The 2014 season is rapidly moving along as the round of rivalries produced some upsets, some close ones and some absolutely brilliant games of footy. I’ll review the round and my tips.
Did Chappy beat his old team?
No. The Cats yet again managed to just get out of a sticky situation as they are still fifth on the ladder despite some dodgy recent form, and Paul Chapman was denied. The Bombers showed some resilience in the third quarter as they found the form from the Crows game to storm right back into the game.
A goal for goal last quarter saw Joe Daniher put his team up with not long left, before two brilliant Steven Motlop bananas that showed no left foot and a Tom Hawkins open goal sealed the match for the Cats.
A close nine point win followed the win against the Blues just a few weeks ago as a match that Geelong didn’t deserve to win, but somehow dug themselves out of a hole in the closing moments.
The Cats will be a formidable finals force when they regain some form.
They take on the Bulldogs in what will be yet another tense battle for the Cats, as I can see them wreaking havoc in September. The Bombers may also be able to sneak in to the finals if they finish ahead of Adelaide.
Who won the Adelaide showdown?
The Crows did in an upset. The Power started off strongly and lead for most of the first half, before Adelaide brought the margin back to a respectable one at half time courtesy of a scintillating ten minutes in the second quarter.
They then continued on and led by ten points at the last break, with Eddie Betts kicking some vital goals late in the match as Port Adelaide couldn’t break through, even though a few hangers were taken to try and wrestle the momentum back.
The Power succumbed for the first time at the Adelaide Oval, as they have given up the top spots to the mighty Hawthorn side. The Crows have now jumped up to eighth. If Adelaide regain consistency than they will possibly surprise a few teams in September, as their best can trouble any team.
If the Power can maintain some good form, then they should make the top two.
Who won the ultimate rivalry?
The Pies did, as they played some great footy in bursts as the Blues tried to conjure up an unlikely victory. Two classy Steele Sidebottom second half goals got the Maggies across the line though, as they can look to rebuild some consistency.
The Pies jumped out of the blocks. Chris Judd’s first goal of the match was nullified as Collingwood kicked six goals to two in the first quarter, with Scott Pendlebury’s two goals in two minutes being the highlight.
The Magpies continued on in the second quarter, with Travis Cloke getting on the board, before the Blues cut the margin just before half time. Throughout the entire second half Carlton managed to stay within two goals of the Magpies, but couldn’t strike when it counted.
The Pies now have to make one of the tougher trips this year, as they venture up to Metricon Stadium where they will look to exact revenge over the Suns, who beat them last year at the same venue. Carlton only have four wins for the year, and need to get some more wins on the board if they don’t want their season to be a complete disaster.
Tips
I tipped 7/9, with my incorrect games being Brisbane-North and Port-Crows.
Sidenote: I was one off for the margin of the Bombers-Cats game, two off for Swans-Giants, eight off for Pies-Blues and nine off for Tigers-Saints and Freo/ West Coast.
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