Hi everyone,
After seven rounds, Collingwood, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Hawthorn hold down the top 4 spots on the ladder, with only one game separating the following nine teams. We have a very close competition at this stage.
On the Field: Proceedings began last Thursday night with the ANZAC Eve clash between Melbourne and Richmond. After a close first half, the Dees played a strong third quarter to set up their 20-point victory. Max Gawn was dominant in the ruck for Melbourne in this game. On ANZAC Day, Collingwood flexed their muscles in the last quarter to run away from Essendon. A crowd of 92,044 attended. Final score, Magpies 16.11.107 defeated Bombers 10.6.66. The Magpies look like the team to beat this year. In the other ANZAC game, Fremantle held on to defeat Adelaide by three goals at Optus Stadium.
On Saturday, Brisbane bounced back from their heavy loss a week ago to defeat St Kilda by 45 points at Marvel Stadium. Port Adelaide won their third straight but were made to work very hard by North Melbourne. The Power won by nine points. The Western Bulldogs played a dominant third quarter to stun the GWS Giants by 32 points in Canberra on Saturday night. The Doggies have played inspired football the last two weeks.
On Sunday, the Gold Coast needed to make a statement after their disappointing performance against the Tigers the previous week. They did so, rallying from a 17-point halftime deficit versus Sydney, to crush last year’s Grand Finalists by 38 points. It was an impressive second half by the Suns, who are hoping to make the finals for the first time in club history this season. Carlton made it three wins in a row with a three-goal victory over fancied Geelong at the MCG on Sunday afternoon. The Blues led at every change and withstood every challenge the Cats threw at them. In the final game, Hawthorn moved up to fourth place with a 50-point victory over winless West Coast at Marvel.
Tipping
Congratulations to Barney2, Minksy, Sammy, Croc Junior, Andy Mul, Cazzasg, Weazr1, CK1, John Trajanovski and Naples Road who led the way with 8 winners this week. Well done. Our overall leaderboard, which shows cumulative margins in brackets, is below.
Leaderboard
Heaver13 47 (150)
CD Saint 47 (200)
Super Storm 45 (169)
Big D 45 (194)
Valerderos 1964 45 (232)
Naples Road 44 (131)
Don Warner 44 (151)
John Trajanovski 44 (164)
LamboM 73 44 (169)
The Urq 44 (178)
Warragul Lynda 44 (192)
CK1 44 (211)
Bruce McBriar 44 (214)
Weazr 1 44 (215)
Round 8 will commence this Thursday night with Essendon hosting North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.
Don