Round 1 PreviewsSorry guys a bit late.
Pump up ze jams (284/4) v Darksiders SCE (62/1)Looking at the numbers you'd consider Darksiders a lock to come back and win this match but these two teams have very few uniques so the opportunity to reel in the jams is limited for the Dark Side. It all comes down to Deledio, Selwood and Ffye to rack up the expected numbers and guys like Morris, A Kennedy and Shiel being able to beat jams' Bower (51) and Cloke (62). Dempsey and Goodes are the weapons in reserve for the jams but I think that the Dark Side has more dry powder.
Darksiders SCE to win but only just.
Dutchys Dodos (375/4) v Marion ManBearPigs (103/1)The Dodos have the runs on the board here and as I said in the Premier League preview how important is Nick Dal Santo for Dutchy. His contribution will prove to be decisive as the ManBearPigs try to reel in their opponents after a good start for them last night with Sidebottom's ton. I also said that I reckon SC Karma might strike in regards to Greg Broughton. With Simon Black out of action I can see one of two things happening..either Broughton sits on Rockliff or the Dockers elect to free up Broughton. It will be interesting to see which way that goes and those that traded out Broughton won't be happy if Greggy cracks some 2011 like numbers. In this match I don't really like the look of some of the ManBearPigs uniques (McCarthy, Golby, Waters) and that is why
I'm selecting Dutchys Dodos to win this match.
Halem Hawks (213/2) v Denver Crows (190/2)Denver Crows has taken the very gutsy step of not selecting Gary Ablett and I can say from experience last year that this can be a very painful process. Gazza has a whole team kicking it to him regularly and he is not worth tagging because your side is still going to win by 13 goals. If Denver can somehow watch the Gold Cost game he'll be cursing every one of Gazza's possessions as a high Gazza possession count equals a Halem Hawks victory. Denver has Jobe Watson as his skipper but the problem is Essendon have more than one midfielder. The lack of the little wizard in the Denver outfit means
a Halem Hawks victory seems the most likely outcome.
Les's Men (413/4) v Cork in the Ocean (360/4)Looking through the lineups it doesn't seem that Pendlebury's spudderific game last night will alter too many results but this game might prove to be the exception. There is very little between the these two teams but Corkys 700k for 62 points does not bode well for a succesful outcome in this match. The final nail for Corky here is if Jobe Watson dominates against the Cost. If he does is good night Corky and
Les's Men will win this. I reckon Watson will dominate and that Corky will be cursing Pendlebury along with a lot of other coaches who aren't in the Hogg.
Has Been (292/3) v MILLER MOSQUITOES (516/5)Looking at the lineups here I see Brian Lake as the decisive player in this match. With Has Been needing to make up a slight average difference a big match from Lake would secure victory for the Beeners. The Mozzies have some iffy uniques in Ellis, Waters and D Smith while Has Been has Congnilio as a possible weak link. If Lake spuds up then I don't think the Beeners can win it. With the Bullies up against a forward line containing the likes of Kosi, Riewoldt, Stanley and at times McEvoy then I can't see him having as much chip scab ball as he got at Football Park.
MILLER MOSQUITOES by 5 points.
Honey Badgers (130/1) v Buddy Franklin (228/2)Clearly the Badgers are trolling this league in naming Toby Greene as his skipper. Either that or he knows something we all don't. If Greene cracks 150 this week then clearly the stewards should be called in. If ever a coach is screaming out for a late withdrawal it will be the Badgers so he can collect a respectable 260 from Marc Murphy. If Greene plays and gets 58 then the Badger may well go underground. I reckon he must have been using his mobile to select his side. ET phone home, SuperCoach...log on to computer.
Buddy Franklin to win this and everyone else to take the piss out of Honey Badgers. Go Toby.
Greedy Guns (291/3) v Crab Mustard FC (183/2)Looking at this match I'm really liking the look of Crabby's uniques and I reckon he can cut the mustard in this match (Didn't take me long to drag that joke out LOL). At the start of the year the Guns' uniques would have looked ok on paper in Birchall, Broughton and Johnson all proven point scorers but two of those players have not fired a shot his year and even if my Broughton theory eventuates I can't see the Guns getting enough points to crush the Crabs.
Crab Mustard FC to win scuttling away. Great. I've used all my crab jokes and it's only round 3. Maybe he'll do a sideways trade.
Underdogs (103/1) v Longwood Lions (336/3)The Lions have made a good start and look to have a very strong list of uniques that should overcome some of the Underdogs' speculative picks. The only thing better than averaging 103 with one player is to average 112 from 3 and the Lions are roaring early. For sharksta to get up here she'll need key forwards Jack Riewoldt and Josh Kennedy to get amongst the goals but perhaps the goal scoring load against weak opposition might be shared. I don't think the Underdogs can come back from here so for once they are living up to their name.
Longwood Lions to get the four points.
Hips Don't Lie (458/5) v The Cat Empire (303/4)I'm on the back foot against the Hippies here but if my young Tiger backman can use the ball effectively against the Demons I'm a silly chance of getting back into the game. I'd much rather be in Hippy's spot than mine but unlike my Premier League game I'm not quite ready to write this one off. I traded out Parker for Masten last week and straight away the validity of that decision will be tested as The Hippies have Parker. I need Masten to take some points off Parker and I'm back in town. So as you can see my chances are dependent on a lot of ifs. If is a horrible word to use in football as I found out during the 1990's. So once again for my Cats at least, it will end in tears.
Hips Don't Lie to hold on and record a victory.
It's a lot of fun writing 18 previews when your team has already lost LOL. Have good one Champs!
regards,
REB
