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"BALL UP!" - Val's 2024 Aussie Rules Footy Tipping *Open to Everyone*


On the plus side though, Adelaide are now looking the goods, and keeping their season on track. I'd had them down for making the 8 this season, but their season start didn't look like they had much form at all, now they're doing much better.

Adelaide Crows (on hiatus) v Port Adelaide Power (available)
5.0.30 (Q1) 3.4.22
7.2.44 (Q2) 3.7.25
9.4.58 (Q3) 4.11.35
12.6.78 (Q4) 5.18.48
The Crows never looked like losing this match. To add to Port's woes they lost both Mitch Georgiades and Todd Marshall in the final quarter. The former sat on the bench with his knee heavily iced and the latter rolled his ankle. Georgiades, after winning Mark of the Year in 2022, only played two games in 2023 before doing his ACL - and he's only 22. Hope it's not too serious this time.
Once again, it's Suzy who wins the $7.00 for her chosen charity (Friends With Dignity) - the only one who went with the Crows.

Carlton Blues (available) v Collingwood Magpies (on hiatus)
5.4.34 (Q1) 3.2.20
6.5.41 (Q2) 8.4.52
9.7.61 (Q3) 8.8.56
12.7.79 (Q4) 12.13.85
What an exciting game! Not the greatest football because there were so many stoppages but nevertheless tightly contested. Carlton ruled the first and third quarters but the Pies had the upper hand in the second and fourth. Scores were all tied up and I was praying for a draw but then the freakish Nick Daicos kicked a fantastic goal on the run to seal the deal.
It was an emotional night too. The AFL has recognised the terrible deaths of women at the hands of their partners or ex-partners (currently running at two a week here) and all games this round start with all players and all umpires linking arms in a circle in the centre of the field followed by a minute's silence. Added to this, Collingwood and Carlton play a game each season for the Peter Mac Cup and encourage all spectators both at the game and at home to donate money towards cancer research. Particularly apt as the Pies' Bobby Hill and the Blues' Sam Docherty have had cancer. The lights went down and on the big screen, lo and behold, Robbie Williams who invited everyone to light up their phones and sing along to "Angels" which the 88,362 attendees did with gusto. It was a spectacular sight seeing all the lights moving and hearing the community singing.

Never have a I been so pleased to get a prediction wrong. The Swans were simply magnificent and apart from first quarter completely outplayed the Giants. Just a shame another McCartin is undergoing concussion protilcols. I do not blame Brown too much for the challenge as clearly unintentional but he has to take responsibility when challenging and he didn't.


I did think Giants would win but stayed with tip mainly because would be happy to get it wrong but would have satisfaction of getting it right if Giants won.
Turning point was ironically the rain which all experts said would favour Giants if arrived but in fact Swans took charge from that point. Also Giants losing Tom Greene was massive and I hope not seriously injured.



I just loved the endless shots of walking up steps!

Sydney Swans (Anita) v GWS Giants (Duke)
2.6.18 (Q1) 5.3.33
6.8.44 (Q2) 5.5.35
10.11.71 (Q3) 8.5.53
14.14.98 (Q4) 10.9.69
St Kilda Saints (Tim) v North Melbourne Kangaroos (Steve)
4.2.26 (Q1) 3.2.20
8.6.54 (Q2) 4.2.26
12.8.80 (Q3) 7.4.46
15.13.103 (Q4) 10.5.65
Melbourne Demons (on hiatus) v Geelong Cats (available)
3.2.20 (Q1) 2.4.16
3.7.25 (Q2) 2.8.20
5.14.44 (Q3) 6.10.46
10.14.74 (Q4) 9.12.66
West Coast Eagles (Sussex) v Essendon Bombers (Val)
1.1.7 (Q1) 2.5.17
4.2.26 (Q2) 7.6.48
8.5.53 (Q3) 10.8.68
11.5.71 (Q4) 11.11.77
Tim will be a happy man tonight as the Swans go to the top of the ladder. I'm happy too as the Bombers inch up to fifth.


GWS may have lost Tom Green to injury, but i think Cognilio is back for the round 9.....no way my boys will let the Bombers get the better of them! Soz Val! :)

Today's results:
Richmond Tigers (Philip) v Fremantle Dockers (available)
1.3.9 (Q1) 3.4.22
1.7.13 (Q2) 6.8.44
4.11.35 (Q3) 8.11.59
6.13.49 (Q4) 15.13.103
Western Bulldogs (on hiatus) v Hawthorn Hawks (available)
5.1.31 (Q1) 4.2.26
6.3.39 (Q2) 7.5.47
8.7.55 (Q3) 9.9.63
14.7.91 (Q4) 14.14.98

Brisbane Lions (on hiatus) v Gold Coast Suns (Suzy)
5.5.35 (Q1) 2.0.13
8.8.56 (Q2) 2.3.16
8.17.65 (Q3) 4.5.29
10.19.79 (Q4) 6.8.45

Round 8 (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)
Sj Brooke (Steve) on 6 (35)
Philip on 6 (45)
Suzy on 5 (23)
Val on 5 (38)
Tim on 3 (42)
Anita on 3 (47)
Duke on 3 (53)
SussexWelsh on 3 (50)
Charity donations are:
Tim (Koala Hospital - Port Macquarie) and to be redistributed at the end of the season - A$7.00 - Highest score (Saints and Fremantle both 103)
Suzy (Friends With Dignity) - A$7.00 (closest margin)
Steve (Backpack Bed For Homeless) - A$12.00 (weekly winner)
CUMULATIVE LADDER:
Val on 48 (273)
SussexWelsh on 48 (283)
Tim on 46 (238)
Sj Brooke (Steve) on 44 (257)
Philip on 44 (328)
Duke on 40 (244)
Anita on 33 (340)
Suzy on 29 (225)
Please check your scores!!!
Congrats to Steve for coming out on top for the week. I'm not sure how I came to be the overall leader but it probably won't last.

If anyone would like to view the AFL Ladder before submitting next week's tips, it's at http://www.afl.com.au/ladder
or https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/ladder
ROUND
Thursday May 9
Carlton Blues v Melbourne Demons (in Melbourne)
Friday May 10
Geelong Cats v Port Adelaide Power (in Geelong)
Fremantle Dockers v Sydney Swans (in Perth)
Saturday May 11
Hawthorn Hawks v St Kilda Saints (in Tasmania)
Essendon Bombers v GWS Giants (in Melbourne)
Richmond Tigers v Western Bulldogs (in Melbourne)
Gold Coast Suns v North Melbourne Kangaroos (in Darwin)
Sunday May 12
Collingwood Magpies v West Coast Eagles (in Melbourne)
Adelaide Crows v Brisbane Lions (in Adelaide)
If punters could lodge their tips by midnight WEDNESDAY May 8 (your time) it would be a great help, although I can accept them up until 10.15am THURSDAY (your time) if absolutely necessary.

ADELAIDE CROWS: Season is alive.
BRISBANE LIONS: Are they cursed?
CARLTON: Team balance off.
COLLINGWOOD: A Daicossian moment. (Nick Daicos goal seals the result)
ESSENDON: Win shows maturity.
FREMANTLE: Proper statement win.
GEELONG: Due a loss.
GOLD COAST SUNS: Horrendous given circumstances.
GWS GIANTS: Just a wobble.
HAWTHORN: Giant killers return!
MELBOURNE: Regained some respect.
NORTH MELBOURNE: Make (George) Wardlaw captain?
PORT ADELAIDE: Stage fright returns.
RICHMOND: Frees? Problem elsewhere.
ST KILDA: (Darcy) Wilson’s a jet.
SYDNEY SWANS: Team to beat?
WEST COAST EAGLES: More promising signs.
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Bevo (coach Luke Beveridge) seat heat.

Carlton Blues + 01
Geelong Cats
Sydney Swans
St Kilda Saints
GWS Giants
Western Bulldogs
Gold Coast Suns
Collingwood Magpies
Adelaide Crows

Blues by 11 but can go either way
Cats.. biggest question is will Hawkins score on his record appearance or go 4 matches with no goals
Swans.. fingers crossed but record in Perth is not great and now missing McCartin although having Rampe back last week was a huge plus
Hawthorn.. you never know with the Saints and it is in Tasmania
Giants.. sorry Val but doubt they will lose 2 weeks running
Bulldogs... do not have much faith but expect them to bounce back after last week
Suns
Pies
Crows.. Lions have an impossible injury list now

Demons - 1 pt
Cats
Swans
Hawks
GWS (Tom Green might be back, his ankle injury wasn't severe)
Bulldogs
Suns
Magpies
Crows

Suzy's tips:
Blues x 7
Port
Freo
Saints
Bombers
Tigers
North
Eagles
Lions
My tips:
Dees x 10
Cats
Swans
Hawks
Giants
Dogs
Suns
Pies
Crows

Anyway, here's the half-time score and it's all Carlton.
Carlton Blues (available) v Melbourne Demons (on hiatus)
5.0.30 (Q1) 0.0.0
8.3.50 (Q2) 3.1.19

Carlton Blues (available) v Melbourne Demons (on hiatus)
5.0.30 (Q1) 0.0.0
8.3.50 (Q2) 3.1.19
11.4.70 (Q3) 7.6.48
12.5.77 (Q4) 11.10.76
An exciting finish but Carlton were deserved winners. Steve was spot on with his tip so $7.00 makes its way to Backpack Bed For Homeless. Good work!

Hundreds of Log In refusals and endless Password changes over the last few months were driving me crazy until I decided to give my original Password just one last final and rather sad chance ... and whaddaya know?! ... I actually got in!!! ... LOL!!!
Hiyah everyone! ... I've really missed you all ... x x x



Geelong Cats (available) v Port Adelaide Power (available)
3.3.21 (Q1) 8.2.50
5.6.36 (Q2) 12.5.77
11.8.74 (Q3) 14.8.92
14.11.95 (Q4) 15.11.101
Fremantle Dockers (available) v Sydney Swans (Anita)
1.5.11 (Q1) 3.0.18
1.8.14 (Q2) 9.0.54
2.13.25 (Q3) 11.2.68
4.15.39 (Q4) 13.9.87
Geelong were stunned by that first quarter and struggled to get back in the game. Swans now a game clear at the top of the ladder.




Hawthorn Hawks (available) v St Kilda Saints (Tim)
4.1.25 (Q1) 3.3.21
6.2.38 (Q2) 4.4.28
8.6.54 (Q3) 5.9.39
8.10.58 (Q4) 7.11.53
Essendon Bombers (Val) v GWS Giants (Duke)
1.2.8 (Q1) 4.3.27
4.6.30 (Q2) 6.6.42
9.9.63 (Q3) 8.7.55
12.10.82 (Q4) 9.8.62
Richmond Tigers (Philip) v Western Bulldogs (on hiatus)
0.1.1 (Q1) 3.6.24
3.2.20 (Q2) 9.13.67
4.3.27 (Q3) 13.15.93
6.6.42 (Q4) 19.19.133
Gold Coast Suns (Suzy) v North Melbourne Kangaroos (Steve)
2.4.16 (Q1) 1.4.10
5.12.42 (Q2) 2.5.17
10.14.74 (Q3) 4.7.31
17.18.120 (Q4) 7.10.52
Well I can't tell you how proud I am of my Bomber boys. The Giants were dominating up until half time and it's not like they dropped the ball after that. They were still fighting but now the Bombers were answering them in similar mould, tackling everything that moved and slotting their chances. Congrats to Callan Ward, one of my favourite players even if he's a Giant, on 300 games - that's some achievement!. He's playing as well as he ever has. The Bulldogs must be wishing they had never let him go. I'm reminded of one of the Coodabeen Champions' parody songs, "Never Played Like That For Us" (to the tune of "You Were Always On My Mind") - I think of that watching Jake Melksham at the Demons, Bachar Houli at Richmond and Adam Saad at Carlton.




Hawthorn Hawks (available) v St Kilda Saints (Tim)
4.1.25 (Q1) 3.3.21
6.2.38 (Q2) 4.4.28
8.6.54 (Q3) 5.9.39
8.10.58 (Q4) 7.11.53
Essendon Bombers (Val) v GWS Giants (Duke)
1.2.8 (Q1) 4.3.27
4.6.30 (Q2) 6.6.42
9.9.63 (Q3) 8.7.55
12.10.82 (Q4) 9.8.62"
Congrats to your Bombers Val, 3rd place! I don't think i've ever seen them that high on the ladder since i started following AFL in 2016. Dissapointed for my boys....this is the third top eight team they've played this season and loss all three. I'm starting to worry about them....they have to beat some of the top 8 clubs if they want to have a decent chance of making the top 4 and maybe play in the GF. Doesn't look like that atm. And it's not as they've got their usual injury concerns...pretty all of the key players were there, including Tom Green. I actually stopped following the game on the radio at half time, thinking GWS had this sown up.....er..no!
Nice to see the plucky young Hawks get the double. The Saints put up a great fight, but the Hawks in Tassieland are hard to beat.
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Opps...thanks for that Val, now corrected....it's gotta be Freemantle.