[vladekad]

Thought I would get this thread started early this week.

South V East playing off for the last spot in the finals with CL, WP and Subi all certainties to be there. This should be an absolute ripper. My gut says South for some reason but really this game is almost impossible to predict. Both sides have been inconsistent and hard to read this season especially EF who are just all over the place in terms of form from week to week. If both sides play their best footy then I think EF will win though.

Peel V Subi. Subi can pretty much book a home final if they win this one so a lot to play for. They have been bloody impressive for the past couple of months and are a chance for the flag if they can maintain their current form. They aren't star studded like they used to be but they just play good team orientated footy and play it with hunger. I see them as an average side with a burning desire to succeed. They shouldn't drop this game against Peel, although Peel might be fired up to try and get off the bottom of the ladder.

Perth V Swans. Perth have a chance to finish the season with 3 straight wins, while Swans are trying to avoid the spoon. It would be extremely embarassing to from from premiers to spooners, they've had a **** of a year. I expected Swans to drop off a little bit but not as much as they have. These two teams at the start of the year had the personnel good enough to make the finals so they would both be dissapointed with how the year has panned out.

EP V Claremont. Claremont are assured of top spot and EP are well and truly out of finals contention so pride is pretty much all that is on the line here. It will be interesting to see how hard Claremont go in this game and whether they decide to rest a few. They will be facing WP the following week who will be fresh coming off the bye so it might be an idea to rest a few.

West Perth finished the home and away season off well and will enjoy a break before the semi finals where first 22 players Shadbolt, Strijk, Lockyer and Guadagnin should return from injury.

My tips for this week.....

SF
Subi
Perth
Claremont

[Nypbscao]

If Subi lose to Peel, and if SF v EF is a draw, then Subi drop out of the four.

I have been thinking for a while something weird is going to happen.

[Thunderzee]

If Subi lose to Peel, and if SF v EF is a draw, then Subi drop out of the four.

I have been thinking for a while something weird is going to happen.

Ha, good observation Gas. Needless to say Subiaco won't be taking Peel lightly. I concur with Robbo's tips though i will leave my tip on the Derby until Thursday night when the teams are announced and then that can change on a Saturday morning. EF will be sweating on what the Eagles and Dockers release to play and SF will be hoping Hams comes back to them. Apart from seeing Hams kick that miraculous goal just before half time i didn't see much of the Eagles game so not sure how his game was overall.

[AttableBewNaw]

Would have been fantastic to have this weeks SF v EF "Elimination Final" played on Sunday. Considering there is an AFL game on at Subiaco at 5.10pm.

Regardless it will be one cracking game and it could not have been scripted better. And I concure Robbo's thoughts that it is almost impossible to predict a winner. Seriously where do you start ?? Maybe the fact the game is at Fremantle Oval could favour Souths, but really I think those things can be a bit overrated. But there will be a terrific atmosphere down there and the crowd really should be one of the bigger crowds for some years at a suburban ground. Swans & East Perth had nearly 12,000 at Bassendean for that prelim last year, and this game will certainly rival that in terms of attendance.

Lets hope the media and the public get behind it. The ABCTV will be telecasting it statewide to possibly 200,000 people so it will get great exposure. If Subi are battling Peel and the derby is coming down to the wire, imagine the senario of a draw !! They would be back there again the next week.

But Subi are a class act and are playing 100% team footy. I would be suprised if they dropped that game. It could be a great afternoon next Saturday. Great stuff....

And yes DD, it will be interesting to see what AFL players are available. I cant see the Eagles doing the cotton wool thing. That would be just stupid. Freo themselves have buggerall players left available anyway, so that isnt really an issue.

[Bridgester]

derby fever is gripping perth - i can feel it all the way here in london town.but i am the only soul in this city of 10 million who gives a toss about it tho. they are heathens in this country - so you don't here a thing about aussie rules. i can see abc tv is showing the game on the box - which is a good thing, but is the match being broadcast on the radio? i was able to listen to saturdays debacle through the radio fremantle website and really would like to listen to the mighty blue and whites beat our greatest rival.

[ftpsoft]

Its hard to believe sun ra but the SF v EF game is not being broadcast on radio. All the other games are which makes absolutely no sense. Quite bizzare really.

The ABC Radio probably had the game but will broadcast the meaningless AFL game between Freo and the Bulldogs from 12pm to 3pm, then probably the other eastern states AFL game in the afternoon before doing a broadcast of the WCE v Crows game at 5pm. No doubt they will have constant updates of the WAFL as they do a great job there generally. But it appears the game itself wont be broadcast.

Surely one of the other radio stations can obtain a clearance to give a live radio broadcast of this game. It would be crazy to see the other 3 games get radio coverage, and this (final) big match be left out.

[Xibizopt]

SF V EF - a titanic draw where both teams batter and bruise each other into exhaustion

PT V S - a struggle where PT scratch claw to avoid the wooden spoon and its a draw.

what a way to finish a great season, 3,4 and 5 all end up on 46 points with percentage determining a S v SF 1st semi.

the other games make no difference but on form Perth and Claremont.

[Smabeabumjess]

Funny thing rpt if SF & EF draw & Subi get done by Peel, Subi will be out of the 4...

[Suvaxal]

Its hard to believe sun ra but the SF v EF game is not being broadcast on radio. All the other games are which makes absolutely no sense. Quite bizzare really.

I don't think the ABC televised game ever gets radio coverage Gas, not in recent years anyway.

[Caliwany]

read closer sffc4ever, i said a draw between pt v s - the last 3 words.

2 draws however unlikely would be an interesting afternoon's footy

[oB8LI2kP]

rpt1au......if EF and SF draw and Peel and Subi draw, how in the hell can it be a SF v Subi 1st semi, if EF % is already greater than SF?........or do I need to read a bit closer to work out your logic mate?

[r9tbayfC]

yeah the ladder wouldnt change
East Freo to win the derby. I think their poor effort against subi might wake them up to play their best footy that we have seen previously this season against the top sides. their eagles players will be playing but will Darth Harvey let the important ruckman Griffin play for them? South have been gallantly hanging on through an ongoing injury crisis (what is it about fremantle oval?) all season and it might finally pull them under.
Subi to have too much class for peel
Perth to win at lathlain, have played good footy the last few weeks once finals calculations went out the window, like teams often do. Swans will be waiting for the end of a nightmare season (maybe the footy gods gave them that in response to their awesome premiership win? bastards... (swans, not the footy gods)
Royals to be a good chance against the tigers at home. Claremont will have been thinking about west perth next week as soon as top spot was wrapped up. don,t think we will rest too many players but Mcphee will probably reduce ground time for some key players and try some different coaching moves. Could be worth looking at east perths price folks.

[Ephejvll]

The big cut-throat "elimination final" has just had a big swing by the look of it....

Its hard to believe Hams has been sent back to South Fremantle after his great game in the wet in Brisbane. Given there could be some showers at Fremantle Oval, Hams could be a seriously damaging player for the Bulldogs. And Bucovaz will miss out for East Fremantle being dropped to the Dockers... That is a blow for East Fremantle, but the game itself is incredibly hard to tip. In fact it is the most difficult game to tip all season that I can remember. I sensed at the start of the week that it could be a draw, but I will put my neck out here.... SOUTH FREMANTLE TO WIN BY 2 POINTS

In the other games I think Subiaco will beat Peel and set themselves up for a big 1st Semi Final at Leederville. SUBIACO TO WIN BY 24 POINTS.

Perth are notorious for dropping games after showing some decent form. But Im backing them in against Swans especially if JKT, Moody & McDougall come in.... PERTH TO WIN BY 35 POINTS.

Last game of the year for my Royals. And Im going to back them in for the obvious reason of being one-eyed. And thats it. See ya in 2012 you Blue & Blacks !! .... EAST PERTH TO WIN BY 6 POINTS

Geez that season went quick.

[horaAppagob]

How do you pick a derby? With a coin? With your head or with your heart? Whichever way it is, chances are you are going to be wrong.

After watching Soobie cream the gummies on TV last week and the bullfrogs missing the Finals last year, there should be a huge crowd there. I don't think the blue & whites will play that badly again so I am picking them.

My tip for Premiers, Soobie to obliterate the rednecks and keep the Royals safe from the wooden spoon (to be kindly donated by the joondalup members.)

As I've said previously, I would barrack for the Taliban against the basso Sudafed knuckledraggers. So there is not much chance of me going against the redlegs.

After picking the Royals every week this season, I am not going to turn turtle now and pick the silverspoons in the last match. Go Royals!

[h0ldem]

Geez macs, Swan and Moss both out for the Royals mate. Reckon if we get within 8 goals of the monts I will be happy.

And looking at the derby line-ups has not made things any easier. EF having Brennan back along with Dunn and Monteath might help.

[gkruCRi1]

SF V EF DRAW - cant separate the two sides, so much to play for, for both teams...would be a great result, especially if Peel wins!!!

Peel by 1 point - C'mon Peel!

CL by 75 points - a case of by how much for CL...might relax a little with a home 2nd Semi to come next week, but can’t make a case for EP

Perth by 9 points - Reckon Perth will round out the season with another win & will be somewhat content with the improvement from last year

[KignPeeseeamn]

Sharks in a close one.

[Maryjasmine]

Geez macs, Swan and Moss both out for the Royals mate. Reckon if we get within 8 goals of the monts I will be happy.

I wonder if the tiggs will do a Collingwood from last night knowing that they can't lose top spot.

[Blellurgews]

peel to win.
tigers just need to show up.
demons to finish another wretched season with a rare win.
sharks by enough.

[mygalinasoo]

Well done Souths, they get the chocolates and EF end up with the boiled lollies. To make the four after losing Jamie Graham early in the season is a mighty effort.