Jack Palazzo

Despite finding the whole thing slightly gimmicky and unnecessary in today’s climate I always enjoy Indigenous Round. For whatever reason the Aboriginal boys tend to lift for the occasion and we have seen the Tigs and the Dons put on a good show at the Dreamtime game. The recognition of Nicky Winmar’s powerful stance at Victoria park twenty years ago has been lovely and appropriate so I commend the AFL on a good job.

In the wake of such a powerful anti-racism image I am distressed to hear strange rumblings related to Majak Daw. The reverse racism associated with the idea that Majak’s achievement is heightened due to his racial background makes me sick. Hearing people say no one would care if he were white is a terrible notion. His achievements to date are receiving plenty of press for many reasons, he is the first Sudanese footballer, he has a rippling six-pack, he is good looking, he jumps higher than Nic Nat and he is kicking goals! What’s not to love? Oh and I don’t know what he is smuggling in his speedos, but it is a fair bit bigger than a budgee. I am Majak fan numero uno, get around the Sudanese sensation.

Lastly, Ian Robson, the former Essendon CEO has finally resigned. This needed to happen and I’m glad it did, the sooner Essendon clean the mess up the sooner we can all move along. However I am curious what will become of Hird and Thompson – time will tell I guess.

Friday 

Collingwood vs Sydney MCG 7.50pm

No doubt this is the match of the round. Plenty on the line for both sides this week. A win for Collingwood will propel them back into the top four race whilst Sydney are in danger of falling into the chasing pack. The Swans could not stand the heat against the Hawks and the Pies are likely to bring a similar high-pressure precision style of footy, despite the absence of Shaw and Thomas. No major absentees for the Swans and they should make life hard for the Pies, however the re-introduction of Luke Ball to Collingwood’s midfield has added much needed grunt and accountability. The midfield battle will be intriguing, Swan and Pendles vs Hannebury and Bird, all in top form at the moment. However I think the game will be decided by the bookends, Reid vs Goodes and Cloke vs Richards, whichever forward makes his presence felt will have a massive influence on the outcome of this one. I think on the wide open spaces of the G, the pies won’t be beat, Collingwood by 12 points.

Saturday

Port Adelaide vs Geelong AS 1.15pm

The returning Steve Johnson is a massive in for the Cats. His influence on their midfield and the spark he provides resting forward is still underrated by the general public I think. Chapman is still missing but the Cats simply have too many weapons for the Power who this week are being disrupted by five changes including former captain Cassisi. It won’t be as easy as many pundits are suggesting and I am tempted to make Port with a 50 point head start my safe bet this week. In any case Cats by 24 points.

GWS vs West Coast SK 2.10pm

West Coast are handing out breaks to all of Schofield, Wellingham, Waters and Selwood this week. Won’t make a difference though. Eagles by 55 points.

St Kilda vs Western Bulldogs ES 4.40pm

The blowtorch was finally applied to Dogs Coach Brendan Mccartney this week. He has won one of the last 19 matches. This deplorable record need to change, the old “we know we’re progressing” line must be growing very old for success starved Dogs supporters. The Saints were competitive for a half against a rejuvenated Crows outfit before being blown away however this week they regain Lenny Hayes – what a man – and will surely have enough quality to overcome the most irrelevant side in footy.

Brisbane vs Carlton G 7.40pm

Merret and Clarke’s absence is the consequence for roughing up the Dons. Whilst the Blues welcome back much maligned midfielder Bryce Gibbs. The Blues cruised to a three goal win last week whilst Brisbane put in their best performance for years, toppling ladder leaders Essendon in a massive boilover. I think that effort will have taken plenty out of them and the Blues will be too strong even at the Gabbatoir, they are slowly putting the pieces together and simply need to win these games if they are to feature in September. Blues by 14 points.

Richmond vs Essendon MCG 7.45pm

Maric and Newman are significant ins for the Tigers whilst Dempsey is back from his club imposed suspension for being a dickhead. Very much a coin toss this match. I don’t think the Tigers have the ability to win matches even though we are dangerously close to the stage of the season where the Bombers wheels fall off. Choosing between two basket cases is difficult at the best of times. I’m going with Essendon simply because I think Carlisle will teach Riewoldt a lesson, whilst the Tigers can’t cover all of Crameri, Hurley and Ryder. Dons by 4 points.

Sunday

Hawthorn vs Gold Coast MCG 1.10pm

No side with O’meara and Ablett in it will be disgraced. But – Hawthorn. Hawks by 45 points.

Fremantle vs Melbourne PS 2.40pm

Each week I have the feeling Melbourne are playing to avoid a Tuesday shot gun press conference. This one could get ugly, Freo need the percentage. Dockers by 75 points.

North Melbourne vs Adelaide ES 3.20pm

Unfortunately we have to wait until three to see a decent game on Sunday however I’m expecting a classic. Both sides are slowly moving in the direction after slow starts to the season and both have points to prove. North have been the best performing side outside the eight whilst the Crows turned head with their demolition of the Saints. No major changes for either side who are both close to full strength. Genuinely tough one to pick, simply based on the location and the fact that if Majak squeezed my head between his pecs he’d make it explode, North by 13 points.

Jack Palazzo

Post Game

Best for the Crows were Dangerfield with four goals, Sloane and Douglas who saw plenty of the footy and Thompson who stood up in the third quarter when the Crows finished off the hapless Bulldogs.

Not heaps to smile about for the Dogs, great to see Cooney and Boyd return to form, otherwise it was disappointing to see them rollover when the blowtorch was applied. Plenty of work to do for them to be competitive with the better sides.

Final score crows 12.8.80 to the Dogs 4.4.28

Fairly average game, thanks for following along and sorry for the third quarter fade out, speak to you next week!

4th Quarter

After some technical dramas over the last 40 minutes we are back online to see if the Dogs can recover any pride in the last quarter.

7.37 Richard Douglas has extended the Crows lead with a goal to compliment his excellent game so far, still nothing through the big sticks since the first quarter for the Dogs. Crows 67 Dogs 16

14.16 Porplyzia has been subbed on for Mullet Walker, who it seems Sanderson has elected to rest for next week. The sting has well truly deserted this game as the Dogs play for pride and Adelaide control the footy. Crows 67 Dogs 16

20.11 Ripping fourth goal from Dangerfield who turns Picken inside out and kicks a beautiful drop punt on the run Crows 74 Dogs 16

Crows lead by 58 points, approaching the 66 point buffer very quickly, fair to say I’m starting to become very nervous, c’mon Dogs!!

22.56 GOAL TO THE DOGS! Cooney has bagged his third for the day thank god! He has been a rare high point for the Bulldogs today. Crows 74 Dogs 22

24.16 AND ANOTHER ONE! Macrae bobs up and certainly settles my nerves! Crows 74 Dogs 28, lead back down to 46 and I think the safe bet will survive another week!

Final siren. Kerridge will line up 15m out on a 54 degree after the siren to rub salt into the Bulldogs wound, he nails it Crows 80 Dogs 28 final score

3rd Quarter

Another goalless quarter for the Bulldogs as Adelaide pull right away. Scott Thompson really came to the fore and prospered in the wet weather whilst the pressure from the Bulldogs midfield fell away sharply. All of a sudden the Dogs (and I) are in a precarious position. Crows 61 Dogs 15

2nd Quarter

Plenty for the Dogs to build on after those last two goals, hopefully they come out with some confidence and really make a game of this.

Unbelievable couple of passages of play, comedy of errors in Adelaide at the moment, good old fashioned game of wet weather footy – even though the sun seems to be poking through

4.10 soft free kick to the Crows, tough spot on the fifty arc, Wright comes in and sprays it out on the full! Crows 16 Dogs 14

8.10 this game has been littered with shambolic turnovers so far. Even in the wet I was expecting better of Adelaide, who people seem to forget were one kick from a Grand Final last year

9.41 Deangerfield, playing at full forward at the moment has just kicked his and the Crows’ third with some help from Mullet Walker Crows 22 Dogs 14

14.46 Shocking turnover from Brett Goodes has ended in the hands of Mackay who snaps from fifty and dribbles the ball through Crows 28 Dogs 14

22.06 Bit of a stalemate on our hands even though Adelaide are dominating, Dogs struggling to move the ball past the wing at the moment. Midfielders are doing their bit maybe the half forwards need to work harder up the ground

1st Quarter

Dogs slipping in to the Dangerzone already – someone call Kenny Loggins,
That will be massive for Dangerfield, he is well overdue for a big game and has been costing me super coach points all year!

Absolutely pissing down over there at the moment, I reckon every Dogs supporter would have a smile on his/her face!

If anyone is wondering, Porplyzia is the sub for the crows whilst Stringer is wearing the vest for the Dogs on debut

Ridiculous from Liam Jones then, had way more time than he thought, really should have nailed a goal for the Dogs. Chances will be hard to come by in this torrential downpour

Looks very slippery out there – big test for the new sliding rule today. I’m predicting a couple of ridiculous reports/suspensions to come out of this game

Battle of the midfields so far in, Boyd and Cooner vs Sloane and Douglas, all four men have had plenty of it

Oh gee, I didn’t see who that dogs hacker was but he has dropped a sitter, luckily Thompson is unable to make them pay, this is going to be a close game – I can feel it

Long ball deep into the crows forward line, Dangerfield reads it best and finishes from 50cm out

Dangerfield absolutely closed lined after he released the footy. Free kick and fifty however he runs in and misses the set shot. All misses will be costly today, it has been an old fashioned scrap so far

Cooney and Boyd have just smashed in a goal each, those two doing everything for the dogs at the moment. Crows 15 – Dogs 14

Pre-Game

Good Afternoon everyone,

Crows and Dogs about to get under way from AAMI stadium.

Definitely expecting the Crows to win on a terrible looking day in Adelaide.

The Bulldogs should improve however with the inclusion of Boyd in the side, whilst Adelaide look a touch light on with the omission of Vince, Johncock and Van Berlo.

Reminding everyone that this game is my safe bet this week. all $170 worth of winnings so far this year is on the Bulldogs with a 66 point head start at 1.20, so go DOGS!

29th March-1st April

James Manton

Australia: Despite being a spritely 34 years old, Archie Thompson’s importance to Melbourne Victory continues to be noted through his absence – this time due to international duty. With only one victory in the past seven matches, and only one victory from seven matches without Archie Thompson this season, Melbourne’s title race is over after a late 3-2 loss at home to Perth Glory, though a home final has been booked by the club as either third of fourth place is guaranteed. The much hyped Sydney Derby failed to live up to its expectations with a 1-1 draw though Alessandro Del Piero managed to score his 13^th goal of the season in what has been an expectedly impressive first season for the Italian legend. Central Coast kept its slim title hopes alive, winning away to Adelaide on Sunday and leaving the club only three points behind Western Sydney but eight goals ahead on goal difference. Brisbane Roar has also secured its place in the finals with a 3-1 defeat of Sydney in Brisbane on Thursday night, ensuring the club still has a chance of defending its title, however Sydney FC are left only one point ahead of Perth and Newcastle having played all of its games. Meanwhile, Melbourne Heart and Wellington Phoenix are fighting to escape the ignominy of winning the much coveted wooden spoon.

Matches to watch: Every match will give an important outcome no matter the result. Western Sydney only needs a point in its match against Newcastle to ensure its title win in its first season, and given it is the “Closest match to a derby” Derby, it’s also the most important match this weekend.

England: If the title race wasn’t over before the last round, it’s as finished as David Carradine now. Everton has been a strong team all season, so while its 2-0 win over Manchester City did not come as a complete surprise, it was still a result most sane football supporters did not wish to see as Manchester United have effectively been handed the 2012-2013 Premier League title, now sitting on a 15 point lead with nine matches yet to be played. Nigel Adkins first game in charge of relegation-bound Reading ended in a serviceable defeat, losing 1-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford, meanwhile fellow drop-zone candidates Wigan, Aston Villa, and Southampton all secured vital victories, with Southampton’s 3-1 home win against Liverpool particularly impressive. Tottenham however lost its second game in a row, disappointingly losing to Fulham at home, once again putting the final Champions League spot into question, with Arsenal and Everton still within striking distance.

Matches to watch: With a host of irrelevant matches, there aren’t any standout fixtures this weekend. The “White Power” Derby between Swansea and Tottenham may be the only notable fixture, with both aiming for European qualifications (Europa League and Champions League respectively) at the end of the season.

Spain: Lionel Messi both frightens and confuses me sexually. Scoring twice in Barcelona’s 3-1 win against Rayo, the three-time Ballon d’Or winner has now scored in 18 consecutive matches and 60 for Barcelona this season, leaving the Catalan club a rather tasty 13 points clear of Real Madrid, which also comfortably managed a 5-2 victory over 18^th placed Mallorca. Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 350^th career goal while Luka Modric blasted a 20 metre belter to help the team win its 19^th match of the season. Valencia has also moved into fifth after comfortably dispatching Betis at home as Málaga suffered a home defeat to Espanyol. With only ten matches left, the contest for the fourth Champions League spot is highly congested as only sex points separate fourth from ninth. Meanwhile it wasn’t a successful weekend for the lower table clubs, with only one team winning in the bottom seven teams, ironically being Deportivo who are at the foot of the table by three points, and still six points and many goals from relegation safety.

Matches to watch: The “No matches really count anymore as Barcelona are scarily good” Derby between Atlético Madrid and Valencia is the undoubted tie of the round, as Valencia seek to retain its place in the Champions League for next season, while Atlético will be looking to re-overtake Real Madrid into second place.

Germany: If Barcelona have dominated La Liga this season, then it’s fair to say that the Bundesliga should be renamed the BAYERNliga.

Just laugh, hate yourself, and move on.

13 league wins in a row have given the Munich team an unassailable 20 point lead over nearest rivals Borussia Dortmund, after a Leverkusen own goal gifted Bayern a 2-1 away victory. Dortmund reaffirmed its second place with a 5-1 thumping of Freiburg, and has opened up some breathing space after the four teams below it on the table failed to record a win between them. Meanwhile what shaped as a crucial round for the teams at the bottom of the table turned into somewhat of a cabinet; full of drawers. Greuther Fürth is still stuck on the bottom of the ladder and looks set to complete its season from Hell and be relegated at the end of the season.

Matches to watch: Much like the other top European leagues, there’s not much to look forward to this weekend in Germany. For the neutrals the most interesting match will most likely entail Bayern and whether it can continue its amazing form this season as it hosts Hamburger SV.

Italy: Following the trend of the other top European leagues, this season in the Serie A does not look like having a close or exciting end to the season with Juventus’ lead still at nine points with only nine matches to go after a comfortable 2-0 win against Bologna. Napoli, AC Milan, and Fiorentina also kept their Champions League aspirations strong with victories to open up a gap between them and Internazionale, Lazio, and Roma whom are all on 47 points. There were no movements at the bottom of the table either as none of the bottom five recorded wins, highlighting Palermo’s spectacular fall from grace after being one point from the Champions League two years ago to last on the table heading into April.

Matches to watch: The “Derby d’Italia” is the clear highlight of the weekend, and not just because it’s an actual rivalry and derby. League-leaders Juventus will travel to Milan to face Inter with Inter seeking to regain their Champions League spot while Juventus won’t have much to worry about, other than keeping any injuries at a minimum in preparation for the next round of Champions League matches.

France: Lyon’s title chances suffered an enormous blow, suffering a 4-1 loss to a particularly mediocre Bastia. While PSG have not yet secured the championship just yet as it drew to Champions League hopefuls Saint-Étienne on Monday morning, it wasn’t a particularly impressive weekend for any of the top seven teams as none managed a win. Not much changed at the other end of the table either, though struggling Nancy won an important tie against high-flying Nice, leaving it only five points from safety. Rennes form has continued to be poor since the injury to star midfielder Romain Alessandrini in February, as the team how now fallen well out of contention for a place in Europe.

Matches to watch:  Olympique Marseille’s title attack as faltered in recent weeks, however its match against Nancy is an important match for both as Marseille seek to hold onto their Champions League spot and stay within distance of leaders PSG, while Nancy will be looking to move into a Champions League spot and secure the financial windfalls which come with it.

Jack Palazzo

They claim to have concrete evidence.

They claim to have uncovered a tapestry of lies, deceit and corruption in Australian sports.

They claim, with a hint of an arrogant smirk, that Australia is no better than the corrupt organisations governing major sports in Europe, Asia and South America.

These claims were unveiled to the public, with the curiously and ostensibly staunch support of the heads of Australia’s sports code on the twelfth of February 2013. Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) John Lawler claims that “Australian sport will be better off as a result” and that avoiding the “enormous health risk” of drugs in sport is a “very real and live problem”.

Justice Minister Jason Clare argues, “The findings are shocking and will disgust Australian sports fans”. Unquestionably, Justice Minister Clare is correct, when taken at face value the results of the inquest have produced sickening, stomach churning results.

Fans and followers in Australia who, rather naively in retrospect, considered the Aussie, ‘fair go’ mentality are tragically questioning the integrity of their subjects of admiration and support. I am certainly guilty of living in ignorant bliss when it comes to prominence of the evil twin towers of world sport – match fixing and drug taking. Not only are these ominous dangers apparently crippling Australian sport, they are being administered and controlled by criminal organisations who have struck, according to the ACC reports, “increasing associations” with professional athletes.

Dubbed the darkest day in Australian sport, the press conference signalling the release of the ACC’s report was loaded with powerful words backed up by a unified front of the heavyweights of the Australian sporting landscape.

However, fast-forward three weeks.

The status quo remains. The AFL’s Essendon Bombers are the only professional sports club in Australia that the public know any more about. However even in Essendon’s case nothing is certain or concrete.

No arrests have been made.

No names have been released to the public.

No sport has been levelled by irrefutable evidence revealing any problems within the sport.

We have been lead to believe that there is a fire engulfing Australian sport yet all I feel at the moment is hot air. So too, I suspect, do the men responsible for Australia’s sports. Since their unified stance three weeks ago all stakeholders are eagerly awaiting specifics that have yet to be revealed despite the continuing deterioration of reputations. The two largest and most popular organisations in Australia, the AFL and the NRL, represented by Andrew Demetriou and David Smith respectively, have called for answers.

The ACC have released a statement which confirms that the AFL and NRL have been granted permission to access the phantom specifics, however when it comes to the public, the ACC are hiding behind Section 60 of the Australian Crime Commission Act 2002 “which protects the rights of persons against reputational damage and the right to a fair trial” according to John Lawler, CEO of the ACC.

When the Federal sports minister Kate Lundy had her turn three weeks ago, she delivered an unequivocal warning to Australian athletes, administrators and criminal organisations.

“If you want to dope and cheat, we will catch you. If you want to fix a match, we will catch you.”

Minister Lundy’s use of the future tense is somewhat revealing, coupled with the commission’s reluctance to name and shame, I cannot help but feel as though these fighting words are designed, not to scare past perpetrators, but to flesh out and encourage confessions from drug cheats and match fixers, who the ACC have not been able to gather enough evidence to arrest or charge.

As a result I am holding the ACC responsible for bringing Australian sports into disrepute, tarnishing the public’s positive outlook and the sports’ reputations for world’s best practice.

I am by no means arguing that sports in Australia is squeaky clean, however until there is truly a reason to cry wolf, the ACC should let Australian sports be.

Jack Palazzo

Here we go let’s get it started. Don’t you love the last week of September in Melbourne? The city is packed, trams, hotels and restaurants are full as the corporates flock from all the lands to see the biggest sporting event in the country. One hundred thousand people will cram into the MCG on Saturday afternoon to watch the Hawks and the Swans do battle. Get excited.

Before I launch into the game, a quick Brownlow review is in order. What a fantastic night and we were presented with a deserving winner for the first time in a while. Fair to say the strong polling of Dangerfield and Cotchin represents a changing of the guard as perennial vote getters Judd, Black and Goodes slipped down the leader board. Once again the midfielders dominated, holding every spot in the top 10 whilst Demitriou didn’t, how he can blatantly mispronounce and stuff up so many names is beyond me. St. kilda’s Blake broke finally ended his unwanted streak for most games without a vote and Watson was the first winner from a side outside the eight since Crawford in 2009.

Lastly congratulations to John Longmire who was this week voted Coach of the year by his peers.

Grand Final Day

Hawthorn vs Sydney MCG 2.30

Hawthorn has won their last four games against the swans at the MCG who incidentally have lost their last eleven at the ground. Inspirational captain Luke Hodge will return for the Hawks after taking a rest last week whilst Brett Guerra won’t recover in time for the decider. The only concern for the Swans is the absence of former Hawk and goal sneak Ben McGlynn.

Sam Mitchell’s two quietest games of the year were against Sydney where Kieran Jack smashed him both times. This battle within the midfield battle will be crucial as both sides rely on their hard bodies grabbing first use of the footy. Expect to see an absolutely brutal opening to this game, with Lewis, Bolton, Sewell and Kennedy throwing their bodies around the bottom of the packs ruthlessly. Where the Hawks have an advantage is their outside runners and ball users, Burgoyne is clinical and has rediscovered the form which prompted Sheahan to declare him in the top five players in the competition. Throw in Rioli and Suckling compared to Sydney’s Jetta and O’Keefe, I think the Hawks take the honours there.

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Jack Palazzo

A couple of results last week have shaken up the finals equation and is making these last two weeks of the season the most exciting in recent memory. The swans still sit a game clear of three, yes three, teams in equal second followed by West Coast a game back in 5^th. This means that 5 teams can still finish top, 7 teams can still finish in the four and 11 teams can still make the 8.

However in reality, I think the only change to the current set up, is Carlton replacing Fremantle in the top eight.

Geelong hammering the Saints last week all but ended their chances, especially with Nick Riewoldt either out or playing the rest of the season injured. The Cats may yet pull off a September miracle by winning the flag from outside the four however I doubt any team’s ability to win four games in a row

Carlton hammered the final nail in Essendon’s coffin, the dons have two tough assignments in Richmond and Collingwood to come, not only will they have to win them both, but they need to win them by plenty to give themselves any chance. Amazing to think they were sitting pretty in second position at round 10. Carlton on the other hand have won seven of their past nine and have moved into pole position to take eighth spot. However another finals trip to Perth looms large and will surely be too difficult to overcome.

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Jack Palazzo

West Coast are back, Pies are threatening and North might be the real deal. The finals race is burning hot, with no one dropping out last week, making every game vitally important. Richmond have a chance to be the wrecking ball, playing freo and Essendon in the next two weeks. However, it is my belief that the top seven is set, with Freo most likely to leave the dons, blues and saints behind and take 8^th spot. Which would set up a probable Western derby elimination final, delicious!

West Coast’s five point win over Geelong keeps them in the hunt for a double chance but more importantly would have renewed the players’ belief in themselves as they stutter towards the end of the year. With returning players, they may cause September damage yet. Geelong though, are not to be discounted, they may be the first side since Adelaide to win the flag from outside the 4.

Adelaide importantly won at home against Freo to all but guarantee them the minor premiership with an incredibly soft run home. Fremantle, whilst in pole position to make the finals, will need to front up with renewed intensity if they are to overcome the tigers this week. The return of Sandilands will undoubtedly help.

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Dave Macindoe

With this year’s Olympic games well under way, as well as the Tour de France only just behind us, it seems appropriate to take a look at the darkest method for achieving sporting glory, performance enhancing drugs.

These methods for gaining the upper hand in the world of sport have been reported to exist all the way back into antiquity when Ancient Greeks would take herbal remedies to improve their performance in the original Olympics. Nowadays, however, the modern marvel of technology allows for athletes, who aren’t overly burdened by a conscience, to take a more sophisticated approach to their “self-improvement”.

Perhaps the most renowned performance enhancer is that of anabolic steroids. These drugs were first synthesised way back in the 1930s and they help you excel at sports by mimicking the effects of testosterone. Most people would be aware that testosterone is the hormone that is responsible for making teenage boys aggressive and irritable. What they might not know is that testosterone aids muscle growth and repair. Yet, they have some less than ideal effects too. As steroid-taking female swimmers of the Cold War era became abundantly aware, testosterone also causes the growth of masculine traits, such as larger vocal cords, baldness and the appearance of body hair. More long term side-effects include serious liver damage, dangerous changes to the heart’s structure and high blood pressure. Continue Reading

Jack Palazzo

Not a whole lot happening as the season has fallen into something of a three week lull. Only two notable results as Essendon’s wheels continue to fall off and Carlton may yet resurrect their season which promised so much.

Friday night, given no chance by many – me included – the Blues fronted up with some fight and upset the premiership favourites in a performance which could spark an improbable late season charge into the top 4. Judd was back to his brilliant best and with the help of Mclean and Carrazzo was to good for the Collingwood midfield led somewhat single handedly by Swan.

Despite trailing at every change and facing a 16 point deficit at ¾ time, West Coast stormed home to beat the roos by 2 points in Tasmania. Cox and Priddis dominated the last quarter as North Melbourne rolled over meekly once again. They have now lost several chances to claim a scalp and gain some respect in the wider football community. It seems that they will forever be subjected to mediocrity and a position somewhere between 9^th to 19^th. West Coast on the other hand keep on keeping on with some very impressive wins taking them to equal top.

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by Jack Palazzo

What do you say about a week where every single favourite won? Normally, not much however the struggles of Richmond, and North coupled with the Saints’ spirit and the Blues’ lame performance throws up a few talking points. Furthermore I think it is worth highlighting the gulf between the best and worst in the game. There could be many explanations for this trend however I do not think the added teams can be excused from contributing to a general drop in standard. Even though the game is as entertaining as ever, we are now seeing 80 more players make it on to AFL lists. Stretching the talent ever thinner leading to more blowouts and potentially longer stints propping up the ladder – however this remains to be seen, we will be watching Melbourne, Port and the Bulldogs closely.

Carlton almost took advantage of an inaccurate West Coast in Perth on Friday night. However their inability to punish the Eagles for their mistakes is a huge blight on the blues as Chris Judd was soundly beaten over four quarters for the first time since under 10s. Credit to West Coast though, they tried as hard as they could to lose this game and when it needed to be won, they did it with no fuss, grandstand finish not needed.

Despite controlling the game and seemingly cruising to victory, Adelaide just held off St. Kilda and continued their impressive season. It seemed as though the Saints were never going to be able to work their way into the game however couple of goals on the trot brought them to within touching distance late. This was a real shame for St. Kilda who are trying to prove they are not yet a spent force, they should take some encouragement from this moving forward and I believe they will take up a spot in the lower reaches of the 8.

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