General footy chat Round 3: they're all other games.

[dejavoodoo44]

Not quite sure who to go for tonight? On one hand, I'd quite like Essendon to continue their crap start to the season, but on the other hand, there's a part of me that will enjoy the further enragement of the rabid section of Port fans, who really don't want to wait to the end of the season to see the back of Hinkley.

Tomorrow it looks like I'll be going for the Bulldogs two weeks in a row, as there's something that I find really irksome about Carlton.

I'm a bit irritated that both Queensland games are on Saturday, as that means that they're both delayed on free to air. Probably still watch them, but it means that I can't really comment about them on this thread, as being a couple of hours late will render those comments irrelevant. Plus it rules out checking stats during the game.

[Thunder Shaker]

Tomorrow it looks like I'll be going for the Bulldogs two weeks in a row, as there's something that I find really irksome about Carlton.

Considering Carlton tried to kill off the Swans in the 1990s, your views on Carlton should be stronger than "irksome".

Meanwhile, Gulden's aiming to return after the mid-season bye, Gulden's return date becomes clearer after serious ankle injury (afl.com.au).

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Essendon-Port Adelaide is a battle of the embattled, though Port Adelaide are more likely to win. Essendon have been rubbish for some years and I don't expect that to change this year.

Carlton vs the Mutts is a match between two bottom-four teams, if RWO's views on the respective teams counted as ladder positions. Go Mutts.

Melbourne vs Gold Coast is interesting, as it will give everyone a clearer picture of where Gold Coast is standing. They're doing well to be sixth with only one game played so far. They look solid so far this year, if a big win away from home is any indication.

St Kilda vs Richmond is curious, as all 12 AFL experts have tipped the Saints. If there was a chance of an upset from that tipping panel, this is the game that is most likely to produce one.

Hawthorn vs GWS is the game of the round. Unlike many here, I have some respect for the Giants and I'm hoping that they can beat the Hawks. The last thing I want to see is another Hawthorn premiership this year.

Lions and Cats is the second-best game of the round. The Lions are likely to win this one at home. These teams have produced some very good matches at this ground in recent years, including the "Miracle on Grass" game where Brisbane came back from nine goals down in the second half. Expect another solid game.

Adelaide vs North Melbourne should be a solid win to Adelaide, not because North Melbourne are awful but because Adelaide have improved a lot this year. North Melbourne have improved, as was shown by their very strong last quarter to win comfortably last week. If North were playing the 2024 Crows, they would be favouries, but Adelaide is looking like a top-8 side this year.

The final match of the round is the Western Derby. This is always a good game, even when the two teams are 17th and 18th on the ladder, as they are currently placed. Both teams will play well above their ladder position to win this.

[Sandridge]

Considering Carlton tried to kill off the Swans in the 1990s, your views on Carlton should be stronger than "irksome".

Carlton - a club historically run by unprincipled cheats and full of obnoxious and smug supporters. As much as I abhor what happened to us in THAT grand final, I'll be hoping for the Poodles to prevail in that game.

The first quarter in the Essendon/Port game has been entertaining with both teams being as bad as the other.

[dejavoodoo44]

Carlton - a club historically run by unprincipled cheats and full of obnoxious and smug supporters. As much as I abhor what happened to us in THAT grand final, I'll be hoping for the Poodles to prevail in that game.

The first quarter in the Essendon/Port game has been entertaining with both teams being as bad as the other.

Some of Essendon's attacking moves were crying out for the Benny Hill music.

[Sandridge]

Some of Essendon's attacking moves were crying out for the Benny Hill music.

Yep! They've kicked 3 goals 9 on a ground that is bone dry and with no issues with the wind. Port haven't been much better, though, and the Bombers are only 3 pts behind at HT. Some of the mistakes from both sides have been comical!

[Sandridge]

Bombers up by 9 half way through the last quarter and they are all over Port. Still 9 mins to go, though.

Make that up by 15.

[Sandridge]

OMG ! The Poodles were just pinged for a throw !

[dejavoodoo44]

OMG ! The Poodles were just pinged for a throw !

They getting caned this week, after being caned in the frees last week. Usually that would be cause for a celebration, but since it's against Collingwood and Carlton...

[Sandridge]

As grubby as it feels to celebrate a Poodle victory, seeing Carlton 0 - 3 is VERY satisfying !

[Sandridge]

Suns making an absolute mess of the Demons who look slow and disinterested.

[imuninformedtwo]

The Suns are going to be lethal this year.

The only consolation for Melb is they went into the top end of the draft the last two years.

[Thunder Shaker]

The Suns have won two games by large margins. Both were away from home.

Last year, the Suns couldn't win away from home, even against bottom teams for most of the season. Their only wins away from home were against Essendon and Richmond in the last three rounds.

They have clearly improved on last year. They won 11 games last year and finished 13th. 8th had 13 wins.

It is not a stretch to suggest that the Suns could make the finals this year for the first time.

[Blood Fever]

Went to the Suns v Demons. Very impressive win on the back of contested possession and pressure. Rowell an absolute gun. Plays inside and outside.

[dejavoodoo44]

Went to the Suns v Demons. Very impressive win on the back of contested possession and pressure. Rowell an absolute gun. Plays inside and outside.

I think he's lost a little bit of weight and gained a fair bit of speed. He now seems to have more ability to escape from the contests, rather than being largely an inside bash and crash type. Which should make him a very damaging player. He could be a decent Brownlow chance. Assuming that umpires don't think that they have some sort of contractual obligation to give votes to Cripps and Naicos.

[Sandridge]

Watching North at the moment. They may not win against the Crows but they are doing very well and we'll be hard pressed to beat them next week. Parker not starring but certainly contributing well.

Crows pulling away now but it's taken them the best part of 3 quarters to shake North off.