ClintonCherry.com

Claire and I had nothing planned for Friday night, and with the Western Force playing down the road at Subiaco oval, the opportunity was there to go to our first ever game. About 10 minutes into the game, still at home I suggested to Claire that we go and check out the Force. She said she'd come provided I'd "Promise that the Force would win". Boy did I not dissappoint.

While we did arrive about halfway through the first half it didn't really matter because all the action happened in the last 15 minutes. Getting late into the game the Force were just in the lead and defending grimly. Then with only a few minutes remaining the Hurricanes scored a controversial try to put them back in the lead. Devastation. It appeared that yet again the Force had thrown away a game at the last moment, leaving them winless in their 2 year history in WA.

But the Force weren't about to let me break that promise to Claire.

With the game in its final minute the Force pushed forward and tried and tried. And then with 9 seconds left on the clock they did try and got the touchdown - to put them 1 point behind. A conversion after the siren was the only way they could win.

The crowd stood as one - totally scared as Shepherd lined up to try and kick the goal to win the game, from the hardest possible angle and quite a fair way out. An almost impossible task for a bloke who couldn't kick earlier from point blank range, not to mention the howling win blowing accross the field.

And then he kicked the ball, and as if it was a movie storyline we stood and watched the ball float through the goals and the crowd broke into total rapture. We were all jumping and screaming with euphoria, it was so exciting I could have sworn I was at the AFL grand final watching the Eagles win. Absolutely brilliant.

So we partied into the night and were there the night the Force won their first ever game at home. We were there for one of the most amazing ever come back victories. What a way to start a weekend!

If you want to read more check out these other articles at news.com and at rugby heaven.

With the premiership season kicking off this weekend full of an array of new stars, managers and hopes for newly promoted teams, test your player performance prediction scores against fans and friends scattered all over the globe.

Australian Test Captain Stephen Waugh today announced his retirement from
international cricket.

His retirement will take effect immediately following the forthcoming 3 Test
Series against India.

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland paid tribute to
Waugh saying he will go down in history as one of Australia's greatest
cricketers.

"Steve has been an ornament to the game and Australian cricket is certainly
better for the outstanding contribution he has made to it for more than 18
years," said Mr Sutherland.

"I know Australian fans will be grateful for the opportunity to personally
farewell him as he plays around Australia this summer.

"His courage, leadership and ability to perform at a high level under
extreme pressure will ensure that he will be remembered as one of
Australia's greatest cricketers.

"Not only has Steve been a wonderful player for Australia, but the pride in
which he has represented his country is evident every time he has walked
onto the Test or one-day arena.

"One of the cornerstones of cricket in Australia is the spirit in which our
great game is played, and no player has worn the Baggy Green cap with more
pride than Steve," said Mr Sutherland.

Mr Sutherland also highlighted that Steve will leave the international game
at the end of the summer with one of the best Test records in history.


"Steve's playing record speaks for itself.  He has played the most Test
matches (164) by any player, has made a century against every Test playing
nation, and statistically, is Australia's most successful Test Captain with
40 victories from his 53 Tests with a success rate of 75.47 per cent," said
Mr Sutherland.

"In anyone's language, that is an amazing effort."

Mr Sutherland said that Cricket Australia will work in conjunction with
Waugh and his management to ensure that an appropriate farewell is
organised. 

"Whilst we will all be saddened to see Steve leave the playing arena, his
announcement gives us all an opportunity to celebrate what has been an
outstanding career," said Mr Sutherland.

Mr Sutherland said that a replacement Captain will be announced by the
National Selection Panel in due course.

STATISTICAL RECORD TO DATE

Test Career      M       Inn     NO      Runs    H.S.    50      100     Ave
Ct
                 164     253     45      10660   200     48      32
51.25   112

Highest Scores

Bangladesh      156*
England         177*
India           150
New Zealand     151*
Pakistan        157
Sri Lanka       170
South Africa    164
West Indies     200
Zimbabwe        151*

· Highest score: 200 v West Indies, Kingston, 1994-95
· He has played the most Test matches (164) by any player.
· He requires 515 runs to pass Allan Border's Test record of 11,174 runs.
· He requires three centuries to pass Indian Sunil Gavaskar's 34 centuries.
· Steve Waugh is the most successful Test captain of all time with 40
victories from his 53 Tests with a success rate of 75.47 per cent.

There were two significant passings this week.
 
Firstly Warren Zevon died. Warren who, you may ask.  Those officianado's of the music scene will know him as the writer of many songs for those who hung out in the LA music scene and performed some classics such as Warewolves of London, Roland the Headless Thomson Gunner, Lawyers Guns and Money and the brilliant Excitable Boy.
Vale Warren from those who loved your eclectic, challenging and sometimes whimsical lyrics.
 
The other passing was that of a once proud East Perth Footy club who chose the Elimination Final against the hated Falcoons to demonstrate their poor skills and the depth of mediocrity to which they have sunk.

The game started out as predicted with a bit of biffo and Swanny getting reported in the first quarter for trying to teach Rigoll some manners. As is usual, the retailiation caught the umpires attention rather than the chrismas grip applied on poor old swannies nether regions by an unrecognisable Falcon.

The Royals had the breeze and enough of the footy in the first tem to lead 4.1 to 1.5, however the blue and reds were causing problems around the nut and our on ballers (in name only) were getting crunched.

The other crew had the breeze in the second quarter and  only managed nine goals four to our spectacular three points. As Bruce McAvaney would say it was  "Very Specccciiiiaaal", with Rigoll, Bradley, Chambers, and Troy Longmuir killing the pig.
By halftime it was all over and those of us in the John Worsefold room had realised that we would'nt be going to any grand Final piss ups so we laid our ears back and got stuck into the crownies. Cooky, Horgan, Rea and other debris walked in to put the slipper into us losers, while 'Damn' Parin probably cost us victory by coming to his first game in two years. Muzz and Jamie were unimpressed.

The last two quarters saw the Royals gain some respectability but the Falcons had flown the coup. A couple of the Royals decided some more biffo was required in the third quarter and Butch was reported for striking along with Weaters, Barney,Buzz and Bromot for starting the local franchise for WWF. Bullshit really.
Final scores were FFFFFFFFFFalcons 16.22 to Royals 9.8 with Ridler kicking five goals. No one cares about the best for the birds.

Anyway its all over for 2003, I suppose I will have to help in the garden next sunday instead of assuming my normal position at the bar watching the Royals win the Grandy.

As much as I hate both teams I think The falcoons will win the flag and poor old Subibloodyaco will cop it in the date once again.

Until next year.

Stephen Jones

Once again the mighty royals have put themselves into contention for the premiership with a ball burster of a win against the toothless Tigers . The Royals led at every turn with a convincing 11.8, 78 points to 6.9, 45points win in windy, blustery conditions at subiaco oval on sunday.

A Royal victory was sorely needed after the dockers and the eagles both got sent to detention for the rest of the year, many players from both sides will be before their headmasters on Monday for not bothering to turn up.

Anyway enough of the ressies.

The mighty royals showed up to play on sunday with a verve and energy not seen in recent weeks and led the first quarter 4.3 to 1.3, with willo, swanny, cowelly and the other midfielders dominating. Claremont were running as well as the london tube system and should have been much further behind than they were.

The second quarter brought the rain and some pretty poor tactics from the royals, choosing to leave willo one out at full forward with no crumbers, and an inability to take the big grab in the conditions. Half time score had us leading 5.5 to 4.5.

By this time the boys and I were starting to crank up as we had been sitting in the warmth of the John Worsfold room and sinking crownies for nearly two hours. Fortunately the brothers Parin, Muzza and Westy came in to share their wisdom about the game and kept the pressure on with more lager product. Dan apparently was still maggoted from the night before and was still in the farter unable to attend.

One more absenteeism will see him expelled from class.

The next two quarters were all the Royals with the Riddler, Daniel Bromot, wulffy, Wheaters, Zac Beeck and Hancock all playing significant parts in a convincing win.

The Monts had Norrish, Harding, Kowall, and Carroll T playing well but the rest were working on where they were going for the end of year trip and what time they were going to meet at Club Bayview after the handbag sale at Myers.

Bluey McKenna's announced his intention try coaching netball next year as the girls at least have a go.

Oh yeah, I did'nt mention the Royals' Jeremy Humm among the best players even though he helped the Monts score three goals. How he gets a game with the eagles is beyond me. 

PS.. The other final was won by Subibloodyaco 12.8 to 11.6. The Falcoons have now lost their last three games and will meet the mighty fighting Royals next Sunday in the elimination final. They are vulnerable with Johnson out for the season and Fewster and Leach again missing in action this weekend.

Subibloodyaco will have the week of but will be shitting themselves that they will have to come up againgst the Royals in the Grandy.

Keep the faith comrades.

(thanks once again to Steve Jones for the great East Perth report - Go Royals!)

Adelaide

Adelaide published its fixturing requests on afc.com.au and is looking to secure Sunday afternoons as its preferred day for home games, with a consistent starting time - 2:50pm (CST). In 2004, the Crows have asked for not more than one home game on Saturday afternoon. Similar to this season, Adelaide has also asked for a Showdown clash with cross-town rivals Port Adelaide in round 22 to minimise travel. The club has also asked for a share in Friday night football, calling on the league to schedule at least three at AAMI Stadium in 2004, with one during rounds 12 to 16. In terms of travel, Adelaide wants a minimum seven-day break after travelling to Brisbane and Perth (which they hope will be only once next season) and to play three MCG matches.

Brisbane Lions

The Lions’ submission revolves around two main themes. The first is to have the club play at home on alternate weekends, avoiding consecutive matches away, which occurred twice in 2003. Brisbane chief executive Michael Bowers believes the home/away/home scenario, which applies to both teams in Western Australia, helps supporters ‘develop a pattern of behaviour and the spreading of their disposable income’.

The second request is to have home games against larger-drawing teams early in the season to aid sponsorship, marketing and membership. This year, Brisbane played Essendon to open the season and hosted the grand final re-match in round four. “We find at the start of the year, we’re fighting an uphill battle against rugby league and Super 12,” Bowers said. “We really need to hit the ground running.”

The club is keen to host a Friday night match in addition to something similar to this year’s Easter Thursday fixture. Bowers said the club included in its submission a desire to play a majority of its home matches on Saturday night. In 2003, Brisbane played four games on Sunday afternoons, a figure Bowers describes as ‘okay’.

The agreement for Melbourne to play a home game at the Gabba has two more seasons to run. And in line with the merger agreement, the Lions will play six or seven matches in Melbourne each season. On the issue of twilight fixtures, Lions coach Leigh Matthews indicated any away matches played late on Sunday afternoon may affect the normal recovery patterns of his players, especially with a match scheduled the following Saturday.

Carlton

Carlton has requested a late afternoon game on Good Friday. If the request is denied, the Blues second preference would be to host either Adelaide or Port Adelaide at Optus Oval on Easter Saturday. In 2003, Carlton had nine home games set down for Optus Oval and two at the MCG (against Essendon and Collingwood). But in 2004, the club has indicated it is happy to also play Richmond twice, with both matches possibly scheduled for the MCG, leaving eight at Optus Oval.

The club has asked for most of its Optus Oval games to be played on Saturday afternoons to maximise crowds. The club is also understood to be looking at the possibility of a home night match at the MCG against Melbourne on Saturday, August 14, 2004, - the 125th anniversary of the first night game between the teams in 1879.

Collingwood

The Magpies are looking for two matches in Sydney next season, including a home game at Telstra Stadium. It’s understood the AFL and Collingwood are seeking a suitable financial arrangement with the NSW government and the venue. But indications are that that scenario seems unlikely. It is expected that Sydney will host Collingwood at Telstra Stadium as a stand-alone fixture during a split-round.

Further on interstate travel, the Magpies will ask for only four matches outside Melbourne in 2004, the same as this year. The club proposes it be broken up thus: Sydney (two), Brisbane (one), with the last trip to either Adelaide or Perth. Collingwood did not travel to Perth this season. After visits to Adelaide (twice) and Brisbane (for the grand final re-match in round four) before the mid-year break, the club has only one more match outside Melbourne, this week’s round 21 clash with Sydney at Telstra Stadium, a Swans home game.

Essendon

Under existing agreements, the Bombers play seven home matches at the Telstra Dome and four at the MCG, and that arrangement will continue next year. Two of those MCG games will be against Collingwood and Carlton, whom the Bombers always play twice each season. In its submission for 2003, Essendon wanted to reduce the number of consecutive matches at Telstra Dome, and it’s understood that principle remains for 2004. It’s expected that Essendon will feature in one of three Telstra Stadium games against Sydney in 2004. The club declined make public any of their fixture requests for next season.

Fremantle

Dockers chief executive Cameron Schwab says the club is happy to be drawn to play in Canberra, Launceston, Cairns and/or Darwin in 2004, ‘contingent on a direct flight’. Schwab believes those matches in non-traditional AFL cities represent an opportunity to establish niche markets if Fremantle is featured regularly.

In terms of home games at Subiaco Oval, the Dockers submission has indicated a preference for Sunday afternoons. The two occasions matches from Perth have appeared on free-to-air television on the eastern seaboard have both involved the Dockers – last season’s split-round clash with Collingwood and this year’s round six match with Essendon. Schwab also believes Fremantle should be entitled to a Friday night game.

“We think we can justify a Friday night game. I think we’re popular to watch. I don’t think it’s like anyone doesn’t enjoy watching Fremantle, I think we’re actually a good club to watch,” Schwab said. “So from that point of view we would like to think that as we build as a football team that they’ll be more and more interest.”

Fremantle’s last Friday night home game was on July 24, 1998, when the club beat Adelaide by a point in front of 18,757 fans. Its most recent Friday clash came in 2000 against the Bombers at Colonial Stadium (now Telstra Dome).

After coach Chris Connolly suggested the two West Australian teams play more than twice each season, Schwab revealed the club has formally asked for three western derbies in 2004, in addition to a clash during the pre-season competition. The Dockers, like West Coast, would prefer not to play Sunday twilight fixtures. Schwab also wants to ensure that the Eagles and Dockers play at different times each weekend. In 2003, the teams were drawn to play at the same time against different opponents on three occasions – rounds four, 11 and 13.

Geelong

The club published its requests on its official website gfc.com.au and included a preference for more Saturday afternoon matches at Skilled Stadium in 2004. Geelong wants five of its eight matches at Skilled Stadium to be played on Saturday afternoons (against Victorian clubs), with three on Sunday (against non-Victorian teams) starting at 1pm for national broadcast.

Speaking earlier in the season, president Frank Costa also restated the club’s commitment to Telstra Dome. “We’re committed to continuing to play up to three home games at Telstra Dome, ensuring that our many supporters from outside Geelong can witness their team in action throughout the season here in Melbourne,” Costa said.

Geelong hopes those matches at Telstra Dome will be against Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon or Richmond. But Costa stressed that Skilled Stadium will continue to be Geelong’s base. Having travelled to the Gabba for the last six seasons, the Cats have indicated they do not wish to play in Brisbane in 2004 and would prefer only four interstate trips next season. “We have averaged close to five interstate games a year in recent seasons. We believe it is our turn to treat our supporters to 18 games in Geelong and Melbourne,” Costa said.

In 2003, the Cats travelled to Perth twice, take on Sydney at the SCG and play a match in Canberra in addition to their round 21 encounter with the Lions. Geelong has put forward the idea that other clubs could stage ‘home’ matches at Skilled Stadium. In light of the Skilled Stadium redevelopment, round five will be the earliest opportunity for Geelong to host a game at the venue.

Hawthorn

As in previous years, the club will ask for all its 2004 home games in Melbourne to be played at the MCG. Hawthorn wants to play those home games on Saturday afternoon and Friday nights. This season, the fixture included a Friday night Telstra Dome home game against the Kangaroos round six.

In 2004, the club will continue to play two games at Launceston’s York Park. The Hawks have nominated Sunday afternoons as the best travelling day, both in terms of those flying down for the game and football fans within Tasmania. The other benefit of Sunday afternoon’s 1pm start is free-to-air television coverage for the club’s supporters back in Melbourne.

Kangaroos

The main feature of the Kangaroos fixture for next year will be the three matches at Canberra’s picturesque Manuka Oval. The agreement, signed on Monday July 14, will see the club play three home and away matches and one pre-season fixture in Canberra until 2006. As part of the new agreement, the AFL will schedule a mix of games against Victorian and non-Victorian teams at Manuka, including the Sydney Swans. For the Sydney fixture this season, the venue was almost at capacity with 13,832 fans attending.

Kangaroos football operations manager Geoff Walsh also indicated that all three of the club’s Canberra matches are contractually obligated to be shown on free-to-air television. In 2003, the Kangaroos played three home games at the MCG, three in Canberra and five at Telstra Dome.

Melbourne

There are two years remaining on Melbourne’s agreement to host the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba. Also, it is expected that the league will continue with Anzac Day evening clash with Sydney at the SCG. The club declined to comment on its fixture requests for 2004.

Port Adelaide

Port Adelaide declared on the club’s official website portadelaidefc.com.au that it was keen to play two away matches in Darwin next season.

“We’re saying we’re happy to be there. Now we’ll wait for the AFL to find a team or two to play us in Darwin,” Power chief executive Brian Cunningham told The Adelaide Advertiser. “The AFL says it is keen to promote football in Darwin. The AFL says clubs should prepare to travel more,” he added.

The club is also keen to play a pre-season fixture in Darwin and wants to take on the Aboriginal all-stars on a regular basis. The Power wants fewer Saturday afternoon matches, preferring to play on Friday or Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons. In 2003, the club played two games on Saturday afternoon compared to three last season. The Power have requested up to four games on a Friday night in 2004.

Richmond

Richmond has asked the league to schedule the majority of its matches on Friday nights and Saturdays in 2004. Tigers director of football Greg Miller indicated that Sunday was the club’s ‘least preferred day’ to play football. Of the club’s 11 home matches in 2003, seven were at the MCG, with four at Telstra Dome.

Part of Richmond’s agreement with Telstra Dome is that those four matches must include games against Victorian teams. “We’re not to play just four interstate teams at Telstra Dome. They’ve got to be some reasonably good games. That’s part of the agreement,” Miller said. Miller also confirmed that the club is happy to play Carlton in a twilight game on Good Friday next year. If that should fall-through, the Tigers are seeking to continue with the Easter Monday match with St. Kilda.

Another tradition Richmond is seeking to preserve with is the season-opener with Collingwood. The club is also in discussions Essendon regarding a match on the Mother’s Day weekend to be played on Saturday afternoon. “We think we can do something special on Mother’s Day with Essendon but we prefer to do it on the Saturday when our mothers can come along and relax and then have their family day on the Sunday,” Miller said.

Miller acknowledges the difficulty of playing matches on Mother’s Day, recalling his time at the Kangaroos when only 12,400 fans turned up to see them play the Dockers.
Richmond’s five interstate trips in 2003 included two visits to both Perth and Adelaide. Miller thinks four games outside Victoria would be ideal in 2004, noting that Richmond has played Fremantle at Subiaco Oval every year since 1999.

St Kilda

More than 40,000 fans turned up to the club’s Easter Monday clash with Richmond this season. Not surprisingly, St Kilda has again requested to be scheduled to play on Easter Monday in 2004. Chief executive Brian Waldron believes it to be a ‘well put together exercise’. Waldron indicated St Kilda was keen to play all its Victorian home games at Telstra Dome in 2004. In 2003, the Saints were asked, and agreed, to play a home game at the MCG. That was against Hawthorn in round 10.

“We assisted the AFL this year by playing the game at the MCG, and from a novelty point of view, it didn’t hurt. But I think our preference would be to maintain our games at Telstra Dome if possible,” Waldron said. Like many other teams, St Kilda also believes it deserves to get a bigger share of Friday night matches, having played only four in the last three years. “We think it’s fair that we get the option to play some prime-time games on a Friday night if possible,” Waldron said.

St Kilda has four more years to run on its agreement to play two home-and-away matches each season at York Park. It has asked that both those games are broadcast into Melbourne on free-to-air television. This week’s round 21 York Park clash with the Western Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon will be shown free-to-air into Melbourne. But the club’s first game at York Park in round 12 was played on Saturday afternoon and shown on pay-television.

“We think it’s important that we get them free-to-air for our supporters back to Melbourne,” said Waldron. On the Port Adelaide game, Waldron said: “That was just something also that we were comfortable with in this instance supporting the AFL on. They had some difficulty with their fixturing.”

The club is also hoping for a home game against Collingwood in 2004, having hosted them on only two occasions in the last six years. Between rounds four and seven this year, the club played four consecutive matches at Telstra Dome, something Waldron would rather have broken up.

“There’s no actual evidence that says that says why we wouldn’t continue to play games at Telstra Dome. But I think there is a wear-and-tear factor there that has been well discussed in the past that would probably favour us not playing that number of games in succession if possible.”

Sydney’

A club spokesperson declined to comment on Sydney’s 2004 fixture priorities, declaring there was a ‘delicate nature to some of the negotiations’. But it is expected that Sydney will continue to host Melbourne on Anzac Day evening, play the Western Bulldogs ‘away’ at the SCG, and have three special occasion matches at Telstra Stadium. The Swans will predominantly play home games on Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons.

On Wednesday this week, AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou effectively quashed rumours that the Swans would only play three games in Melbourne in 2004. “Impossible. We’re doing the fixtures at the moment, and Sydney’s got a great following here (in Melbourne).

West Coast

Given the success of its round 17 fixture against Hawthorn at Subiaco Oval, West Coast wants more Friday night games next season. In what was the first Friday night fixture in Perth under the current broadcasting agreement, 40,127 fans turned up to see the Eagles beat Hawthorn under lights. It is a statistic chief executive Trevor Nisbett hopes can convince the league to schedule more Friday games at Subiaco Oval in 2004. “As our team gets better, hopefully we’ll get scheduled for a couple of Friday night games next year,” Nisbett said.

He also said the club wasn’t in favour of Sunday night twilight games, citing player routine as the main reason. “The biggest issue for us is the travel and the routine we have to try and get into from week to week. It is a really difficult process, and hopefully they’ll take that into consideration when they consider the WA teams.”

“We haven’t done enough research to see what our members will do, but I would think from a player-welfare point of view it’s certainly something the WA teams could do without. And particularly we don’t want night games away from Perth. Look, we’d be shattered if we got an evening game in Melbourne on a Sunday night, for example.”

Nisbett indicated that if the Eagles were scheduled to play a Sunday twilight match, he would prefer that the club had some say on when it would take place. “Our position is if we get fixtured to have one, we’d want it on our terms if possible and that would mean, people had a holiday the next day. They need an opportunity to watch the footy then go home and relax and they know they don’t have work the next day.”

Having made trips to Launceston and Canberra in recent seasons, the Eagles will also be looking for more away games in Melbourne next season. “To get two or three more games in Melbourne next year would be a bonus for us because it also gives our Melbourne-based members a great opportunity to see our players more than they have done this year,” Nisbett told Fox Footy.

“It (the travel) is something we’re concerned about. Because we travel the most in the competition along with Fremantle, we believe that there is some evening-up that needs to be done.” Nisbett also said the club had offered rival clubs the opportunity to play a home game in Perth.

Western Bulldogs

There were 14 Sunday games fixtured for the Western Bulldogs in 2003 - far too many according chief executive Campbell Rose. Rose said the club has requested fewer Sunday games in 2004, believing that timeslot has hurt the club’s ability to attract corporate support. “What we’re concerned about is that we get less games on Sunday afternoons. They have been a real pain for us. They’ve been very bad in terms for our corporate hospitality,” Rose said.

The club’s preference is to play on Saturdays and have a greater share of Friday night matches. The Bulldogs had only one Friday home fixture this season, the round 18 clash with the Demons. The Bulldogs are also looking to extend for another three years an agreement to play a home game at the SCG against the Sydney Swans.

Rose indicated the club would definitely like to play in Darwin next season and is currently investigating Cairns as another venue. The AFL is understood to be keen for the Northern Territory government to contribute financially to pre-season and premiership matches played in Darwin.

After a disastrous crowd on Mother’s Day against Fremantle – the game drew only 12,542 – the Bulldogs have asked not to be drawn to play on Mother’s Day in 2004 against a non-Victorian side. But Rose added: “Look, we’d play against Collingwood. It’d be a different kettle of fish.” Bulldogs coach Peter Rohde also expressed a desire to have more matches scheduled for at the MCG.

Taken from a South African Newspaper

Something is very, very wrong. They're not snarling, or declaring their superiority, or launch tirades of abuse at opponents. No, the Australian cricket team are being nice — and it's extremely worrying.

Just a day after an Australian tribunal in Australia (made up entirely of Australians) had given Lote Tuqiri the thumbs up to keep playing - that after admitting to punching poor little Robbie Kempson at Newlands, and receiving his third yellow card of the year as a result - the cricketers are sitting in Darwin, doing their level best to convince everyone that the Bangladeshi cannon fodder that awaits them in tomorrow's first Test represents credible opposition. You can smell the blood in the air.

While his team-mates prepared for the game at a nearby nursery school, where vice-captain Ricky Ponting led them through an hour-long session of taking jelly babies off the kids, Steve Waugh tried to keep a straight face at the press conference going on across town. "These guys are capable cricketers," Waugh claimed, fingers crossed behind his back. "It's not going to be a walkover, we're going to have to play good cricket." And while the Bangladeshi contingent beamed happily, blissfully unaware of the cover-up taking place, Waugh tried to work out how he could justify opening the batting, and how many times six went into 100 to work out how long it would take him to get 100.

It's not just that Bangladesh have lost 18 out of their last 19 Test matches (with the 19th a rain-fuelled escape from defeat against Zimbabwe). Nor is it the fact that even Canada's collection of unemployed West Indians gave them a hiding in the World Cup. No, the central aspect is that the Australian is a ruthless, nasty creature that will take great pleasure in tearing into the poor Bangladeshis, and leaving them a broken mess.

The Boks, still smarting from the 4 wicket defeat at the hands of their opponents in the final, will be looking to take their first tri-series trophy since appointing the young 22 year old left handed batsmen Graeme Smith (Pictured) as captain. Whilst a controversial desicion at the time, Smith seems to have started to settle into the new role, and has already made one or two gutsy descisions on and off the field which indicates he seems keen to fill the void left by Hansie Conje's tragic fall from grace 3 years ago.

With Jacques Kallis in determined mood (pictured below) and on great form with the bat, and Andrew Flintoff showing why he has been touted as Englands best all-rounder since Beefy Bothams days, this looks to be a great days cricket, which will be watched live by the Clintoncherry.com sports team at the fantastic Lords ground.

 

Watch this space next week for the update from the Boss - CC himself, who no doubt will be supporting the Poms, whilst i don the technicoloured dreamflag of the Saffa's. Go on Boys!!

Ade's prediction - SA to win by between 30-50 runs.

submit your score predictons - closest prediction wins a 6 pack of Stella.

By Adrian Smith.

Acclaim Entertainment (NASDAQ: AKLM) has launched the sequel to AFL Live 2003 with AFL Live 2004 due to hit the shelves in August 2003. AFL Live 2004 will have vastly more gameplay, many new features and some surprises, which will keep gameplayers glued for hours on end.

The new AFL Live 2004 game is for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, PlayStation 2 video game system from Sony Computer Entertainment as well as a PC-CD Rom version..

Features:

14 new animations including new kicks (torpedo, snap), handballs, tackles, marks, bumps as well as a few surprises.

New commentary panel including Denis Commeti, Gerard Healy and Christi Malthouse as Boundary Rider

Wizard Cup preseason competition including all the new rules including the nine point goal and three point rushed behind

New and updated AI to make the game even more realistic and challenging to play

4 New mini games including Handball challenge, Superkick, Around the World and Elimination

New Instant Replay feature

New mission based games as you try and take this years team to match a classical historical match for your club

All the awards including Brownlow, Coleman, Norm Smith medals as well as all the club Best and Fairest awards

Updated statistical information to include season marks, kicks, handballs etc.

New training elements and three new grounds including a suburban ground for training


Highlights

Training Mode - Interactive tutorial introducing the player to the basics of the game and teaching how to perform each manoeuvre. You will also be able to practice your "speccies" in the classic Kick to Kick

Additional Moves - More than fourteen new moves the AFL player can perform, including Torpedo Punts, 1-2 Handballs, Snap Kick at goal and more evasion tactics, bumps, tackles etc.

Player Awards - Player awards will add more realism and give the player more objectives to complete. Awards include Rising Star, Club Best and Fairest, Brownlow Medallist, Coleman Medallist, Norm Smith Medallist.

Full Statistics Rap - You will be able to track how your player fares by judging his performances on kicks, marks, handballs on our complete statistical overview of each rounds performance culminating in the yearly result

Player Missions - This option will give the player the chance to experience a specific game scenario. For example it is the 15-minute mark of the last quarter, you are 4 goals down, 4 star players are on the bench injured - can you get your team home! You will also be challenged to emulate or achieve something your own team did in our classic missions. Can you take the current Essendon team and get them to repeat their record comeback against the Kangaroos - we set the scenario. Or can you win the 1989 Grand Final as the current Geelong team, when the 1989 outfit just failed to make it. Each Club has one classic mission.

Mini Games - We have included a number of different mini-games. These include the classic Handball Challenge, Superkick, Elimination (1-4 player) and Around the World.

Pre Season Wizard Cup - A mini knockout competition is played before the full season begins including all the new rules. See what it is like to bang home a super goal (9 points) from outside 50.

Improved Commentary - Add more commentary to increase realism and the overall look and feel of the game. New Commentators include Denis Commeti, Gerard Healy and Christi Malthouse

Instant Replays - Cool replay effect for when the player performs a spectacular mark or goal, including "Matrix" style replays.

New Player Faces - AFL players will feature animated photo realistic faces if the relevant source material is made readily available. This will be essential for the national anthem and replays.

Player Tribunal - AFL Players can receive match bans if the gamer has set players to high aggression levels or is constantly making late challenges.

Lets get it on again!

The ACB today announced that the National Selection Panel had selected the 25 players to be contracted by the Board for the next 12 months.

The players are:

*MICHAEL BEVAN NSW, age 32         *ANDY BICHEL QLD, age 32

*NATHAN BRACKEN NSW, age 25     *MICHAEL CLARKE NSW, age 22

*ADAM GILCHRIST WA, age 31          *JASON GILLESPIE SA, age 28

*IAN HARVEY VIC age 31                       *NATHAN HAURITZ QLD age 21

*MATTHEW HAYDEN QLD, age 31     *BRAD HOGG WA, age 32

*JUSTIN LANGER WA, age 32              *BRETT LEE NSW, age 26

*DARREN LEHMANN SA, age 33         *MARTIN LOVE QLD, age 29

*STUART MacGILL NSW, age 32         *GLENN McGRATH NSW, age 33

*JIMMY MAHER QLD, age 29              *DAMIEN MARTYN WA, age 31

*ASHLEY NOFFKE QLD, age 25            *RICKY PONTING TAS, age 28

*ANDREW SYMONDS QLD, age 27     *SHANE WARNE VIC, age 33

*SHANE WATSON TAS, age 21           *STEPHEN WAUGH NSW, age 37

*BRAD WILLIAMS WA, age 28

New South Wales Blues batsman Michael Clarke has been offered his first ACB contract.

Queensland Bulls paceman Ashley Noffke will accept his second contract, after being on the list in 2001-02 and Western Warriors spinner Brad Hogg gets his first full-year contract, after being upgraded to contracted status during the 2002-03 season.

Retired Australian batsman Mark Waugh, his New South Wales teammate Stuart Clark and Western Australian batsman Michael Hussey have not been offered new contracts.

The contracted players are paid a base retainer, which is levelled according to a player ranking system decided by the National Selection Panel. Each player also receives match fees, tour fees and prize money for on-field success.

Under a formula agreed with the Australian Cricketers’ Association as part of the 2001 – 2005 Memorandum of Understanding, the minimum retainer in 2003-04 is $125,000, up $15,000 from last year.

Match fees for 2003-04 have been increased by 10 per cent, and players will receive $12,100 for each Test and $4850 for each one-day international.

Following the crushing defeat of Pakistan, the International Cricket Council has imposed a new set of rules for the up coming Ashes series to make the contest more even.

1.As a result, England has been granted an automatic wickie, freeing up wicket keeper Alex Stewart to defend the boundary. Under the rule, Australian batsmen will be deemed out "caught behind" if the ball nicks their bat and lands in the immediate area behind the wicket. The rule is a compromise from the original English proposal which had pushed for automatic slips as well. The ICC refused that request on the grounds that "someone has to go and get the ball when an Australian misses it."

2. In addition, Australia is under strict "tip and run" restrictions which require they take a run off every ball they hit. Steve Waugh was happy to accept this, as it meant no change to his current game plan. As a compromise, it was agreed that the Australians will also have to shout out the word "wickets" when completing a run to make run out decisions by umpires easier.

3. Following his outstanding performances, Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has "six and out" restrictions imposed on him. As well, following complaints from English fielders, Gilchrist will have to get the ball if it goes across the road.

4. Instead of using a bat, Matt Hayden will now be obliged to use his arm with his jumper wrapped around it.

5. New rules for England include "one hand, one bounce" while they are fielding, and the provision of "last man carries" when they are batting.

6. The English tried to extend the "can't get out first ball" provision to "can't get out first ten overs", but the ICC proclaimed that the extra runs gained would hardly be worth the effort. Australian captain Steve Waugh has vigorously opposed the "last man carries" rule and has launched an appeal. Waugh says Australia will only agree to the rule if there are electric wickets at the end, allowing Aussie fielders to throw to the stumps at either end.

7. A spokesperson for the ICC also announced that following six successive ducks "from now on Craig White can't get out for a duck".

8. English pace bowler Andy Caddick will also be allowed to wrap the ball's seam with electrical tape when he's bowling in the second innings.

9. The spokesperson added there will be "no LB" for English batsmen unless "it is really, really obvious."

10. Shane Warne has conceded that its "fair enough" that he has to bowl underarm (but not molly grubbers) to the English tail end.

11. If England decides that Steven Harmison is to be given an over, the umpire will deem the Australian batsmen as dismissed if Harmison lands the ball anywhere on the pitch. Captain Steve Waugh has no problems with this change, as the probability of such a dismissal occurring is infinitesimally small.

The Eagles continued their charge towards a finals berth with a fighting 27 point win over Essendon, extending the Eagles home ground record to 8 wins straight. The game was highlighted by a return to full match fitness of ruckman, Michael Gardiner who picked up 10 marks & had 18 possessions. Up forward, Mad Dog Troy Wilson also made a return, & booted 2 goals in blustery conditions.
The only injury concern for the derby next week is Peter Matera, who will miss up to 4 weeks with a badly rolled ankle. On the upside, Michael Prior was best on ground for East Perth, as was perenial defensive back-up Trent Carroll. David Sierakowski also booted 3 goals for Subiaco and may be ine line for a recall this week. Young gun, Travis Gaspar is still 3-4 weeks away from a return.
Pictured is Victorian recruit, Chris Judd who continues to impress across the midfield & half forward for the Eagles. Although St Kilda youngster Nick Riewoldt is strongly tipped to win the Norwich Rising Star, some pundits are now leaning towards Judd who has shown maturity beyond his years.

 
A strong 1st half performance which culminated in a 5 goal lead at half time for Freo, was wasted by an inept 2nd half fade out, which saw the Roos over-run the Dockers to win by a solitary point. Chris Connolly said later that his midfield was a constant worry for the fledgling club, & strong recruiting in the off-season would again be looked at. The talk around the Port is that CEO, Cameron Schwab is making an all-out effort to gain services of Brisbane Lion, Des Hedland. Also seen around Freo Oval recently was Kangaroos player & ex-Docker Winston Abraham who has fell out with the Roos & returned home to WA. It is believed that the Dockers will not chase Hawk, Daniel Chick, who appears headed for cross-town rivals, West Coast. There is no update to the rumour that the Freo board is believed to like the idea of attaining Wayne Carey to Freo, the front runners, are belived to be Hawthorn & Adelaide for his services.
Young recruit, Luke McPharlin played his best game for the club on the weekend, reeling in 10 marks along with 20 possesions from Centre Half Back, with Jones lost for the year & Brown & Fewster in terrible form, a dearth lack of height in the backline has been boosted by the Ex-Hawks form.
The derby awaits Freo fans this Saturday night, though with injuries to key back men, Polak & Jones & worries over the fitness to Hasleby and full forward trent Croad, Freo fans may have to wait for 2003 to pull off another Derby victory. In line for a recall this week to the team are, hopefully, Trent Craod, Andrew Shipp, Ben Cunningham & possibly Andrew Siegert.

In injury news, 17 year old Andrew Browne sustained a leg injury playing for Claremont, though this was off-set by the return of full back, Robert Haddrill, playing Perth in a best on ground performance. Haddrill has missed all season due to the dreaded oestitis pubis injurt plagueing teams.

PREDICTIONS
Well the only prediction I got right last week was for either Port or Sydney to win under 15.5 points, & my big wager on Essendon to win was a shocker placing the kitty at a miserable -$90…never fear this week I’ll be back;
1.) British Open this week & I can never go past Tiger Woods…this time paying just $3 to win, but still at backable odds
2.) Whilst on the Open I also like Retief Goosen at $21 for a win or $5 to finish in Top 3
3.) Novelty bets are always fun, so why not take Freo to kick first goal in the derby at $3.50
4.) Essendon should bounce back this week against Geelong and again paying $1.70, I like these odds
Let’s not beat around the bush, we need the kitty up & running again….$150 again on Essendon to beat Geelong $1.70 and we’ll take another $5 on Goosen to win Open

A Torrid day at Skilled Stadium for the Eagles with a bucket load of hard games in the future…only scoring 2 behinds for the second half. The Eagles face a rejuvanted Essendon this week at The House of Pain, & will face a packed crowd at Subi in what will be the BLOCKBUSTER game of Round 15.
After playing so well against the Crows, youngster Quneton Lynch couldn’t get near the ball & may see him line up on the bench v’s the Dons as the Eagles rush back Mad Dog Troy Wilson. Gardiner should return for the club & Wirrpunda should be alright after receiving a heavy knock to the head in the last quarter.
The Eagles now face Essendon, Fremantle & Collingwood at home, but know that these games represent the epitome of there season, with all games expecting capacity crowds. In the meantime, club stalwart, Ashley McIntosh is happy with his form & is considering pulling on the boots again in 2003. Wrecked by injury in 2001. Macca has played almost all games this year, however is still not near his 1997 All-Australian form at FullBack.
 
A pitiful performance for Dale Kickett’s final game at the hands of Premiership favourites, Port Adelaide, the Dockers never looked like winning besides a 13 mark performance from Recruit of the Year Troy Simmonds. Kickket kicked the first goal for Freo, but struggled towards the end of the game, & it appeared that he has retired at the right time.
Matthew Pavlich was murdered by the Ports Warren Tredrea in what was built as the Carey v Jakovich match up for the next decade, however Pavlich was no match for the far superior bulked Tredrea, & again showed the public that the $1 million tag on Pavlich is highly exaggerated.
The Dockers meet the Roos on Saturday in Canberra, and Connolly did forecast some changes in the wake of the recent performances, again Fewster struggled in his return in what should be his last year at the club.
On the injury front, Trent Croad concussion appears a good one & he is likely to miss the game in Canberra, as is Paul Hasleby who struggled with back pain & a strained quad muscle. Likely inclusions this week are young rover Andrew Browne from Claremont, Troy Longmuir, Graham Polak & maybe recently elevated rookie list player, Rodger Hayden.

Tipping for round 13:
Well, I had a shocker last week with my 2 bets, bringing the kitty down to just +$60, but 2 of my bets came thru trumps, if you took any notice….got a spare tenner around?….place on these bewties for this week;
1.) I like Essendon this week v’s Eagles at Subi Oval….only paying $1.70 but get on board…with Hird, Lloyd back, the Bombers will mount a serious onslaught for Premiership honours in 2002
2.) Sav Rocca heads to Canberra this week, as the Roos take on a confidence starved Freo Dockers, expect a big Roos victory & a swag of goals for Rocca up forward…he is paying $20 to be leading goalscorer this week
3.) In the Sydney v Port Adelaide game at the Scg this week I like Port Adelaide, as most would but like the odds being handed out for either team to win under 15.5 points, being $5
4.) Last but not least, still talking Brownlow odds, get on board Stuart Dew, kicked another bag against Freo on weekend, & is still at $66 to win, an outsider but a good one at that
So my $$$’s this week are Essendon to defeat the Eagles at $1.70….& I’m pretty confident, so I’ll place a big fat $150 on them achieving their target

A Torrid day at Skilled Stadium for the Eagles with a bucket load of hard games in the future…only scoring 2 behinds for the second half. The Eagles face a rejuvanted Essendon this week at The House of Pain, & will face a packed crowd at Subi in what will be the BLOCKBUSTER game of Round 15.
After playing so well against the Crows, youngster Quneton Lynch couldn’t get near the ball & may see him line up on the bench v’s the Dons as the Eagles rush back Mad Dog Troy Wilson. Gardiner should return for the club & Wirrpunda should be alright after receiving a heavy knock to the head in the last quarter.
The Eagles now face Essendon, Fremantle & Collingwood at home, but know that these games represent the epitome of there season, with all games expecting capacity crowds. In the meantime, club stalwart, Ashley McIntosh is happy with his form & is considering pulling on the boots again in 2003. Wrecked by injury in 2001. Macca has played almost all games this year, however is still not near his 1997 All-Australian form at FullBack.
 
A pitiful performance for Dale Kickett’s final game at the hands of Premiership favourites, Port Adelaide, the Dockers never looked like winning besides a 13 mark performance from Recruit of the Year Troy Simmonds. Kickket kicked the first goal for Freo, but struggled towards the end of the game, & it appeared that he has retired at the right time.
Matthew Pavlich was murdered by the Ports Warren Tredrea in what was built as the Carey v Jakovich match up for the next decade, however Pavlich was no match for the far superior bulked Tredrea, & again showed the public that the $1 million tag on Pavlich is highly exaggerated.
The Dockers meet the Roos on Saturday in Canberra, and Connolly did forecast some changes in the wake of the recent performances, again Fewster struggled in his return in what should be his last year at the club.
On the injury front, Trent Croad concussion appears a good one & he is likely to miss the game in Canberra, as is Paul Hasleby who struggled with back pain & a strained quad muscle. Likely inclusions this week are young rover Andrew Browne from Claremont, Troy Longmuir, Graham Polak & maybe recently elevated rookie list player, Rodger Hayden.

Tipping for round 13:
Well, I had a shocker last week with my 2 bets, bringing the kitty down to just +$60, but 2 of my bets came thru trumps, if you took any notice….got a spare tenner around?….place on these bewties for this week;
1.) I like Essendon this week v’s Eagles at Subi Oval….only paying $1.70 but get on board…with Hird, Lloyd back, the Bombers will mount a serious onslaught for Premiership honours in 2002
2.) Sav Rocca heads to Canberra this week, as the Roos take on a confidence starved Freo Dockers, expect a big Roos victory & a swag of goals for Rocca up forward…he is paying $20 to be leading goalscorer this week
3.) In the Sydney v Port Adelaide game at the Scg this week I like Port Adelaide, as most would but like the odds being handed out for either team to win under 15.5 points, being $5
4.) Last but not least, still talking Brownlow odds, get on board Stuart Dew, kicked another bag against Freo on weekend, & is still at $66 to win, an outsider but a good one at that
So my $$$’s this week are Essendon to defeat the Eagles at $1.70….& I’m pretty confident, so I’ll place a big fat $150 on them achieving their target

In an unbelieveable day at Wimbledon some of the biggest names and seeds fell to some of the most unknown and crappy players in the world. Sampras, Agassi and Safin all bowed out to little men from unknown tennis countries such as Thailand and Belgium. Even local Mullaloo boy Greg Ryan believes on days like today he could match it with the best, considering leaving a full time bus driving career for the joys of the tennis circuit. But I won't bother boring you with Greg and his bus driving stories, instead I thought I would just copy and paste an article from the Wimbledon site which goes into even more boring detail about the game.

In terms of raw sport, it was a brutal day for both players (Agassi and Sampras) and it left them shell-shocked. Both are colossal favourites at Wimbledon, with their contrasting playing styles but undeniable thirst for victory. This was their territory - and no longer did they command it.

"This is definitely a low point," said Sampras. "I'm pretty down on what happened here."

Agassi echoed these sentiments. "I am a little stunned," he said. "I never found my rhythm out there."

Sampras, in the unfamiliar surroundings of No. 2 Court, produced the biggest shock when he was beaten over five sets by the lucky loser from Switzerland, George Bastl, who gained a place in the draw because another player withdrew. Bastl won 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-4 against the sixth-seeded Sampras.

Little more than two hours later, Agassi, the third seed, followed Sampras out of The Championships after being beaten in straight sets on the Centre Court by Thailand's leading player Paradorn Srichaphan.

Srichaphan, in his fourth Wimbledon, took the attack to Agassi and never let up as he came through to victory 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) 6-2. Agassi appeared numbed by the result but did not linger as long on court as Sampras who waited for some time after Bastl had left to prolonged applause.

Sampras came into his 14th Wimbledon on the back on some uneven form, which highlighted the fact that his last victory at the All England Club was two years ago and this year, maybe, was his last significant chance of turning the tide. But the statistics of Sampras's year showed a player in decline and looking at every opportunity for something to restore his confidence and bring a string of victories again.

Agassi had not lost in or before the second round since 1998. He holds seven  Grand Slam titles, the first of them gained at Wimbledon, and he was in the Wimbledon final in 1999, losing to Sampras, and in the semi-final for the following two years, losing to Pat Rafter each time.

Srichaphan, who turned 23 this month, had been beaten in the first round in the past two Championships and to defeat Agassi in such a setting and under such pressure added up to today being the most significant of his career.

The departure of class players did not end with the defeats of Sampras and Agassi. Marat Safin, the second seed from Russia, was beaten in four sets by the Belgian Olivier Rochus who won 6-2, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-1).

PLUGGA WATCH
Plugga had another big week against Geelong, kicking another goal to go with his 2 others. 3 games – 3 Goals, although it was a nice one handed mark. Coach, Eade has ordered Plugga go feast at Sizzler’s during the week’s break, as his lack of size has obviously hindered his performance in his 3 games this year.

PLUGGA’S BEST BETS FOR ROUND 12/WEEK 2
A highly successful week for Plugga’s Best Bets, last week with Mexico & Italy drawing there game, paying out $4.20 to those of you who invested, & Plugga coming up trumps with Tiger Woods @ $3.50 to win the Us Open. Hopefully this week will be as successful;
1.) I’m thinking there will be 2 upsets on the weekend AFL games with Roos over the Lions who will be minus Nigel Lappin & Michael Voss, & the Saints will bounce back v’s the Dogs, who are due for a loss. Back a “Win 4” of St.Kilda, Adel, Roos & Port at a massive $27
2.) Wimbeldon starts this week, & I like Jennifer Capriati to bounce back & collect another major. She is 3rd favourite behind the Williams sisters, & at $5.75 is a good price.
3.) Leading goalkicker last week was shared by 4 players who kicked just a paltry 4 goals, including Freo’s Paul Medhurst who payed out at $41!! This week, I’d be looking Stewart Loewe to show up the Dogs lack of height in the background, & at $31 is a good bet
4.) The World Cup is always good odds & like the bet of Germany, Spain & Senegal all winning within 90 miniutes at the nice odds of $6.75
So my bets for this week are $10 on Loewe & a big $20 on my World Cup bet……..Kitty so far;  +$50

PLUGGA WATCH
Plugga had another big week against Geelong, kicking another goal to go with his 2 others. 3 games – 3 Goals, although it was a nice one handed mark. Coach, Eade has ordered Plugga go feast at Sizzler’s during the week’s break, as his lack of size has obviously hindered his performance in his 3 games this year.

PLUGGA’S BEST BETS FOR ROUND 12/WEEK 2
A highly successful week for Plugga’s Best Bets, last week with Mexico & Italy drawing there game, paying out $4.20 to those of you who invested, & Plugga coming up trumps with Tiger Woods @ $3.50 to win the Us Open. Hopefully this week will be as successful;
1.) I’m thinking there will be 2 upsets on the weekend AFL games with Roos over the Lions who will be minus Nigel Lappin & Michael Voss, & the Saints will bounce back v’s the Dogs, who are due for a loss. Back a “Win 4” of St.Kilda, Adel, Roos & Port at a massive $27
2.) Wimbeldon starts this week, & I like Jennifer Capriati to bounce back & collect another major. She is 3rd favourite behind the Williams sisters, & at $5.75 is a good price.
3.) Leading goalkicker last week was shared by 4 players who kicked just a paltry 4 goals, including Freo’s Paul Medhurst who payed out at $41!! This week, I’d be looking Stewart Loewe to show up the Dogs lack of height in the background, & at $31 is a good bet
4.) The World Cup is always good odds & like the bet of Germany, Spain & Senegal all winning within 90 miniutes at the nice odds of $6.75
So my bets for this week are $10 on Loewe & a big $20 on my World Cup bet……..Kitty so far;  +$50

With the highly disappointing Greg Ryan failing to make an impression any more on this site I have opted to post Plugga "Jamie Birkin"'s tips up on the site for your weekly enjoyment.So here's this weeks word from the man:

Tony Lockett's playing future is expected to be decided within the next three weeks, with the champion full-forward continuing to struggle for form and fitness in his return to senior football. Sydney, sitting 14th on the ladder with just three wins and a draw, is unlikely to take Lockett to Perth this week for the crucial Saturday night clash with West Coast. The Swans then have two home games, against Geelong and Fremantle. If Lockett cannot lift his performance level during that fortnight significantly above what he produced against Collingwood last Saturday night at Colonial Stadium, the Swans are likely to have a quiet word in his ear, attempting to avoid the embarrassment of having to drop him from the team. He kicked just the one goal from a freakish snap on Saturday night, & looked like an old man.
PLUGGA’S BEST BETS FOR ROUND 11
1. Port Adelaide are $1.75 to defeat Essendon at Colonial Stadium, with Hird, Lloyd & Misiti already sidelined & the possibility of Fletcher missing the game these odds cannot be overlooked.
2. Hawthorn have traveled well to Adelaide in the last 2 years, winning most of their games at Footy Park, & the generous odds of $3.40 is a big bonus to punters. Hawthorn won’t want to drop another game after losing there previous 2 and dropping out of the Top 8.
3. Alastair Lynch is paying a massive $14 to be the leading goalscorer for Round 11, in Brisbane’s game against St Kilda & considering the Saints will be without regular full-back, Max Hudghton these represents huge value.
4. And finally the Dockers are paying $1.90 to get within 29 points of the Bulldogs this weekend, which can’t be overlooked considering the Bulldogs are playing Optus Oval, a oval which they have just won, once a few years.

With the highly disappointing Greg Ryan failing to make an impression any more on this site I have opted to post Plugga "Jamie Birkin"'s tips up on the site for your weekly enjoyment.So here's this weeks word from the man:

Tony Lockett's playing future is expected to be decided within the next three weeks, with the champion full-forward continuing to struggle for form and fitness in his return to senior football. Sydney, sitting 14th on the ladder with just three wins and a draw, is unlikely to take Lockett to Perth this week for the crucial Saturday night clash with West Coast. The Swans then have two home games, against Geelong and Fremantle. If Lockett cannot lift his performance level during that fortnight significantly above what he produced against Collingwood last Saturday night at Colonial Stadium, the Swans are likely to have a quiet word in his ear, attempting to avoid the embarrassment of having to drop him from the team. He kicked just the one goal from a freakish snap on Saturday night, & looked like an old man.
PLUGGA’S BEST BETS FOR ROUND 11
1. Port Adelaide are $1.75 to defeat Essendon at Colonial Stadium, with Hird, Lloyd & Misiti already sidelined & the possibility of Fletcher missing the game these odds cannot be overlooked.
2. Hawthorn have traveled well to Adelaide in the last 2 years, winning most of their games at Footy Park, & the generous odds of $3.40 is a big bonus to punters. Hawthorn won’t want to drop another game after losing there previous 2 and dropping out of the Top 8.
3. Alastair Lynch is paying a massive $14 to be the leading goalscorer for Round 11, in Brisbane’s game against St Kilda & considering the Saints will be without regular full-back, Max Hudghton these represents huge value.
4. And finally the Dockers are paying $1.90 to get within 29 points of the Bulldogs this weekend, which can’t be overlooked considering the Bulldogs are playing Optus Oval, a oval which they have just won, once a few years.

ROUND6 

FRIDAY MAY 3

St Kilda v Collingwood   Colonial Stadium 7:45 PM AEST

The saints will flood but will not win. The pies will win because they have skill and the saints have nothing - Pies by 43

 

SATURDAY MAY 4

Kangaroos v Hawthorn   Melbourne Cricket Ground 2:10 PM AEST

Normally a close game between these two but the Roos haven’t beaten anyone worth mentioning and the hawks have found some form - Hawks by 26

 

Fremantle v Essendon   Subiaco 3:40 PM AEST

Essendon by 49 - and if Freo play like last week it will probably be more around 200. 

 

Carlton v Western Bulldogs   Colonial Stadium 7:10 PM AEST

The bulldogs are desperate for a win and if the keep playing the way they have they should account for Carlton easily - Dogs by 29

 

Brisbane Lions v Geelong   Gabba 7:10 PM AEST

The young cats are showing what’s to come for the Geelong football club and the old fellows are doing their jobs - they wont win but should put up a decent contest - don’t be fooled by Brisbane loss to the Eagles- Brisbane have only ever won once in Perth (yes that includes playing freo).....Brisbane by 32 

 

SUNDAY MAY 5

Sydney v Melbourne   Sydney Cricket Ground 1:10 PM AEST

Close game of the round but Sydney will start the downhill spiral of the demons. Sydney by 17 

 

Richmond v Adelaide   Colonial Stadium 2:10 PM AEST

Richardson back give the tigers a much more potent team and they will take care of business against Adelaide - Tigers by 14  

 

Port Adelaide v West Coast   Football Park 2:40 PM AEST

Port by 45 - West Coast "think their great one day - Show how shit they are the other". As for the SundayTimes treating the eagles win against Brisbane as if they had won a premiership it great to finally know why both your team have been holding up the ladder for the past half decade - because when you win a nothing game you blow you loads!

 

CentreBet Tip of the Week    - (Bet bucks)
Money to Burn                      - (Bet Bucks)
Free Money                           -(Bet Bucks)

Season So Far (23  out of 36) (Last Week 3)
Season Winnings : Negative 60 bucks

ROUND6 

FRIDAY MAY 3

St Kilda v Collingwood   Colonial Stadium 7:45 PM AEST

The saints will flood but will not win. The pies will win because they have skill and the saints have nothing - Pies by 43

 

SATURDAY MAY 4

Kangaroos v Hawthorn   Melbourne Cricket Ground 2:10 PM AEST

Normally a close game between these two but the Roos haven’t beaten anyone worth mentioning and the hawks have found some form - Hawks by 26

 

Fremantle v Essendon   Subiaco 3:40 PM AEST

Essendon by 49 - and if Freo play like last week it will probably be more around 200. 

 

Carlton v Western Bulldogs   Colonial Stadium 7:10 PM AEST

The bulldogs are desperate for a win and if the keep playing the way they have they should account for Carlton easily - Dogs by 29

 

Brisbane Lions v Geelong   Gabba 7:10 PM AEST

The young cats are showing what’s to come for the Geelong football club and the old fellows are doing their jobs - they wont win but should put up a decent contest - don’t be fooled by Brisbane loss to the Eagles- Brisbane have only ever won once in Perth (yes that includes playing freo).....Brisbane by 32 

 

SUNDAY MAY 5

Sydney v Melbourne   Sydney Cricket Ground 1:10 PM AEST

Close game of the round but Sydney will start the downhill spiral of the demons. Sydney by 17 

 

Richmond v Adelaide   Colonial Stadium 2:10 PM AEST

Richardson back give the tigers a much more potent team and they will take care of business against Adelaide - Tigers by 14  

 

Port Adelaide v West Coast   Football Park 2:40 PM AEST

Port by 45 - West Coast "think their great one day - Show how shit they are the other". As for the SundayTimes treating the eagles win against Brisbane as if they had won a premiership it great to finally know why both your team have been holding up the ladder for the past half decade - because when you win a nothing game you blow you loads!

 

CentreBet Tip of the Week    - (Bet bucks)
Money to Burn                      - (Bet Bucks)
Free Money                           -(Bet Bucks)

Season So Far (23  out of 36) (Last Week 3)
Season Winnings : Negative 60 bucks

ROUND 5
		P	W	D	L	F	A	%	Total
1	Brisbane Lions	5	4	0	1	544	399	136.34	16
2	Melbourne	5	4	0	1	555	465	119.35	16
3	Geelong	5	3	0	2	507	396	128.03	12
4	Port Adelaide	5	3	0	2	532	425	125.18	12
5	Essendon	5	3	0	2	460	400	115	12
6	West Coast	5	3	0	2	593	531	111.68	12
7	Kangaroos	5	3	0	2	491	460	106.74	12
8	Adelaide	5	3	0	2	499	468	106.62	12
9	Collingwood	5	3	0	2	463	445	104.04	12
10	Sydney	5	2	1	2	441	413	106.78	10
11	Fremantle	5	2	0	3	460	482	95.44	8
12	Richmond	5	2	0	3	466	569	81.9	8
13	Hawthorn	5	2	0	3	426	543	78.45	8
14	St Kilda	5	1	1	3	318	502	63.35	6
15	Carlton	5	1	0	4	380	534	71.16	4
16	Western Bulldogs	5	0	0	5	430	533	80.68	0

ROUND5 

THURSDAY APRIL 25

Collingwood 9. 12. (66) def. Essendon 4. 9. (33)  Melbourne Cricket Ground 2:15 PM

Sucked in Bombers even though I tipped them

 

FRIDAY APRIL 26

Western Bulldogs v Melbourne   Colonial Stadium 7:45 PM AEST

 The western bulldogs will beat Melbourne only because they are more desperate for a win. Melbourne will begin the patchy form that will see then have a 50-50 season. Bulldogs by 24

 

SATURDAY APRIL 27

Hawthorn v Richmond   Melbourne Cricket Ground 2:10 PM AEST

If hawthorn lose this than they will be knocking on heaven door come Monday because hawk fans will want to kill each and every one of them – Hawks to get back some pride – hawks by 19

 

West Coast v Brisbane Lions   Subiaco 3:40 PM AEST

 Brisbane – but I hope west coast win to stop them from beating geelongs record of 23 consecutive wins – Lions by 56

 

St Kilda v Sydney   Colonial Stadium 7:10 PM AEST

Sydney V nobody – Sydney by 45….I don’t even need to explain why.

 

Adelaide v Port Adelaide   Football Park 7:40 PM AEST

This should be a great game….if your going to watch one game this weekend make it this one – Port by 9 points

 

SUNDAY APRIL 28

Geelong v Fremantle   Baytec Stadium 1:10 PM AEST

Who would have though that this would be a battle of two in form teams – IT is !!! Go cats but freo is looking like a top 8 team and should have a little more experience than the young cats – Freo by 14 – GO CATS

 

Carlton v Kangaroos   Colonial Stadium 2:10 PM AEST

 The roos are playing good footy and Carlton are crap – roos by 45

 

CentreBet Tip of the Week    - (Bet bucks)
Money to Burn                      - (Bet Bucks)
Free Money                           -(Bet Bucks)

Season So Far (20  out of 30) (Last Week 6)
Season Winnings : Negative 60 bucks

ROUND5 

THURSDAY APRIL 25

Collingwood 9. 12. (66) def. Essendon 4. 9. (33)  Melbourne Cricket Ground 2:15 PM

Sucked in Bombers even though I tipped them

 

FRIDAY APRIL 26

Western Bulldogs v Melbourne   Colonial Stadium 7:45 PM AEST

 The western bulldogs will beat Melbourne only because they are more desperate for a win. Melbourne will begin the patchy form that will see then have a 50-50 season. Bulldogs by 24

 

SATURDAY APRIL 27

Hawthorn v Richmond   Melbourne Cricket Ground 2:10 PM AEST

If hawthorn lose this than they will be knocking on heaven door come Monday because hawk fans will want to kill each and every one of them – Hawks to get back some pride – hawks by 19

 

West Coast v Brisbane Lions   Subiaco 3:40 PM AEST

 Brisbane – but I hope west coast win to stop them from beating geelongs record of 23 consecutive wins – Lions by 56

 

St Kilda v Sydney   Colonial Stadium 7:10 PM AEST

Sydney V nobody – Sydney by 45….I don’t even need to explain why.

 

Adelaide v Port Adelaide   Football Park 7:40 PM AEST

This should be a great game….if your going to watch one game this weekend make it this one – Port by 9 points

 

SUNDAY APRIL 28

Geelong v Fremantle   Baytec Stadium 1:10 PM AEST

Who would have though that this would be a battle of two in form teams – IT is !!! Go cats but freo is looking like a top 8 team and should have a little more experience than the young cats – Freo by 14 – GO CATS

 

Carlton v Kangaroos   Colonial Stadium 2:10 PM AEST

 The roos are playing good footy and Carlton are crap – roos by 45

 

CentreBet Tip of the Week    - (Bet bucks)
Money to Burn                      - (Bet Bucks)
Free Money                           -(Bet Bucks)

Season So Far (20  out of 30) (Last Week 6)
Season Winnings : Negative 60 bucks

The 5th Annual Andre Van Bo Heroin (AVBH) Golf Classic was held once again on the weekend with plenty of great (and shit) golf, drinking and farting around in carts. Some guys I don't know won (bastards!!), narrowly beating out the Jean Pazin/Ben Horgan and Seminal Fluid/Petey Bird combos with their score of 79 to 80 (for both duos). After a pathetic attempt last year where Horgan tragically melted under the pressure and left the game early (leaving the chore up to Pazin, who had to physically push his cart after it ran out of energon cubes), the duo almost made it three out of four victories in as many years. They are certainly rounding back into form as a deadly duo and many contestants were shit scared of what they will have to face next year. Greg Ryan, of course, was shit. Greg Sucks!! The contests name sake will seemingly never win, and is destined for failure for many more years. Congratulations to Weiner Dog and Jeremy the Ditch Man who were absolutely pathetic with an atrocious score of 123 (you guys sure did suck, as did Greg). Cabassi had to play with first time golfer Mitch, who also was left handed. PC and Glen played well but were slowed down by the excruciating pace of Petey Bird lining up his putts. Looking forward to next year to see yet another attempt by Greg to actually hit the ball and Pazin/Horgan reclaim what is deservedly theirs.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY - Pazin's 90 foot putt to secure a birdie.

ROUND4 

FRIDAY APRIL 19

Essendon v Adelaide   Colonial Stadium 7:45 PM AEST

Big game for both teams but the bombers should be hurting from last weeks thumping by the lions and rhe crows have never beaten  Essendon at Colonial.

 

SATURDAY APRIL 20

Collingwood v Hawthorn   Melbourne Cricket Ground 2:10 PM AEST

Two clubs struggling and this game will look like two primary kids fighting it out in the playground. The hawks should win but only because Collingwood doesn’t have the firepower.

 

Melbourne v West Coast   Optus Oval 2:10 PM AEST

Melbourne’s skills should see them win this easily but optus will not help them. The Eagles need a big game from the AFL leading goal kicker Wilson and need to play extremely well to beat Melbourne. The Dees should get the job done before half time.

 

Sydney v Kangaroos   Sydney Cricket Ground 6:30 PM AEST

The Sydney yuppies and the wanna be Sydney yuppies match up again and if you betting on form them the roos should win and if your betting on past games then the swans will murder them (89+122 points last two times they met). The swans should bounce back at home and continue the decline of the homeless roos.

 

Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions   Colonial Stadium 7:10 PM AEST
Brisbane – goodbye bulldogs Ps grant to Geelong! If you need an explanation why – See last round results

 

SUNDAY APRIL 21

Port Adelaide v Carlton   Football Park 1:10 PM AEST

Even though Carlton beat Collingwood last week it won’t have a chance against the sleeping giant who woke up last week. This will be a thumping!!!

 

Geelong v St Kilda   Baytec Stadium 2:10 PM AEST
We are geelong the greatest team of all! Hopefully this is what they will be singing come ten past 5 on Sunday – the cats should win but the question is whether their youngsters can step up after last weeks great win. The saints played their worst game last week and should be raring to get back out there this weekend.

 

 

Fremantle v Richmond   Subiaco 3:40 PM AEST
Fremantle need to step up this week but their 3 day travel to and from tassie doesn’t make things look good. The tigers should run over them in the last and give freo that sinking feeling again.

 

Essendon(25 points)

Hawks (19)

Dees (47)

Sydney (22)

Lions (37)

Port (38)

Geelong (36)

Richmond (26)

 

CentreBet Tip of the Week    - Richmond to beat Freo $1.62- (Bet 10 bucks)
Money to Burn                      - Kangaroos to beat Sydney $2.65 – (Bet 5 Bucks)
Free Money                           -Hawks to beat Collingwood $1.50 – (Bet 5 Bucks)

Season So Far (14  out of 24) (Last Week 5)
Season Winnings : Negative 40 bucks

ROUND4 

FRIDAY APRIL 19

Essendon v Adelaide   Colonial Stadium 7:45 PM AEST

Big game for both teams but the bombers should be hurting from last weeks thumping by the lions and rhe crows have never beaten  Essendon at Colonial.

 

SATURDAY APRIL 20

Collingwood v Hawthorn   Melbourne Cricket Ground 2:10 PM AEST

Two clubs struggling and this game will look like two primary kids fighting it out in the playground. The hawks should win but only because Collingwood doesn’t have the firepower.

 

Melbourne v West Coast   Optus Oval 2:10 PM AEST

Melbourne’s skills should see them win this easily but optus will not help them. The Eagles need a big game from the AFL leading goal kicker Wilson and need to play extremely well to beat Melbourne. The Dees should get the job done before half time.

 

Sydney v Kangaroos   Sydney Cricket Ground 6:30 PM AEST

The Sydney yuppies and the wanna be Sydney yuppies match up again and if you betting on form them the roos should win and if your betting on past games then the swans will murder them (89+122 points last two times they met). The swans should bounce back at home and continue the decline of the homeless roos.

 

Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions   Colonial Stadium 7:10 PM AEST
Brisbane – goodbye bulldogs Ps grant to Geelong! If you need an explanation why – See last round results

 

SUNDAY APRIL 21

Port Adelaide v Carlton   Football Park 1:10 PM AEST

Even though Carlton beat Collingwood last week it won’t have a chance against the sleeping giant who woke up last week. This will be a thumping!!!

 

Geelong v St Kilda   Baytec Stadium 2:10 PM AEST
We are geelong the greatest team of all! Hopefully this is what they will be singing come ten past 5 on Sunday – the cats should win but the question is whether their youngsters can step up after last weeks great win. The saints played their worst game last week and should be raring to get back out there this weekend.

 

 

Fremantle v Richmond   Subiaco 3:40 PM AEST
Fremantle need to step up this week but their 3 day travel to and from tassie doesn’t make things look good. The tigers should run over them in the last and give freo that sinking feeling again.

 

Essendon(25 points)

Hawks (19)

Dees (47)

Sydney (22)

Lions (37)

Port (38)

Geelong (36)

Richmond (26)

 

CentreBet Tip of the Week    - Richmond to beat Freo $1.62- (Bet 10 bucks)
Money to Burn                      - Kangaroos to beat Sydney $2.65 – (Bet 5 Bucks)
Free Money                           -Hawks to beat Collingwood $1.50 – (Bet 5 Bucks)

Season So Far (14  out of 24) (Last Week 5)
Season Winnings : Negative 40 bucks

ROUND 3 

FRIDAY APRIL 12
Carlton v Collingwood   Melbourne Cricket Ground 7:45 PM
Carlton still suck but Collingwood suck even more!!! No finals again for the roadkill magpies.

SATURDAY APRIL 13
Richmond v Melbourne   Melbourne Cricket Ground 2:10 PM
Welcome home Demons and Welcome home Simon. The tigers showed everyone they can play without Richardson and Melbourne showed everyone that they truly are nothing.

Adelaide v Sydney   Football Park 2:40 PM
thanks for coming Sydney….Adelaide far too strong and look like a genuine contender for a top four finish – Sydney can only play at home (and optus)

Kangaroos v Geelong   Colonial Stadium 7:10 PM
We are Geelong the greatest team of all! The cats are back and the roos are on their way down down down.

Brisbane Lions v Essendon   Gabba 7:10 PM
Sucked in Bombers! You just cant help but support the lions because they are the only team capable of continuing Essendons streak of the “biggest underachieving team” of all time! GO the Lions

SUNDAY APRIL 14
Hawthorn v Fremantle   York Park 1:10 PM
Heartbreak for Freo fans but they are showing they can play with the big boys and clearly look a better team than the skill less eagles. Hawks fans are still unhappy and their form is a joke.

St Kilda v Port Adelaide   Colonial Stadium 2:10 PM
Port are back with a thumping win and the saints are getting out the shovels to dig themselves a huge hole to jump into. Burke is out for the season

West Coast v Western Bulldogs   Subiaco 3:40 PM
Phew---what an ugly game. The bulldogs couldnt kick straight and the eagle’s skills are less than par. Unfortunately, there had to be a winner.

Season So Far (14 out of 24) (This Week 5)

ROUND 3 

FRIDAY APRIL 12
Carlton v Collingwood   Melbourne Cricket Ground 7:45 PM
Carlton still suck but Collingwood suck even more!!! No finals again for the roadkill magpies.

SATURDAY APRIL 13
Richmond v Melbourne   Melbourne Cricket Ground 2:10 PM
Welcome home Demons and Welcome home Simon. The tigers showed everyone they can play without Richardson and Melbourne showed everyone that they truly are nothing.

Adelaide v Sydney   Football Park 2:40 PM
thanks for coming Sydney….Adelaide far too strong and look like a genuine contender for a top four finish – Sydney can only play at home (and optus)

Kangaroos v Geelong   Colonial Stadium 7:10 PM
We are Geelong the greatest team of all! The cats are back and the roos are on their way down down down.

Brisbane Lions v Essendon   Gabba 7:10 PM
Sucked in Bombers! You just cant help but support the lions because they are the only team capable of continuing Essendons streak of the “biggest underachieving team” of all time! GO the Lions

SUNDAY APRIL 14
Hawthorn v Fremantle   York Park 1:10 PM
Heartbreak for Freo fans but they are showing they can play with the big boys and clearly look a better team than the skill less eagles. Hawks fans are still unhappy and their form is a joke.

St Kilda v Port Adelaide   Colonial Stadium 2:10 PM
Port are back with a thumping win and the saints are getting out the shovels to dig themselves a huge hole to jump into. Burke is out for the season

West Coast v Western Bulldogs   Subiaco 3:40 PM
Phew---what an ugly game. The bulldogs couldnt kick straight and the eagle’s skills are less than par. Unfortunately, there had to be a winner.

Season So Far (14 out of 24) (This Week 5)

ROUND 3 

FRIDAY APRIL 12
Carlton v Collingwood   Melbourne Cricket Ground 7:45 PM
Carlton are slow, old and need to be put down…Collingwood will administer the
lethal cocktail that will see Carlton stay down for a long long time. The only hope for Carlton is that the pies choke like they have done for the past decade- so don’t put your life savings on the pies to win this one but they should easily.

SATURDAY APRIL 13
Richmond v Melbourne   Melbourne Cricket Ground 2:10 PM
If Richmond even turns up this week it will be miles ahead of last week. Melbourne
are in good form and should account for the toothless tigers who are missing Richardson. Melbourne are the likely candidate for the team that gets off to a flyer and then stops dead in about round 7 or 8 – theres one every year!

Adelaide v Sydney   Football Park 2:40 PM
Tough one to pick but the home ground advantage makes me lean to the crows. The swans looked on fire last week and this week will tell if they are playing great football or if carlton is on the verge of being worst team of the century. The swans have a chance but the crows will play four tough quarters and the swans have played Brisbane, travelled to optus for a holiday and now travel to Adelaide. Barry needs to step up for the second week in a row before they even consider leaving locket out.

Kangaroos v Geelong   Colonial Stadium 7:10 PM
The cats have a chance but if your tipping then stick with the roos because they are in form. The cats could be good for a few bucks. The roos are riding their luck and can once again look forward to finals action (after missing last year) by starting the season 3 and 0. The cats are yet to get a win but look alright against Adelaide and could give the roos a good shake.

Brisbane Lions v Essendon   Gabba 7:10 PM
Tough one – Both are in amazing form and cannot be split on talent – home ground advantage makes the lions look a little more favourable. Toss a coin.Blockbuster of the week! Moorcroft has got to go - he stinks!

SUNDAY APRIL 14
Hawthorn v Fremantle   York Park 1:10 PM
Troubles a brewing down at hawk land – they are full of prize recruits, mature footballers and hard workers but they cant get it right on the field. Hawk fans are crapping themselves because the honestly though they had a shot at the title this year…afraid not hawk fans unless you turn it around this week and beat the shockers! The dockers may have beaten the saints but it was through no talent of their own – their skills suck and endeavour will only get you so far in this game!

St Kilda v Port Adelaide   Colonial Stadium 2:10 PM
If port don’t win this game then panic alarms will be sounding for the club who is slowly building a reputation of not being able to play pressure football. Its early days but a 0-3 start against nobody teams could hurt them come the bottleneck period to make the eight. The saints suck and the way they lost to freo was pathetic – see a real coach does make a difference…Grant has 20 weeks left if he’s lucky.

West Coast v Western Bulldogs   Subiaco 3:40 PM
fight fight fight fight!! Who cares who wins as long as they fight. These two teams hate each other guts and the Eagles – if they don’t lose their heads – should win narrowly to give Terry Wallace the rest of the season to find a new job.

Collingwood     (38 points)
Melbourne        (23)
Adelaide           (19)
Kangaroos       (6)       
Brisbane           (34)
Hawthorn         (24)
Port Adelaide   (38)
West Coast      (12)

CentreBet Tip of the Week    - Melbourne to beat the Tigers $2.05  - (Bet 5 bucks)
Money to Burn                      - Essendon to beat the Lions $2.30 – (Bet 5 Bucks)
Free Money                           - Collingwood to beat Carlton $1.80 – (Bet 10 Bucks)

Season So Far (9 out of 16) (Last Week 5)
Season Winnings : Negative 20 bucks

Greg Ryan 11/04/2002

ROUND2 
FRIDAY APRIL 5
Essendon v Richmond   Melbourne Cricket Ground 7:45 PM AEST
Essendon should win this clash and it would be a brave tipper to go with the tigers.The tigers are top four material this year and wont lie down for the bombers but have a history of disappearing in big time matches...

SATURDAY APRIL 6
Collingwood v West Coast   Melbourne Cricket Ground 2:10 PM AEST
As much as I hate to pick a winner out of both these teams I think that Collingwood will be too strong for West Coast. Truth be known the pies showed a little against the tigers and West coast battled to hold off the dockers who were missing J Farmer.

Carlton v Sydney   Optus Oval 2:10 PM AEST
Tough one to pick...Blues should get up but never say never....If it was in Sydney then the swans for sure but optus is a long way away and the blues are a proud club no matter how old they are.

Roos V BullDogs   Colonial Stadium 7:10 PM AEST
The bulldogs should make a meal of the roos...last week was luck and roo supporters will eventually wake up and realise they are in for a long year.

Adelaide v Geelong   Football Park 7:40 PM AEST
Adelaide - no more no less --LOCK IN TIP FOR THE WEEK--
 
SUNDAY APRIL 7
Brisbane Lions v Hawthorn   Gabba 1:10 PM AEST
The lions - Hawks could get up but its safer to play the percentages!!

Melbourne v Port Adelaide   Melbourne Cricket Ground 2:10 PM AEST
Port by a mile - the dees played their best game of the year last week and now its time to wake up!

Fremantle v St Kilda   Subiaco 3:40 PM AEST
Freo will put it together and get over the line...lady luck was with the saints last week but freo will actually run this week unlike carlton last week!

Essendon         (32 points)
Collingwood    (19)
Carlton            (23)
Bulldogs          (36)
Adelaide          (54)
Brisbane          (21)
Port                 (43)
Freo                 (9)

CentreBet Tip of the Week    - Bulldogs to beat Roos - $2.20 (bet 5 bucks)
Money to Burn                      - Hawks to beat Lions - $4.10 (bet 5 bucks)
Free Money                           - Port to beat Demons - $1.62 (bet 10 Bucks)

Season So Far (4 out of 8)
Season Winnings : Even

ROUND2 
FRIDAY APRIL 5
Essendon v Richmond   Melbourne Cricket Ground 7:45 PM AEST
Essendon should win this clash and it would be a brave tipper to go with the tigers.The tigers are top four material this year and wont lie down for the bombers but have a history of disappearing in big time matches...

SATURDAY APRIL 6
Collingwood v West Coast   Melbourne Cricket Ground 2:10 PM AEST
As much as I hate to pick a winner out of both these teams I think that Collingwood will be too strong for West Coast. Truth be known the pies showed a little against the tigers and West coast battled to hold off the dockers who were missing J Farmer.

Carlton v Sydney   Optus Oval 2:10 PM AEST
Tough one to pick...Blues should get up but never say never....If it was in Sydney then the swans for sure but optus is a long way away and the blues are a proud club no matter how old they are.

Roos V BullDogs   Colonial Stadium 7:10 PM AEST
The bulldogs should make a meal of the roos...last week was luck and roo supporters will eventually wake up and realise they are in for a long year.

Adelaide v Geelong   Football Park 7:40 PM AEST
Adelaide - no more no less --LOCK IN TIP FOR THE WEEK--
 
SUNDAY APRIL 7
Brisbane Lions v Hawthorn   Gabba 1:10 PM AEST
The lions - Hawks could get up but its safer to play the percentages!!

Melbourne v Port Adelaide   Melbourne Cricket Ground 2:10 PM AEST
Port by a mile - the dees played their best game of the year last week and now its time to wake up!

Fremantle v St Kilda   Subiaco 3:40 PM AEST
Freo will put it together and get over the line...lady luck was with the saints last week but freo will actually run this week unlike carlton last week!

Essendon         (32 points)
Collingwood    (19)
Carlton            (23)
Bulldogs          (36)
Adelaide          (54)
Brisbane          (21)
Port                 (43)
Freo                 (9)

CentreBet Tip of the Week    - Bulldogs to beat Roos - $2.20 (bet 5 bucks)
Money to Burn                      - Hawks to beat Lions - $4.10 (bet 5 bucks)
Free Money                           - Port to beat Demons - $1.62 (bet 10 Bucks)

Season So Far (4 out of 8)
Season Winnings : Even

In a total tragedy last night some unknown won the Australian sportsman of the year while Tennis World Number 1, US Open Winner and ATP 2001 Winner Lleyton Hewitt was snubbed. For some ridiculous reason Squash is seen as a premier sport in Australia and so the unknown person who was good at squash won the award.

What does someone like Hewitt need to do to win the award? Lift your game Australia and start recognising your true champions in the sports we enjoy. Not just from crap like squash. Lets hope next years winner is a champion lacrosse player or into hurling.