Poxy Predictions - Round 1

Like Jase, I have my doubts about the Sainters but the Lions look a bit vulnerable this week and it's not often you can say that at the Gabba. The Saints aren't fond of Brissy but the weather is not too hot today and the Gorillas go in without Brown, Black and Hadley and course Lynch, Hart and McCrae have all given it away. Brisbane look like green bananas this week and with the G Train and Banger on board, the Saints won't slip up.

KANGAROOS by 9 pts.

The Blues bubble will burst at the Domea55 this week as the Blues defence will be confronted by some big bodies in the forward 50 without Brent Thornton in the backline. The Roos tend to start off a new year well and are usually buggers to beat at the best of times and last year there was not much between the sides. Usually when something is too good to be true it usually is and that could be the case with Carlton's March form to date. TIMMMMMBERRRRR!!

MELBOURNE by 41pts

Another side that tends to start well (in the even years anyway) is the Demons and they come up against a decidedly suspect Essendon unit who start off without a lot of experience plus the guaranteed free kicks that are afforded to showpony Matty Lloyd. Hird and Lucas won't know which end of the ground to cover and look for former Cat Brent Maloney to do two things...get caught with the ball often and to run through a few Bombers. Sheedy may have been putting some footy into the young-uns but the more experienced men won't be able to stop the emotion charged Demons who will be doing it for 'Red'.

PORT by 11pts.

Jase may think this game is unimportant but wins over F*ckmantle and the Egirls in the West are matches that the others drop and is just one reason why the Ferals have topped the ladder for the last few seasons. Josh Carr WILL be a loss for the Power, but that still only makes one tough player that the Dockers have and that won't be enough to stop the reigning premiers. The Dockers are front runners of the highest order but against Port it isn't going to happen. Port too tough in this one with Francou and Primus champing at the bit.

SWANS by 3pts.

Hawthorn will throw everything including the kitchen sink at the Swans who have failed to impress so far this year but already the Hawks are a side that looks like it has forgotten how to win. Not a good look for March boys. The Swans will do everything in an attempt to lose this game but Hawthorn won't be up to it. Look for Barry Hall to get his one and only free kick for the season late in the last quarter as he puts the Swans in front....Siren it's all over. Swans by 3 at the basketball court.

GEELONG by 32pts.

It is fantastic of Channel Nine to show this game live in Qld at 1.30 in the morning but why the AFL has chosen to have the game start at this time is a complete mystery to me. Another mystery is the lacklusture form showed by the Cats in preseason. Otto has been shocking but after a slow start to this game he will be fired up by toothless Richmond fans who will spit, swear and throw bottles at him all day. By the second quarter he'll get mad and make the Tigers pay and kickstart his season. Rodan is a big loss for Richmond because he has played very well against the Cats in the past and the Tigers will miss his pace.

ADELAIDE by 12pts.

I reckon this could be a low scoring match with plenty of rebound coming out of defence. The Egirls were ordinary against Carlton when everyone expected them to turn back the clock to the days when they used to skin cats on grand final day. The midfield is one of the best of the league but the defence fell apart like OJ Simpson's alibi last week and Quentin Lynch kept dropping the ball the big lug. Adelaide are no champions but at Girlee Stadium the Blackbirds grow to enormous size and will pluck the travel shy Eagles.

BULLDOGS by 19pts.

Many have been prepared to kick the Dogs but I reckon this side underachived last year and that the signs are good for the newer generation of pups to help share the load carried for so long by the veterans. You can't teach an old dog new tricks so back to the backline for Chris Grant and get Rawlings up front to do what you recruited him to do you idiots. Eade will start with the reverse and this will keep the Pies in the game but Collingwood rely on too few and still have far too many duds on their list. The Dogs ruck strength looks good but you can't say the same for the Pies.

regards,

REB