West Coast v Essendon
Essendon have drawn West Coast at Subiaco and would need to defy recent history to win this round 1 Nab Cup clash, the last time the Bombers downed the Eagles at Subiaco was back in 2001.
Luke Shuey gets his chance to shine playing in the senior spot after a successful practice match against Daniel Kerr last week
West Coast fans are expected to flock to see number 7 draft pick Brad Sheppard as well as youngsters Shuey, Notte, Sullivan and Stevenson, all of who are named in the 29 man squad. Brad Dalziell is also set for his first game as an Eagle after returning to his home state and will prove to be an important cog in the Eagles midfield in years to come.
For the Bombers number 9 draft pick Jake Melksham will have a chance to prove his worth as well as new recruits Jake Still, Travis Coyler and Kyle Hardingham. Mark Williams‘ makes his first appearance in the red and sadly for Bombers fans Scott Gumbleton was not named due to injury. Bombers officials are reportedly considering sending him on the Yellow brick road in the hopes of obtaining a brand new body. Michael Hurley is also absent after smacking out a taxi driver in the off season.
Expect an even contest for the first two and a half quarters before the Bombers start to slow and let West Coast take control of the game.
West Coast by 16 points
Adelaide v Port Adelaide
The AFL seem to love the money spinner that is the SA derby, the two sides seem to clash more and more frequently throughout the season.
This is Adelaide’s first chance to show off their horrible new logo that looks akin to a Crow that has been hit by a truck and is now laying on the road somewhere near Marree. The club is taking several youngsters into this game including Myke Cook, Jarrhan Jacky, David Mackay, James Sallar, Will Young and Tony Armstrong. Adelaide are an almost full strength side with Brodie Martin and Andy Otten the only injured players.
Port Adelaide have found their ‘spiritual leaders’ through intense psychological questioning and it would now be expected that Domenic Cassisi, Dean Brogan and Jacob Surjan step up and fill their new roles on field. Cameron Cloke has not been named in this match proving he needs to earn senior games.
Jay Schultz will line up for his first game for Port since being traded from Richmond and should slot into the side well if he can improve on his disposal. Daniel Stewert, Mitchell Banner, Tom Logan and Cameron Hitchcock are all set to play their first game for the club since being drafted. Adelaide should come up with the goods here and the AFL tribunal will be the real winner, obtaining a few thousand dollars from several players after a bit of biff throughout the match.
Adelaide by 22 points
Hawks v Richmond
After every Hawks player, official and fan walked the Kokoda track in the off season the Hawks have (again) found deeper meaning and know all about persistence, endeavor and hard work, none of which will be needed in this Round 1 clash against Richmond.
Dustin Martin from all reports is setting the training track on fire.
For the Hawks youngsters Shane Savage, Tom Murphy, Will Sierakowski, Jarrod Kayler-Thomson and Luke Bruest will all be given the chance to shine, while the aptly named Jarred Roughead will enjoy the extra bit of space in the forward line with the vacancy left by Mark Williams. Max Bailey and Cyril Rioli are the only injury concerns for the Hawks, something that will please the club after injures decimated the playing list this time last year.
Richmond’s star recruit Dustin Martin, taken at number 3 in the national draft will attract a lot of attention, namely from Robert Walls who will ridicule, praise and adopt the youngster all in one sentence. Ben Cousins is unnamed in the lineup, most likely because he is off skydiving after discovering the “natural high” during the off season. Mitch Farmer will be making his debut in the yellow and black after being traded from Port Adelaide last year.
Richmond are not going to do well for a while yet, and this game is no exception, the Hawks should maul the Tigers.
Hawthorn by 45 points
Western Bulldogs v Brisbane
This should prove to be the closest game of the first round with both clubs refining their already strong lists in hopes of running deep in the 2010 finals series.
For the Bulldogs Robert ‘call me Bob’ Murphy, Nathan Eagleton, Dale Morris and Will I Ever Be Useful Minson,are the only injury concerns though Barry Hall and Jason Akermanis are being ‘rested’ after playing a total of one intra club game this season. Plenty of youngsters get a start in this NAB cup game with Lukas Markovic, Brodie Moles, Patrick Rose, Brennan Stack and Liam Jones all looking to impress.
This match will be all about the Fev/Brown duo up forward, expect Robert Walls to make wet himself every time the balls goes up forward for the Lions before providing his obligatory criticisms. Recycled players Andrew Raines, Brent Staker and Amon Buchanan will be looking to impress coach Michael Voss in the team full of youth including Tom Rockliff, Sean Yoshiura, Joel Patfull, Josh Dyson, Jack Redden and Claye Beams. It’s good to know Mr and Mrs Beams didn’t discriminate, giving both Claye and Dayne terrible Christian names.
This game should go down to the wire and with such an established squad the Doggies should win this by a whisker.
Western Bulldogs by 6 points
Your NAB Round 1 Tips & Observations
So what are your tips & observations for the 22nd round of AFL in 2009? Do you agree with Depps? if yes or no please post your tips and observations about the opening round of the NAB competition in the comments section.
We will include the total correct tips of the Kick2Kick writers & readers for the NAB cup, so include yours and lets see just who knows what they are talking about.
Squads: round one, week one
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February 11th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Regarding Hall, I do not understand how someone can be rested for round one especially if you do not have to travel interstate. I would have thought he would need as many “real matches” to get used to the Doggies style of play.
Anyway my tips:
West Coast
Adelaide – Port are playing plenty of kids
Hawks – but doubt it will be a blow out as predicted
Bulldogs
February 11th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
Eagles
Port Adelaide
Hawthorn
Bulldogs
February 12th, 2010 at 10:45 am
@Jermayn I would have thought so as well, Big Bad Barry needs to know who is delivering the ball to him and how they go about it. Interesting to see an article in the paper over here on Monday saying that he is “happy, healthy and ready to go” which is apparently not the case.
February 12th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Exactly my point Depps, it just makes sense, you watch Fevola this weekend and it will take him time to read how Black, Rich, Power and co deliver the ball to him.
An interesting side note for the betting is that 3 of the top 5 Coleman medal fancies are at new clubs this year (Hall, Bradshaw & Fevola)
February 12th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Eagles easily.
Hawks fairly easily.
Adelaide in a canter.
Dogs in a tight games.
Agree with the comments about Fev and Hall, Fev will also have to keep out of the captains way too. It will be akin to running out the skipper in cricket if he keep getting in Browns way.
February 12th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
From what I understand Hall is not completely 100% he only played half the intra club match. He is apparently still taking it a little easy on his ankle, and besides he is 32 and i think they would rather rest him now and give him a game or two before round one.
Eagles – only because its at subiaco
Adelaide – Port suck haha
Hawks – but i wouldn’t completely write off Richmond
Dogs – maybe but not sure, will be interesting to watch how fev goes
February 13th, 2010 at 9:30 am
Thanks for filling us in Mike…
I guess im just being guilty of wanting to watch the Dogs with Hall in their forward line up, imo they will be one of the teams to watch this year.
February 19th, 2010 at 9:00 am
Sorry about the delay in getting the tally up:
Princess: 4
Depps: 3
the_tony: 3
Mike: 3
Jermayn: 3