Amazon exiles discussion

theDuke wrote: "Sj wrote: "Cheers Val! I've tipped the 'Pies' now :)"

Looks at oneself in the mirror.......yep i'm Duke! ;-)"

Cheers Duke I've tipped the Pies now 😆

ROUND 14

Western Bulldogs + 22

Hawthorn Hawks
Brisbane Lions
Geelong Cats
Fremantle Dockers

Melbourne Demons
Carlton Blues

Me too Duke. I took a few risks and simply chose the wrong games. Even the Pies nearly lost last night. The Giants need to either abandon Canberra and concentrate on their home ground or move there. I always think it hard to build up support if moving around. I do not know the attendance figures but suspect they nearly fill out Canberra every time. They really should not move though; the local derbies have built up nicely and these games are now the highlights of the season.

The Swans finally got a few players back in form and Blakey had by far his best game of the season. Hopefully, after the bye we may soon get Papley and Gulden close to returning although I suspect the latter is a few weeks away. Mills was close to his top form for the first time since before the GF in 2022. I know it was Richmond, but you still need to perform and had to be woken up at the end of the first quarter.
This week starts with a tough one. Can Dogs bounce back and how do the Saints perform coming off the bye. In fact a few tough choices again.
Bulldogs by 12
Crows
Lions
Cats
Dockers
Demons
Blues

theDuke wrote: "Not that it makes that much difference Val, but i got a lowly 3 in that dismal round! Crows, Cats & Magpies."

More apologies! Dementia is definitely settling in. Here's the revised scores:

ROUND THIRTEEN (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)

Jed on 6 (13)
Val on 5 (35)
Anita on 5 (38)
Philip on 5 (62)
Sj Brooke (Steve) on 5 (72)
SussexWelsh on 4 (32)
Suzy on 3 (15)
Tim on 3 (30)
Duke on 3 (55)

Charity donations are:
To be re-distributed at the end of the season - A$8.00 - Highest score (Hawks 81)
Jed (Great Barrier Reef Foundation)- A$8.00 (closest margin)
Jed (Great Barrier Reef Foundation) - A$14.00 (weekly winner)

CUMULATIVE LADDER:

Jed on 77 (270)
Sj Brooke (Steve) on 77 (358)
Tim on 72 (315)
Val on 71 (312)
SussexWelsh on 70 (340)
Philip on 65 (484)
Duke on 64 (397)
Anita on 60 (403)
Suzy on 35 (240)

Please check your scores!!!

If the Giants and the Swans think they have problems, take a look at the state/State of Tasmania. heading for a State election just weeks after the Federal election. And one of the main issues is the AFL's demand that if they want a team based there, they must build a stadium with a roof. I've always loved the writings of journalist Martin Flanagan. Interesting article from him in today's Melbourne Age/Sydney Morning Herald for those who can access it.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/i...

Tim wrote: "Me too Duke. I took a few risks and simply chose the wrong games. Even the Pies nearly lost last night. The Giants need to either abandon Canberra and concentrate on their home ground or move there..."

Their track record at Canberra hasn't been that great of late...but they've lost at their Engie home stadium as well this season. I just hope they sort themselves out coming out of the byes like they did last year. Looking like Toby Greene isn't badly shaken up, he might be okay to play in Brisbane this week. I f they ever do move to Canberra, they'll have to change their name!

BTW: Does anyone think it's a bit odd that North Melbourne are hosting Fremantle in the Docker's home town of Perth? What's that all about? Is the AFL trying out some new arrangements like they did with the introduction of the Gather rounds a few years ago? Seems to me, very odd for North to host a home game that far west of the country, although they do have a 2nd home Tasmania of course. There was a time, when a couple of teams played a game or two in China for a few seasons (Port & Suns of i recall correctly), but no longer?

The AFL seemingly appears to chop and change things about with every new season?! I still don't understand what the point is with round zero, or those early one game bye rounds at the start of the season. Quite a lot of disconcertion over that one with the fans it would appear.

.
.
Bulldogs by 11
Crows
Lions
Cats
Dockers
Power
Blues

theDuke wrote: "BTW: Does anyone think it's a bit odd that North Melbourne are hosting Fremantle in the Docker's home town of Perth? What's that all about? Is the AFL trying out some new arrangements like they did with the introduction of the Gather rounds a few years ago? Seems to me, very odd for North to host a home game that far west of the country, although they do have a 2nd home Tasmania of course. There was a time, when a couple of teams played a game or two in China for a few seasons (Port & Suns of i recall correctly), but no longer?..."

You can be sure that money is at the heart of it. A lesser reason is for poorer teams to expand their profile and fan base. As I understand it, the Roos men's team always played four games in Tassie each year but this will end this year. In 2025 the men will play two games and the women's team two and that will be it. According to the ABC News, the Western Australia government is paying North AU$2.5 million per year to play two games in W.A.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-0...

I don't know if the Suns get paid for selling home games to Darwin, or Melbourne for playing in Alice Springs. There was a time when St Kilda played in New Zealand. The National Rugby League opened their 2025 season with two games played in Las Vegas and booking has already opened for the 2026 season, also in Vegas:

https://www.nrl.com/rugby-league-in-l...

St Kilda x 20
Hawthorn
Brisbane
Geelong
Fremantle
Port Adelaide
Carlton

Val wrote: "theDuke wrote: "BTW: Does anyone think it's a bit odd that North Melbourne are hosting Fremantle in the Docker's home town of Perth? What's that all about? Is the AFL trying out some new arrangemen..."

Urgh....i feared as much....ugly money. If it helps these poorer clubs balance out with wealthier ones and improves better competition across the clubs, then all the better.....but you can bet someone is pocketing a nice bung or two in the process!

I ain't got nothin' to lose, so let's have some fun:

Round 14:

Saints - 5pts
Crows
GWS
Bombers
Dockers
Demons
Eagles

Bulldogs by 12

Hawks
Lions
Cats
Dockers

Power
Blues

Suzy's tips:

St Kilda by 7
Adelaide
GWS
Essendon
North Melbourne
Port Adelaide
Eagles

Some of these games could go either way (except the Bombers!).

Dogs x 10
Crows
Lions
Cats
Freo
Port
Eagles

Big statement from the Doggies tonight (and what a difference having young Sam Darcy back from injury).

Tonight's result:

St Kilda Saints (Tim) v Western Bulldogs (Tazz)
1.4.10 (Q1) 4.2.26
5.6.36 (Q2) 10.4.64
7.9.51 (Q3) 16.9.105
8.12.60 (Q4) 20.12.132

Steve may have been 50 points out but he still predicted the closest margin so $8.00 set aside for Backpack Bed For Homeless. Well done!

sorry missed the first game
hawks
giants
cats
dockers
port
eagles

Last night's result:

Hawthorn Hawks (available) v Adelaide Crows (available)
0.2.2 (Q1) 2.3.15
2.4.16 (Q2) 4.7.31
4.7.31 (Q3) 4.11.35
6.11.47 (Q4) 5.14.44

Crows led for the whole game bar the last five minutes! Crows couldn't kick straight.

Today's results:

Brisbane Lions (Jed) v GWS Giants (Duke)
5.5.35 (Q1) 5.0.30
9.10.64 (Q2) 8.0.48
10.13.73 (Q3) 12.3.75
13.18.96 (Q4) 17.5.107

Spirited comeback by GWS after the Lions looked to have their measure.

Essendon Bombers (Val) v Geelong Cats (available)
2.4.16 (Q1) 6.3.39
3.7.25 (Q2) 9.6.60
8.7.55 (Q3) 16.8.104
8.8.56 (Q4) 23.13.151

The expected massacre. I think Essendon has more injured players than fit ones.

North Melbourne Kangaroos (Steve) v Fremantle Dockers (available)
3.1.19 (Q1) 2.5.17
4.3.27 (Q2) 7.6.48
6.5.41 (Q3) 9.9.63
10.7.67 (Q4) 10.13.73

Gallant fight by the Roos but left it too late.

Finally..a decent performance by GWS and maybe the new comeback kings?! Keeps them in the 8, and does show that they can take on top 8 teams and win. A great performance from Jesse & Cadman, who between them bagged 11 of the 17 goals scored, very impressive, and Cadman had one of his finest performances of his career, and no Toby Greene either! Suns next at thier home stadium Engie, which GWS haven't done too well there of late.....too much traveling around maybe?

Today's results:

Port Adelaide Power (available) v Melbourne Demons (available)
4.4.28 (Q1) 3.4.22
9.6.60 (Q2) 5.6.36
11.8.74 (Q3) 8.11.59
14.9.93 (Q4) 9.14.68

West Coast Eagles (Sussex) v Carlton Blues (available)
1.1.7 (Q1) 7.4.46
3.4.22 (Q2) 10.8.68
5.7.37 (Q3) 11.11.77
7.10.52 (Q4) 12.14.86

Port were very strong at home but the Blues are still not convincing.

Our tipsters' ladder is as follows:

ROUND FOURTEEN (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)

Jed on 6 (60)
Sj Brooke (Steve) on 5 (50)
SussexWelsh on 5 (61)
Philip on 5 (92)
Anita on 5 (102)
Tim on 4 (60)
Val on 4 (62)
Duke on 2 (77)
Suzy on 2 (79)

Charity donations are:
To be re-distributed at the end of the season - A$8.00 - Highest score (Cats 151)
Steve (Backpack Bed For Homeless)- A$8.00 (closest margin)
Jed (Great Barrier Reef Foundation) - A$14.00 (weekly winner)

CUMULATIVE LADDER:

Jed on 83 (330)
Sj Brooke (Steve) on 82 (408)
Tim on 77 (375)
Val on 75 (374)
SussexWelsh on 75 (401)
Philip on 70 (576)
Duke on 66 (474)
Anita on 64 (505)
Suzy on 37 (319)

Please let me know if I've made any mistakes - it's past my bedtime and the screen is getting blurry. Congratulations again to Jed who's making this tipping business look easy!

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.theroar.com.au/afl/afl-la...

ROUND 15

Thursday Jun 19
Fremantle Dockers v Essendon Bombers (in Perth)

Friday Jun 20
Geelong Cats v Brisbane Lions (in Geelong)

Saturday Jun 21
Carlton Blues v North Melbourne Kangaroos (in Melbourne)
Port Adelaide Power v Sydney Swans (in Adelaide)
Collingwood Magpies v St Kilda Saints (in Melbourne)

Sunday Jun 22
GWS Giants v Gold Coast Suns (in Sydney)
Western Bulldogs v Richmond Tigers (in Melbourne

BYE: Hawthorn Hawks, Adelaide Crows, Melbourne Demons, West Coast Eagles

If punters could lodge their tips by midnight WEDNESDAY June 18th (U.K. time) it would be a great help, although I can accept them up until 10.30am THURSDAY (U.K. time) if absolutely necessary.

Three word summary:

ADELAIDE CROWS: Swings and roundabouts.

BRISBANE LIONS: Gabba fortress demolished.

CARLTON: Another one-quarter performance.

COLLINGWOOD: Had the bye.

ESSENDON: Playing kids painful.

FREMANTLE: Won, at least.

GEELONG: Clear No.2 seed.

GOLD COAST SUNS: Had the bye.

GWS GIANTS: Lucky. Issues remain.

HAWTHORN: Tassie HGA crucial.

MELBOURNE: Kicked season away.

NORTH MELBOURNE: Consider relocation west?

PORT ADELAIDE: Mitch’s (Georgiades) career day.

RICHMOND: Had the bye.

ST KILDA: No more Dogs!

SYDNEY SWANS: Had the bye.

WEST COAST EAGLES: Pick two gone?

WESTERN BULLDOGS: That’s much better.

ROUND 15

Fremantle Dockers +38

Geelong Cats
Carlton Blues
Port Adelaide Power
Collingwood Magpies
GWS Giants
Western Bulldogs

Dockers by 18
Cats
Roos...just a feeling as Blues won last week and do not seem to win two weeks running.
Port ( it's in Adelaide and cannot remember last time Swans won over there.)
Magpies
Giants
Bulldogs

Dockers by 27
lions
blues
SWANS
magpies
giants
bulldogs

Fremantle x 45
Brisbane
Carlton
Sydney
Collingwood
GWS
Western

A few games here looking too clear cut for my liking (says the guy who backed nearly all the wrong horses last week!), but surely 'One of those rounds' has to turn up sooner or later!'

Round 15:

Fremantle - 22 pts - Be a hell of thing if the Bombers rocked up & do the unexpected wouldn't it?!

Geelong (hard not to tip against the home team, but Brisbane do have a good record of beating the Cats..could go the Lions way)

North (I've got that same feeling, Carlton just weren't that impressive last week, the Roos are getting closer and closer to narrowing those close losses.....and it is their turn for a win!)

Swans (Port has had a nice run, but i think the visitors are going to bag an upset here.)

Collingwood (bar the Doggies, one of the only dead certs.)

Gold Coast (GWS win one week and then they seem to find a way to stuff it up the next. Plus injuries are mounting. The Suns are rested, it's time to see if they've got what it takes to play finals.

Western Bullies (The Tigers will need their Mummies - bloodbath cometh!)

Dockers by 18

Cats

Blues
Power
Magpies

Suns
Bulldogs

Suzy's tips:

Essendon by 7
Brisbane
North Melbourne
Sydney
St Kilda
Gold Coast
Richmond

My effort:

Freo x (Sam Switkowski & Sean Darcy are big outs for Freo, and my son assures me Vigo Visentini is a monster, but I can't see Essendon's babies troubling the Dockers much)
Cats (Jack Payne is a big loss but the cats will get up for Danger's 350th game)
Roos (Blues have some injury worries - Harry McKay, Charlie Curnow, Sam Walsh - and they're unreliable at best. This is North's big chance!)
Port (Even if Errol Gulden and Tom Papley do play, they might be rusty and Port have enough talent to win at home)
Pies (Unstoppable)
Giants (Also injury-ridden but I'm hoping they'll continue last week's form even though the Suns are rested and fighting fit)
Dogs (Should be a light training run for the Doggies)

.
.
Dockers by 33
Cats
Blues
Power
Magpies
Suns
Bulldogs

Just noticed I've left my margin off. With 2 minutes to go, I'm predicting Freo by 30 points.

Tonight's result:

Fremantle Dockers (available) v Essendon Bombers (Val)
3.2.20 (Q1) 2.2.14
9.3.57 (Q2) 6.5.41
13.3.81 (Q3) 6.8.44
16.8.104 (Q4) 9.9.63

As predicted, the Dockers beat the Bombers by a healthy margin but I was nonetheless proud of my boys (many of them teenagers) for playing out the four quarters and tackling with intensity (not consistently, but often enough). Freo have 5 of their remaining 7 games at home in Perth so should be assured of making the final eight. I'm not convinced they can go very far in the Finals though.

Congrats to Steve who once again takes out the $8.00 for closest margin - going to Backpack Bed For Homeless. Tipping a margin of 38 points, he just edged out Philip who tipped 45.

And I thought everyone had gone far too high for the margin but just goes to show what I know.
I hoped the Swans would have some players back after the bye but was really not expecting both Gulden and Papley. Hopefully this will change my predicted result, but they are just returning, and it is at the Adelaide Oval where our record is diabolical, so will keep my prediction.

Tonight's result:

Geelong Cats (available) v Brisbane Lions (Jed)
1.3.9 (Q1) 4.2.26
3.5.23 (Q2) 7.4.46
5.10.40 (Q3) 11.6.72
6.15.51 (Q4) 14.8.92

A night Geelong will want to forget. Nothing went right for them from the first bounce. On the other hand, Brisbane showed why they are the reigning Premiers. One way traffic all night.

Today's results:

Carlton Blues (available) v North Melbourne Kangaroos (Steve)
2.6.18 (Q1) 1.3.9
2.7.19 (Q2) 7.5.47
5.8.38 (Q3) 13.6.84
10.13.73 (Q4) 13.6.84

Port Adelaide Power (available) v Sydney Swans (Anita)
0.2.2 (Q1) 1.6.12
2.4.16 (Q2) 4.10.34
4.6.30 (Q3) 5.16.46
7.10.52 (Q4) 9.17.71

Collingwood Magpies (available) v St Kilda Saints (Tim)
5.1.31 (Q1) 3.1.19
8.5.53 (Q2) 6.5.41
12.9.81 (Q3) 9.6.60
16.12.108 (Q4) 11.8.74

Some turn-ups today. North led by 46 points at half time but were only 11 points ahead at the final siren. Still, a win is a win and Carlton were abysmal. The Swans broke their Adelaide hoodoo and led all day. And finally, St Kilda really took it up to Collingwood tonight. They wouldn't go away and fought hard to stay in the game. Unfortunately, Collingwood really is that good.

And it is happening at last! I thought the Lions would get one over their rivals, but wasn't expecting it to be a drubbing, more a close fought game. Cats just weren't in it at all. That said, it is hard to tip against the Cats at home.

bad week for all by the looks of it

On paper the Cats/Lions should have been a ripper. Instead it was painful to watch for Cats fans. Hopefully the Giants/Suns game today will be spicier.

Tougher game between the Giants & Suns..but Suns ahead atm.

Amazing game at Engie, Suns led all the way up to the final quarter, which then became an arm wrestle. The new comeback kings! :)

Today's results:

GWS Giants (Duke) v Gold Coast Suns (Suzy)
4.1.25 (Q1) 7.6.48
6.7.43 (Q2) 8.8.56
8.9.57 (Q3) 11.13.79
16.10.106 (Q4) 14.15.99

Western Bulldogs (Tazz) v Richmond Tigers (Philip)
3.3.21 (Q1) 1.3.9
10.6.66 (Q2) 1.4.10
15.7.97 (Q3) 3.8.26
21.9.135 (Q4) 8.8.56

I thought the Giants were gone for all money but they were amazing in that final quarter. Doggies win - as expected.

Our tipsters' ladder is as follows:

ROUND FIFTEEN (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 6 (4)
Anita on 6 (14)
Val on 5 (11)
Duke on 5 (19)
Tim on 5 (23)
Sj Brooke (Steve) on 4 (3)
SussexWelsh on 3 (8)
Jed on 3 (23)
Suzy on 3 (48)

Charity donations are:
Tazz (Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria) - A$8.00 - Highest score (Dogs 135)
Steve (Backpack Bed For Homeless)- A$8.00 (closest margin)
Philip (Canteen) - A$14.00 (weekly winner)

CUMULATIVE LADDER:

Jed on 86 (353)
Sj Brooke (Steve) on 86 (411)
Tim on 82 (398)
Val on 80 (385)
SussexWelsh on 78 (409)
Philip on 76 (580)
Duke on 71 (493)
Anita on 70 (519)
Suzy on 40 (367)

As always, do let me know if I've made any mistakes. Congrats to those who won money for their charities. Steve and Jed still duking it out for top spot.

N.B. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR TIPS EARLY!!! THERE'S A THURSDAY NIGHT GAME!!!

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.theroar.com.au/afl/afl-la...

ROUND 16

Thursday Jun 26
Port Adelaide Power v Carlton Blues (in Adelaide)

Friday Jun 27
Sydney Swans v Western Bulldogs (in Sydney)

Saturday Jun 28
Gold Coast Suns v Melbourne Demons (on the Gold Coast)
Hawthorn Hawks v North Melbourne Kangaroos (in Tasmania)
Collingwood Magpies v West Coast Eagles (in Melbourne)

Sunday Jun 29
Richmond Tigers v Adelaide Crows (in Melbourne)
Fremantle Dockers v St Kilda Saints (in Perth)

BYE: Brisbane Lions, Essendon Bombers, Geelong Cats, GWS Giants

If punters could lodge their tips by midnight WEDNESDAY June 25th (U.K. time) it would be a great help, although I can accept them up until 10.30am THURSDAY (U.K. time) if absolutely necessary.

Three word summary:

ADELAIDE CROWS: Had the bye.

BRISBANE LIONS: Their luck turned.

CARLTON: The tipping point.

COLLINGWOOD: Nervy... brilliant late.

ESSENDON: (Captain Zach) Merrett handling strange.

FREMANTLE: Getting it done.

GEELONG: Mostly goalkicking. Still...

GOLD COAST SUNS: Fading... not again?!

GWS GIANTS: (Jake) Stringer freakish late.

HAWTHORN: Had the bye.

MELBOURNE: Had the bye.

NORTH MELBOURNE: It’s coming together.

PORT ADELAIDE: The surge fades.

RICHMOND: More patience required.

ST KILDA: Still showing signs.

SYDNEY SWANS: Talent equals winning.

WEST COAST EAGLES: Had the bye.

WESTERN BULLDOGS: Another flat track?

It's already the 23rd of June in Melbourne ...

x x x ! ! ! HAPPY BIRTHDAY VAL ! ! ! x x x ...

Ah yeah, happy birthday to ya Mrs Henshaw 🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈

Likewise, many happy returns Val. :)

Thanks folks - your good wishes much appreciated.