Print Page - AFL 2021

General Category => Sports => Topic started by: Zzzptm on March 19, 2021, 08:53:45 AM

Title: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on March 19, 2021, 08:53:45 AM

Well, the season is officially underway. Richmond and Carlton traded leads back and forth until Richmond pulled ahead in the 4th to win the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I756cjaQe3Q

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on March 19, 2021, 04:15:25 PM

The Dogs were too strong for the Magpies last night winning by 16 points. Always had the game under control and looked to have another gear every time Collingwood made a bit of a charge.

Geelong play Adelaide in Adelaide today in a twighlight game. Expecting the Cats to put them away comfortably but you never know being the first round. It can throw up some upsets. Unfortunately they’ll have to do it without their star recruit Jeremy Cameron who has pinged his hamstring for the second time this off season. Not a good sign/start for a player at his new club that cost them 3 first rd draft picks and a big chunk of the salary cap.

Other games today
Melbourne v Fremantle
Essendon v Hawthorn
Brisbane v Sydney

Great to have football back and crowds at the games even if it’s only allowed 50% capacity at the moment. 75% in South and Western Australia

Go Cats!

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on March 19, 2021, 05:20:12 PM

As soon as AFL uploads the highlights, I'm on those games!

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on March 19, 2021, 05:57:11 PM

@Zzzptm and anyone else for that matter. If you have Amazon prime, checkout the new 7 part doco series “Making their Mark” It chronicles the challenging journey of the 2020 AFL Covid hit season and really takes you into the inner sanctum of how AFL clubs work. Definitely worth a watch.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on March 20, 2021, 09:14:29 AM

Thanks for the recommendation, Jack, I'll follow up on that!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn227SrIu7g - highlights of Collingwood v Western Bulldogs

The 'Pies (love that nickname) had some good plays, but it was Bulldogs start and finish that sealed their fate.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on March 21, 2021, 06:54:41 PM

So what happened with Geelong? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7kt4QIViVM

Adelaide owned the first half and managed to hang on in the second when Geelong finally woke up and got into the game.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on March 22, 2021, 04:36:35 AM

One of the more disappointing days I’ve spent watching Geelong. They obviously went over there thinking they’ll easily pick up the 4 points but a young exuberant Adelaide side had other ideas and Geelong was not ready for the pressure they brought.

I’m a little worried about Geelong, they are an ageing team and have brought in more older players this year. Their game plan is a methodical slow moving keep possession style of football and has become predictable to the opposition. The AFL had brought in a new rule this season which is the man standing the mark isn’t allowed to move from the spot until the umpire calls play on, hence they can’t cut off the angles of the kicker. Moving the ball at much faster speed seems to be in vogue right now which the AFL wants after years of ultra defensive football. On top of that, the length of quarters has reverted back to 20 minutes after being 16 minutes last season and the number of interchange rotations allowed have been cut from 90 to 75. Not ideal for an ageing slow team like Geelong. We will also be without our best player Patrick Dangerfield who will be suspended for a minimum of 3 matches for a bump which saw an Adelaide player knocked out with his nose spread across his face. Was purely accidental as it was a clash of heads but the onus is now on the player initiating the bump. If you chose to bump and get the player high even if it’s an accidental clash of heads, you will be suspended, such is the seriousness that CTE has become in contact sport.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on March 22, 2021, 08:16:15 AM

Yeah, I saw that Dangerfield bump there, and he definitely went in for it. Old habits die hard may be another drag on an ageing team.

Adelaide looked awful against Port Adelaide, so this was a huge upset, I would imagine.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on March 22, 2021, 11:09:48 AM

Melbourne dismantled Fremantle pretty handily there, kept and held their lead all the way through.
Brisbane was dangerous only in the 2nd Quarter, the rest of the match there belonged to the Sydney Swans, very dominant in that game.
Bombers had a slow start and then plastered the Hawks in the 2nd Q, but the Hawks opened up a can of whoop-ass in the 3rd Q, making it very interesting. Last quarter saw Essendon pull ahead for a while, but the Hawks found an answer and took it by a point. That was a great highlights reel!
Port Adelaide really took it to North Melbourne in a convincing victory, PA looks like another strong contender this year.
Great Western had a good opening against St. Kilda, but the Saints never checked out - Saints over Giants after a real cracker of a 4th Quarter.
West Coast Eagles fought off a strong rally from the Suns and then pulled ahead to take the day. Well done, Eagles.

***

Commentators were saying Geelong needs to get out of the habit of feeding the ball to Hawkins, they brought in other talent precisely to give them more weapons. Comments on that, Jack?

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on March 22, 2021, 02:36:48 PM

Yep, they go to him too much and it becomes predictable to the opposition. Often they dropped an extra player back on so he was competing against two a lot of the time while they had other open players to kick to. They really missed having their new forward recruit Jeremy Cameron out there.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on March 23, 2021, 06:44:39 AM

Bad enough to be running slow, even worse to be throwing into traffic most of the time!

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on March 26, 2021, 08:00:44 AM

Collingwood 'Pies avoided the soggy bottoms of last week to start a lead that they maintained on the Blues. Some great defense made all the difference.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on March 27, 2021, 04:58:00 PM

VERY physical game between Geelong and Brisbane, umpires pretty much decided to let everyone do whatever they liked, it seems.

Geelong looked ready to play in the first half, but was really left reeling from the Brisbane comeback in the second half.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on March 29, 2021, 09:14:52 AM

Great Western Giants were sleepwalking in their loss to Fremantle Dockers, they're 0-2 now and heading for the bottom 4.

Bulldogs and Eagles duked it out in a very close-fought match, with the Dogs finally coming out on top of it all.

Gold Coast destroyed North Melbourne and the Tigers did a real number on the Hawks. North Melbourne at 0-2 is another candidate for the bottom 4.

St. Kilda fell apart against Melbourne, Demons beat the Saints.

Port Adelaide Power opened up strong against the Essendon Bombers - 26 to zip in the first quarter - and they never let up, making a convincing win over Essendon.

Adelaide Crows opened up an early lead on the Sydney Swans, but Sydney got into fighting trim and took it right back to the Crows, opening up their own lead and never looking back.

Found a faster and more extensive source for highlights, Lace Out's channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN9LKz3O5SDcUApYthD1gBQ/videos

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on April 01, 2021, 10:28:34 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs7-urZe6oI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cizp-TVyLLE

GREAT match between Collingwood Magpies and Brisbane Lions! Action went down to the final seconds, brilliant game. Both sides very spirited and giving as good as they got. Lace Out definitely the highlights to watch, as he'll include the singles and full action as the ball crosses the field. Thrilling stuff!

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on April 02, 2021, 11:00:32 AM

Western Bulldogs totally annihilated the North Melbourne Kangaroos. Pretty much just target practice for the Bulldogs as they win by over 120 points...

Adelaide and Gold Coast had a much more even matchup, great to watch.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on April 05, 2021, 11:09:51 AM

Geelong Cats v Hawthorn Hawks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2Y6NnYVDeo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns2nNd17QrM

Great 4th quarter action with some spectacular 6-pointers. If you like flea-flicker plays in US football, this is the game for you!

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on April 06, 2021, 04:24:56 AM

Geelong scraped home again after blowing a 3qtr time lead and seemingly being in control for the first 3qtrs. Not playing anywhere near their best at the moment and are missing 3 of their top 6 players but are still winning, which is a good sign I guess. Big game next Sunday against the undefeated Demons.

Thanks for keeping this alive and taking a keen interest Z. Any questions or if you're wanting anything cleared up, just ask.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on April 06, 2021, 08:53:24 AM

I do have a question - what exactly constitutes a holding call?

As for Sunday, that game vs the Demons is going to be a must-win for Geelong to prove their mettle. The losses handed out to Port Adelaide and Richmond in this round show that no team can afford to be cocky about an expected outcome. Everybody has to play hard every game - and every quarter of every game certainly helps.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on April 07, 2021, 06:32:02 AM

So I guess you’re referring to holding the man rather than holding the ball? Pretty similar to the NFL. Putting an arm or arms around to retard a players run. Holding an arm or a tug on a players jumper all constitute a holding call. Although it’s not very black and white our game. Some very dubious ones are paid and blatant obvious ones are missed. Umps seem to put the whistle away in tight last qtrs as well. We don’t have video replays on umpiring decisions. Only close goal line calls and the ball hitting or shaving the post will get referred to the video.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on April 07, 2021, 08:55:31 AM

Yeah, officiating is VERY restrained in AFL - especially in "parking lot" situations where the referees are thinking about walking to their cars safely after the game, with no hooligans waiting to have a word with them. :)

It does seem like players can be penalized for really blatant stuff, like when a player strikes another player out of nowhere. Suspensions get handed out after the game, on review, or so it seems.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Vyn on April 08, 2021, 07:14:09 PM

I don't think the Cats have what it takes this go around. Don't get me wrong, it's still up front in the season and things can turn on a dime, but just contrasting the overall vibe I get from them on the field versus, say Sidney, and there is a striking difference. No pun intended.

Cameron would help.

Also, no kidding, my game ball deflated all by its lonesome over the past two weeks.

An omen.

But just like the ball can be reinflated, so can the Cats.

Still, though...

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on April 09, 2021, 12:35:34 AM

Cats were playing similarly this time last year, just scraping over the line or dropping games they should win against much lesser opponents. Looks like Cameron will miss again with his hamstring, the club is just being ultra conservative with him but they’ll get Menegola back this week with Dangerfield and Cameron to return the following week.

The Cats always seem to rise for these type of games though, against young upstarts that are getting plenty of attention in the media. Melbourne on the other hand haven’t really beaten anyone of note yet so will be determined to show the AFL football world they’re a different team this season by taking the prized scalp of Geelong.

I’ll be there on Sunday...

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on April 09, 2021, 08:16:31 AM

Swans held on against Essendon in recent action. Essendon is getting very hungry about now.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on April 12, 2021, 07:57:09 AM

Lace Out channel looks to be no longer putting up updates. They had one half of a game that later came down. Dangit, because they were great. Back to AFL highlights...

... and Geelong did not prosper against Melbourne Demons. Strong, effective play from Melbourne and they look to be solidifying their run for the championship this year.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on April 15, 2021, 07:56:28 AM

Tigers did a demolition job on the Saints tonight. 85 point flogging. Tigers, Bulldogs, Swans, Power and Eagles are looking the goods at the moment.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on April 15, 2021, 08:02:35 AM

Those are definitely five teams I like to watch highlights from this season. Whereas, Essendon, St. Kilda, GWS... not so much. I'm sure I'm forgetting some other teams with forgettable performance...

Melbourne Demons not on your list: where do you see them in the overall lineup?

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on April 15, 2021, 08:09:40 AM

Not convinced on the Demons yet. They’re playing good football but they didn’t impress me all that much last week against Geelong. Geelong couldn’t have played any worse but yet were within 12 points at 3qtr time. I’ll wait to see how the Demons go against those 5 teams I mentioned before I consider them, starting next week against the Tigers.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on April 15, 2021, 08:24:29 AM

I suppose the same could be said for Adelaide. Their wins were against teams that are struggling and they've yet to prove themselves against one of the sides at the top.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on April 15, 2021, 08:42:27 AM

They should win again this week Adelaide which would give them more wins than they had for the entire season last year. They pushed Sydney at their home for a fair way when they played them too.

A little quirk in our game is that not all grounds are the same size and I’ve got a feeling though that Sydney is better suited with their game style on the bigger grounds like the MCG, Optus Stadium and Marvel stadium rather than their much smaller home ground the SCG.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on April 15, 2021, 02:12:50 PM

Wait, not a standard pitch size? Interesting...

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on April 15, 2021, 04:46:08 PM

https://www.afl.com.au/venues

There would be probably about 8 community football grounds all within 3-7 minute drive of my home and not one of them would be the exact same dimensions .

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on April 15, 2021, 05:08:10 PM

That's another thing... over half the teams are in the Greater Melbourne area. It certainly seems like that's the place to be for footy!

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on April 15, 2021, 05:34:08 PM

Yep it used to originally be the VFL(Victorian Football League) with 12 teams. The Swans got in financial difficulties and relocated to Sydney in 1982. West Coast and Brisbane joined in 87 and it became the AFL in 1990. Adelaide, Fremantle, Port Adelaide, Gold Coast and GWS have all joined since. In 1996 another Victorian club the Fitzroy Lions went bust and merged with the Brisbane Bears to become the Brisbane Lions.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on April 16, 2021, 10:52:16 AM

But Victoria is still where the heart of footy beats, though. :)

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on April 16, 2021, 04:05:23 PM

^^^There’s no doubt about that.

..................................................

Collingwood fought hard all night but West Coast was too good at home prevailing 103 - 76

Geelong and West Coast is gonna be a big game next week

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on April 19, 2021, 08:49:54 AM

Cats won the game, but they should have won by a lot more... did not see flash or fire in the match highlights.

I need to watch the Swans-Giants highlights, I need to see how GWS pulled it off!

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on April 20, 2021, 07:50:40 AM

Got a chance to see the Swans-Giants highlights... Giants looked like a team that was hungry and driving for victory. They look like they are going to find their way in the schedule ahead.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on April 20, 2021, 11:28:27 PM

The Giants had a nice balance of controlled methodical ball movement and fast sling shot football. Swans held sway for 3qtrs thanks to some wayward kicking in front of goal by the Giants but they refused to go away staying within 3-4 goals the whole time. The Swans lost their dominant ruckman Tom Hickey in the last qtr and the Giants took over in the middle dominating field position and were able to pinch the win at the death. Also, as I previously said about the Swans, I don’t think their game style suits the smaller SCG. They’ve had two scratchy wins there and a loss which was their first for the season.

In bad news, Geelong has lost their superstar wrecking ball Patrick Dangerfield for about 8 weeks with a syndesmosis injury. He bravely played on with the injury against North Melbourne on the weekend but scans later revealed the seriousness of the injury.
https://www.afl.com.au/news/598677/dangerfield-injury-blow-superstar-in-strife-with-ankle-problem

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on April 21, 2021, 07:48:06 AM

Oh man, Dangerfield is a key player. What's Geelong's strategy without him?

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on April 21, 2021, 08:31:48 AM

Well you can’t really cover someone like Dangerfield. Just means everyone will have to step up, especially the midfielders. Also means they can play some of the young rookies waiting in the wings.
At least Cameron is coming back which will add some confidence and exuberance to the team.

Eagles haven’t won at Geelong since 2006 btw with an average losing margin of 60 points in that time.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on April 21, 2021, 11:00:07 AM

That would be an important victory for Geelong, if they can make a statement like that. And they NEED to make a statement like that - the AFL round up from last week kept talking about how listless Geelong were in a *victory* over North Melbourne. Upcoming matches with Sydney and Richmond are must-win for them to be serious about winning the championship.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on April 24, 2021, 06:01:37 AM

Went to the Cattery today and witnessed a massacre. A 97 point massacre.

Geelong 136 def West Coast 39

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Vyn on April 24, 2021, 08:53:52 AM

I caught the final score of that game online. It took me a minute to understand what I was looking at because the spread was so large lol.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on April 26, 2021, 09:40:16 AM

AFL Roundup:

Cats *come from behind* to win by 97! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzOw38P5mdc
This is the kind of performance that keeps you from being criticized for not winning by enough on Monday mornings. Smashing performance against another mid-tier team means Geelong sends itself upward in the overall rankings.

In other news, Bulldogs proved too much for GWS, stuffing them with a big margin. Gold Coast Suns whip up on the Sydney Swans, 40 point margin there - and the Swans need to find an answer real quick before they see Geelong next week, and I'm thinking Geelong's on the right trajectory for that match-up.

Carlton scored the first goal, but not enough of the ones afterward: Brisbane Lions defeat the Blues by 18. I didn't even look at the Fremantle v North Melbourne contest - I just checked NM, they're 0-6, so no surprises there. Melbourne v Richmond got interesting in the 2nd Quarter when Melbourne rallied to tie the game with early leaders Richmond... and then run away with the game, Dees over Tigers by more than 30 and are undefeated so far, great opening for Melbourne's season, landing a big victory over the 2020 champs.

Hawthorn managed to find it in themselves to beat Adelaide by 3 points, second win for Hawthorn this season. Good for the fans, but they'll have to do a lot more to be contenders. Essendon v Collingwood: both teams went in 1-4, someone had to win it: Essendon decided it was their day, now they're 2-4. Port Adelaide beat lackluster St. Kilda by 44: should it have been by more? Probably so.

Overall, Geelong looks good at #4 in the overall ratings, behind Undefeated Bulldogs and Dees and 5-1 Power. Swans and Fremantle are also 4-2 teams, but Geelong pips them on the tiebreaker. Richmond, Brisbane, Adelaide, and West Coast are all at 3-3. The rest are all at 2-4 except for 1-5 Pies and the hapless 0-6 North Melbourne.

Question over to Jack: who in the middle of the pack are setting up to move up? Who's on a downward trajectory?

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on April 26, 2021, 03:46:04 PM

West Coast are currently outside of the top 8 so I’d expect them to move back in. They’re too good a team to not be in there. Very hard to beat at home and will at least beat some bottom teams away. Sydney looks to be on the slide after a super start to the season. They’ve picked up a few key injuries now and their young star rookies that started the season so well look to be finding it tough atm and we’re only 6 rounds down.

Of the rest, I can’t really see anyone else moving up except maybe Essendon. Quite like the way they’re playing but again have quite a young list and it’s a long season. Possibly Fremantle could be another team that is currently in the top 8 that falls out. Similar to Essendon in that they have quite a young list.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on April 26, 2021, 04:06:36 PM

Looking ahead to week 7, I'm expecting Bulldogs to win over struggling Richmond, Gold Coast to beat Collingwood, and GWS Giants to beat Adelaide Crows. Hawthorn beats St. Kilda. I like Port Adelaide over Brisbane and expect Geelong to beat Sydney Swans. Melbourne should wipe the floor with North Melbourne - no first win for that side, not yet - and Essendon to beat Carlton. Between West Coast and Fremantle... I'll go with West Coast Eagles in that matchup.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on April 29, 2021, 02:49:35 AM

I’m tipping
Western Bulldogs
Collingwood
GWS
St Kilda
Brisbane
Geelong
Melbourne
Essendon
West Coast

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on April 29, 2021, 08:53:58 AM

Brisbane over Power? I'd like to know your reasoning there. PA is one of the top three, so you think the Lions are going to make a big move on them?

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on April 29, 2021, 03:54:06 PM

Probably a gut feel more than anything else but I think it’s a genuine 50/50 game given its being played in Brisbane. Night games can be very dewey and slippery up there which Brisbane are more accustomed to. Both are missing their best midfielders, Brisbane missing Neale and Port missing Boak but I think Brisbane will cover the loss of Neale better. Brisbane smashed Port up there last year as well when Port was flying at the time.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on April 29, 2021, 08:52:40 PM

Quote from: Jack the Stripper on April 29, 2021, 03:54:06 PM

Probably a gut feel more than anything else but I think it’s a genuine 50/50 game given its being played in Brisbane. Night games can be very dewey and slippery up there which Brisbane are more accustomed to. Both are missing their best midfielders, Brisbane missing Neale and Port missing Boak but I think Brisbane will cover the loss of Neale better. Brisbane smashed Port up there last year as well when Port was flying at the time.

Looks like a great game to watch, along with the Geelong action that's mandatory for the fans!

Fun story, I had a call with an Australian customer the other day and started talking about how I got into footy and was cheering for Geelong. It was fun to carry on a conversation about recent matches for the next few minutes as we waited for everyone to join the call. :)

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 01, 2021, 08:39:32 AM

Ripper of a game, Western Bulldogs v Richmond Tigers - early lead by Bulldogs gives way to lead changes in the 3rd... no spoiler here as yet, but it's definitely a game to catch highlights on:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAJsBpYRcnY

There's also a mini-match version on the AFL channel. They did a good job of getting this up quickly after the matches.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on May 01, 2021, 09:14:06 AM

Bad news for the cats tonight. Went down in a thriller by 2 points after holding a commanding lead early in the game. Very controversial finish with a mark not paid to Cameron in front of goal in the dying seconds as the umpire had deemed it didn’t travel the required 15m when it clearly travelled more than the required distance. Still super pissed about it.

Brisbane smashed Port too

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 02, 2021, 01:12:34 PM

Yep, just watched those two match highlights... that end for Geelong was a real heartbreaker, but better to have a heartbreak ending than a massacre like PA endured at Brisbane. You definitely saw that one coming, Jack!

EDIT: Also saw St. Kilda beating Hawthorn, but by that much? Wow. Speaking of big wins, GWS got theirs for sure. Gold Coast did as I expected over Collingwood and now I'm just waiting for the rest of the highlights to post.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on May 02, 2021, 04:20:59 PM

The AFL umpiring department has come out and admitted they got the decision not to award Cameron the mark wrong and he should’ve had a kick after the siren to win the game. It’s been calculated that the ball actually travelled 20.6 metres, 5.6 metres over the minimum distance required to be paid a mark. Staggering error by that umpire. Or was it a gutless home crowd decision?

Tough round for tipsters. I think I got 5/9 right but a lot of people got less.

Geelong v Richmond coming up this Friday night, the rematch of the Grand Final.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 03, 2021, 08:14:42 AM

Quote from: Jack the Stripper on May 02, 2021, 04:20:59 PM

The AFL umpiring department has come out and admitted they got the decision not to award Cameron the mark wrong and he should’ve had a kick after the siren to win the game. It’s been calculated that the ball actually travelled 20.6 metres, 5.6 metres over the minimum distance required to be paid a mark. Staggering error by that umpire. Or was it a gutless home crowd decision?

Tough round for tipsters. I think I got 5/9 right but a lot of people got less.

Geelong v Richmond coming up this Friday night, the rematch of the Grand Final.

Remember that this or that I asked a while back? I'm thinking he didn't want a rough walk through the parking lot...

I'm 5/9 for the week, as well, thanks very much to North Melbourne for being so consistent. Yeeesh, but they be bad!

Looking forward to Geelong v Richmond, and I'm thinking this time around Geelong will get the job done.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on May 03, 2021, 08:36:09 AM

North Melbourne was actually 3 goals up at HT and all over Melbourne. Was just some costly errors they made in the 3rd qtr that Melbourne capitalised on and the whole momentum of the game swung from there.

I tell you what, if Collingwood lose to North Melbourne this weekend a coach sacking could be on the cards. The media is all over Collingwood at the moment.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 03, 2021, 10:56:02 AM

Quote from: Jack the Stripper on May 03, 2021, 08:36:09 AM

North Melbourne was actually 3 goals up at HT and all over Melbourne. Was just some costly errors they made in the 3rd qtr that Melbourne capitalised on and the whole momentum of the game swung from there.

I tell you what, if Collingwood lose to North Melbourne this weekend a coach sacking could be on the cards. The media is all over Collingwood at the moment.

I might want to go back and look at the highlights of that game, then, if NM is showing signs of life!

Collingwood losing to NM would DEFINITELY mean the end of the road for their coach, given that they were expecting another trip to the finals.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 05, 2021, 08:47:05 AM

Calling the week's matches:

Richmond v Geelong: I'm going with Geelong! Don't disappoint us, Cats!
GWS Giants v Essendon: Giants in this one
Gold Coast v St. Kilda: I'll take Gold Coast in this one. Suns were shining in the last game
North Melbourne v Collingwood: How about North Melbourne for the upset? I'm ready to watch Collingwood's world burn. :D
Melbourne v Sydney: Melbourne takes this match.
Port Adelaide v Adelaide: The Power reconnects after last week's loss to Brisbane. Too bad that the Crows get to be that rebound team for PA.
Hawthorn v West Coast: It's gonna be West Coast winning this match
Western Bulldogs v Carlton: Carlton wins. Just kidding. WB by a lot.
Fremantle v Brisbane: Lions will consume the trousers.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on May 06, 2021, 07:31:12 AM

Geelong
GWS
St Kilda
Collingwood
Melbourne
Port
West Coast
Western Bulldogs
Brisbane

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 06, 2021, 08:47:09 AM

So we've agreed on 7 of the 9, and our differences are on whether or not St. Kilda is coming back to life and if the most consistent team thus far this season breaks character and actually wins a game.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on May 06, 2021, 05:13:32 PM

The St Kilda GC game is the hardest to tip. If both teams produce their best football the Saints will win, so I’m backing them in the produce their best or close to. Not with any great confidence though.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on May 07, 2021, 08:14:12 AM

Ok Richmond vs Geelong just finished about 30 minutes ago

After being down early the the Cats rallied in the 2nd half to dominate the Tigers and demolish them by 63 points. Woohoo!

GO CATS!

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 07, 2021, 10:49:59 AM

Quote from: Jack the Stripper on May 07, 2021, 08:14:12 AM

Ok Richmond vs Geelong just finished about 30 minutes ago

After being down early the the Cats rallied in the 2nd half to dominate the Tigers and demolish them by 63 points. Woohoo!

GO CATS!

WE ARE GEELONG, BEST CLUB IN THE LAND!

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 10, 2021, 08:11:02 AM

Well done Jack, getting 9 out of 9 this week! St. Kilda had a hard slog but really pulled it out in the 4th. Collingwood didn't lose, but I imagine the coach is still in the doghouse. They've got the Swans coming up and they're a completely different class from NM.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on May 10, 2021, 08:21:36 AM

Pretty rare to tip 9. A lot of Geelong supporters would’ve tipped 9 if they tipped the Saints as well. That game could’ve went either way with the more experience Saints coming from behind and hanging on in a tight one.

Speaking of...The Saints and Cats take on each other this week in another Friday night blockbuster.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 10, 2021, 02:29:44 PM

Yes, looking forward to that one. I'm very excited about how much better they play with Rohan adding his threat to the field. Geelong's got a great spread of attackers with him on the field, and it shows in their revitalized play.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on May 10, 2021, 10:09:44 PM

Thats a spot on observation you make Z. Bringing in Cameron now allows Rohan to get the third or fourth best defender. Will also help out Hawkins in getting doubled and triple teamed by defenders like he has been the last few years.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on May 10, 2021, 11:53:29 PM

One of the unique and spectacular aspects of Australian rules football. This happened last Friday in the Cats Tigers game.

What would happen if a wide receiver did this in the NFL Z?

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 11, 2021, 08:24:41 AM

Yeah, saw that in the highlights reel, unbelievably great play.

In NFL gridiron football, I'm pretty sure that's not allowed. Then again, given how some cornerbacks do dirty moves, it might be for the best. Australians seem to go with, "Ahh, he got me in a fair dinkum spectacular mark, I should do my bit and be climbed on so I can be part of sports history." Americans are more like, "I'mma mess you up real bad right now!" and that could lead to unnecessary injury and spiteful feelings in the games.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on May 13, 2021, 06:47:19 AM

A couple of good games on this weekend. Will pick...

Geelong
Sydney
Hawthorn
Brisbane
Richmond
Western Bulldogs
Essendon
Melbourne
West Coast

Not confident on the Hawks at all but feel North have forgotten how to win. I’m also not confident on Sydney either and are thinking if there is to be an upset it will be Collingwood beating Sydney. Collingwood always travel well and have a good recent record at the SCG. Obviously Port and Bulldogs could go either way but the injury toll is mounting at Port and they lost their best Ruckman to suspension during the week. Richmond and GWS might be close as well but I’ll back the tigers in to bounce back from their big defeat last week.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 13, 2021, 08:54:56 AM

Geelong - St. Kilda stumbles as the Cats get stronger
Sydney - Swans are strong enough for Collingwood
Hawthorn - yep, NM has forgotten how to win
Brisbane - Lions are very much a tight unit, very fit
Richmond - The Tigers are ready for a rebound, GWS is the team for that rebound
Bulldogs - great side and PA, as you note, has been strugging
Essendon - Bombers are putting up good fights of late, Fremantle not so much.
Melbourne - Carlton *not* the team to give Dees their first lost
West Coast - Crows are spotty this season, West Coast is ready for business.

Yep, I'm picking the same as JtS. :D

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 14, 2021, 07:58:36 AM

Yay highlights channels! :smug:

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on May 14, 2021, 08:35:36 AM

The Cats were quite a bit off their best tonight but still got the job done ;)

Love the Friday night wins. Always makes for a good weekend.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 14, 2021, 11:05:02 AM

Looks like everyone was distracted by the big chap with the meat pies... :)

Geelong was having a laugh in the first half, did their warmups in the 3rd quarter, then showed up to play in the 4th.

St. Kilda accuracy was awful, just pitiful.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on May 14, 2021, 06:44:33 PM

Quote from: Zzzptm on May 14, 2021, 11:05:02 AM

Looks like everyone was distracted by the big chap with the meat pies... :)

Geelong was having a laugh in the first half, did their warmups in the 3rd quarter, then showed up to play in the 4th.

St. Kilda accuracy was awful, just pitiful.

That guy with the pie was ex West Coast/St Kilda Champion Fraser Gehrig.

Yes the Cats shifted gears when they needed to.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 15, 2021, 08:30:12 AM

Just caught the last minutes videos of NM v Hawthorn and Richmond v GWS...

Roos actually caught a break against the hapless Hawks, ending their drought and Richmond put up an awesome effort in the final moments to keep the score just in their favor.

Gonna watch Power v Bulldogs right now, BRB...

EDIT: Did not expect that game to *not* be close. The second quarter was a real give and take, but that was as close as it got for a close game.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on May 15, 2021, 08:46:55 AM

Some great close games today. Was nice seeing North have a win and Richmond do what they always do, overwhelm you with your their pressure game. I’m in a tipping comp with eight other people and surprisingly I was the only one to tip the Doggies. Equal leader now with my son.

Tomorrow’s games are pretty straight forward but wouldn’t be surprised if Carlton upsets Melbourne.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 15, 2021, 08:57:55 AM

I will be surprised if Carlton beats Melbourne. :)

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 17, 2021, 09:17:01 AM

Roos were the one surprise winner for the round.

Sydney was way too close to Collingwood up until the 3rd quarter got underway, some questions need answering in that team locker room.

Brisbane absolutely pummeled Suns, let up on the gas in the last quarter, but they'd already proven their point.

Hawthorn is another team that's going to be looking for a coaching change soon, I reckon...

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on May 17, 2021, 03:49:14 PM

Hawthorns coach is considered one of if not the greatest of all time so I doubt they’ll be moving him on any time soon unless he decides he hasn’t got the patience for a rebuild and wants to move on himself. Has been linked to Collingwood and Carlton in recent times.

The problem with the Hawks is that they tried to do a Geelong and top up on a successful era to keep them up the top by bringing in established talent for draft picks but unlike Geelong it has backfired miserably on them. Couldn’t happen to a nicer club to be honest :)

Could’ve easily tipped North but still finished with 8/9 for the round.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 18, 2021, 09:08:44 AM

Week 10, we have...

Brisbane v Richmond
Carlton v Hawthorn
Geelong v Gold Coast
Adelaide v Melbourne
Bulldogs v St. Kilda
Fremantle v Sydney
GWS Giants v West Coast
Collingwood v Port Adelaide
Essendon v North Melbourne

***

First one looks like a potential cracker of a match, Richmond hungry and looking to make a convincing win and Brisbane red-hot after they thrashed Gold Coast. I'll take Brisbane, I love their attack, but I think Richmond keeps it close and competitive.

Carlton is ready for a win, and I think they get it off of Hawthorn.

Geelong wins over Gold Coast, hopefully handily. I want to see a big lead from the Cats that gets maintained.

Melbourne will beat Adelaide. Crows are not getting it together and the Dees are in very good form, indeed.

Bulldogs beat St. Kilda. Bulldogs looked great in the last round, nothing seems to be changing that for them.

I think Sydney will edge Fremantle. Sydney's a good team with problems, so it may be a close run thing here.

West Coast tops GWS. Should be another fun game to watch.

Port Adelaide is struggling of late, but not so badly as Collingwood. I think the Power will win this one.

Essendon will beat North Melbourne. The Bombers are getting into gear, it seems, and they can definitely knock over the Roos.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on May 19, 2021, 06:14:33 AM

You like to get your tips in nice and early Z. I’m a bit of a stickler for looking at the final team lineups on the harder to pick games, but besides Brisbane v Richmond, Fremantle v Sydney and the Sunday game between GWS and West Coast they’re all relatively straightforward this week.

Brisbane
Carlton
Geelong
Melbourne
Western Bulldogs
Sydney
West Coast
Port Adelaide
Essendon

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 19, 2021, 08:17:40 AM

No worries. All picks subject to change at any time, but to be fair only just before the games start. :)

I'd say from the matchups, Lions v Tigers is the match of the week.

Considering the opposite cases, I'd have very low levels of surprise if things went opposite to my guesses on Brisbane, Sydney, and West Coast. I'm expecting close games in those three, so the surprise there would be if any of them turned into a rout for one team or the other.

If NM were to win, I'd be mildly surprised to see the Roos in such form.

Now, if Collingwood manages to find a way to beat Port Adelaide, I'd be quite surprised, indeed, but be able to say I had a sneaking feeling about that one. Not total surprise, should that happen.

Complete and utter surprise, possible shock, if Adelaide or St. Kilda manage to beat their opponents. Such a thing would prompt all kinds of "world turned upside down" talk from the pundits, I imagine.

If GC beats Geelong, I've got an emotional investment in that one, so surprise would be replaced by disappointment, outrage and incompetent referees, and other such highly-charged reactions. If Geelong shows up and faffs about like they have in some matches this season, they could let this one slip through their fingers. The Geelong side that we all want to have show up is the side that can win like they did two weeks ago, with a very convincing attack that constantly and consistently produces scores. Geelong can't let a bunch of shots through and hope that it's St. Kilda sending the majority wide. GC crumbled against Brisbane last week, but that was because Brisbane took control early on and owned that game. Geelong needs to do likewise and be consistent that way.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 21, 2021, 01:04:44 PM

Really enjoyed watching Brisbane take down Richmond. There were some scuffles, but Richmond made a dirty move that was completely uncalled for, shame, shame!

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 22, 2021, 03:07:23 PM

Moderate surprise, as expected, for Sydney losing to Fremantle. Confident that all is well in the world when I see the Bulldogs destroy St. Kilda.

Totally did not expect Adelaide to be the team that gave Melbourne its first L of the season. Absolutely well done there, Crows.

Geelong did great with a convincing win over GC. Loved watching those highlights. :)

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on May 23, 2021, 06:47:27 AM

6/9 this week. Two of those less straightforward games we talked about went the other way and Melbourne losing was obviously the big upset. I went to the Geelong game on Saturday, wasn’t the greatest of games but Geelong always looked in control and did what they had to. Concussion to Duncan and an injury to Guthrie’s shoulder is a concern though. Dangerfield not due back for a couple of weeks yet.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 24, 2021, 09:19:12 AM

Collingwood was so close, hoping they don't find the missing puzzle piece for this week against Geelong. :D

Dees v Dogs looks to be a cracker of a match and Brisbane v GWS will be the other Friday game... don't expect Brisbane to falter, but I don't know how to call that king of the mountain matchup between Melbourne and Western Bulldogs.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 26, 2021, 01:11:55 PM

Friday Games:

Geelong v Collingwood: Please inform Collingwood that Geelong are going to win this, and to play the game appropriately. We will not tolerate any result other than a Geelong win!

Brisbane v GWS Giants: I think Brisbane's gonna do the job and rack up another win here.

Melbourne v Western Bulldogs: The better team will win, that's for sure. You want me to be more specific? Well, the team that plays best on the day of the match will win. How's that? *Really* specific? Hmmm... Western Bulldogs. I'll go with the Western Bulldogs.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on May 28, 2021, 05:30:19 AM

Didn’t put my tips in. No crowds in Melbourne this weekend which makes tonight’s blockbuster game a letdown. I would’ve tipped the Dogs but they find themselves 27 points down at 1/4 time.

Western Bulldogs
Geelong
Brisbane
St Kilda
Gold Coast
West Coast
Richmond
Sydney
Port

The upsets could be Collingwood over Geelong and Carlton over Sydney

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 28, 2021, 08:21:44 AM

... make that 28 at the final. Melbourne got the job done, for sure.

In the others... I'll take:

St. Kilda over NM: Roos had a fluke, St. Kilda is having a better time of things.
Gold Coast over Hawthorn: Because Hawthorn is flailing
West Coast over Essendon: Might be a close game but might not... either way, West Coast is a solid team.
Richmond over Adelaide: Unless this is the Crows team from last week that beat Melbourne... don't know if they plan to show, though.
I'll take Carlton over Sydney. I think this week is when the Blues get a W, and it's over a Sydney side that's seeing some difficulties.
Port Adelaide makes it past Fremantle, but not by as much as we would have expected a few weeks ago.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 28, 2021, 10:28:47 AM

... just saw highlights of the Dees/Dogs... were the Western Bulldogs on tranquilizers?

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on May 31, 2021, 09:10:23 AM

Well, I'm done believing in Carlton, unless they're against a bottom-tier opponent. I don't think they've got enough steam pressure in their boilers.

Essendon did a great comeback against West Coast, there's fire in their game. They're now in the top half of teams. Sure, they're #9, but that's still the top half.

Port Adelaide looked much better against Fremantle than I expected, so that's good news for them... but Brisbane is just red-hot right now. They struggled out of the gate but have done a smashing job in the last weeks - they play Melbourne this weekend, or, rather, they are scheduled to play Melbourne... I really do hope that they find a way to have this match, as I think Melbourne will put a stop to Brisbane's hot streak.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 04, 2021, 11:31:48 AM

Melbourne v Brisbane was great, and the Dees managed to make the second half their very own. That did the trick and they turned in a very convincing performance over the Lions.

Sydney vs St. Kilda: Swans are back in form, picking Sydney.
Adelaide vs Collingwood: Crows will do the job.
Essendon vs Richmond: The Tigers will be on top, I expect a fairly easy job of it, as well.
Carlton vs West Coast: WC in a slump, this might be where Carlton edges them... but I read what I said after last week, so I'm going with West Coast retooling and winning the match.
Bulldogs vs Fremantle: Sorry, Dockers, but the Bulldogs will look to rebound good and hard off of you. Expecting a big win for the Bulldogs.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on June 08, 2021, 04:01:10 AM

Big game coming up on Thursday night for the Cats Z. Heading into enemy territory to take on the Power. The Cats are only 2/12 after a bye since 2012. Not a good record at all. But those aren’t the only obstacles they have to overcome.
Given the small Covid outbreak and subsequent lockdown in Victoria the SA government is forcing them to quarantine 4 days prior to their arrival in their homes or in a hotel, then have to fly in and fly out the same day as the game as well a be tested before they leave Victoria and when they arrive in SA. All the while wearing Masks pretty much the whole time except when they run out to play.

Totally over the top rules and regulations put on them even though Geelong is considered regional in Victoria which is currently not in lockdown at the moment.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 08, 2021, 09:11:09 AM

No question that the match v Power is critical. And those restrictions are not going to be conducive to Geelong's ability to maintain consistency in its play. Power also had a bye - they were already looking strong v Dockers, so Geelong needs to be much stronger than it was v Pies.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 09, 2021, 08:30:13 AM

For this week...

Geelong over PA because I'm a Cats fan, and that's how I have to call it. Come on, Cats! DO IT!

Melbourne beats Collingwood. Pretty sure about that and so glad Jack didn't convince me to cheer for Collingwood. :)

Richmond beats West Coast. Richmond is finding its way just as WC found a way to lose vs GWS and Essendon.

Speaking of GWS, they beat North Melbourne. Thank you, Jack, for also not being a Roos fan. :)

Sydney beats Hawthorn. Pretty sure about that one.

For the two remaining matches, I'm going with records to pick the winners: Fremantle and St. Kilda, you get wins this week; Adelaide and Gold Coast get to run laps on Monday.

***

Just saw that Collingwood's coach quit - even more reason for top team Melbourne to roll over them this weekend.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on June 09, 2021, 09:11:09 AM

I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a big spike in Collingwoods performance this week. Not saying they’ll win but history is littered with big emotional performances from clubs who’s coach is coaching his last game for the club. Buckley is a much loved figure and favourite son of Collingwood. Probably considered their greatest ever player.

On another note. Some big ins for the Cats this week, led by their superstar Patrick Dangerfield who’s back after 8 weeks out with a syndismosis injury. Unfortunately Guthrie didn’t get up for the game with his injured shoulder. Must win game to stay entrenched in the top four with the Bulldogs and Brisbane to follow in the next 2 weeks.

Geelong
Sydney
Fremantle
GWS
St Kilda
Richmond
Melbourne
for me this week.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 09, 2021, 02:00:38 PM

Seeing the news on Buckley leaving, lots of mixed reactions from Pies fans.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 10, 2021, 08:48:33 AM

Geelong did it! Yes! Great match, lots of back and forth, but Geelong took a top-tier opponent and went the distance. Very satisfying match to watch, particularly as a Geelong fan. Thanks again to Jack for getting me started on this.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on June 10, 2021, 09:12:22 AM

Glad you’re enjoying it Z and you're following a great club in Geelong. They play finals nearly every year and will take you on a great ride in the process.

Yes it was a very satisfying win tonight. Were headed twice by Port and both times they were able to wrestle the momentum back and then eventually put them away in impressive style.

Great performance from our 3 key forwards Cameron, Hawkins and Rohan kicking 12 goals between them and the defenders stood up all night led by Stewart, Henry and Henderson. Dangerfield expectingly looked underdone but go better and better as the game went along.

Great win in enemy territory especially with all the bullshit rules the SA government put them through. Haha, after all that, turns out they got fogged in and couldn’t fly out after the game anyway, so had to stay the night in Adelaide.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 10, 2021, 10:59:28 AM

Nice to see Parfitt getting 2 goals, as well. And the one PA goal that failed to go in... just lovely to see it hang in the air on the wrong side of the line! :D

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on June 11, 2021, 07:56:06 AM

First upset for the round and one of the bigger upsets of the season so far with Hawthorn easily accounting for Sydney in Sydney tonight.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 11, 2021, 09:19:14 AM

Quote from: Jack the Stripper on June 11, 2021, 07:56:06 AM

First upset for the round and one of the bigger upsets of the season so far with Hawthorn easily accounting for Sydney in Sydney tonight.

Yeah, I was stunned to see the score, Hawthorn smothered the Swans. And the highlights skip over many Hawks goals, you'd think it was an even contest based on the clipshow. Swans not looking good at all to keep up with the top four.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on June 11, 2021, 09:31:10 AM

^They have a very tough run of games coming up too. Thing is, there’s no one really staking their claim from outside the top 8 at the moment besides maybe the Bombers. I don’t think Sydney will finish in the top 4 but given their good start to the season they should make the final 8.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 11, 2021, 03:18:15 PM

Agree on Essendon. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmaybe also St. Kilda, but Dockers are a long long LONG shot and GWS Giants yeah nah.

Geelong's got Bulldogs and Brisbane next two weeks - win both of those and I think they'll silence all nay-sayers but Melbourne supporters - and they play the Dees in the last week, should be a smashing game.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 13, 2021, 09:38:28 AM

Quote from: Jack the Stripper on June 09, 2021, 09:11:09 AM

Geelong
Sydney
Fremantle
GWS
St Kilda
Richmond
Melbourne

That's what we called for the week... We got Geelong right. :) Also Fremantle.

Hawthorn wiped out Sydney, GWS managed to kiss their sister and tied with the Roos, Adelaide edged St. Kilda, and what in the world happened to Richmond? Blowing a lead over West Coast like that is *not* what a team in the hunt for the top 4 needs to be doing.

Melbourne v Collingwood is left... if the Dees are true to form, then we'll be 3 for 7 on our picks this week. But, on a positive note, it's unpredictability like this that keeps things interesting. Foregone conclusions coming true don't make for entertaining games in general. But I need to go and see what was going on in that Richmond game for sure.

I like the Three Word Analysis of week 13:

ADELAIDE CROWS: Coming up Thrill-house!

BRISBANE LIONS: Had the bye.

CARLTON: Had the bye.

COLLINGWOOD: Play on Monday.

ESSENDON: Had the bye.

FREMANTLE: Welcome back, Alex.

GEELONG CATS: Raised their level.

GOLD COAST SUNS: Any Dew pressure?

GWS GIANTS: Draw like losing.

HAWTHORN: How good’s Jai?!

MELBOURNE: Play on Monday.

NORTH MELBOURNE: They love Tassie.

PORT ADELAIDE: Off the pace.

RICHMOND: Affordable loss... just.

ST KILDA: Season over, wasted.

SYDNEY SWANS: Completely unacceptable loss.

WEST COAST EAGLES: JK still spectacular.

WESTERN BULLDOGS: Had the bye.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on June 13, 2021, 09:57:57 AM

Funny old round of football. Was gonna say after Hawthorn upset Sydney that often there is another one or two upsets to go with it and North nearly was that one. Probably should’ve won being 28 up at 3qtr time and GWS should’ve won in the end but a shot on goal with under a minute remaining which only needed a point sprayed way wide. As for Richmond, they simply lost their composure in the last qtr which is very un Richmond like. St Kilda pretty much did the same thing, totally lost their composure in the last qtr and blew their season in the process.

One more game to finish the Queens Birthday weekend. Can Collingwood muster one last win for Bucks?

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on June 14, 2021, 07:46:56 AM

Well, Collingwood did it. They toppled the ladder leaders and premiership favourites to send their favourite son out on a winning note.

You have to ask though, where’s this form they’ve shown in the last 2 weeks been all season?

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 14, 2021, 08:24:12 AM

Quote from: Jack the Stripper on June 14, 2021, 07:46:56 AM

Well, Collingwood did it. They toppled the ladder leaders and premiership favourites to send their favourite son out on a winning note.

You have to ask though, where’s this form they’ve shown in the last 2 weeks been all season?

Indeed... "thanks for the win, but where was this effort all year?" Still, helluva sendoff for Buckley. Melbourne is still on top - just - and is definitely within striking range for a team like Geelong.

Three word analysis for Dees-Pies:

COLLINGWOOD: Going away party.

MELBOURNE: Need a rest.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 16, 2021, 10:13:33 AM

Looking forward to the week 14 matches...

Geelong must defeat Western Bulldogs. I believe that they can and will. They've stepped it up and their top scorers are making top scores.

Port Adelaide beats Gold Coast, unless the world is still upside-down from last week.

Brisbane beats North Melbourne. Surely, this thing will come to pass.

GWS Giants beat Carlton. Not because I believe in GWS having a winning spirit, I just believe less in Carlton at this time.

Hawthorn v Essendon... If Hawthorn had lost last week, I'd pick Essendon. But I'll pick Hawthorn based on their current win and Essendon's current losing streak.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on June 18, 2021, 07:59:26 AM

OMG Z. Wait until you watch

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 18, 2021, 08:31:33 AM

Quote from: Jack the Stripper on June 18, 2021, 07:59:26 AM

OMG Z. Wait until you watch

I woke up and caught Q4 score updates! OH MAN THIS IS HUGE!

Gonna watch them highlights behind the scores now... thanks to Riles for picking up where Laces Out got busted...

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 18, 2021, 09:49:06 AM

Hard to see Hawkins go out with injury, but so very sweet to see Rohan's final kick of the game.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on June 18, 2021, 10:09:18 AM

Quote from: Zzzptm on June 18, 2021, 09:49:06 AM

Hard to see Hawkins go out with injury, but so very sweet to see Rohan's final kick of the game.

Hawkins should be ok, they’re saying a pinched nerve. He even came back on the field towards the end. Rohan’s kick was clutch, but watch the last 2 minutes Z and in particular that knock on from our brave Captain Selwood with 50 seconds left on the clock. Set up that whole run of play.
https://www.afl.com.au/video/632847/last-two-mins-rohan-the-hero-as-cats-pinch-classic?videoId=632847&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1624020238001

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 18, 2021, 10:19:54 AM

Yeah, that's a great 2 minutes to play back. Great play all the way through. This is a team that's definitely on its rhythm. On to Brisbane next week for another match with great promise, but hard to see how it could top this one for excitement!

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 19, 2021, 08:06:08 AM

The world is on its proper axis again, as what should have happened, happened. Only possible complaint is that Brisbane didn't beat NM by as much as how Power tromped the Suns. If this is Brisbane showing weakness, Geelong will capitalize on it next week.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 22, 2021, 12:28:02 PM

Week 15, got a full slate of games here...

Geelong v Brisbane - Geelong is the greatest team of all, always on the ball, play the gaaaame as it should be played. No reason why they shouldn't win.

Richmond beats St. Kilda - Richmond knows how to win, St. Kilda knows how to disappoint. Perfect combination.
Gold Coast v North Melbourne... I'll pick NM on this one, they're starting to show some teeth and GC is in freefall.
Collingwood beats Fremantle - Collingwood might be on to something of late
Melbourne beats Essendon - Melbourne turns it all on to bounce back from losing to Collingwood. ALL on.
Power v Swans - Power will win this one, they're glad for this match after their struggles.
GWS Giants will beat Hawthorn. Most teams will beat Hawthorn, and GWS is still a team, last I checked.
Bulldogs beat West Coast - the Bulldogs are highly motivated to keep a top 4 spot, WC is a bump in the road for them
Adelaide beats Carlton, but this wont' be the game of the week, that's for sure. Game of the week is Geelong battling Brisbane in top 4 action.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on June 24, 2021, 04:08:47 AM

Geelong v Brisbane is due to start in just under 30 minutes. Huge important game which is gonna go a long way to consolidating a top 2 top 4 position for both teams.

Geelong
Richmond
Collingwood
North Melbourne
Port Adelaide
Melbourne
GWS
West Coast
Adelaide

Tough round for tipping

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on June 24, 2021, 08:28:17 AM

Well that was one to forget for the Cats tonight. They were ambushed from the first bounce by a side that out worked and out pressured them all night. Cats were coming off 6 wins in a row with a couple of tough road trips thrown in and emotional draining win last week. They were probably ripe for the picking and suffered their heaviest loss for 4 years.

Important they bounce back next week.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 24, 2021, 09:02:37 AM

Three word summaries:

Brisbane: We have defense!

Geelong: First score - clanger.

That was rough to watch, Brisbane very much in control in the 1Q and used that to run up the points. Even without the 1Q scores, though, Brisbane still won convincingly. Geelong's got to find answers and get back to form, as they'll have a run of opponents before going up against Melbourne, a game they truly have to win to set themselves up for the finals.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 25, 2021, 10:45:12 AM

Three words for the Richmond-St. Kilda debacle

Richmond: Let's play drunk.

St. Kilda: They're drunk? SCORE!

Honestly, Richmond was practically staggering around the field, unable to do much more than score 1s and start fights. I saw the Richmond score of 22 and wondered if the game was still in the first quarter. No, that was the final, and St. Kilda played a normal enough game, so they won.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on June 25, 2021, 04:17:12 PM

St Kilda have a good recent record against the tigers so I wasn’t surprised too much that they beat them, but I am surprised the way Richmond played though. They were insipid!

What do you think of the fighting in AFL Z and not having a send off rule or players being removed from a game for unsportsmanlike conduct? Few spot fires broke out in the Geelong game the other night as well.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 25, 2021, 04:26:46 PM

Yeah, it looks like all they have on that front is "You won't win the Brownlow Medal!" I think in some matches, it's been a little brushfire here and there, but the Richmond game got waaaaaay too punchy. And this is hands-on-throats brawling at times, insane.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 27, 2021, 10:26:19 AM

Week 15 wrap-up...

Geelong lost. :(

On the other matches, Jack and I picked the same team to win in each match except NM v Gold Coast and Bulldogs v West Coast.

We were both wrong about Richmond. Given that Richmond lost, I don't think either of us were displeased with being wrong. :D

We were both wrong about Collingwood. That side was back to its old self as Fremantle took the win by 12.

We were both right about PA Power beating the Swans. The Swans are in trouble, this much is clear. I don't know where they're headed, except it's a generally downward direction.

We were both right about the Dees beating the Bombers. Melbourne seems to be very good at winning games this year, easy pick to win, really.

We were both wrong about GWS. Hawthorn still had a surprise tucked in its jerseys. Has it got more surprises?

We were both wrong about Carlton, but with it being so close to Adelaide, who could blame us for not picking the winner? On another week, it would have gone the other way.

I thought NM was ready for a win, and they proved their point. Well done, 'Roos. Don't know if they'll keep it up enough to beat the Bulldogs, but they did enough to beat GC.

And I also called it with Bulldogs winning and WC being a bump in the road - Bulldogs won by 55.

But, in the end, neither of us could pick a majority of the winners. That's an indicator of how much churn there is outside of the top teams. I expect Melbourne, Bulldogs, Brisbane, Power, and Geelong to beat any team below them in rankings. Some teams may have a cachet in their names from their performance last season, but are clearly not who they were last year. Looking at Richmond as I type that. But the top 5 this year are the top five for a good reason: they have the capability of defeating the bottom 13, more often than not. When they face each other, it's a tough pick. And when the bottom 13 are facing each other, it looks like anything goes, as well.

Looking ahead, there isn't a top 5 matchup until Melbourne-Bulldogs in week 20 and then skip two weeks before there's the week 23 matches between Melbourne-Geelong and PA-Bulldogs. That's 8 weeks of matches, and one would expect that translates into 8 expected wins for Brisbane, 7 each for Geelong and Power, and 6 for Melbourne and Bulldogs. I think they'll all finish in the top five, but if any slips up on an banana peel in any of those non-top 5 games, it'll make an opening for one of the other teams to get the edge in rankings.

Sydney and West Coast are next in rankings and aside from playing each other, WC has two more matches with a top 5 team and Sydney has the one. I'll expect WC to finish ahead of Sydney. Barring some late-season meltdown from a top 5 team, these two are fighting it out over 6th and 7th place overall.

Richmond and Fremantle - can they hold on to the last two top half spots? Both have a match against each other coming up and both have 2 matches against top 5 teams in their future. It could go either way, really.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on June 27, 2021, 05:15:10 PM

Crowd was pulled about 3 hours before the WC v WB match due to a Covid outbreak in WA which really hurt West Coast, they really feed of the energy of their home crowd so the Bulldogs caught a lucky break there. Swans were good in their loss, probably should’ve won that game in the end but for a couple of costly errors in the last 5 minutes. Both the Sydney teams are currently hubbing in Victoria due to the Covid outbreak up there which also probably cost GWS their win against Hawthorn and most likely snuffed out their chances of playing finals as well That game was to be played in Sydney but was moved to Melbourne.

The season really is on a knifes edge at the moment with these Covid outbreaks around the country. South Australia has closed its borders to all States except Victoria and Tasmania which could mean more teams will have to hub in Victoria forgoing their home ground advantages.

The Swans cheekily requested that their upcoming game against West Coast which was to be played in Sydney be moved to GMHBA stadium in Geelong where West Coast haven’t won since 2005 and the Sydney Swans have a better win/loss ratio than any other visiting team in the last 20 years.

Also expect the fixture to be compressed over the next few weeks Z as the AFL tries to get the H&A season done without having to pause for a few weeks. So we could get 8 weeks of games compressed over 5 weeks. Fun times!

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 28, 2021, 09:13:58 AM

I'd be worried about injuries with stepping up the frequency of play without allowing time to recover. Has a compressed season been done before?

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on June 30, 2021, 07:09:05 AM

Yes last year 30 games were played in 18 days. A lot of teams had to deal with 4 day back ups.

Surprisingly there wasn’t a big injury toll to come out of it.

All 18 teams are currently in Victoria at the moment. SA had some Covid cases today, first for 200 days. As a precaution the AFL flew Adelaide and Port Adelaide out of there.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on June 30, 2021, 09:37:59 AM

Literally taking no chances. As in zero.

Well, the games on tap for this week...

GC v Richmond - Richmond gets this one, cold comfort after their huge loss

Geelong v Essendon - Geelong. Will. Win.

Melbourne v GWS - Melbourne has this one.

Adelaide v Brisbane - Lions will roar, one more W for Brisbane.

Fremantle v Carlton - this one is interesting, could go either way. I'll go with Fremantle

Hawthorn v Port Adelaide - I'll take Port Adelaide for the win

Sydney v West Coast - this is where West Coast snaps back and gets a win

Collingwood v St. Kilda - I need to go with the Saints on this one.

Bulldogs v North Melbourne - Sorry, 'Roos, wins are for Bulldogs.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on July 01, 2021, 07:27:29 AM

Big upset tonight Z. The Tigers look gone...

I’m tipping the same as you except I’m picking Sydney to beat West Coast and Hawthorn to upset Port in Shaun Burgoyne’s 400th game celebration.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on July 01, 2021, 09:05:08 AM

Just saw the match highlights and last 2 minutes of Richmond v GC. Draw a line through Richmond, they look spent.

And I'd love for Hawthorn to win over Power. :)

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on July 02, 2021, 09:07:45 AM

No lines thru Geelong! Slow start in a slippery game, but the Cats came through!

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on July 03, 2021, 08:19:18 AM

The upsets keep coming. GWS beat ladder leaders Melbourne today and replaced Richmond in 8th position. Meanwhile Freo could’ve then replaced GWS in 8th but couldn’t get it done against the Blues tonight.

Huge game looming between Port and Melbourne next week.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on July 03, 2021, 08:35:42 AM

No surprises from Brisbane or Port, they both won handily.

I am going to need to see the highlights for GWS v Melbourne, what happened there??? If the Bulldogs win their game, the we'll have a new ladder leader come Monday.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on July 04, 2021, 09:28:18 AM

Sydney didn't just win, they trounced WC! Is it time to draw a line through WC, as well? They dropped their last two games and the win before that was a close one against a declining Richmond...

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on July 07, 2021, 09:00:32 AM

Week 17 games...

Melbourne v Port Adelaide - HUGE game. If Melbourne wins, it helps to right the course for that team. If Port Adelaide wins, Melbourne is still in the top part of the ladder, but with the wrong trajectory for the home stretch. What looked like the Dee's season to lose a few weeks ago now looks like the Dees need to compete stronger if they want to get back to the top.

Power is coming off a win and they seem to have their act together. I'm going with Port Adelaide to win this one and the Dees to do some hard thinking after the game is over.

Essendon v Adelaide - Bombers are the team that's the stronger of the two. Both have shown some good moves of late, but Essendon is the side I expect to win.

Hawthorn v Fremantle - This is a must-win for Fremantle if they want hope of getting into the top 8 and Hawthorn is still not consistent enough in its performance. Fremantle will push past Hawthorn in this one.

Carlton v Geelong - not hard to call this one, so I did it right away. It would be nice if Geelong wins it without giving up a big lead at the start, though.

Brisbane v St. Kilda - St. Kilda's last two wins were against teams in trouble. Brisbane is NOT a team in trouble. It may not be a win with a massive trouncing, but Brisbane will win all the same.

GWS v Gold Coast - Both teams had some interesting wins recently. GC beat last year's winners, Richmond. Nicely done. GWS beat *this* year's top of the ladder team, Melbourne. Which win is more impressive? GWS Giants will be the victors of this competition.

Western Bulldogs v Sydney - Sydney's come back into form, but the Bulldogs haven't really lost the form they have. Going with consistency, Bulldogs take this one.

Richmond v Collingwood - earlier in this season, there would be no hesitancy in calling a win for Richmond. Now we gotta think about it... is Richmond done with their losing streak? Is Collingwood ready to show a win after their coach's departure? They can't both win and they can't both lose. I think Richmond has its puzzle pieces back into place, at least for this match.

West Coast v North Melbourne - Yes, North Melbourne is capable of surprises. But when wins are surprises, rather than expectations, that says something about that team. West Coast is troubled of late, but they still have a good team, which is why I pick them.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on July 09, 2021, 05:41:27 PM

So far this week, I'm wrong about Melbourne, but profoundly right about Essendon. Wow. What a shutdown on the Crows!

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on July 10, 2021, 05:45:48 PM

^^^Such a rubbish game to schedule on a Friday night.

I went to the Geelong game yesterday. Wasn’t a great game to watch either but was just happy to get the win and no injuries out of it. Only got a 5 day break to Fremantle next week.

St Kilda have caused the upset so far this weekend trouncing Brisbane last night which was great for Geelongs aspirations to grab that top 4 spot. Port losing was great also. Going to be an exciting finish to the H&A season. There’s 6 teams fighting for 7th & 8th.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on July 11, 2021, 09:26:25 AM

I got sooooooooooooo much wrong, but that's part of the fun - finding out how those teams I thought would lose turned out to be winners! Not making bets really helps me take losses in stride. :D

St. Kilda beating Brisbane was the biggest shocker. With the Saints getting a big win against a team that wasn't putting out signs of distress, they look to be on their way up.

The Gold Coast win was not as surprising, but shows that there's still quite a lot of life in some of those teams on the bottom part of the ladder.

Richmond losing to Collingwood means that, no, they do NOT have their puzzle pieces back together. They have just crumbled as a side. And Sydney beat the Bulldogs... whaaaa???? No game can be taken for granted.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on July 12, 2021, 08:06:10 AM

West Coast got rolled in Perth tonight by the bottom placed North in what was the biggest upset of the season so far.

What a climax to the end of the H&A season we are gonna have with so many teams in the race to grab 8th spot and a bunch of teams in a battle to grab a top 4 spot.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on July 12, 2021, 10:11:09 AM

I'm looking at the week's results and it's like all these teams on the bottom end have a poison stinger in their tails. Not even the cleverest of teams can avoid all the stingers all the time. That's what keeps the action interesting, for sure!

And it looks like there's still a mathematical possibility of North Melbourne finishing ahead of Richmond.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on July 15, 2021, 09:15:59 AM

Everyone loves videos of cats on YouTube! And these cats can WIN!

Of course I was predicting Geelong would win this week. I'll submit my other predictions after I finish with this sweet victorious vid. :D

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on July 15, 2021, 09:30:55 AM

Richmond v Brisbane - very sure that Brisbane should win this one

Gold Coast v Bulldogs - very sure that Bulldogs win

Melbourne v Hawthorn - very sure about Melbourne

St Kilda v Port Adelaide - St Kilda gave us all a big surprise last week. I think Port should win, but not all that confident in that prediction.

North Melbourne v Essendon - pretty confident in Essendon winning.

Collingwood v Carlton - I'll go with Carlton, but I feel like this is a pick 'em, either side can win this.

Adelaide v West Coast - West Coast has been awful after the break, maybe this is Adelaide's week? Another pick 'em here.

GWS v Sydney - Swans win this one, fairly sure about it.

I'm very interested to see what St. Kilda can do this week, kind of rooting for them to win.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on July 15, 2021, 09:41:33 AM

Cats were awesome tonight. They looked on a mission. Their intensity and pressure levels were at a high level from the start and they put the game away in the first half. Very professional all round performance from the boys.

The next couple of weeks is going to be interesting with a lot of Victorian clubs as well as the two Sydney clubs fleeing to Queensland to keep ahead of the latest Covid outbreaks. The Cats aren’t sure yet if they’re headed to Queensland as well or are gonna hub in WA for a couple of weeks. Very uncertain times for the AFL competition and the clubs right now.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on July 15, 2021, 09:51:26 AM

Richmond
Bulldogs
Melbourne
St Kilda
Essendon
Carlton
West Coast
Sydney

Got a feeling the tigers are gonna turn it around this week. Getting some very important players back from injury while the Lions lose a couple of important players. Also Tigers star Jack Riewoldt celebrates his 300th game and I’m sure they’ll lift for that as well. Only thing against them beside their recent poor form is that the game has been shifted from Melbourne to Queensland.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on July 15, 2021, 11:53:52 AM

I know with curling this year, every team had to be "in the bubble" in Calgary from February through to April, if they expected to compete in both the men's or women's events and the mixed doubles events. Longer still if they were going to be in world championships. The catch with all the AFL in one area is the limits on venues: you can't have 4 matches running at the same time, like you can with curling!

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on July 16, 2021, 08:54:23 AM

Well, I'm dealing with an upset and JtS is not. But am I unhappy? No, I am not, as Brisbane's loss puts that much more distance between them and the top of the ladder, where Geelong currently sits. :smug: And if Jack and I are wrong about Melbourne or Bulldogs, I don't think we'll be all that overcome with grief and/or regret. :D

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on July 17, 2021, 08:39:19 AM

Melbourne tied Hawthorn?

:wha:

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on July 17, 2021, 08:50:07 AM

Yep crazy! Hawthorn had quite a few of their top players out too. It seems some teams handle the crowdless stadiums better than others. I reckon it cost the Saints today against Port.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on July 22, 2021, 06:03:01 PM

Footy picks for week 19:

Port Adelaide beats Collingwood
Carlton beats North Melbourne
Brisbane beats Gold Coast
West Coast beats St Kilda, although I'd love an upset by the Saints!
Adelaide beats Hawthorn
Melbourne beats Bulldogs - Melbourne only loses to teams in the bottom half!
Essendon beats GWS Giants - I expect Essendon to push hard for a top 8 spot
Geelong beats Richmond - and with that win, Geelong goes to the top of the ladder if Bulldogs tie with Melbourne, quite possibly. :D
Sydney beats Fremantle

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on July 22, 2021, 06:10:28 PM

Agree with all your selections Z except I’m picking Hawthorn to beat Adelaide. That game has been moved to Melbourne as SA have gone into lockdown, not that that will matter too much as there won’t be a crowd allowed anyway but the Crows form has dropped off significantly to what they showed earlier in the season while the Hawks are coming off a competitive draw to the top of the ladder Demons.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on July 23, 2021, 09:55:12 AM

Power done in Collingwood, they did.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on July 25, 2021, 09:39:22 AM

Geelong is now just behind Bulldogs on the ladder. Haven't seen the highlights, but I've read the summary of their win over Richmond. This is exciting!

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on July 26, 2021, 11:55:34 AM

Geelong's win was so convincing, they're now the favorites to win the Premiership this year. Things may change, but they're riding high right now.

My picks from Week 19:
Port Adelaide beats Collingwood
Carlton beats North Melbourne
Brisbane beats Gold Coast
West Coast beats St Kilda, although I'd love an upset by the Saints!
Adelaide beats Hawthorn
Melbourne beats Bulldogs - Melbourne only loses to teams in the bottom half!
Essendon beats GWS Giants - I expect Essendon to push hard for a top 8 spot
Geelong beats Richmond - and with that win, Geelong goes to the top of the ladder if Bulldogs tie with Melbourne, quite possibly. :D
Sydney beats Fremantle

I was wrong about Carlton - NM is showing a significant turn since their new coach stepped in. They may avoid winning the wooden spoon this year!
Also wrong about Melbourne - now they're losing to teams in the top half, time to worry if you're a Demons supporter. Top scorers are currently out or off their game, they need to find some answers soon.
GWS Giants also proved me wrong - Giants are the one to unseat for teams looking to move into the top 8. I still think Essendon can do it, but now it's down to how each team plays their last 4. Both have a similar difficulty in their schedule, so Essendon is going to have to win more hard games than GWS if it is going to make the top 8.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on July 28, 2021, 08:59:31 AM

Week 20 picks:

St. Kilda beats Carlton
Bulldogs beat Adelaide
Cats soundly defeat the Roos
Dees take down Gold Coast
West Coast edges Pies
Swans defeat the Bombers - I don't know if Essendon can top this side at this point in time.
Lions beat the Hawks
Power will beat GWS
Richmond gets a win v. Fremantle

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on July 30, 2021, 08:57:10 AM

Well, St. Kilda did NOT beat Carlton... Blues took off with a big run-up in the second quarter, did not look back.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on August 04, 2021, 11:41:22 AM

I was very surprised to see Richmond take another fall. That team is in deep trouble. And the WC-Collingwood game that I thought would be close turned into a walk in the park for Collingwood, big win for them. Hawthorn beating Brisbane shows some problems in the Lions, and at the wrong time in the season! That sort of thing should have been sorted out earlier on!

So with that in mind, time to pick for the week ahead:

Geelong beats GWS. Very sure here.

Carlton showed strength last week, GC looked horrible. Carlton *should* win this one.

Richmond v North Melbourne... why do I get the feeling that the Roos have a chance here? Richmond's been that awful and NM has shown some promise, it might just happen.

Port Adelaide beats Plain Adelaide.

Sydney beats St. Kilda

I think Hawthorn beats Collingwood in a close game, should be interesting to watch.

Bulldogs beat Bombers

Fremantle beat Richmond, but I don't think Brisbane is that bad, so Brisbane over Fremantle.

Melbourne beats West Coast.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on August 06, 2021, 09:16:09 AM

Well I didn’t see that loss coming for Geelong. Were poor all night but somehow found themselves only 9 points down with a regulation shot from 20 metres to cut the margin to 3 points with 5 minutes left on the clock. But young Clarke badly missed and subsequently GWS then took the ball the length of the field from the kick in and scored a goal to put the game to bed. On top of that, Geelong picked up three key injuries to Dangerfield, Tuohy and Rohan.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on August 06, 2021, 06:13:40 PM

Lots of injuries for Geelong going into the game and several more coming out of it. Hopefully, the injuries heal up quickly and effectively and they're back to top form next week.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on August 09, 2021, 07:58:34 AM

Nice of the Bulldogs to also lose this week, keeps even with Geelong. And Melbourne's win today will put them back on top of the ladder.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on August 09, 2021, 08:09:18 AM

Looking like the Dees will win. The game had to be stopped early in the last qtr due to lightning. The first I can remember a game ever being stopped due to lightning.

The game has resumed after 29 minute delay and the Eagles are coming hard. 16 points down with 5 minutes remaining.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on August 09, 2021, 02:56:31 PM

That they did do, and now there are 2 games left in the regular season.

Essendon could win out and GWS lose a game and we'd see a change at the bottom of the top 8. WC might lose vs Brisbane, but I don't think they'll lose to the Dockers, so they should be set in the top 8. With that in mind, though, they don't look good for the finals. Neither does Port Adelaide, barely getting by the Crows. Geelong, of course, needs to get healthy if it wants to go the distance... but it has a good shot of it, looks like.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on August 12, 2021, 07:00:53 PM

Week 22 pix:

Giants beat Richmond
Bulldogs beat Hawthorn
Geelong beat St. Kilda
Port beats Carlton
Brisbane beats Collingwood
Sydney beats North Melbourne
Melbourne beats Adelaide
Essendon beats Gold Coast
Fremantle beats West Coast unless West Coast beats Fremantle... WC has been real iffy of late... and I'm thinking of Bon Scott of late, which makes me root a little for Fremantle!

And as I typed "Bulldogs beat Hawthorn", I had a pause. With Hawthorn finding its way of late and injuries on the Bulldogs, we could see an upset here.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on August 12, 2021, 09:47:38 PM

I’m going with your picks and thoughts Z except I’m picking the Tigers to beat the Giants. I’m also leaning towards West Coast but a Freo win would not surprise at all.

Another danger game for the Cats but they’ll be bolstered with the return of Jeremy Cameron after 6 weeks out and a few more inclusions that missed last week. Dangerfield has also been passed fit to play after the blow to the throat and subsequent hospitalisation last week.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on August 13, 2021, 08:19:26 AM

Well I guess it’s all caught up with the battle wearied Tigers. Can’t say I’m not happy their dynasty has come to an end though :)

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on August 13, 2021, 10:03:41 AM

So glad Dangerfield is back, along with Cameron. That will make a real difference, for sure. And yes, St. Kilda is down but not out - can't count on an easy win with them.

With the Richmond loss to the Giants, it puts them deeper into the hole. The maths needed to get them into the top 8 just got that much more complicated in terms of who needs to win/lose this week and next for them to still hit the #8 slot. That one tie the Giants had is their insurance, as the worst record they can have is 10-11-1, and that puts them just ahead of any 10-12 team. An Essendon win this week all but seals Richmond's fate, as it'll be up to Essendon/WC/GWS for the 7 and 8 slots. If Freo gets WC, then they're in the mix. St. Kilda beating Geelong (No! Please no!) would keep them in the mix, but their loss to Geelong puts them on the same shelf as Richmond.

And yes, there's more than one person on this board with a touch of the schadenfreude for ol' Richmond. :D

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on August 13, 2021, 09:26:07 PM

I think Essendon will grab that final spot. Can’t see WC beating Brisbane in the last rd.

In very bad news for Geelong, Tom Stewart is out of today’s game amid fears he has suffered a serious season ending foot injury which happened at training on Thursday. Arguably our most important player along with Hawkins.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on August 13, 2021, 10:12:01 PM

:( That's some hard news to bear.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on August 14, 2021, 08:03:18 AM

Dangerfield is an absolute beast. Dragged his team over the line today with his brute force style of play. A nice cameo performance from Cameron as well kicking 4 goals on his return. But the news just gets worse for Geelong with Hawkins expected to get cited for a tackle that saw his opponent get subbed out with concussion. It’s very line ball though, wasn’t a sling or a dumping style tackle but a similar tackle on Geelongs Mitch Duncan earlier in the season saw the tackler get suspended for 2 weeks but then subsequently beat the charge at the tribunal and got off.

Judge for yourself
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/geelong-cats/afl-2021-tom-hawkins-dangerous-tackle-on-darragh-joyce-geelong-vs-st-kilda-video-incident-match-review-news/news-story/16452d3806dec072ea07f11b448e7d5d

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on August 16, 2021, 09:26:35 AM

Just catching up now... Hawthorn ought to be a top team next year, they dominated the Bulldogs. Wow.

Physical West Coast Derby - Freo got the job done, but WC didn't look as bad as before. Probably fire in their bellies for the grudge match.

Cats played very well after the 1st Quarter... Hawkins' tackle was rough, but not intentional and could have just as easily not ended that way. Nothing at all like the sucker punch that one WC player done on the Freo guy.

Hoping for the Cats to hold it all together, they can beat the Demons on their way into the finals!

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on August 16, 2021, 09:40:34 AM

Yeah Hawkins was an accident and thankfully the MRO saw it that way as well, much to a lot of peoples surprise and annoyance I must say.

So much to play out in this last round with changes of ladder positions. If Geelong lose they need Port to lose to avoid playing them in Adelaide in a Qualifying final in front of a parochial home crowd and all the bullshit quarantining protocols that come with it. At least the Bulldogs and Port play each other the night before so Geelong will at least know beforehand what they need to do. If Port lose Geelong may decide to rest a bunch of players, same might Melbourne.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on August 16, 2021, 10:21:28 AM

What I'd love to see in the last week is Hawthorn beating Richmond and WC beating Brisbane. I think I'm only going to get one of those, and it ain't Brisbane losing. There's a clear path for them to make the top 4 with a Port win over the Bulldogs... and I don't think the Bulldogs could beat Port, they're reeling after these last 2 weeks.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on August 18, 2021, 11:44:11 AM

Week 23 picks...

Power beats Bulldogs
Hawks beat Tigers
Swans beat Suns
Lions beat Eagles
Cats beat Demons - match of the week, without question
Giants beat Blues
Saints beat Dockers
Bombers beat Magpies
Crows vs Kangaroos... why not go out crazy and have the 'Roos win this one?

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on August 18, 2021, 05:26:09 PM

I’m picking the same as you Z but I’ll pick the Bulldogs to best Port. Port have really struggled against top 4 teams this season and I don’t think this will be any different. Port like to press up really high and lock it in their forward half, the better teams find a way to get through their press, and once they do they usually score hence Ports poor record against really good teams.

I actually think that’s the match of the round given the stakes. If Port wins they can nab a home final. If dogs lose they can drop out of th top 4. If Port do win though, that cats v dogs game becomes huge.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on August 20, 2021, 07:42:01 AM

So Port got the win by 2 points over the dogs after being down most of the night.

So basically, the winner of Geelong and Melbourne tomorrow will take top spot and will most likely play Brisbane on a neutral ground in the first week of finals given the AFL have ruled out playing any games in Victoria because they’d rather play in front of crowds.

The loser of Geelong Melbourne will have to travel to Adelaide and play Port in front of a rabid home crowd. Not an ideal outcome for Geelong or Melbourne either way.

I liken Port fans to Philadelphia Eagles fans Z

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on August 20, 2021, 09:57:30 AM

Just watched the Port game, wow... behind all the way until the very end. But it was clearly tipping in their direction when they had that massive run-up in the 3rd Quarter.

So Adelaide is Australia's Philly? Good to know! :)

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on August 21, 2021, 07:44:02 AM

What a game Geelong-Melbourne just played. All down to that one captain's kick at the end. Could have easily gone another way, with some different breaks in those closing minutes.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on August 21, 2021, 08:36:30 AM

The blew it Z. The gave up a 44 point lead and totally capitulated in the last qtr, especially in the final 40 seconds. Everything that could go wrong did. Losing doesn’t worry me, but losing in such a manner does. Concerns me the effect it could have on morale and confidence going into next week.

I fear they could be damaged goods now.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on August 23, 2021, 08:45:23 AM

So how do the finals games play out? I see the top four paired off with each other and the bottom four in their group.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on August 23, 2021, 09:00:10 AM

So these are the matchups of week 1

FRIDAY, AUGUST 27

Second qualifying final
2 Port Adelaide v 3 Geelong at Adelaide Oval, 7.50pm

SATURDAY, AUGUST 28

Second elimination final
6 Sydney v 7 GWS Giants at University of Tasmania Stadium, 3.20pm

First qualifying final
1 Melbourne v 4 Brisbane at Adelaide Oval, 7.30pm

SUNDAY, AUGUST 29

First elimination final
5 Western Bulldogs v 8 Essendon at University of Tasmania Stadium, 3.20pm

This is how it plays out.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/AFL_finals_v2.png)

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on August 23, 2021, 11:56:07 AM

OK, so it's like a double wildcard system. Top four teams need two losses to get knocked out, 5th-8th place teams need one loss to get knocked out.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on August 23, 2021, 05:49:10 PM

Yeah sorta. Basically the top 4 get a double chance but only the 2 losers in the first week. Winners will go straight through to a preliminary final and have a week off where it will be knockout from there.

The advantages of finishing top four is that you get the opportunity to only have to win 2 games to get through to the GF with a weeks rest inbetween whilst a loss in the first week gives you a second chance.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on August 23, 2021, 10:28:45 PM

I'm checking out a few predictions and I've heard some tout Melbourne all the way and others saying that the Cats have a chance... without upsets, it could well be a Dees-Cats or Power-Cats final. But some questions come up:

1. Are the Cats almost in as bad a state as the Bulldogs? Bulldogs lost last 3 games, Cats lost last 2 of 3.

2. Sure, the Cats allowed the Dees to scrape back a win, but aren't the Dees showing vulnerability in getting into that hole in the first place? Same question for Power, which got far behind the Bulldogs and also had to dig their way out.

3. Will the more defensive teams in the playoffs have an answer for Brisbane's high scoring ways?

4. How much of a chance does Essendon have to pull off an upset on the Bulldogs?

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on August 24, 2021, 10:18:36 PM

1. I think Geelongs drop off has coincided with losing Tom Stewart. He plays such an important role in Geelongs defensive structure and is a great intercept mark and distributer of the football and is irreplaceable. Geelong have been moving the ball even more slower and methodical in recent weeks which I think is protect their back six since Stewart is missing. If they turn it over the go slow approach gives time for their defence to set up. Stewart is such a great reader of the play and contested interceptor mark in defence. Huge loss.

On a positive note though. The Cats are set to regain gun midfielder Mitch Duncan after missing the last 10 weeks with a PCL.

2. The Dees have been the most consistent team all season. Besides 15 minutes of that 2nd quarter when Geelong dominated centre clearances and were able to capitalise on the scoreboard the Dees dominated all the major stats in the game and have in most games this season. It just feels like their time. The last time they finished on top in the regular season in 1964 they won the premiership. You know what else happened that year? The Tokyo Olympics :-X

3. History shows, especially in the last 20 years that defence wins premierships. But you still need to have attacking flare with a couple of big forwards capable of kicking goals. Geelong has both, so does Melbourne. Port has a great forward setup but are susceptible in defence, same as Brisbane and the Dogs.

4. Essendon is a big chance to beat the Dogs and will have confidence after beating them only a couple of weeks ago. The Bombers dominated the Bulldogs midfield that day which has been the dogs strength all season but has really fallen away in the later part of the season. They’re really missing their #1 ruckman in Stefan Martin atm, but he might be back for this game. If the Bulldogs find their game they’ll win. Essendon haven’t won a final since 2004. Maybe they’re satisfied on just being there where’s the Dogs have bigger aspirations.

The Bulldogs still remain the only team to win the premiership from outside the top 4 when they won it from 7th in 2016. Can they do it again? Big ask!

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on August 25, 2021, 10:25:56 AM

It has seemed like the Dees' year for most of the year, with flashes from Geelong, Port A, Brisbane, and Bulldogs along the way. Of the rest of the top 4, I have seen the Cats most mentioned as a team capable of winning the Premiership. I have to stay hopeful for their chances...

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on August 25, 2021, 07:18:48 PM

Time to pick 'em for the weekend...

Geelong over Port Adelaide GO CATS GO!

Sydney over GWS Giants, probably in a close game

Melbourne over Brisbane

Essendon edges the Bulldogs, I like the possibility of this upset.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on August 26, 2021, 09:10:01 AM

Going with your picks Z except I’m going the Bulldogs to beat the Bombers.

Tom Stewart and Tom Hawkins were picked in the prestigious All Australian team of 2021 tonight

:)

https://www.afl.com.au/news/670638/all-australian-team-dees-dominate-11-new-faces-first-time-captain

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on August 26, 2021, 12:01:41 PM

Good to hear Stewart and Hawkins got the picks, they're great players to watch.

No surprise to see a lot of other names in there, having learned them from watching the highlights. :) Bontempelli, Greene, Petracca, Oliver, MacRae, Gawn, Merrett... I'm a little surprised that Cameron from Brisbane didn't make the cut, he's been pretty clutch for the Lions all year.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on August 26, 2021, 05:46:34 PM

Quote from: Zzzptm on August 26, 2021, 12:01:41 PM

I'm a little surprised that Cameron from Brisbane didn't make the cut, he's been pretty clutch for the Lions all year.

He had a slowish start to the season which probably cost him but should’ve been in ahead of Papley.

A lot of players were stiff to miss out but it’s like, who do you take out? It’s always such a hard task picking the AA.

Match day today. It’s good the boys won’t be forced to wait around in cricket nets for 6hrs prior to the game but they’re still under pretty strict quarantine conditions.

Hawkins plays his 300th game for the Club tonight and Captain Selwood will equal the games record for Geelong with 332. He’ll also move into 2nd place on the all time VFL/AFL for most finals games played with 36.

Go Cats!

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on August 27, 2021, 08:52:40 AM

Port totally disarmed our game while being able to find free players and apply enormous pressure to us all night. Our defence continuously fumbled, dropped marks and turned it over. It was as disappointing as I’ve seen Geelong play in a quite a long time.

Since Geelong won the 2011 premiership their record is 1/9 in the first week of finals.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on August 27, 2021, 09:29:22 AM

Well, Aliir showed that his pick for the AA team is no accident. Brilliant work, there. And while Geelong had some terrible accuracy problems, they also had even worse luck getting into enemy territory uncontested. Port Adelaide found a way, multiple times: when a highlights reel shows a guy all alone in front of the goalposts, it means the defense didn't show up. Geelong's shots were taken in traffic, Port got to do plenty of kicks with little or no Cats defense in the way.

Still gonna cheer for them, come on and beat (ELIMINATION FINAL WINNER) next week!

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on August 28, 2021, 07:15:30 AM

So Geelong will meet GWS in a cut throat semi final after they beat Sydney by 1 point in a pulsating game. They got out to 5 goal lead in the 3rd qtr before Sydney clawed their way back and should’ve won in the end but they missed heaps of shots in the last quarter as GWS were out on their feet.

Melbourne beat Brisbane in the other game by 33 points just now as I’m typing meaning Brisbane will play the winner of tomorrow’s game between the dogs and the Bombers in the other cut throat semi final next week.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on August 28, 2021, 12:59:16 PM

Cats will be looking to win this time vs GWS, I think they can do it. Brisbane should be able to do in either the Bulldogs or the Bombers, I would think.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on September 03, 2021, 08:02:22 AM

Well the Cats did what they usually do after a Qualifying final loss and that’s bounce back with a good win. Looked in control for most of the game besides a little scare in the last qtr when GWS kicked 4 goals in the the first 5 minutes but the Cats were able to steady and run out winners by 35 points. Next week will be their 11th preliminary final appearance in the last 15 years which is a mighty achievement in itself but they’re gonna have to be at their very best to beat Melbourne next week.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on September 03, 2021, 08:05:36 AM

Absolutely. And if the Bulldogs win, they'll STILL have to be at their very best! But I agree, this should come down to Dees v Cats.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on September 04, 2021, 02:01:59 PM

Bulldogs fought hard to win my that 1 point. I think Port Adelaide dispatches them next week, and I'm rooting for Geelong to beat Melbourne, but I expected to be saying that for the final...

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on September 10, 2021, 08:03:12 AM

:facepalm2: :kramer: :nono: :sorry:

:mopey:

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on September 11, 2021, 08:45:51 AM

Incredibly disappointed Z. Spent most of the day in bed unable to get up such was my depressive mood. Melbourne were unbelievable and Geelong were as bad as I’ve ever seen them play. This one is gonna be hard to get over.

Also, came out today that a virus ran through the Cats playing group a couple of days out from game and at least 6-8 players were heavily impacted by it and went into the game quite unwell. Seems nothing went right for the club in the last month starting with losing their most important player Tom Stewart.

Feeling somewhat better tonight though after watching the dogs absolutely wipe the floor with Port

Makes for one helluva Grand final in two weeks time between The Demons and The Bulldogs.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on September 13, 2021, 07:56:08 AM

Indeed, looks like the Dogs are back in form. I don't want to make a prediction, I just want to watch the match, it should be really awesome.

And I do want to thank you, Jack, for getting me into this sport. I love it and it's helped my Australian accent heaps. :)

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on September 13, 2021, 08:04:13 AM

Thank you for taking an interest Z. It meant it lot to me that someone on here did and even more so that you’ve jumped on the cats. Hopefully they can bounce back next year and go one better. If ever you come down under I’m definitely taking you to a game ;)

Will you be able to watch the GF live somewhere over there? I know they do usually get the game live into the States.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on September 13, 2021, 08:15:49 AM

It'll be at 4:15 AM, my time, so I'll have to catch the highlights and dodge the headlines come Saturday morning.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on September 13, 2021, 08:19:00 AM

And 100% my pleasure, Jack! It helps that the Cats have a great song. :) And, yes, I would love to be able to go to a live game at Kardinia Park!

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on September 16, 2021, 04:25:48 PM

Brownlow Medal: I'll pick Bontempelli to win this one.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on September 16, 2021, 05:53:12 PM

Gonna be one of the closest Brownlow medal counts ever. 1 or 2 votes could seperate the first 5. I would’ve said Bontempelli for most of the 2nd half of the season but he just trailed off a bit in the last few games. I’m gonna put my money on Clayton Oliver.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on September 17, 2021, 09:59:04 AM

Oliver's another great, would not be surprised.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on September 19, 2021, 05:51:43 AM

Halfway through the Brownlow medal vote count and it’s Oliver leading on 20 votes to Bontempelli in 2nd on 18 and 3rd is Darcy Parish on 17.

[Edit]Current leader board after Rd 13

1. Bontempelli - 21
=2 Oliver - 20
=2 Parish -20
3. Wines - 17
4. Walsh - 16

Wines is gonna come home hard

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Jack the Stripper on September 19, 2021, 07:25:10 AM

And the winner is

Ollie Wines from Port Adelaide

Final Results Top 5

1st - Ollie Wines - 36 votes

2nd - Marcus Bontempelli - 33 votes

3rd - Clayton Oliver - 31 votes

4th - Sam Walsh - 30 votes

=5th - Darcy Parish 26 votes

= 5th - Jack Steele 26 votes

Very close and exciting count. First time in its 97 year history 3 players have polled over 30 votes

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on September 19, 2021, 08:25:28 AM

Wow, that's amazing all those votes. And every one of them well deserved, I say. Good on Wines for his win, and the others getting votes have all shown some incredible sportsmanship through the season, well done.

Title: Re: AFL 2021
Post by: Zzzptm on September 25, 2021, 08:27:40 AM

Well, that final was a great game to see. Second quarter had the lead change that put the outcome in doubt,

: show

So here's to 2022, hoping the Cats make it all the way, but I've got to get through the Scotties and the Brier in Canadian Curling, first. :D

The Community

General Category => Sports => Topic started by: Zzzptm on March 19, 2021, 08:53:45 AM