DeComey or DeGoey
There’s my nomination for lamest pun ever – it hurt just to write it but sometimes the readers have to feel uncomfortable with what they are reading.The big rumour here is that DeGoey will be a late out with a calf. Collingwood has a strong bench with Wills, Wells, Walls (just kidding), Aish and potential debutant Isaac Quaynor but there’s no like for like there but there’s not really a DeGoey like for like in the AFL.
Look for Wills to keep his spot after a serviceable but not startling return last week. Would be rough to drop him after a year out of the game after only one match. Jonathan Marsh returns to the Saints to line up against the side he retired from in 2016. While there will unlikely be any malice, Marsh was highly regarded at the Pies and was headed for a long career. Early signs are that the break has done him no favours but maybe the added intensity of the match up against former team mates will light s spark.
Make a stand
We love what Brisbane are doing this year – great to watch, so many fast kids surrounded by experienced big bodies. This is the perfect balance. They’ve lost three of their last five and while they still sit fifth it’s an even ladder and things can change quickly. Just look at Adelaide for confirmation of that.
Fourteenth after Round Four, they have won four of the last five and now sit third, closer where most predicted at the start of the season. Adelaide is tough to stop once they are on a roll but might find the Gabba a little more hostile than in the past. Brisbane and their supporters are firing and this game will show us where they really are.
Boyd Out – Ablett Out In
Most of the interest in this game stems from incidents during the week. Tom Boyd, 2016 premiership hero, former number one draft pick and unlucky not to be Norm Smith Medallist has retired at just 23. His was one of the first mega deals – 7 years for $7 million.
There are many opinions on his worth now. How much do you pay for a premiership? I’d argue that despite being so young, his impact has been huge and his efforts in the 2016 finals series brought the Dogs back to relevance.
It will be interesting to see from this game if Gary can keep his elbows down, or will he be spurred on by the ongoing permission he has from the AFL to do as he pleases as long as the recipient of the wayward elbow isn’t hurt too much. This is not Ablett’s fault. He should have been ruled out for a week after the first incident and there would be no discussion. Not a great look here.
Hi Ho Orazio
We found out during the week, much to BT’s annoyance that he have been pronouncing Orazio’s surname incorrectly. The correct pronunciation is nowhere near as fun. I suggest BT goes with “Hi Ho Orazio!” every time Fantasia goes near the ball. That won’t annoy anyone and will keep everyone glued to Channel Seven. One thing that doesn’t change is Orazio’s battles with injury.
He is a barometer at Essendon. When he is in and going he makes Essendon look a much better side. Collingwood is afraid of him and his late withdrawal from the recent Anzac Day game was a big relief for the Pies. This is a man the Bombers want to keep on the park.
Fremantle gets the tough Connor Blakely back after a tough run with injury. Blakely is an important player for the Dockers, a hard nut much loved by the fans and will be a welcome addition to the backline and will be required to run through the middle.
Backs are Back
Sydney could get the season right back on track here with a win after jumping the Bombers and the goal posts last week. North fought hard against the Cats but couldn’t match it for four quarters and are teetering again. Sydney lose Keiran Jack which will exacerbate their contested ball problems, and Lance Franklin won’t make the trip to Hobart where the predicted minimum is 7 degrees. Buddy likes Tasmania though after his bag of 13 for the Hawks in Launceston in 2012. Conversely North get three backmen back in Scott Thompson, Marley Williams and Luke McDonald so the weakened Sydney forward line faces a strengthened Roos backline. Roos should prevail here.
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