With the top 8 sorted, Round 24 will see the jostling for home finals for those lucky enough to be playing on in September. For the rest? It’s the last day of school before the holidays begin.
The Hawks firmed as premiership favorites with a very solid top of the table win in Sydney last weekend while the Eagles are playing for their spot in the top 4. After returning well from his mystery lay off, Lance Franklin is only going to get better which spells trouble for opposition teams starting with West Coast.
Cats v Swans will be a belter which calls to mind the corresponding game from last year when the Swans broke the Cats 29 game winning streak at home. Expect an arm wrestle of vein popping proportions. Despite lacking the form of previous seasons, the Cats have big game experience while the Swans can scrap it out with the best of them. A must watch. The other afternoon games won’t quite match this standard. The Crows will just want to get through against the Suns with health and mullet’s in check while the Kangaroos will be looking to put as many points on the Gaints as possible as to improve their percentage and have a chance at a home final. Anything less than 100 will be a loss because the 7th placed Dockers will surely improve their percentage with a decent win over the Demons. Saturday’s night of the massacre should be rounded out when the Magpies duly thump the Bombers who’s late season implosion has been painful to watch.
And then there was Sunday. Talk about the day of little consequence. With all teams having one last hit out before Mad Monday celebrations commiserations begin, I expect most players to be happy just to make it through the game with as few bumps and bruises as possible because trying to get into women’s attire with grass burn is a bitch. The Tigers should be playing in the finals and should beat Port Adelaide. The Blues will probably do it for Ratten against the Saints, while the rebuilding Lions have tried hard all year and will probably be rewarded with a win over the Bulldogs.
But hey, as my season tip sheet proves, what do I know.
