Actually, I wanted to call the thread, "Oh groan, we're in a @@@@fight", but a quirk in the system didn't allow that. Anyway, it seemed like only yesterday, when we were contentedly eying off a top four spot. Now, due to our inattentiveness against Essendon, we appear to be in a desperate struggle to hold on to a top eight spot. So, I think how we view the other matches, will largely depend on how the result of a particular match, will affect our chances of remaining in the eight. Except for when Hawthorn are playing, of course. I mean, barracking enthusiastically for Hawthorn and I'd feel as unclean as the turd brown on their jumpers.
The first match of the round should be intense, with second premiership favourite, Geelong, hosting premiership favourites, Melbourne. I guess I'll be going for Melbourne in this one: as a Geelong win means that we probably can't catch either side, but a Melbourne win and we're an outside chance of catching Geelong.
Of course, any chance of catching Geelong, then hinges on us beating the Bulldogs on Friday night. Hopefully, our players will be switched on for most of the match and don't have extended periods, where we misplace the goalposts or the opposition players.
The first Saturday match is Collingwood and North. It would be nice if North did us a favour. But recent form suggests that that might be too much to hope for. I mean, Collingwood are currently listed as paying $1.02 and I'm a bit surprised that they're not $1.01. Maybe too many Collingwood fans spent their punting money on a recent trip to the Gold Coast?
Speaking of the Gold Coast, they're $1.92 for their clash with Richmond, who are also paying $1.92. Which probably gives a bit of an insight into how the odds are stacked against you if you punt. Remarkably in the next game, St Kilda and Fremantle are also both paying $1.92. Looking at the ladder, wins for Gold Coast and St Kilda are probably better for us, so, go the Suns and go the Saints.
The other Saturday game is Port hosting GWS. Obviously a GWS win would be better for us, so I guess that I could be a Giant for a day?
Brisbane hosting Essendon is the first Sunday game. Once again, it's obvious which result would be better for our ladder position, but relying on Essendon to do us a favour, might be hoping for a bit too much.
The next game is Hawthorn v Adelaide. Which everyone except Hawks and Crows fans can happily ignore. Actually, there might even be a fair few Hawk and Crow fans happily ignoring that one.
As is almost traditional, the final match of the round is in Perth, between West Coast and Carlton. Once again, an upset would be better for us, even if I have been enjoying the angst of the West Coast fans. Then again, a West Coast win and I can comfort myself with the fact that they'll be moving further away from the number one draft pick.
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