all the afl round-up
May, 15th 2008 04:13 AM

What a game the Dream Team V The Big V game was last Saturday.  A game free of tagging, flooding and other negative tactics.  A game that was dominated by forwards and was free flowing, fast paced action with the pill continually being raced from one end of the ground to another.  In the end Victoria got up but to use a well worn cliché, football was the winner. 

However, in a memo to Channel 10, get rid of the cameras on the umpires.  Bloody ridiculous. 

In light of the recent "19thmanonthegroundgate" the AFL is going to make sure that the official note of who is off and who is on is handed over to the interchange steward (an AFL official) or a free kick will be paid in front of goal.  An over reaction!  Also, they will monitor that the player coming off is actually off before the player going on can actually go on.  From having nothing in place to being over the top in their zealousness.  Tossers. 

Another great round of matches this weekend and as per usual the Friday night kicks things off.  In what should be a good one, St. Kilda host the boys from Collingwood with both teams needing a win to shore up possible finals berths.  Collingwood tall, Josh Fraser, is unlikely to play after injuring his knee last week while the Saints brains trust may have other things on their mind mainly being the court case this week with former coach Grant Thomas.  St. Kilda has one more win on the board in season 2008 and should go two up over the ‘pies this week.  St. Kilda in a close one. 

0.2% separates Geelong and Hawthorn in first and second places on the ladder, or the log as the Sith Ifricans call it, and Hawthorn should have a percentage boosters by thrashing Port Power this Saturday.  Who is going to stop Buddy?  Expect another bag of goals from him.  Surprisingly, Port go inside 50 more often than the Hawks but boy do those Hawthorn forwards convert.  Hawthorn by 10 goals. 

The Geelong versus Richmond game kicks off at the same time as the above game and the radios will be tuned to each others games in the dug outs.  Richmond has been in fine form in recent time but Geelong has always been their nemesis.  Geelong although undefeated seem to have been going through the motions and a big win is due.  Sorry Tiges but Geelong to hit their straps and have a huge win.  Look out for young Gazza who will be raring to go after missing two games. 

Saturday night sees a couple of very interesting games with the first being Carlton against Brisbane at the Telstra Dome.  Let's hope it is a shoot out with Fevola in great nick and at the other end you have Brown and Bradshaw.  All three were team mates last week.  I would like to see the sides before making a selection but poor old Digger does not have that option.  Let's just say that whichever team kicks the highest score will win and I reckon that Brisbane just has a little more fire power than the Blues.  Brisbane by 10 points. 

At the same time North Melbourne who earlier this year rejected a permanent move to the Gold Coast will play West Coast on the Gold Coast with Digger anticipating a crowd of less than 10,000 paying spectators.  West Coast were described as a rabble against Carlton while the Northerners keep knocking on the door of the top 8, they are actually 6th at the moment, and should notch another victory.  Brent Harvey is a machine and will lead the ‘roos to a convincing win. 

Melbourne travel to the City of Churches where the Adelaide Ravens will host them.  Melbourne after their big come back win over the mentals a fortnight ago are looking to go back to back but with the Ravens doing much better than most pundits predicted should notch another victory.  Brett Burton is in outstanding form and with Simon Goodwin patrolling the forward line with him the Adelaide team will march to a big win. 

Essendon should get quite a few players back for this weeks clash with Sydney in Sydney but it will not be enough for them to trouble the Swans.  Expect Adam Goodes to have a huge impact on this game.  The Swans however will need to kick plenty of goals as Essendon's will play a fast game and score most times they go forward.  Sydney by 4 goals. 

The final game of the weekend has the Western Bulldogs flying to Perf to tackle the Jekyll and Hydes, the Tom and Jerries, Sybil's call them what you will, Fremantle.  With the Dog's flying high and the Mental's once again on the head shrinkers couch you would think the Bulldogs easily.  However, I am not convinced.  What other team could turn it around and leave you with egg on your face like Freo.  None.  So Digger says that Matthew Pavlich will have a huge game by kicking 8 goals which will be just enough for him to lead his side to an upset victory. 

 

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