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Just going through the draw, it seems like Thursday night football has been quietly killed off. Which is the fate of many of the AFL's innovations. Can't say that I'll really miss it. Not that I had any great objections to it: it's just that they somehow managed to randomly burden a few of the clubs with a dreaded five day turnaround. Also, Friday night games generally feel like blockbusters, whereas the Thursday games often seemed a bit meh.
This Friday's game definitely feels like a blockbuster. Struggling champion, Richmond, up against a Bulldogs side, that so far, are looking like genuine contenders. Complicating things for Richmond, is that they will be without Dustin Martin, who is currently using his concussion break, to visit his father in New Zealand. Which I suppose is a sensible way to visit a problem relative?
"Sorry, dad, I'd like to listen to you, but the doctor says I should keep resting my concussion."
"No, dad, I can't take part in a gang war; I have to guard against head knocks."
The first game tomorrow is Collingwood v Gold Coast. This is one of those games, where recent form doesn't appear to have much influence on the betting markets; since Collingwood are clear favourites. Maybe the general perception is, that Grundy will get on top of a part time Suns ruckman and everything will flow from there? But of course, a hitout domination, often doesn't translate into a clearance domination. Plus, there's also a chance that Zac Smith will return for the Suns. Alternatively, maybe the pundits think that a loss against Essendon, is better than a win against us. I hope not.
The other two Saturday afternoon games are Adelaide v GWS and St Kilda v Hawthorn. Wins by Adelaide and St Kilda could see a bottom four of GWS, Hawthorn, Collingwood and North Melbourne. Which I'd quite like.
We take on Geelong in one of the Saturday night games. I really have no clear idea on how this might pan out. It could be a dynamic upset victory, in which our undermanned side, somehow manage to get back to our early season attacking and creative style. Or it could be a toughly fought nail biter. Or it could be a depressing to watch thrashing.
If it's the latter, we could possibly start taking a few sneaky looks at the Brisbane v Port game; which should be a cracker.
While I said before, that there's no Thursday night football in the AFL, there was a Thursday night game in the VFL. There, North's reserves went down by over a hundred points to Casey, to start the season 0/3. After the North v Melbourne game on Sunday, they should have a combined tally of 0/10. I must check if they have an academy side.
The next game on Sunday is Essendon v Carlton. Which for me, is a care factor zero event.
The round finishes with the western derby, which is another game where the betting markets don't seem to reflect recent form. West Coast have put in a couple dire performances of late, while Fremantle have been pretty good, yet West Coast are strong favourites. Maybe they think that they're much better on their home ground, but haven't noticed that Fremantle are also like that and are also at home? Who knows?
This Friday's game definitely feels like a blockbuster. Struggling champion, Richmond, up against a Bulldogs side, that so far, are looking like genuine contenders. Complicating things for Richmond, is that they will be without Dustin Martin, who is currently using his concussion break, to visit his father in New Zealand. Which I suppose is a sensible way to visit a problem relative?
"Sorry, dad, I'd like to listen to you, but the doctor says I should keep resting my concussion."
"No, dad, I can't take part in a gang war; I have to guard against head knocks."
The first game tomorrow is Collingwood v Gold Coast. This is one of those games, where recent form doesn't appear to have much influence on the betting markets; since Collingwood are clear favourites. Maybe the general perception is, that Grundy will get on top of a part time Suns ruckman and everything will flow from there? But of course, a hitout domination, often doesn't translate into a clearance domination. Plus, there's also a chance that Zac Smith will return for the Suns. Alternatively, maybe the pundits think that a loss against Essendon, is better than a win against us. I hope not.
The other two Saturday afternoon games are Adelaide v GWS and St Kilda v Hawthorn. Wins by Adelaide and St Kilda could see a bottom four of GWS, Hawthorn, Collingwood and North Melbourne. Which I'd quite like.
We take on Geelong in one of the Saturday night games. I really have no clear idea on how this might pan out. It could be a dynamic upset victory, in which our undermanned side, somehow manage to get back to our early season attacking and creative style. Or it could be a toughly fought nail biter. Or it could be a depressing to watch thrashing.
If it's the latter, we could possibly start taking a few sneaky looks at the Brisbane v Port game; which should be a cracker.
While I said before, that there's no Thursday night football in the AFL, there was a Thursday night game in the VFL. There, North's reserves went down by over a hundred points to Casey, to start the season 0/3. After the North v Melbourne game on Sunday, they should have a combined tally of 0/10. I must check if they have an academy side.
The next game on Sunday is Essendon v Carlton. Which for me, is a care factor zero event.
The round finishes with the western derby, which is another game where the betting markets don't seem to reflect recent form. West Coast have put in a couple dire performances of late, while Fremantle have been pretty good, yet West Coast are strong favourites. Maybe they think that they're much better on their home ground, but haven't noticed that Fremantle are also like that and are also at home? Who knows?
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