2019 Multicultural AFL Football Show - Round 8

Iris Filolli and Zisis Pouros during the Multicultural AFL Football Show Greek Broadcast

The Multicultural AFL Football TV & Radio Show - Round 8

By Fiv Antoniou

8/05/2019

Welcome to the 8th round of the NEMBC’s AFL Footy Blog. The AFL match results this week separated the teams on top from the chaff. Melbourne made it back into the winner's circle with a desperate 4 point win over Hawthorn while Carlton and Richmond provided only disappointment for their fans.

As far as Umpire Appreciation Week went, I and many other AFL fans saw some very average performances by the men in “white”. It is obvious that the stronger team of the day enjoys much lenient treatment from umpires because they are reluctant to award 50/50 frees to the weaker opposition – Clean up your act fellas and don’t pay tiggy-touch marks and frees. Be consistent with your decisions, or just go by the hard letter of the law and dump personal interpretation of the rules, even if it means stopping the flow of the game -If the AFL wants a flow-on game then get rid of all the rules. Dropping the ball is incorrect disposal no matter how it happens, in a pack or in open play, no exceptions to how the ball spills out and don’t bring in the silly prior opportunity interpretation!

Round 8 commences on Friday night with the Sydney Swans at the SCG taking on the Bombers. Both teams are coming off heavy losses last weekend and both will be trying to win this game. It's going to be tough and rough, but if a number of Essendon players including Joe Daniher don’t come up to scratch and bring their A-Game, then the Swans will win at home. For the margin call I am going with Sydney to win by 19 points

Saturday kicks off with the game between the Western Bulldogs and the Brisbane Lions from Mars Stadium in Ballarat. Here we have two winners from last week going head to head, both away from home although the Bulldogs don’t have to travel as far as the Lions to get to the ground. Never-the-less it has the makings of a great game, The dogs have found their mojo over the last couple of weeks, while the Lions have bounced back after two defeats. I am banking on the weather to be cold and miserable which will favour the Dogs.

The clash of traditional rivals Carlton v. Collingwood from the MCG Saturday afternoon will not be a great game. Carlton has a lot of players out injured and their heavy loss last week to fellow cellar dwellers North Melbourne would not endear confidence. Until Carlton get Kreuzer, Simpson and Newman back from injury – I cannot see them winning. Collingwood is currently the best team in the AFL right now, and despite the fact that these two rivals always put on a great show, sadly this time around, the Blues will go down for the count!

Gold Coast Suns host the Melbourne Demons at Metricon Stadium.  Are Melbourne ready for another victory? I think they are. It will not be easy and they will have to tough it out with a Gold Coast outfit that on the day can beat any other team. The Demons will have to put up with the heat on the playing field, but will prevail by a narrow margin.

St. Kilda will challenge the West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium. The Saints can’t be written off yet and they will put on a good show as will the Eagles. Both sides have suffered defeats to weaker sides and this game will test both clubs and give a good indication where they stand. Eagles to win, but just!

The big SA derby from the Adelaide Oval on Saturday evening will see Port Adelaide take on their cross town rivals, the Adelaide Crows. Both sides have met in this fixture 45 times with the Crows 23 wins and Port Power 22 times – very evenly matched this time around but after watching the Adelaide Crows grind one out against Fremantle last week at home, I think they have it in them to grind another out!

Three games on Sunday starting with the ‘Roos taking on the Cats at Marvel Stadium. North beat the Blues last week by around ten goals and are full of confidence. It will be a close fought game for at least the first quarter before Geelong steamroll over them with or without Selwood and Ablett. Hawthorn are facing down the barrel taking on the GWS Giants. Who from Hawthorn is going to stop Jeremy Cameron kicking another bag? No-one!  Besides, the Giants have the speed, youth and enthusiasm - More than a match for the Hawks.

Last game of the round comes from Optus Stadium in Perth where the Freo Dockers take on the Richmond Tigers. Richmond is coming off a bad defeat and having to travel across Australia from Melbourne to Perth for the game is not going to improve their chances. The Tigers will try hard, but Fremantle at home has a big advantage and will taste victory!

That’s it from me, catch you next week with more comment and tips.

Round 8, I am picking: Sydney Swans, Western Bulldogs, Collingwood, Melbourne, West Coast, Adelaide, Geelong, GWS Giants & Fremantle: (Progressive tip score:36)

Top AFL tipsters form the AGE have 32 and from Foxtel 33.

To listen or download visit the NEMBC website, or on NEMBC Soundcloud. The Multicultural AFL Footy Show is also available in English all around Australia on the Community Radio Network. The AFL News is available in Arabic, Dinka, Hindi, Greek, Italian, Mandarin and Spanish languages. You can view the Multicultural AFL Football TV Show -C31 Melbourne & Geelong on Thursdays at 7:30 pm, C44 Adelaide Friday 6:00 pm, on Aurora–Foxtel at 11:30 am Saturdays and on YouTube. 

For all enquiries please email: operations@nembc.org.au