
I've changed my mind during the week and think Peel can get over the line.
Teams
Royals
B C Wulff L Sampey R Smith
HB J Oakley-Nicholls N Blee R Macaulay
C S Payne B Hancock N Kommer
HF G Moss J Smith D Macaulay
FF A Bennell A Prior R Brookes
F B Higgins F Clutterbuck B Lee
Int.S Mckenzie, C Grover, H Shepheard, J Keath, D Chartres, D Bawden, R Maldenis
In S Mckenzie, J Keath, N Kommer, D Bawden, R Macaulay, R Maldenis, D Chartres
Out P Travers, M Seal, J Delborrello, A Sweet
Thunder
B B Wilson M Battye M Green
HB J Jones P Faulks C Eddy
C R Healey K Thornton B Fotheringham
HF J Crichton R Herring B Ebert
FF B Jones B Holmes P Pohlenz-Saw
F S Lycett R Nye R Beswick
Int.D Mcfarlane, A Thornton, B Thornton, M Brown, J Williams, R Mason, L Meyers
In J Crichton, B Ebert, P Faulks, L Meyers, R Mason
Out D Beswick, M Barlow
Falcons v Lions
The lions and falcons seem to lift for each other, so this should be a cracking match. The Falcons rediscovered their very best form last week, whilst the Lions were good against the Sharks.
The Falcons had runners all over the ground, more commitment and skill than Swans last week and run is one thing they don't lack. Hutchings is back in, as if Subi need to deal with another good midfielder, as well as Guadagnin. Tsalikis was quiet last week, so he's just as likely to bob up if Gobbels has a quieter one. I hadn't seen much of the Falcons but had seen bits and pieces of Tregear, who didn't disappoint last week (well, actually....).
The Lions have been slowly regaining some of their strengths from those halcyon years when they were nigh unbeatable. Ali Pickett must have turned back the clock last week, Broadhurst has been sensational all year and Hughes has been a very good option for the team. Anthony needs a boost of confidence, in a hurry, but this week it will be tough with LeCras in such good form. Bristow, Blechynden, Kerr, Horsley, Keevers, Hilder will have their work cut out. Rix should give them an advantage in the ruck, can they use it?
However, I can't see the Lions getting over the Falcons.
Falcons
B D Burns D Hunt L Tedesco
HB D Fleay B Lecras J Van Berlo
C R Bartholomew M Guadagnin C Shadbolt
HF S Tregear J Gobbels A Strijk
FF F Stockley A Tsalikis J Salecic
F C Keunen M Hutchings A Saylor
Int. J Rice, S Browne, C Hutchings, M Crisp, J Morrow, S Bewick, J Pearce,
In C Hutchings, M Hutchings, M Guadagnin,
Out
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 J Joyce
FF A Pickett B Broadhurst D Rumble
F M Rix J Bristow K Horsley
Int. R Sheehan, R Blechynden, R Kerr, S Douglas, A Davey, B Stevenson, S Worthington,
In R Sheehan, A Davey, B Stevenson, S Douglas,
Out R Mcdonnell
Demons v Swans
The Dees can put pressure on the Sharks by winning, but they haven't had too much success against Swans of late. Win though, and there is a 2 game break between the bottom 3 and Perth.
The Demons have suddenly got some good big men back, with Houghton, Kane and Sibosado and Busher in good form. McDougall should have an advantage in the ruck, even though Lammie has surprised me. The running brigade is where the Dees will have the biggest advantage, IMO, with Young, K-T, O'Sullivan racking up plenty of posession and Siekerka, Pitt, Florio, Hodge, Jacobs, Elari providing run and dash. Sibosado on Hansen will be interesting, although I'd expect the bigger bodied Kane to get the job if Hansen looks like getting off the leash.
Swans have, well, given me a lot of heartache and frustration this year. They've lacked passion and run, amongst other things. A few of the young guys have brought and played with the passion, and one of those enters back into the team. Potente will be at the feet of big Ash and yapping at the heels of the Demons defenders. The Swans defense has been under siege this year and the Dees have a decent forward line, so it should be another tough day at the office. Lammie has improved with the last few outings and maybe taking the main ruck mantle will sit well with him?
My head tells me the Dees should win comfortably.
Demons
B C Vidot C Sibosado D Robinson
HB M Tedesco N Kane B Hodge
C J Pitt J Jacobs M Florio
HF D O'Sullivan J Houghton K Ransted
FF M Rogers H Busher M Moody
F A Mcdougall R Young A Elari
Int. S Siekierka, R De Jongh, C Rodgers, C Billings, J Leeson,
In J Houghton, C Rodgers, K Ransted, J Leeson,
Out A Zucconi, S Armstrong, J Kayler-Thomson, J Brennan
Swans
B K Hams T Ames G Jetta
HB B Van Groningen T Notte C Rintoul
C J Williams M Riggio T Roach
HF J Simpson T Geappen S Potente
FF B Colreavy A Hansen B Robinson
F W Lammie B Robinson J Jacky
Int. A Faulkner, S Parry, B Wolfenden, D Johnston,
In W Shea, C Rintoul, D Johnston, J Williams, M Aitchison, A James, W Shea,
Out M Outridge, L Spaanderman, M Walters, A Hunter
Tigers v Bulldogs
This should be match of the round with the Bulldogs being good over the past month and the tigers continuing to wobble a bit. The Tigers do have a few good ins though.
The Tigers running game plan seems to be a bit up and down this year, which is a strange thing to say when they sit second, just not as dominant as last year, I guess. The defensive running against them is still their weakness, but McGinnity and Waters in should help that. Brabazon in gives them more offensive run and I view Nisbett as a tough, blue collar worker, maybe I'm wrong? Mitchell will be a big out and Broome will be missed around that forward line, but that may give Richardson the chance to return to some good form or Gilligan to explode, some more. I think the Tiges might just have a few more KP options.
The Bulldogs will celebrate Adams' 100th and he's been a fine servant of the club. Phillips' return and Dell-olio's return to form have been welcome bonuses and Collica will inject a bit of liveliness into the Bulldogs. Gaff and Palumbo are 2 young mids with very bright futures and will need to be contained. Cook, Hasleby, Miller, McGrath give them some older heads through the middle. Bairstow probably gets a big job on Blackwell and this could be critical to the outcome of the game.
I think the Tigers might just prevail.
Teams
Tigers
B C Rudeforth B Franz J Laurie
HB I Rowe B Jones B Waters
C B Schammer R Brabazon A Gilligan
HF L Stevenson T Handley I Richardson
FF D Crawford M Andrews G Weedon
F T Lee P Mcginnity L Blackwell
Int. B Anderson, B Saunders, M Orzel, J Murphy, B Wilkes, A Foster, C Mclernon, B Nisbett
In B Nisbett, P Mcginnity, B Waters, A Foster, B Saunders, R Brabazon,
Out L Broome, K Mitchell
Bulldogs
B R Adams H North A Gaff
HB T Adams C Wilson T Bairstow
C M Cooper R Cook P Hasleby
HF J Head A Mccarrey T Mcgrath
FF C Dell-Olio R Murphy K Miller
F P Mugambwa J Palumbo N Phillips
Int. J Maiorana, C White, J Winter, L Kelly, J Woods, M Leece, A Collica,
In J Maiorana, A Collica, M Leece,
Out
