Round 13 of the AFL produced some standout games of footy. Games like Magpies versus Bulldogs, Bombers versus Demons, Eagles versus Suns and Swans versus the Power were the highlights in a memorable round.
I’ll review the round and my tips.
Did Carlton go one further in another Friday night game?
No. But they didn’t disappoint anyone in their decent display against the high-flying Hawks on Friday night. They look ominous to any team that isn’t up to their best. Chris Judd led a team that rallied well after last week’s heartbreaking loss to Geelong, as everyone saw just how good the premiership player and Brownlow Medallist can be.
Carlton coach Mick Malthouse couldn’t do much more in his 700th game as the Hawks proved that they are still a great side, even without many of their key players.
Watch out in the second half of the year when they get their full array of players back, as they will be hungry to get back to back flags. They take on a Magpies side looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss on a Saturday afternoon blockbuster clash which is sure to go down to the wire.
The Blues will look to continue their good form that they have shown in the past few weeks as they will look to perform well and push for a pretty decent ladder spot.
Who won out of the two in-form interstate sides?
Sydney did. But it was an absolute cracker of a match as Port did everything they could, but ultimately couldn’t stop one Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin, who kicked the last few goals for his team to get them over the line in a great Saturday afternoon clash at a packed Sydney Cricket Ground.
Buddy kicked four straight behinds before kicking five straight goals, which included three mammoth goals from way outside the fifty metre line as Port Adelaide’s brilliant run couldn’t get them the win after a mighty effort.
Both teams look like being the top two teams as they could possibly be a grand final meeting on that one day in September.
Did the unpredictables pull off an amazing win?
No. North Melbourne showed us their inconsistency as their superb form in the second half in last week’s game against Richmond couldn’t be replicated as the Crows cruised home on the back of some Eddie Bett’s brilliance.
The packed Adelaide Oval roared their approval as Adelaide officially proved that they are worthy of finals, after a slow start to the season. The inclusion of Walker has lifted the Crows, as they have played well in every game Tex has been in since he has come back from an ACL injury.
The Roos are lucky to be in the eight, as they look to build up some wins and make a charge towards the finals. The Crows can keep on building and challenging the teams in the top eight.
Tips
I had a woeful week in tipping, only getting 4/9, with the games I got wrong being Port-Sydney, Adelaide-North, Brisbane-GWS, Magpies-Bulldogs and Essendon-Melbourne.
Sidenote: I got the margin right for Port-Sydney and was nine off for the Hawthorn-Carlton game.
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