It will be the first time since 1952 that nobody’s playing a game at their own home ground, so what havoc that will wreak on our tipping this week gives me the shivers.
We’ve got the Cats hosting the Lions at the SCG, the Eagles tackling the Crows at the Gabba, while the North Melbourne derby between the Bombers and Kangaroos is now the North Australia derby on the Gold Coast.
As someone who loves venue performance and streak stats, this is truly devastating.
Devastating too was my score if six last week, which was worse than both the seven Marnie and AdelaideDocker managed and the eight scored by the Crowd. That brings Docker and myself into a 25-all tie in first, with Marnie just behind.
Stirling Coates
Brisbane, Hawthorn, St Kilda, West Coast, Melbourne, Essendon, GWS Giants, Richmond, Western Bulldogs
I was worried about the Lions coming into the season restart, but they’ve warmed up nicely over the last month and look to have hit their stride. Playing at the Gabba every week certainly helped, but that hasn’t been an asterisk for certain other clubs in the past.
The going gets a lot tougher against Geelong at the SCG, although the ground has very similar dimensions to the Gabba so, without a crowd, it shouldn’t be too difficult an adjustment. Last year’s meeting was the game of the year, so hopefully we get a repeat. I’ll tip the ‘visitors’.
Collingwood have been bitterly disappointing over the last fortnight and looked well below their best without Steele Sidebottom and Jeremy Howe against Essendon. The Hawks looked horrid against the Giants on Sunday, but bounced back smartly last time they were embarrassed and I’ll back them to do the same here.
Fremantle are a much bigger chance against St Kilda then they’ll get credit for on Saturday – the Saints are woeful interstate travelers – but the injury list is a concern and I can’t see them getting the job done without Nat Fyfe.
West Coast fans will be hoping last week’s win over Sydney will be the fire-starter for a revival, and they’ve got a golden opportunity to build up some confidence over the hapless Crows. Anything less than a five-goal win is a loss for the Eagles.
Gold Coast hardly disgraced themselves sans Matt Rowell against Geelong, but I think they’re due to hit a speed bump. Melbourne will score an unconvincing win and slap themselves on the back but make no meaningful improvement.
Saturday night’s other clash should see the resurgent Bombers score another four points against the spluttering Kangaroos. North Melbourne are a chance, but that 20-point win over GWS in Round 2 is becoming a distant memory.
Port Adelaide taking on Greater Western Sydney is the match of the round and, despite the “uppercut” (as Ken Hinkley called it) Port received, they’ll push the Giants all the way here. Still, I reckon GWS have turned the corner and should have the class to get it done.
The Tigers should have little trouble flexing their muscle over a young Swans side who’ve already committed to blooding two debutants, while the round should finish with the red-hot Bulldogs notching another win over a gallant Carlton outfit.
Shoe-In of the Week? If I have to…
West Coast over the Crows.
Marnie Cohen
Brisbane, Collingwood, St Kilda, West Coast, Gold Coast, Essendon, GWS Giants, Richmond, Western Bulldogs
Marnie Cohen was unable to provide a write-up for her tips this week.
AdelaideDocker
Brisbane, Hawthorn, St Kilda, West Coast, Gold Coast, Essendon, GWS Giants, Richmond, Western Bulldogs
Last week was perhaps the easiest tipping week we’ve had in a while. This week seems a smidgen more difficult.
We begin with Geelong versus Brisbane at (checks notes)… the SCG? Never mind the odd setting, this should be a super clash. Second versus third, these two are perhaps the strongest two teams in the competition.
Given neither have the customary home-ground advantage I’d usually use to guide the tip, I’m going to tip Brisbane purely on the basis of them showing a bit more in their opening weeks of the season. They’ll win, but narrowly.
Friday sees Collingwood take on Hawthorn, also in Sydney. Collingwood has had a terrible fortnight, while the Hawks also lost their endeavour last week. Neither inspire a whole lot of confidence at the moment, to be honest, but I’ll give a narrow nod to Hawthorn.
Saturday is chock-a-block full of intriguing matches. One of which – the Eagles taking on the Crows – is a pretty sure-fire tip, with the Eagles (fresh off an important win last weekend) to easily beat the horrid Crows.
Freo taking on St Kilda comes before that, with both teams coming off wins. Freo are in the midst of (perpetual) injury woes, meaning the Saints remain slight favourites. I can see Freo winning, but I’m not confident enough to tip my own team.
Melbourne play the Suns in the early evening clash, and I’ll have to tip the Suns. The Demons inspire precisely zero confidence right now. The final game of the day sees Essendon taking on North. For this one, I’ll play it safe and tip the favourites in the Dons.
Sunday has three difficult matches to tip. Ladder leaders Port ‘host’ GWS. Port have been widely seen as contenders this season but flopped at the first hurdle against another legitimate contender in Brisbane. GWS have had run of form of their own lately, and according to the tipsters, they’re very slight favourites. That’s enough to convince me.
Richmond also take on Sydney that day, with the Tigers also slight favourites. It’s the Tigers’ first clash in their hub, but they’re a better side than Sydney, and they should win.
The Bulldogs and Carlton also play each other on Sunday. The Bulldogs’ impressive form makes me much more confident they’ll win.
Round 6 | Stirling | Marnie | ADocker | The Crowd |
---|---|---|---|---|
GEE vs BL | BL | BL | BL | BL |
COL vs HAW | HAW | COL | HAW | COL |
FRE vs STK | STK | STK | STK | STK |
WCE vs ADE | WCE | WCE | WCE | WCE |
MEL vs GCS | MEL | GCS | GCS | MEL |
ESS vs NM | ESS | ESS | ESS | ESS |
PA vs GWS | GWS | GWS | GWS | GWS |
RCH vs SYD | RCH | RCH | RCH | RCH |
CAR vs WB | WB | WB | WB | WB |
Last week | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
Total | 25 | 23 | 25 | 27 |
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Mark.
Roar Rookie
Haha, not a great Sunday?
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Here I am with four from six, Lions and Suns letting me down. Swans,Dogs Giants, salute if you please. No confidence though
BBQ BILL
Guest
"Anything less than a 5 goal win is a loss for the Eagles"...? Even a 1 goal or 1 point win- is a win and 4 points in the bank! Given the hub situation I doubt any close win is a loss, the team will bank it and move on to the next game back at Optus. But after last weeks game, Eagles fans are expecting more of the same if not an improvement on that? Simmo not taking the Crows for granted. Look forward to Nic pantsing his twitter fuelled oppo with a smile and no mercy....
Seano
Roar Rookie
Anyone know how many tickets they are selling to the Bombers v Kangas at Metricon? I got mine but i hope I’m not the only person there!
Bangkokpussey
Roar Rookie
No doubt the same tired lot of tipsters who predicted Geelong's fall to the nether regions of the ladder this season. Oh well don't give up predicting Geelong's demise. The law of averages says you will get it right one day. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Looks like we all overestimated Brisbane. Although, they've lost to Geelong 18 out of the past 21 matches, or something like that. Wish I knew that yesterday...
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
I don't think you do find it amusing. I certainly find winding you up amusing though! Saints are no good anyway...
Vercetti1986'
Roar Rookie
Just a bit of banter mate. Bit hard to convey on here sometimes but he has been saying the same thing all year and I find it amusing. I do lay it pretty thick sometimes though and that is just the way I am. Nothing wrong with a bit of bickering every now and again.
Mark
Roar Rookie
And of they don't, how will you describe them?
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
I have been wrong before but not many would argue with the dreadful description. With the Cats, if they perform tonight, I am confidant.
Nico
Roar Rookie
Great team selection Eagles!!! Looks like a win on paper. Now let’s make it happen. GO EAGLES!!!
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Royce Hart in the seventies? Maybe even Gazza senior.
Tazzie
Guest
Chill out Vercetti1986 it's only a game after all.
2dogs
Roar Rookie
Only on weekends
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Half back IMO is the new choice possie. You want to be getting plenty of disposals and gaining a lot of metres in that spot in modern footy.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Once 2dogs. 1984. We won. Never again.
2dogs
Roar Rookie
Have you ever tipped against the pies?
Baz
Guest
Who gets the job on Charlie Cameron?
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
I flip flopped and now am the same except for Freo. Saints and Freo are over rated.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Hogan out but Fyfe is not a bad key forward replacement. He'll kick a bag...possibly. Logue is in AA form but Cox comes back and he was in excellent form before his injury (9 intercepts and 15 defensive disposals while carrying an injury). We'd love them both but the Saints have only one worrying tall forward. I'll back King to have trouble with Cox (so to speak).