Four teams are left in the race for the most over rated competition in the world, the NAB Pre Season comp, what is interesting is that usually the finalists in the last 10 years do NOT make the Grand Final (see the list of winners of pre season competition) let alone the finals.
Collingwood vs Essendon
Dustin Fletcher & Lovett for Essendon along with Maxwell & Fraser all look to be rested this weekend.
The Magpies have been super impressive so far and will show Essendon this week just how far behind the best teams they are. So far the Dons have beaten the Dogs and Lions who fielded far inferior squads and just gotten over the line, they won’t be so lucky this week. Didak, Swan and Pendelbury are forming an ominous looking midfield and I think the Pies will go on to win the NAB Cup.
Pies by 47 points
Carlton vs Geelong
Interesting match-up. The Blues clawed their way back from a sluggish start last week and got over the top of an injury ravaged Hawthorn outfit. Geelong have not gotten out of first gear in beating the two Adelaide sides and it will be fascinating to see if Carlton can make the Cats lift their intensity levels. Geelong pride themselves on playing well contest by contest and with young blokes looking to sew up a position in a side that has not many on offer, I think the Cats will be too strong with all of the Carlton players being rested.
Cats by 116 points (edited after team was released)
Regional Challenge Matches
These games are suppose to be played around the country to help spread the game amongst the country people who do not always get to see an AFL standard game.
Again Visy Park (once Princess Park) is being used but its good to see other places seeing an AFL game like Shepparton, Berri & Rouse Hill. If your from one of these areas tell us how exciting it is seeing AFL players in your home town.
St Kilda vs Richmond at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton
Richmond to rebound from a very poor performance.
Tigers by 23 points
Jonathan Brown is likely to play his first match of the season against Melbourne this weekend.
Brisbane vs Melbourne at Cazaly Stadium, Cairns
Melbourne couldn’t even beat the Swans who haven’t won a pre-season match since Jesus was a boy.
Lions by 34 points
North Melbourne vs Port Power at Visy Park
North smashed Freo last week, this week it will be Port’s turn.
Kangas by 55 points
Adelaide vs Hawthorn at Berri Park, Berri
If Adelaide can’t beat Box Hill er sorry Hawthorn this week they never will.
Crows by 38 points
West Coast vs Fremantle at Subiaco Oval
West Coast surprised me by beating Adelaide and should easily account for little brother this week.
Eagles by 45 points
Sydney vs Bulldogs at Bruce Purser Reserve, Rouse Hill
Any odds for a scoreless draw?? Both teams have been horrible so far and that holds them in good stead for the season proper.
Swans by 7 points
Your Tips & Opinions on these Games
Add your tips and thoughts of these games below in the comments section and if your after the new NAB rules, we have them explained for you, please note that all NAB rules will not apply for the Regional Challenge Matches. We also have listed some exciting players to watch for the new season.
For Twitter users, please follow us at Kick2Kick and for any AFL football discussion use #aflfooty.
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March 5th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
16 points? Highly doubt we’ll get that close.
Ins for geelong: Ablett, Scarlett, Corey, Ling, Johnson, Hawkins, Gillies
Outs for Carlton
Murphy, Gibbs, Judd, Simpson, Robinson, Fevola, Waite, Houlihan
Pickless last blog post..Player vs Player Tipping Competition: Open!
March 5th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Yeah I can understand why you say that Pickles but maybe Deano (author of tips) has his reasons…
What are your tips?
My Tips:
Collingwood – A premiership will help Malthouses job as he nears his retirement. Like how Essendon has slightly changed their game style.
Geelong – This will be a good test for Carlton as they have to play without majority of their top 10 players. Geelong need to get a settled forward line setup.
Richmond – Depends on which Richmond turn out..
Brisbane – Brisbane are looking better with Brown & Power back. Power adds so much to their talented midfield…
Port – I think Port may surprise many this year and I do not rate North
Adelaide – As Deano says, Hawks are loosing men faster than anyone else. Best time to have injury worries though, if they can get fit towards the end of the year.
West Coast – Very impressed with their game plan in the last quarter, if they play more like this. Top 8 an outside chance.
Bulldogs – Are a good side and must start winning.
March 6th, 2009 at 10:19 am
in fairness to myself, my tips were posted on Tues night before teams were anounced. By the looks of the ins and outs i need to add another digit.
March 6th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
….and the post has been updated to show that Geelong will spank the Blues. However lets hope for the sake of watching it on TV that you were right in saying Geelong only by 3 odd goals.
March 9th, 2009 at 7:41 am
Maybe Deano did know something that even without Carlton’s stars they will still only lose by 17 points….