Richard Michael
DeanoHarmoShow Us Your Tips - June 1-4
May 31st 2007 13:51
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AFL
Collingwood v Fremantle (MCG, Friday7:30)
Fremantle needed their win last week, which keeps them within sight of the finals. It's been a season which promised much for the Dockers but has delivered little - and it doesn't get any easier with a trip to the MCG to take on Collingwood. The Magpies continued their run of good form with a victory on the road against the Lions last week; and it's hard to see them being threatened here. Collingwood easily.
Melbourne v Adelaide (MCG, Saturday 2:00)
When will anything go right for Melbourne? It was a fine fightback against the Kangaroos last week that saw the Demons hit the front late in the game, but tragically they weren't able to hold on at the end. Adelaide weren't convincing against Carlton last week, but they got away with a danger game - and there's far less danger this time. Adelaide should get up comfortably here.
West Coast v Kangaroos (Subiaco, Saturday 4:00)
The Eagles are beatable - Hawthorn did the football world a favour in Tasmania last week by showing the football world how it can be done. The Eagles return home this week to take on a Kangaroos side that has been a major surprise packet this season. The Kangaroos struggled to overcome Melbourne last week, but this is a far harder assignment. Especially at home, the reigning premiers should have the edge.
Sydney v Essendon (SCG, Saturday 7:00)
Richmond v Brisbane (Telstra Dome, Saturday 7:00)
The Tigers were unlucky last week. Leading for most of the night against Essendon, they were able to gain possession with scores tied for Matthew Richardson to mark within scoring range. But Richardson was given a harsh penalty for a push-out and the Bombers were able to rally to keep hold of the game and keep the Tigers winless. This week they are at home against a Brisbane side that has lost form in recent weeks, and went down to Collingwood at the Gabba last week. It's not a match that inspires any great hopes of a classic contest, but with Richo in form and the game being in Melbourne, Richmond will get their first win for the season.
Port Adelaide v Hawthorn (AAMI Stadium, Sunday 1:00)
Back to back losses have cost the Power top spot, and it’s another tough challenge for them this week against the giant-killing Hawks. Hawthorn confirmed their status as a major surprise packet for 2007 when they overcame West Coast in Tasmania last week. In a tight season like this one, where just 7 percentage points separated 3rd from 7th, not only the winner but the margin in this match will be all-important. There won’t be much in it, but the Power at home should just have the edge.
Carlton v Western Bulldogs (MCG, Sunday 2:00)
14th plays 13th in this match, two teams that promised more before the season started than they have delivered so far. After a promising opening to the season, the Blues have lost 6 in a row. Last week was a microcosm of their season to date, with Brendon Fevola looking dangerous early as the Blues made the front-running but were well and truly run down before half-time. Meanwhile the Bulldogs were flat and looked unprepared against the Swans in Canberra last week and they will need to show plenty of improvement to get up here. But the talent and incentive is there for the Bulldogs, and they should fall over the line by a couple of goals.
St Kilda v Geelong (Telstra Dome, Sunday 5:00)
Who’s going to beat Geelong? The Cats have been sensational in the last few weeks – the double-century against Richmond, back-to-back wins against the highly-fancied WA teams and last week a demolition of Port in Adelaide. After a slow start to the season, the Cats find themselves just a game short of top spot and with a percentage easily the best in the league. Who’s going to beat them? Certainly not the injury-ravaged St Kilda, further weakened by the absence of Robert Harvey. Cats by a huge margin here.
NRL
Penrith v Manly (CUA Stadium, Friday 7:30)
The late conversion fiasco last week cost the Panthers a last-minute attempt at an unlikely victory, but the reality is the game was gone long before that. The season is slipping away from the Panthers, and it’s hard to see them troubling the ladder-leading Manly here. Their only hope could be the freezing temperatures at the foot of the Mountains, a far cry from sunny Brookvale. Manly easily.
St George/Illawarra v Brisbane (Oki Jubilee Stadium, Friday 7:30pm
Both these teams have been below their best this season, although the Broncos looked capable of salvaging something with a commanding 71-6 win over Newcastle last week. It was a sensational return to form – particularly from the Queensland Origin players backing up from the midweek rep game. Unlike previous seasons, the rep season seems to be playing the Broncos into form rather than bringing them back. The Broncos revival should continue here.
Sydney Roosters v Newcastle (Bluetongue Stadium, Saturday 5:30pm
Very nice of the Roosters to move their home game half-way to Newcastle; and it’s a gesture that I’m sure will be appreciated by the Knights fans who will make up at least 75% of the crowd. But that’s as far as their comfort will go. The Knights were lamentable last week – young Mullen has impressed so far but he’s no Andrew Johns, and the expectations put on him have been unrealistic. The Roosters found something at last with a golden-point win over the Sharks last week, and should extend their winning streak to 2 games here.
North Queensland v Cronulla (Dairy Farmers Stadium, Saturday 7:30pm)
Both these teams have exceeded expectations so far this season, and this clash will be 4th v 5th. The battle of the halves here, between Jonathan Thurston and Brett Kimmorley, will be worth the price of admission alone. But at home, the Cowboys should have the edge to just get home here.
Melbourne v South Sydney (Olympic Park, Saturday 7:30pm)
The Storm were unlucky last week, going down by just a point to the Sea Eagles at Brookvale. Beware of the Storm on the rebound. This week they return home to face a Souths side that started the season promisingly but has fallen away dramatically in recent weeks – out of the top 8, out of form and down on confidence. Jason Taylor won’t have the answers here – Melbourne easily.
Gold Coast v Canberra (Carrara Stadium, Sunday 2:00pm)
Both these sides have exceeded expectations so far this season. Both have proved far stronger than expected at home – and last week both clubs had the form on the board. Gold Coast were never threatened by Souths, while the Raiders were untroubled against St George. For both clubs, home ground advantage has been one of the keys to success – and it’s the Titans who have it this week. Gold Coast to get up here.
New Zealand Warriors v Bulldogs (Ericsson Stadium, Sunday 2:00pm)
Both sides have struggled this season, having recorded just 4 wins to date. The Bulldogs in particular are way below expectations, with a rising injury toll and rumours about the future of coach Steve Folkes. But in times of adversity, the Bulldogs have a reputation for closing ranks and rising above the challenge – and they will do so again this week. It won’t be easy, but the Bulldogs should do enough to just get home.
Wests Tigers v Parramatta (Telstra Stadium, Monday 7:00pm)
Both these sides got home last week, in vastly different circumstances. The Tigers had to hold out a spirited late challenge from Penrith to take the points, and in the end it was only their field goal just before half-time that prevented the game from going to golden point. No such risk for the Eels last Monday, as they dominated the Warriors all night to race to an easy win. Both sides have 6 wins, and will need a win to consolidate their place in the 8. There’s never much between these teams, and there won’t be much this time; but I’m tipping Parramatta to just scrape home.
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