AFL - Round 8

[Ashtee]

Saints are putting out a below strength team and together with a couple of mid-fielders playing injured or underdone, they are so far performing just fairly. I feel Carlton have a good crack at this. They go in boosted off a win whereas I think some of their previous form has lacked confidence. They have played the last three at MCG while St. Kilda have not played there this season and it is well known that they much prefer Telstra. Fisher (Carlton’s) out but they now have a relatively injury free line-up that can trouble the Saints. I suggest teams get a chance for their share of mid-field ball against St. Kilda. Fevola, Waite, Whitnall, Betts can open up a suspect Saints defence. They have key defenders in good form, so must be a good shot at limiting just the two Saints tall forwards. The main area that lets the Blues down is usually a few of their small-mediums who seem not up to the standard although I notice Bentick was rated close to BOG LW. I anticipate Milne will be included but I still feel the door is a little ajar given how these two teams structure. Showers possible. My rating; St. Kilda 8/13<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Geelong have had players filtering back, so should put out a strong squad. A squad about to build on some confidence off last week IMO. Collingwood are in a potential let down situation IMV. The travel/tough game factor is there, but the big one for me is that they come off a honourable loss, a scenario I like to oppose. I won't be surprised to see them mentally off 5% after having a consistent string of form following Rd-1. Both sides have had a run at the G this season. A lot of punters having trouble picking this but I confidently have the Cats a 1.76 chance.

Brisbane were good last week. Seemingly boosted in morale after team unity issues had been addressed during the week. I did think Hawthorn’s effort was poor though, perhaps going through a let down period after some good form, and undoubtedly lacking team structure. Port’s form has obviously been very mixed. We’ve so far seen them either switched on or off and after last week, ON looks very likely for this. I believe that Brisbane is not top-8 quality and I’m prepared to punt on a Port team, at home, that should have much better structure and focus than Hawthorn provided last week. My rating; Port 1.47

Second placed premiership contender West Coast is obviously much to good for bottom placed Essendon. Essendon without Hird, Lloyd and Camporeale, at least. Say no more! So I’m possibly going to back Essendon in this. Motivating factors are a consideration here, as proves sometimes the case with such games. I have to honestly ask myself the likelihood of West Coast being OFF given they’re season focus seems heightened, but I think it’s very possible and that at 6.00 or +38.5 Essendon are a viable play. (Start laughing, if not already. I get that a lot.)

[TazaD]

Re: AFL - Round 8 Funny how in 8 games of AFL football, it looks like we'll be betting on 4 seperate games each! I haven't had a really close look yet, but early thoughts are Melbourne -18.5 over a very depleted Hawthorn team, Sydney -10 over a Doggies midfield that still can't quite match it with the big boys, Kangas + @ Freo and Crows - a million!! Richmond will get their third 100+ point belting of the season. Good luck on that Port game mate...Brisbane's terrible road form v. Port's absolute ineptatude...brave man! :D