"BALL UP!" - Val's 2022 Aussie Rules Footy Tipping *Open to Everyone*

[Val]

It's back!! Yes, after two very patchy seasons let's hope the great game of Aussie Rules will get through 23 rounds Covid-free. The AFL has released the fixture for the first 9 rounds only and you can view it by date here:

https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Compet...

or a one page PDF file at:

https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/docu...

The bounce is on WEDNESDAY March 16 so you have 10 days to get your tips in.

[Val]

Last year's tipsters are listed below. Please let me know if you are happy to front up again and if you have any changes to your chosen team or charity. I will message Suzy, Blastro, RedJohn and Dean. I'll put a post on the Premier League thread too. We still have Fremantle (the Dockers), Geelong (the Cats), Carlton (the Blues), Port Adelaide (the Power) and Hawthorn (the Hawks) available for adoption if anyone else would like to join us.

Val - Essendon (The Bombers) - Asylum Seeker Resource Centre - https://asrc.org.au/
Anita (Sydney Swans) - The Mirabel Foundation - http://www.mirabelfoundation.org.au/
Lez - St Kilda (The Saints)- Dementia Australia - https://www.dementia.org.au/
The Foe - Melbourne (The Demons) - Launch Housing - http://www.launchhousing.org.au/
David - Brisbane (The Lions) - The Song Room - http://www.songroom.org.au/
Philip - Richmond (The Tigers) - Canteen - http://www.canteen.org.au/
SJ Brooke- North Melbourne (The Kangaroos) - Backpack Bed For Homeless - https://backpackbed.org/au/
Tech Sergeant - Collingwood (The Magpies) - Oscar’s Law - http://www.oscarslaw.org/
Blastro - Footscray (The Western Bulldogs) - Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation - http://www.zaidee.org/
SussexWelsh - West Coast (The Eagles) - Save The Bilby Fund - http://savethebilbyfund.com/
Dean - Adelaide (The Crows) - Sacred Heart Mission - http://www.sacredheartmission.org/
Suzy - Gold Coast (The Suns) - Friends With Dignity - http://www.friendswithdignity.org.au/
The Duke – Greater Western Sydney (The Giants) – The Centre for Eye Research - https://www.cera.org.au/

So far Sussex and Tech have put their hands up. I don't have email contacts for Philip, David and SJ but hopefully they will see it on the Premier League thread. I will happily submit tips for Suzy and Duke while they have other issues to deal with but hopefully they will be back. There seemed to be a general support for including Lez and again, I am happy to plagiarise the tips from a local "expert" and submit them in Lez's name. I had a letter from Dementia Australia this week so I'm taking that as a sign Lez still hopes to earn some cash for them.

[Val]

ROUND 1

Wednesday March 16
Melbourne Demons v Western Bulldogs (in Melbourne)

Thursday March 17
Carlton Blues v Richmond Tigers (in Melbourne)

Friday March 18
St Kilda Saints v Collingwood Magpies (in Melbourne)

Saturday March 19
Geelong Cats v Essendon Bombers (in Melbourne)
GWS Giants v Sydney Swans (in Sydney)
Brisbane Lions v Port Adelaide Power (in Brisbane)

Sunday March 20
Hawthorn Hawks v North Melbourne Kangaroos (in Melbourne)
Adelaide Crows v Fremantle Dockers (in Adelaide)
West Coast Eagles v Gold Coast Suns (in Perth)

If punters could lodge their tips by midnight TUESDAY March 15 (your time) it would be a great help, although I can accept them up until 8.00am WEDNESDAY (your time) if absolutely necessary.

[Val]

And don't forget to include the margin for the first game - Dees and Doggies. Ta!

[Anita]

I'm a yes please Val.Thankyou for running this again.

[Sj]

Me too, thanks Val 👍

[Sj]

ROUND 1

Melbourne Demons (#28)
Richmond Tigers
St Kilda Saints

Geelong Cats
GWS Giants
Brisbane Lions

North Melbourne Kangaroos
Fremantle Dockers
West Coast Eagles

[Anita]

mine
Bulldogs by 15
Tigers
Saints
Cats
SWANS
Power
Hawks
Crows
Eagles

[Craig White]

okeedokee,

bulldugs by 17
tigers
PIES!
cats
giants
lions
kangaroos
dockers
eagles

cheers val

[Blastronaut]

Good job I had a quick glance down the threads, as recently I've just had Snails on a tab. Usually I get a nod from someone. If my tips are still good here... here be them....

BULLDAWGS 25
Richmond
Collingwood
Geelong
GWS
Port Adelaide
N Melbourne
Fremantle
West Coast

[SussexWelsh]

.
.
Demons by 12
Tigers
Saints
Cats
Swans
Power
Hawks
Dockers
Eagles

[Val]

For Lez

Melbourne x 42
Carlton
St Kilda
Geelong
GWS
Brisbane Lions
Hawthorn
Fremantle
Gold Coast

[Val]

For Duke who we hope has got past surgery and is on to treatment. Looking forward to seeing you back with us.

Melbourne x 18
Richmond
St Kilda
Geelong
GWS
Brisbane Lions
Hawthorn
Adelaide
Gold Coast

[Val]

Suzy's tips - hurry back Suzy, you're missed!

Dogs x 7
Blues
Pies
Bombers
Swans
Port
North
Crows
Eagles

[Val]

And mine:

Dees x 21
Tigers
Saints
Bombers
Giants
Lions
North
Crows
Suns

[Val]

I've emailed TheFoe and Dean and left a post on the Premier League thread for David and Philip so hopefully they'll be here before tonight's game. If not, I'll give them a break in absentia and they will get the tips from Andrew Wu, Greg Baum, Scott Spits and Mathew Stokes from today's Age newspaper.

I'm going to be away overnight. Roped into babysitting while my daughter & husband go to the game (big Doggies supporters!!) so I won't be updating anything until Thursday.

First round - anything can happen. The "experts" are tipping a big year for the Lions with Melbourne and the Bulldogs also in the frame. Not favoured are Hawthorn, Adelaide and the Eagles. We shall see. Good luck everyone!!

[Dean]

Hellloooooooooooo

I am here, and raring to go, for another season of mid to low table mediocrity!!!

Here are the guesses from the Deano Jury:

Dogs 19
Tigers
Pies
Cats
Swans
Lions
Hawks
Crows
Eagles

I hope Val and Suzy have got their elbows well and truly sharpened, for a season long job of jabbing me in the ribs for my punts.

Good luck

[Val]

Welcome back Deano!! And I've heard from Suzy too. She hasn't been able to get on to Goodreads this evening (why is it like that sometimes???) but the tips she wanted are just as I had posted above, so she's happy.

[TheFoe]

Demons x14
Tigers
Saints
Cats
Giants
Power
Hawks
Crows
Eagles

Sorry this is late Val, major trouble with my laptop, ( I think it's. been trodden on, the screen looks awful and it won't boot up). Also thanks for the heads up and c'mon the Dee's :-)

[theDuke]

Hello folks. Just checking in quickly as I wasn,t sure when this season was kicking off. I see I,m a wee bit late, so thanks to Val for doing my proxy tips.

I,m still here folks, but going thru the chemo grind at the moment. Surgery was successful, tumour is no more and the surgeon managed to plumb everything back in the right way round too! That was a few weeks ago, now about half way thru the chemo treatment. All the regular tests have been positive, so with any luck I,ll have the all clear soon enough.

Currently still using this crappy tablet ATM, but looking around for a half decent pappy, as this tablet is playing up now! In the last 12 months, Chez Duke,s has seen 4 PCs/laptops go bandit, 1 not so old TV lose its picture last Xmas, 3 of my vaping mods died as well, and just 2 weeks ago the oven quite literally blew out, taking out the master switch and damaging the hob in the process. There,s definitely something in the air here presently, and it ain,t love! I hate anything electrical stuff as a result! New oven switch and hob installed and more of the folding stuff spent. Add to that the latest lot of utility bills that have come in arrrrggghhh........ how much???!!! Our monthly leccy bill is now twice as much now....yikes!

The woes seen of the last two years haven,t finished with us ,apes, yet.....it s be another tough year. Still can,t be anywhere near as bad as what,s going on it in Ukraine.

Anyhoo..just bobbing in with a wee update, hope to be back soon folks. Could someone pass this on to the other group for me please, I still haven,t got C&P function yet, ta.

[Val]

Hi Duke - great to see and hear from you and to know everything is progressing as well as you say. I've copies this to the Snails thread and also to your group as well. Hurry back - the Giants need you! And we miss you too.

[Val]

Well it was good to see TheFoe and Duke back even as they battle with technology (and don't we all from time to time).

FOR ONE WEEK ONLY, here are the proxy tips for David and Philip and let's hope they are able to join us for season 2022.

David's tips (via Scott Spits in Thursday's Age newspaper):

Melbourne x 14
Richmond
St Kilda
Essendon
Sydney
Brisbane Lions
Hawthorn
Fremantle
West Coast

Philip's tips (via Mathew Stokes in Thursday's Age newspaper):
Melbourne x 22
Carlton
St Kilda
Geelong
GWS
Brisbane Lions
Hawthorn
Fremantle
Gold Coast

[Val]

Last night's Grand Final rematch here in Melbourne at the home of football, the M.C.G., was an absolute cracker. Both teams were at full strength and nearly 60,000 fans turned out - not bad for a Wednesday night. Melbourne dominated the first quarter, the Bulldogs the second. The Dees clawed back the lead in the third quarter and consolidated it in the last.

Last night's result:

Melbourne Demons (TheFoe) v Western Bulldogs (Blastro)
4.5.29 (Q1) 2.2.14
6.6.42 (Q2) 8.3.51
10.8.68 (Q3) 8.5.53
14.13.97 (Q4) 11.5.71

Steve is our first winner for 2022. He predicted the Demons by 28 points and so earns $7.00 for Backpack Bed For Homeless. Nice start! Another game tonight.

[Val]

Tonight's result:

Another terrific game at the G. The Tigers were unstoppable in the first quarter and even though behind by 8 points at half time, you thought they had it in the bag. But the Blues were ferocious. They have a new coach and have recruited well. Some very talented youngsters out there and the whole team gelled very well. Can they keep it up? We'll see.

Carlton Blues (available) v Richmond Tigers (Philip)
1.3.9 (Q1) 4.5.29
5.9.39 (Q2) 4.7.31
7.12.54 (Q3) 10.9.69
14.17.101 (Q4) 11.10.76

[Val]

And another good game with St Kilda going into the final quarter only 5 points behind. They weren't disgraced but they need to get quicker, sharper and fiercer if they want to compete with the top teams.

Tonight's result:

St Kilda Saints (Lez) v Collingwood Magpies (Tech)
3.2.20 (Q1) 4.5.29
5.6.36 (Q2) 7.9.51
9.12.66 (Q3) 10.11.71
12.13.85 (Q4) 15.12.102

[Val]

Yesterday's results:

I was out last night at my first gig in TWO YEARS!!! And only after it had been re-scheduled 5 times!!! Melody Pool was well worth the wait. She's a diamond. And there was the added advantage that I missed my Bombers being demolished by Geelong. The final score flatters them as the Cats took their foot off the pedal in the last quarter.

Geelong Cats (available) v Essendon Bombers (Val)
7.5.47 (Q1) 2.1.13
12.9.81 (Q2) 3.3.21
17.14.116 (Q3) 6.3.39
20.18.138 (Q4) 11.6.72

Greater Western Sydney Giants (Duke) v Sydney Swans (Anita)
3.3.21 (Q1) 3.0.18
8.4.52 (Q2) 9.4.58
10.7.67 (Q3) 13.9.87
13.14.92 (Q4) 17.10.112

Brisbane Lions (David) v Port Adelaide Power (available)
2.2.14 (Q1) 1.1.7
4.6.30 (Q2) 5.4.34
6.10.46 (Q3) 9.7.61
11.14.80 (Q4) 10.9.69

[Val]

Today's/Tonight's results:

Hawthorn Hawks (available) v North Melbourne Kangaroos (Steve)
2.4.16 (Q1) 2.5.17
4.7.31 (Q2) 5.8.38
7.9.51 (Q3) 6.8.44
11.12.78 (Q4) 8.10.58

Adelaide Crows (Dean) v Fremantle Dockers (available)
2.0.12 (Q1) 4.5.29
5.2.32 (Q2) 8.9.57
11.5.71 (Q3) 8.13.61
12.10.82 (Q4) 11.17.83

West Coast Eagles (Sussex) v Gold Coast Suns (Suzy)
5.1.31 (Q1) 2.2.14
7.3.45 (Q2) 5.6.36
10.5.65 (Q3) 8.11.59
12.8.80 (Q4) 16.11.107

[Val]

Thank heavens for the Suns - saved me from ignominy. And would you look at the ladder! Bombers at #18 and Doggies at #17! The only way is up!

Our tipsters' ladder is as follows:

Round 1 (first number is correct number of wins - you want this to be high; number in brackets is the cumulative margin which is used to separate punters on the same amount of points - you want this to be low)

Philip on 7 (4)
Lez on 7 (16)
Duke on 5 (8)
David on 5 (12)
SussexWelsh on 5 (14)
Dean on 5 (45)
Sj Brooke (Steve) on 4 (2)
Tech on 4 (43)
Val on 3 (5)
Foe on 3 (12)
Suzy on 3 (33)
Anita on 3 (41)
Blastro on 3 (51)

Charity donations are:

To be redistributed at the end of the season - Highest score (Cats - 138)
Steve (Backpack Bed For Homeless) - A$7.00 (closest margin)
Philip (Canteen) - A$12.00 (weekly winner)

Philip's luck is in as his tips (courtesy of former Geelong player Mathew Stokes - new to the tipsters' panel in The Age) saw him finish on top. I hope he and David are back in the fold next week or else they will score one win less than the lowest tipster and 10 points more than the largest margin. At least Steve and Philip are on the board. The rest of us need to do a bit of work.

[Val]

If anyone would like to view the AFL Ladder before submitting next week's tips, it's at http://www.afl.com.au/ladder

ROUND 2

Thursday March 24
Western Bulldogs v Carlton Blues (in Melbourne)

Friday March 35
Sydney Swans v Geelong Cats (in Sydney)

Saturday March 26
Collingwood Magpies v Adelaide Crows (in Melbourne)
Essendon Bombers v Brisbane Lions (in Melbourne)
Port Adelaide Power v Hawthorn Hawks (in Adelaide)
Gold Coast Suns v Melbourne Demons (on the Gold Coast)

Sunday March 27
North Melbourne Kangaroos v West Coast Eagles (in Melbourne)
Richmond Tigers v GWS Giants (in Melbourne)
Fremantle Dockers v St Kilda Saints (in Perth)

If punters could lodge their tips by midnight WEDNESDAY March 23 (your time) it would be a great help, although I can accept them up until 8.00am THURSDAY (your time) if absolutely necessary.

[theDuke]

Not a bad start for me, given that I didn't do my tips! Gonna try and be on time for round two Val. They've put me on a less potent type of chemo (don't ask me what this stuff is tho...no idea) so I,m beginning to get me energy back.....and me hair! Talk about being bald...I feel like a plucked chicken atm! Even down there!

Anyhoo congrats to Phil....who wasn't here either! Anybody know what's become of Suzy of late? She doesn't appear to be posting much....either. (Says me!)

[Val]

Nice to see you Duke and glad to hear you are feeling vaguely human (even if hairless) and keen to return to tipping.

I've heard from Suzy. She would have been here for Round 1 but Goodreads was being awkward and she couldn't load the page.

[theDuke]

Ah okay...glad to hear that she is okay.

[Anita]

Val that's great that you ve heard from Suzy.

[David]

Val wrote: "I've emailed TheFoe and Dean and left a post on the Premier League thread for David and Philip so hopefully they'll be here before tonight's game. If not, I'll give them a break in absentia and the..."

Hi Val,
I've been snowed under with work and I've got my daughter's wedding on Thursday so as you can imagine it's all a bit hectic at the moment. I'm also playing guitar in a gig on Sunday and have been practising madly. Hope to be back with you all next week
Take care everyone

[Val]

Okay, David, you're absolved for one more week.

Good luck with the wedding and the gig! Big week!

[Sj]

ROUND 2
🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈

Western Bulldogs (#28)

Sydney Swans
Collingwood Magpies
Brisbane Lions
Port Adelaide Power
Melbourne Demons

North Melbourne Kangaroos
GWS Giants
Fremantle Dockers

[Craig White]

not a great start,

bulldugs by 17
swans
PIES!
lions
power
demons
eagles
tigers
dockers

cheers val

[theDuke]

Okay then I'm on time this week, let's see what this lot will do for me:

Blues - 10
Swans
Pies
Lions
Port
Dees
Roos
Tigers
Freo

Good luck everyone.

[Anita]

mine
Bulldogs by 11
SWANS
Magpies
lions
port
Demons
Eagles
Tigers
Saints

[SussexWelsh]

.
.
Bulldogs by 19
Swans
Magpies
Lions
Power
Demons
Eagles
Giants
Dockers

[Blastronaut]

Will either make up some ground here or be cut adrift...

BULLDAWGS 17
Geelong
Collingwood
Essendon
Port
Melbourne
N Melbourne
Richmond
Fremantle

[Dean]

Blues 7
Cats
Crows
Bombers
Power
Demons
Eagles
Tigers
Dockers

On time!!!!! So unlike me!

Good luck all.

[TheFoe]

Sorry this is a bit late Val, (thanks for the heads up).

Blues x31
Cats
Magpies
Lions
Hawks
Demons
Eagles
Tigers
Dockers

Cheers Val, good luck everyone!

[Val]

In the event that Suzy doesn't make it here before the bounce:

Blues x 14
Cats
Crows
Dons
Hawks
Suns
Roos
Giants
Saints

[Val]

Lez's tips (courtesy of Sam McClure):

W Bulldogs by 43 pts
Sydney
Collingwood
Brisbane Lions
Port Adelaide
Melbourne
West Coast
Richmond
Fremantle

[Val]

David's tips (courtesy of Scott Spits)

W Bulldogs by 25 pts
Sydney
Collingwood
Brisbane Lions
Port Adelaide
Melbourne
N Melbourne
Richmond
Fremantle

[Val]

And because I gave David another week's grace (hope the wedding's going great!) and because I'm feeling generous, Philip can have a week's grace as well:

Philip's tips (courtesy of Mathew Stokes):

W Bulldogs by 20 pts
Sydney
Collingwood
Brisbane Lions
Port Adelaide
Melbourne
N Melbourne
GWS
Fremantle

[Val]

And mine:

Dogs x 8
Swans
Pies
Dons
Port
Dees
Roos
Giants
Freo

Good luck everyone!

[Val]

Tonight's result:

Western Bulldogs (Blastro) v Carlton Blues (available)
4.1.25 (Q1) 5.2.32
7.3.45 (Q2) 12.4.76
11.5.71 (Q3) 14.5.89
13.12.90 (Q4) 16.6.102

Only a few hardy souls saw that one coming! The Blues were in fine form and well deserving of their win. Suzy (Blues by 14 points) and Duke (Blues by 10) win $7.00 each for Centre For Eye Research Australia and Friends With Dignity. Nice work!

[SussexWelsh]

Hi Val, I've roped in another Spurs mate who.lives in Melbourne. He's (Tim) keen to join and predict the remaining fares in round 2. Perhaps you could allocate him some points for round 1, ..... 1 will do ;-)