Nathan Brown will be keen to impress in this fixture as will the Dogs' much hyped draftee Adam Cooney (who can play btw). Jade Rawlings will be another in new colours to watch. I reckon Richo probably won't play so the Tiges are a shoe in ha ha.
Port v Geelong
Usually when the Cats play Port we get thumped in the midfield and the defence has to work overtime to restrict the Cornes/Trederea combination from kicking us off the park. However, at the moment the donuts appear light on in the middle and this will give Spriggs and Co. plenty of chances to impress. Cats to win (surprise surprise says JSA).
Melbourne v Kangaroos
North's season is on the line if you ask hyper-tense coach Laidley but the fact that only Benno, a dog and three lost rubgy fans will be attending this match means that perhaps ol' Dean is a bit over the top here. The Roos record in Canberra is pretty good and the Dees look as scary as Jeff White and the Seven Dwarfs. Kangaroos for mine.
Adelaide v St Kilda
The Roo won't start for the Cows but there are plenty of old hands to steady the ship at Foobar Park. While everyone is selecting the Sainters as the next big thing I reckon the Cows will come home comfortably in this match. A Saints win would be as likely as Ronnie Burns using the right side of his body.
Sydney v Carlton
Sydney will have plenty of goals on the board by the time the Carlton boys have finished introducing themselves to each other. Expect plenty of ball for Sydney off the boot of the wayward David Clarke and Harford will have lost what little pace he had from his Hawk days. Swannies with too much class.
Essendon v Fremantle
This one's a toughie. Who knows what Sheeds might get up to regarding team selection on this one. The Bombers have proven they can beat Freo away from Vicland but I rate the Dockers and I reckon they'll be keen to extract some measure of revenge against the Dons. I reckon Freo might have too much running power in the Darwin conditions. Freo to win.
Hawthorn v Brisbane
Why would anyone want a blow up doll when you've got the real thing (x3) waiting at home? Brisbabe don't appear to give a rats toss bag about these pre-season comps but the Hawks will be pretty keen to show the York park faithfull that they will have a big say this season. A fitter (that is to say less injured) Hawthorn to grab a 'membership' win.
West Cost v Collingwood
If the Pies don't get lost on their way to the airport (which is possible) I reckon they can come back from the West with an unexpected win. Plenty of people rate the Egirls but I aint one of them. If Gardiner doesn't suit up then the Pies will be able to at least break even with the Egirls powerfull midfield. Besides, how can Collingwood lose the grand final if they lose in round one? Pies to emerge victorious.
regards,
REB
― Rik E Boy (Rik E Boy), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 01:39 (twenty-two years ago)
― Rik E Boy (Rik E Boy), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 01:45 (twenty-two years ago)
― Fred Nerk (Fred Nerk), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 02:13 (twenty-two years ago)
Pies no hope at all, a long way back on preparation, no Buckley, and no great want to win the pre-season cup....
― Bennö (Bennö), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 03:11 (twenty-two years ago)
I agree that the Lions are no chance this weekend and treat the WC as an interuption to their designs for pre-season preparation. If the Lions win on Sunday with a team of undergrads McGuire, Collins and Jackson will be demanding that all Lions players have their left hand removed as part of a level playing field competition (choke, choke!!)
― Big Bird (Big Bird), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 03:46 (twenty-two years ago)
Agree if the soocky bubba isn't playing - Tigers have a good chance.
"Cats to win" Agree here also
Laidley's got a sore back to on the strength of that - Melbourne to win. - Just
No I think Crows will win - just to atone for the finals they lost.
"Sydney will have plenty of goals on the board by the time the Carlton boys have finished introducing themselves to each other."
LOL - agree Swannies to have a win
" reckon Freo might have too much running power in the Darwin conditions. Freo to win."
Bombers to melt - Dockers to flog them.
"Brisbabe don't appear to give a rats toss bag about these pre-season comps..." - other than to show off our rookies!! LOL
Hawks to probably win but not by much
Old home week for Malthouse, he'll probably forget who he's coaching and Woosha will take his Eagles to a brilliant win even without Gardiner.
It really all means bugger all other than the fact all us supporters will get to argue about footy again and watch the game we love!
― Lucy Lion (Lucy Lion), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 03:49 (twenty-two years ago)
Not to mention if our players have their left hand removed in order to level that playing field - Collingwood wil travel outside Vic ever third week and not just to Stradbroke Island. The poor Island is still reeling from the bush fires from their last visit.
So much hot air is not good for the trees!!!
― Lucy Lion (Lucy Lion), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 03:51 (twenty-two years ago)
Collingwood not playing to a full house every second week at the G (delivering massive ratings, and thus, massive TV contract $$$) and bankrolling the AFL means your AFL subsidised Lie-ins (and most Melbourne clubs) don't exist...
― Bennö (Bennö), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 04:38 (twenty-two years ago)
Hey Benno we don't get handouts from the AFL, A Salary Concession means we can pay more under the Salary Cap, but the club has to find the money themselves. Unlike some Victorian clubs we don't get handouts.
If the AFL is going to persist in proping up clubs in order to maintain a 16 club competition with the majority of those being based in Victoria, maybe they need to redress this issue and look at moving more clubs out of Vic to ensure a NATIONAL comp i.e. Tasmania, NT, Canberra. All of which would probably need assistance to get up and running but then it would be closer to National then it is now.
Mr Ed speak about a fair and equal comp and does it with a straight face, I can't believe he thinks the draw doesn't favour his club. When the Concession is finally gone and Brisbane keep winning what excuse will he have then for his bloody club.
I reckon if the draw was equal and no blockbusters pre-programmed we soon see how great some clubs are. Take away the pre-programming and the concessions and it would be closer to fair.
― Lucy Lion (Lucy Lion), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 05:01 (twenty-two years ago)
http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=133847
Excerpts...
"Growing the game, according to the Strategic Plan, would be achieved by a wide range of policies, including the effective maintenance of the draft and salary cap, the provision of a fair fixture and a ‘benchmark’ Collective Bargaining Agreement.
“We strive to have an even competition where any club is capable of beating another on any day or night to produce uncertainty of outcomes and drive supporter interest – regardless of the relative financial strength of each club,” said Evans."
...
"The AFL has identified the northern states as significant growth markets requiring further development.
“We must deepen and strengthen the presence of our game in New South Wales and Queensland, while continuing to build our success in our traditional markets,” said Evans. "
― Lucy Lion (Lucy Lion), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 05:06 (twenty-two years ago)
Lions are not subsidised by the AFL.
The massive TV $ are there becuase the game has a national profile, not some sections of some states like some other wannabes codes. Hence Mr Demetriou's commitment to increased funding to northern states, where the big TV markets and the population growth are located.
― Big Bird (Big Bird), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 05:17 (twenty-two years ago)
― Big Bird (Big Bird), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 05:19 (twenty-two years ago)
:P
― Bennö (Bennö), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 05:41 (twenty-two years ago)
Your fishing Benno produced far more than the Trout Fishing I did at Christmas time - took hours and then even my "catch of the day" was rigged!!! LOL
Big Bird as for being snappy - you're right! I just get sick of the same old biased arguments from both sides. However I feel fine now and will go back to carving crosses in my arms!
― Lucy Lion (Lucy Lion), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 05:55 (twenty-two years ago)
― Lucy Lion (Lucy Lion), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 05:56 (twenty-two years ago)
These days, I couldn't care less. The Blokes in Brisbane play there because they want to, good luck to em. I just hope they don't roll us in 3 successive grand finals...
Can you tell its Feb and I have no passion for football at the moment - its too bloody hot!
― Bennö (Bennö), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 06:10 (twenty-two years ago)
But if you're talking hot - it's steadily climbing up here and is expected to be 38 and 37 on Friday and Saturday. Normally anywhere else (say Perth) this would mean a nice warm day with no humidity (or very little) sunshine and a chance to enjoy a day at the beach. Nooooo, here it will mean humidity in the 80 - 100% range possible thunder storms. Breathing will be like sucking on a wet flannel all day. Thank god I'm off to the sunshine coast to sit in the ocean!
Have a nice afternoon!!! :D
― Lucy Lion (Lucy Lion), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 06:38 (twenty-two years ago)
PS - Cats for the flag!
― Rik E Boy (Rik E Boy), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 09:50 (twenty-two years ago)
― Rik E Boy (Rik E Boy), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 09:53 (twenty-two years ago)
No chance, Benno. Pies got no chance of making the GF this year. Even if they added any wins from the Wiz Cup, still wouldn't make it there.
Pies have had their chance in the last two years and couldn't walk the talk.
They're a footy team not a dynasty.
― Westener (Westener), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 12:59 (twenty-two years ago)
Maybe I did! :D lol
― Lucy Lion (Lucy Lion), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 21:59 (twenty-two years ago)
Westener, its still a young side, and I have belief that there is improvement. Buckley is probably due for a slight decline, but he has proven he is such a warhorse that the decline may be put off another year or two.
The groups is still young enough, and retirements and trades have not hurt that much. I have hope for 04!
― Bennö (Bennö), Wednesday, 18 February 2004 22:37 (twenty-two years ago)
News flash: Pies to travel three times this year - Eddie to lobby the AFL again!
― Rik E Boy (Rik E Boy), Friday, 20 February 2004 01:36 (twenty-two years ago)
― Rik E Boy (Rik E Boy), Friday, 20 February 2004 01:37 (twenty-two years ago)
Started on the bench and came on late in 1st Q. By halfway through the 2nd Q Eddie is flashing Buckley's stats on and off the screen.
"LEADING POSSESSION GETTER" he screams. "ONLY BEEN ON FOR JUST OVER HALF A QUARTER" "TOP PLAYER" and so on.
Reality - He's a beautiful kick. Wasted most of his possessions by kicking it to teamates in poor positions. Could have had more possessions as other Collingwood players kept feeding him but Egirls continually took it off him. And why do I get the feeling that he is going to become a sniper due to the frustration of not having the easy ball all the time?
Methinks backline with an occasional run on the ball.
― Westener (Westener), Saturday, 21 February 2004 13:09 (twenty-two years ago)