swannies
Brownlow Medallist
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Well, there's now 13% separating last years premiers from the foot of the ladder. It comes down to who will get beaten by the biggest margin by the Falcons or Demons. The Royals have added incentive to show up in tomorrow's good Friday clash against the Lions, after Tony Micale's son tragically died early in the week. Condolences and best wishes to the Micale family. 
Lions v Royals Fri, 4:15pm, Leederville
The Lions were on the verge of a massive upset over the hated enemy last week, whilst the Royals continue to lack that gelling effect that is required if they are to push up the ladder.
The Lions showed improvement over the pre-season and have carried that into the season proper. There were whispers around the Subi club rooms that this was the best pre-season put in by the boys for 2-3 years. So far that extra effort has not fully translated on to the scoreboard, but it seems a matter of time, if they keep up the efforts. Broadhurst seems to finally have some support from the likes of Hughes and Anthony. A fully fit Bristow in the midfield makes the job easier for the likes of Kerr and Blechynden. Will be interesting to watch them tomorrow.
The Royals have a massive emotional burden to carry into this game and time will tell whether they are flat or pumped. Wulff, Lee, Sweet need assistance from other players to get the Royals over the line in this one. I see Polak is listed at CHB again and will be interesting what drive he gives them from there.
I think the Royals might just get up for their popular coach.
Teams
Lions
B Worthington Stevenson Broadhurst
HB Keevers Parker Hughes
C Cossom McDonnell Hidebrandt
HF Bristow Anthony Kerr
FF Cockie Rumble Pickett
F Rix Bloxsidge Hassett
Int Ward Blechynden Hottes Phelan Douglas Adamson-Holmes Horsley
Royals
B D Stirling N Blee P Travers
HB F Clutterbuck G Polak J Keath
C G Moss D Macaulay C Wulff
HF M Swan B Hancock A Sweet
FF M Seal J Smith Z Clarke
F Z Beeck B Lee K Pettifer
Emg R Brookes R Maldenis K Anderson
Int.H Shepheard, J Delborrello, J Derickx, B Dobson,
In J Delborrello, B Dobson,
Out R Brookes, K Anderson
Falcons v Peel, Sat 2:15pm, Arena Joondalup
Even though Peel have been more competitive I sense the level of care for this match is quite low. However, could the Thunder catch the Falcons dozing? I also see the Falcons' captain is missing this week, hmmmm.
The Falcons weren't overly active in the player transfer market over the pre-season, instead trusting the talent they had. Mitch Andrews has just transferred to Claremont after returning from travelling and he was a very handy player, but he didn't play each week, such is the depth within the cardies. Their game style is heavily based around running, with a couple of big guys to compete in the air and bring to ground, but they are mobile as well.
Peel have a very "generic" list, not many names that are recognisable, but they seem to be starting to gel as a group. With the Thornton brothers back at their club of origin, they also have the backing of a fairly large core of runners. They have a good sprinkling of AFL listed players in Faulks, Michie, Wilson, J Jones and Lycett. McFarlane and Wilson give them great kicking skills out of the backline, Butcher out will be a big out as he has gathered some heavy doses of leather poisoning so far this season.
Falcons should cruise through this though.
Teams
Falcons
B D Fleay D Hunt D Burns
HB S Browne S Zanetti J Gobbells
C S Tregear M Guadagnin J Rice
HF J Mellington B Lecras A Tsalikis
FF C Shadbolt F Stockley A Saylor
F C Keunen M Hutchings A Strijk
Int. M Crisp, A Black, J Morrow, J Tindall, J Pearce, K Holden, L Tedesco,
In J Pearce, J Morrow, K Holden, M Crisp, J Tindall, L Tedesco,
Out R Bartholomew, J Salecic, S Bewick,
Thunder
B D Mcfarlane J Flaherty B Wilson
HB A Heal P Faulks M Green
C B Gillam R Healey J Jones
HF K Thornton R Herring A Thornton
FF L Lawler S Lycett B Holmes
F J Williams V Michie B Jones
Int. H Mcleod, R Beswick, B Thornton, M Brown, C Eddy, B Piggot, A Thornton,
In
Out K Butcher, J Crichton
Bulldogs v Sharks 2:15 pm, Monday, Freo Oval
Well, the big match for the weekend is the Anzac Day derby. Looks like a beautiful day this morning, in a fine setting at Freo Oval, great day to get down to the footy so these two old protagonists go hammer and tongs.
Sowfs were very good with their run last week against Swans. Guglia was a slippery little eel last week and set up a lot of their play, I thought, so will need to be watched closely, perhaps Houlihan's job? Hasleby should be better for the run but I wish I was there to watch the fireworks between Old East and their former player. The Sharks supporters still haven't forgiven McCarrey from crossing over to the dark side, this should be fun.
Looks like they're trying to free Murphy up by not playing in a KP post, just from here, is that right?
The Sharks lose Hadley but gain Dalziell, so I suppose much of a muchness. Graham and Griffin should be a very good match in the ruck, but tip Griff to win that. Bossong on O'Brien looks like a mismatch and just confirms that the Sharks are a tall too few in that F50, but O'Brien should beat him on the ground. Both teams have good running brigades with McGough, Houlihan, Monteath, Stevens, O'Brien x 2, Fasolo, Leslie, Davidson up against McGrath, Dell-Olio, Guglia, Adams, Miller, North and Hasleby.
Should be a ripper and I'm tipping the Sharks to just get up.
Teams
Bulldogs
B R Adams C Bossong R Cook
HB A Hams P Mugambwa P Hasleby
C C Dell-Olio T Mcgrath A Guglielmana
HF J Head A Mccarrey R Murphy
FF H North C Wilson J Palumbo
F J Graham J Winter C White
Int. T Adams, C Amato, M Leece, T Hall, K Miller, M Cooper, A Collica, T Bairstow
In T Adams, M Leece, A Collica, C Amato, M Cooper,
Out A Mcintosh
Sharks
B J Brennan R Young A Stephen
HB S Dodd L Weller B Sheppard
C T Houlihan M Mcgough K Monteath
HF C Davidson T Howlett K Stevens
FF R O'Brien B O'Brien L Teakle
F J Griffin J Mcnamara B Dalziell
Int. D Foster, L Fasolo, D Chidlow, J Bayliss, C Yeo, J Venturini, A Ricciardello, C Leslie
In L Fasolo, C Leslie, D Chidlow, D Foster, A Ricciardello,
Out R Hadley
Swans v Demons
Well, it's last chance saloon for Swans to make a stand this year, but the Dees will be up and ready for this challenge, starting the season so well.
Swans have lost Hunter and Robinson, 2 of the players I reckon should have been dropped in the past week or 2, but injury forced the decision, which is disappointing for me. The match committee have to have some cahuna's and make the hard decisions from here on in. Once again the team looks too tall and when I see Lammie on the interchange.....vanGronigen, Outridge and Wolfenden need to come in to deliver more run and carry. I just hope they play with some ANZAC spirit otherwise I'll be dabbling in spirit's of a different kind to get me through the season.
The Dees, well, they're up and about and we had very tough battles with them last year. They seem to have a good mix of talls and runners. One plus is that I see a rumour on BF that says Smith has been held out of this game for Perth, by the Eagles. That's some less run off HB that we need to deal with. McDougall v Spaanders looks a good match up and Panda needs to use all his aggression, in the right way, to unsettle McDougall, who provides a lot of run around the ground.
This will be a hard fought contest, I'm hoping Swans, just.
Teams
Swans
B C Pearce L Miles T Ames
HB J Jacky J Williams G Jetta
C T Roach J Roberts A James
HF T Notte T Geappen M Riggio
FF B Colreavy A Hansen D Garlet
F L Spaanderman R Davis K Hams
Emergemcy M Walters
Int. L Adams, B Van Groningen, W Lammie, M Aitchison, B Wolfenden, M Outridge, R Manton, S Parry
In D Garlet, S Parry, M Outridge, B Wolfenden, B Van Groningen,
Out A Hunter, B Robinson,
Demons
B K Lang C Billings D Robinson
HB A Smith C Sibosado S Siekierka
C M Florio D O'Sullivan J Kayler-Thomson
HF M Rogers D White M Moody
FF S Armstrong A Zucconi H Busher
F A Mcdougall R Young A Elari
Emergemcy D Venditti M Mather
Int. G Denton, D White, B Hodge, J Bollenhagen, J Jacobs, C Vidot,
In J Bollenhagen, A Zucconi,
Out S Young
I'm in raptures now, just checked the Ressies and Lammie played, with A James, who also should have been dropped.
Lions v Royals Fri, 4:15pm, Leederville
The Lions were on the verge of a massive upset over the hated enemy last week, whilst the Royals continue to lack that gelling effect that is required if they are to push up the ladder.
The Lions showed improvement over the pre-season and have carried that into the season proper. There were whispers around the Subi club rooms that this was the best pre-season put in by the boys for 2-3 years. So far that extra effort has not fully translated on to the scoreboard, but it seems a matter of time, if they keep up the efforts. Broadhurst seems to finally have some support from the likes of Hughes and Anthony. A fully fit Bristow in the midfield makes the job easier for the likes of Kerr and Blechynden. Will be interesting to watch them tomorrow.
The Royals have a massive emotional burden to carry into this game and time will tell whether they are flat or pumped. Wulff, Lee, Sweet need assistance from other players to get the Royals over the line in this one. I see Polak is listed at CHB again and will be interesting what drive he gives them from there.
I think the Royals might just get up for their popular coach.
Teams
Lions
B Worthington Stevenson Broadhurst
HB Keevers Parker Hughes
C Cossom McDonnell Hidebrandt
HF Bristow Anthony Kerr
FF Cockie Rumble Pickett
F Rix Bloxsidge Hassett
Int Ward Blechynden Hottes Phelan Douglas Adamson-Holmes Horsley
Royals
B D Stirling N Blee P Travers
HB F Clutterbuck G Polak J Keath
C G Moss D Macaulay C Wulff
HF M Swan B Hancock A Sweet
FF M Seal J Smith Z Clarke
F Z Beeck B Lee K Pettifer
Emg R Brookes R Maldenis K Anderson
Int.H Shepheard, J Delborrello, J Derickx, B Dobson,
In J Delborrello, B Dobson,
Out R Brookes, K Anderson
Falcons v Peel, Sat 2:15pm, Arena Joondalup
Even though Peel have been more competitive I sense the level of care for this match is quite low. However, could the Thunder catch the Falcons dozing? I also see the Falcons' captain is missing this week, hmmmm.
The Falcons weren't overly active in the player transfer market over the pre-season, instead trusting the talent they had. Mitch Andrews has just transferred to Claremont after returning from travelling and he was a very handy player, but he didn't play each week, such is the depth within the cardies. Their game style is heavily based around running, with a couple of big guys to compete in the air and bring to ground, but they are mobile as well.
Peel have a very "generic" list, not many names that are recognisable, but they seem to be starting to gel as a group. With the Thornton brothers back at their club of origin, they also have the backing of a fairly large core of runners. They have a good sprinkling of AFL listed players in Faulks, Michie, Wilson, J Jones and Lycett. McFarlane and Wilson give them great kicking skills out of the backline, Butcher out will be a big out as he has gathered some heavy doses of leather poisoning so far this season.
Falcons should cruise through this though.
Teams
Falcons
B D Fleay D Hunt D Burns
HB S Browne S Zanetti J Gobbells
C S Tregear M Guadagnin J Rice
HF J Mellington B Lecras A Tsalikis
FF C Shadbolt F Stockley A Saylor
F C Keunen M Hutchings A Strijk
Int. M Crisp, A Black, J Morrow, J Tindall, J Pearce, K Holden, L Tedesco,
In J Pearce, J Morrow, K Holden, M Crisp, J Tindall, L Tedesco,
Out R Bartholomew, J Salecic, S Bewick,
Thunder
B D Mcfarlane J Flaherty B Wilson
HB A Heal P Faulks M Green
C B Gillam R Healey J Jones
HF K Thornton R Herring A Thornton
FF L Lawler S Lycett B Holmes
F J Williams V Michie B Jones
Int. H Mcleod, R Beswick, B Thornton, M Brown, C Eddy, B Piggot, A Thornton,
In
Out K Butcher, J Crichton
Bulldogs v Sharks 2:15 pm, Monday, Freo Oval
Well, the big match for the weekend is the Anzac Day derby. Looks like a beautiful day this morning, in a fine setting at Freo Oval, great day to get down to the footy so these two old protagonists go hammer and tongs.
Sowfs were very good with their run last week against Swans. Guglia was a slippery little eel last week and set up a lot of their play, I thought, so will need to be watched closely, perhaps Houlihan's job? Hasleby should be better for the run but I wish I was there to watch the fireworks between Old East and their former player. The Sharks supporters still haven't forgiven McCarrey from crossing over to the dark side, this should be fun.
Looks like they're trying to free Murphy up by not playing in a KP post, just from here, is that right?The Sharks lose Hadley but gain Dalziell, so I suppose much of a muchness. Graham and Griffin should be a very good match in the ruck, but tip Griff to win that. Bossong on O'Brien looks like a mismatch and just confirms that the Sharks are a tall too few in that F50, but O'Brien should beat him on the ground. Both teams have good running brigades with McGough, Houlihan, Monteath, Stevens, O'Brien x 2, Fasolo, Leslie, Davidson up against McGrath, Dell-Olio, Guglia, Adams, Miller, North and Hasleby.
Should be a ripper and I'm tipping the Sharks to just get up.
Teams
Bulldogs
B R Adams C Bossong R Cook
HB A Hams P Mugambwa P Hasleby
C C Dell-Olio T Mcgrath A Guglielmana
HF J Head A Mccarrey R Murphy
FF H North C Wilson J Palumbo
F J Graham J Winter C White
Int. T Adams, C Amato, M Leece, T Hall, K Miller, M Cooper, A Collica, T Bairstow
In T Adams, M Leece, A Collica, C Amato, M Cooper,
Out A Mcintosh
Sharks
B J Brennan R Young A Stephen
HB S Dodd L Weller B Sheppard
C T Houlihan M Mcgough K Monteath
HF C Davidson T Howlett K Stevens
FF R O'Brien B O'Brien L Teakle
F J Griffin J Mcnamara B Dalziell
Int. D Foster, L Fasolo, D Chidlow, J Bayliss, C Yeo, J Venturini, A Ricciardello, C Leslie
In L Fasolo, C Leslie, D Chidlow, D Foster, A Ricciardello,
Out R Hadley
Swans v Demons
Well, it's last chance saloon for Swans to make a stand this year, but the Dees will be up and ready for this challenge, starting the season so well.
Swans have lost Hunter and Robinson, 2 of the players I reckon should have been dropped in the past week or 2, but injury forced the decision, which is disappointing for me. The match committee have to have some cahuna's and make the hard decisions from here on in. Once again the team looks too tall and when I see Lammie on the interchange.....vanGronigen, Outridge and Wolfenden need to come in to deliver more run and carry. I just hope they play with some ANZAC spirit otherwise I'll be dabbling in spirit's of a different kind to get me through the season.
The Dees, well, they're up and about and we had very tough battles with them last year. They seem to have a good mix of talls and runners. One plus is that I see a rumour on BF that says Smith has been held out of this game for Perth, by the Eagles. That's some less run off HB that we need to deal with.
McDougall v Spaanders looks a good match up and Panda needs to use all his aggression, in the right way, to unsettle McDougall, who provides a lot of run around the ground.This will be a hard fought contest, I'm hoping Swans, just.
Teams
Swans
B C Pearce L Miles T Ames
HB J Jacky J Williams G Jetta
C T Roach J Roberts A James
HF T Notte T Geappen M Riggio
FF B Colreavy A Hansen D Garlet
F L Spaanderman R Davis K Hams
Emergemcy M Walters
Int. L Adams, B Van Groningen, W Lammie, M Aitchison, B Wolfenden, M Outridge, R Manton, S Parry
In D Garlet, S Parry, M Outridge, B Wolfenden, B Van Groningen,
Out A Hunter, B Robinson,
Demons
B K Lang C Billings D Robinson
HB A Smith C Sibosado S Siekierka
C M Florio D O'Sullivan J Kayler-Thomson
HF M Rogers D White M Moody
FF S Armstrong A Zucconi H Busher
F A Mcdougall R Young A Elari
Emergemcy D Venditti M Mather
Int. G Denton, D White, B Hodge, J Bollenhagen, J Jacobs, C Vidot,
In J Bollenhagen, A Zucconi,
Out S Young
I'm in raptures now, just checked the Ressies and Lammie played, with A James, who also should have been dropped.
