AFL 2021

[Jack the Stripper]

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.

[Zzzptm]

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.

[Jack the Stripper]

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.

[Zzzptm]

I will be surprised if Carlton beats Melbourne.

[Zzzptm]

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...

[Jack the Stripper]

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.

[Zzzptm]

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.

[Jack the Stripper]

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

[Zzzptm]

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.

[Zzzptm]

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

[Zzzptm]

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.

[Jack the Stripper]

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.

[Zzzptm]

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

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.

[Zzzptm]

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.

[Jack the Stripper]

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