AFL round 13 ‘Round-up’
Geelong have won 55 of their past 58 games and I can't remember the last time we beat them ~ but yeah, Geelong are the underdogs!
Who’s the underdog?
The best thing about round 13 is that it’s over and that both St Kilda & Geelong maintained their unbeaten records this year setting up ‘the game of the century’ next week.
I was a bit surprised though, to read that Geelong captain Tom Harley has declared the Cats were “in awe” of St Kilda this year. In what seems a clear attempt to claim the underdog status, Harley even referred to St Kilda as “the competition’s benchmark”. How ridiculous is that and what does it say? I think it might mean they’re worried.
Anyway, I don’t think St Kilda will be lulled into any mind games. As coach Ross Lyon says:
“Why are Geelong the benchmark team? Quite simply, it’s weight of numbers. All we’ve done is win 13 in a row. They’ve been a premiership team and Grand Final team … ”
Maybe the TAB has the final say on this question: They’ve got Geelong @ $1.50 and St Kilda @ $2.50. Pretty good odds on the Saints! As for round 13 (remember that?) here is the ‘expert’ round-up:
Essendon defeated humiliated Carlton : In one of the most pleasing results of the year, the poncy pretenders from Princes Park were found out. Yeah, we know “you’re coming”, Carlton, you’re coming nowhere this year. At least Essendon is giving it a real go.
Collingwood defeated Fremantle : But that doesn’t mean I have to say nice things about them. And I won’t.
Adelaide defeated Sydney : The Crows are “coming” though and they’re better than I thought. With any luck they’ll knock Collingwood out of the top 4.
West Coast defeated Hawthorn : You know, even though this result cost me another ‘perfect 8′, I loved it. You really have to wonder how Hawthorn won the flag last year because they look like they have no substance(s) left … maybe that’s the problem?
Brisbane defeated Melbourne : Here’s an idea: Move Melbourne to West Sydney instead of starting a new team up there. Then no one will have to go through the pain of watching them play.
Geelong defeated Pt Adelaide : I wonder if Tom Harley reckons the Cats were ‘the underdogs’ in this game too? Looked like a training drill to me.
Nth Melbourne lost to Bulldogs: If only they had a genuine forward line Footscray might do more than finish 3rd again. Why haven’t they recruited any tall forwards? It’s puzzling.
St Kilda defeated Richmond : A shaky start but keeping a side scoreless for 80 minutes is remarkable, even when the other side is only Richmond. Mark Thompson must be getting worried about that too.
Tipping: Ray 7, Baldrick 6.
Year to date: Ray 73, Baldrick 75
Highlights of the round: (1) Carlton’s humiliation. (2) Hawthorn’s capitulation.
Lowlights: (1) Barry Hall. (2) The bizarre jumper clash in Perth. Why has West Coast added a big white strip down the front of their home jumper? Their colours are blue & gold. And why did Hawthorn wear an away jumper that also had a huge white strip down the front with a huge Hawk on it that looked like West Coast’s Eagle? Their colors are brown & gold and that away strip was more of a clash than if they’d worn their normal brown & gold stripes. It was stupid.
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Excellent summary Raymond. Now I’m comforted by your summation and what I’ve extrapolated from this is that Geelong is the best team in the competition and that if St.Kilda does defeat us it is only an aberration and the Cats will remain the best team in the competition and will rectify the situation in the event that the Saints make the Grand Final. This does factor in the small point about Geelong itself making the GF.
Well done Ray.
There will be a lot of ink spilled over the Cats / Saints game, before and after.
Imagine if it was a draw!!
There will be a lot of ink spilled over the Cats / Saints game
Wait for my Round 14 tips, Pevva. I’m going to let it rip and I guarantee you that Baldrick won’t like it.
Although winning will be a bit hollow for either side because the fact is they’ll still finish 1 & 2 and most likely meet again in the GF.
What’s going on with Mc Veigh, Rox? He’s been dropped for disciplinary reasons, one of your best & most important players. Well that does it – I thought the Bombers were a real chance against the Pies this Friday and I was going to pick them (and I wanted them to win). But FFS, are they together or not?
I am not Rox, but the McVeigh thing disappointed me greatly — especially after his big show of contrition for the onfield incident that got him suspended. It was a very Collingwood thing for him to do.
It is a real worry, especially if Jobe isn’t 100% for the game. The Pies defence is much better than Carlton’s so we won’t have it all our own way across half back.
At least we have an excuse for losing now!
Me too – at least, I AM Rox – but why would he do such a stupid thing? I picked them too, but I’m not so sure now.
I’m getting very sick of highly-paid sportsmen (and at the risk of starting a war, they do seem to be mainly men) who think they’re above the laws of decency and their own clubs. And then when they get punished, they’re “obviously very disappointed”. Give me a break.
Putting tin hat on. Is this thuggery thing a legacy of the Sheedy years? I remember the Bombers going the biff (ok, maybe not as blatantly) under the leadership of that clown.
I like the present Dons outfit, concentrating on the game and skill levels. This McVeigh character is obviously in his twilight years and a relic. Get rid of him.
But then again, we seemed to reform Mooney. His only vice and a slight one is as a forward he can’t kick goals.
McVeigh and Hall to do the rounds of the primary schools extolling the virtues of World Championship Wrestling and other Neanderthal pursuits.
You’ll need something stronger than a tin hat Baldrick if you want to blame St Kevin. Why not blame James Hird while you’re at it?
McVeigh is only 28, so hardly in the Twilight Zone. He’s just an undisciplined idot who’s let his team and supporters down.
No, won’t blame Hird, he was a half decent player. Can not remember him playing like a thug.
“St.Kevin” outside the football club I can stomach but he was a thug on the field and I contend coached accordingly. And what do I know? Bugger all, just ask Ray.
He was known as Kevin ‘elbows’ Sheedy when he played. Liked to give backhanders too. But that’s how it was then.
And how is it this weekend? Nearly bed-time Baldrick – cough up.
Done Rox, but you’re not going to like it. Thankfully you’re in Tassie.
We have a boat.
Terrible news about Jim Stynes, by the way.
I’ll have them up within the next hour or so, Rox. I’m still watching The Footy Show.