AFL Rd. 2.

[TazaD]

Time to get the feet wet... Melbourne +32.5 More a play agaisnt Collingwood who the whole world (media inc.) all seem to think are the next big things... ...yeah, why? :unsure They've won just 4 of their last 10 games (going back to last year obviously), 3 interestate teams and St. Kilda @ the MCG (Saints crap outside the Dome). Only one of those wins was by more than 31. Sure, they made the NAB GF, but beat WC, Ess and Richmond along the way to get there! (Probable bottom 3), then belted in the final. Clearly Melbourne have problems of their own, but they have only one BAD loss in their last 10 (imho), which was an 80 pumping by Richmond in rd. 22. Their only other losses by 31+ where @ Subi (Freo), @ Port and v. Geelong. Melbourne lost by 21 points last year with just 1 less shot as 9.00 dogs, and I think they are over-priced big time @ 5.00 here. Will take the points but the 'upset' won't surprise. Port -8.5 Venue won't worry Port having won their last 3 games there by 28, 24 & 16 in the last 2 years, inc. a 9 extra shot win over the Eagles last year. Port are clearly the better team here and with no home ground advantage to speak of winning by more than 9 shouldn't be a problem. I'll be on Carlton @ 1.40...think Brisbane showed last week that they will struggle. Blues only played Richmond I know but were impressive. Have pressured teams into errors extremely well all through the NAB, and I can see Brisbane struggling for goals...which could be a recurring theme. Not sure why the Dogs are such big favs. Really like them, think they'll finish top 4, but tough game off a tough trip. Midnight flight back Sunday night... ...were extremely crisp and fluid with their ball movement last week, but despite a million Freo turnovers, they still only had 3 more shots than the Dockers. Kangas have won the last 5 meetings, 3 as dogs...and do match up well...from the Petrie/Hale/McIntosh rotating forward to the bigger bodies in the middle with Firrito and Harding now spending time in there. 2.80 looks far too big to me. :cheers

[Henry Jr]

Re: AFL Rd. 2. Nice work Taz. Agree with the Port and Melb bets - especially if this weather keeps up here in Melbourne Town. Being a Hawks man, I can tell you that Robert Campbell WON'T line up for the Hawks leaving them only 1 ruckman. Roughead to ruck once the ball goes forward with Reneuf rucking the rest of the game himself :unsure Not sure about the Blues vs Lions game. I'm not touching it myself as I have mixed thoughts. I was pretty confident about the Crows with the Saints having an awful record interstate, however, with Stevens pulling out, they might struggle to kick a score. On the plus side, Crows will strangle the Saints (Revolt still not fully fit) and see this one with 85 pts being a winning score. Good Luck everyone :beer