BigFooty

AFL Grand Final 2020 – All the details.

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 01:41:44 GMT

The times, the entertainment, the Norm Smith predictions, and what happens if it’s a draw.

The Grand Final Fixture – It’s a night game!

Richmond Tigers v Geelong Cats
Saturday, October 24 7:30PM
The Gabba

It was nine years ago that we last saw two Victorian sides in the Grand Final. The Cats were “at home” to Collingwood that year, and lost by 38 points.

Richmond’s last two flags in 2017 and 2019 involved knocking the Cats out in the finals.

Third time’s the charm for Geelong?

Tickets??

Good luck! Or try the GF Ticket Thread.

Start Time

As above, it’s a 7:30PM (AEDT) game.

The Victorian Government is, by sheer coincidence, slipping in a Coronavirus-related public holiday on Friday 23rd – “Thank You Day”.

Half Time Entertainment at the AFL Grand Final

It’s Aussie-fest for the Grand Final at the Gabba.

DMA’s
Sheppard
Cub Sport
Wolfmother’s Andrew Stockdale,
and Electric Fields feat. Thelma Plum and Busby Marou

Plus a special treat – Mike Brady with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra sings Up There Cazaly.

Norm Smith Medal: Top 5 Predictions

Dustin Martin (Richmond)

2. Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)

3. = Bachar Houli (Richmond)

3. = Dion Prestia (Richmond)

4. = Mitch Duncan (Geelong)

4. = Tom Hawkins (Geelong)

4. = Trent Cotchin (Richmond)

5. Tom Lynch (Richmond)

What if the Grand Final is a draw?

First up, the umpires have a little meeting and confirm the score. Just in case someone mucked up.

Then there’s a six minute break.

Then teams change ends and play three minutes plus time-on.

One more change of ends, and another three-minutes-plus is played.

The highest scoring team is then the winner. Unless it’s still a draw, in which case we repeat the time-on process at both ends.

Ambulances are called for those who over-exerted themselves in front of their TV after months of little to no physical activity.

Will this game move the Premierships Tally?

If Richmond win they step up to 13 wins, equal with Hawthorn.

If Geelong win they just bump up to 10 wins, and stay at 5th spot on the tally ladder.

Go here for the full AFL Grand Final Premiership Tally.

Preliminary Finals Teams – AFL Finals 2020 – No change for Geelong.

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 03:31:27 GMT

Port Adelaide Power v Richmond Tigers

Friday 16 October 2020 – 7:20 PM (CST) – ADELAIDE OVAL

The TigerCast Prelim Episode

https://www.spreaker.com/user/bigfooty.com/bigfooty-tigercast-prelim-port

Live call from 7:30 Friday:

https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/afl-2020-first-preliminary-final-port-v-tigers-fri-october-16th-7-50pm-aedt-7-20pm-aest-ao-bf-tigercast-live-call-link-in-op.1249564/

Port Adelaide

B: Ryan Burton, Trent McKenzie, Dan Houston
HB: Hamish Hartlett, Tom Jonas, Darcy Byrne-Jones
C: Xavier Duursma, Ollie Wines, Karl Amon
HF: Zak Butters, Todd Marshall, Brad Ebert
FF: Connor Rozee, Charlie Dixon, Robbie Gray
RUCK: Scott Lycett, Tom Rockliff, Travis Boak

BENCH: Sam Powell-Pepper, Steven Motlop, Tom Clurey, Peter Ladhams
EMERGENCIES: Riley Bonner, Boyd Woodcock, Justin Westhoff, Jarrod Lienert

Richmond

B: David Astbury, Dylan Grimes, Noah Balta
HB: Bachar Houli, Nick Vlastuin, Liam Baker
C: Kamdyn McIntosh, Dion Prestia, Marlion Pickett
HF: Kane Lambert, Dustin Martin, Jason Castagna
F: Daniel Rioli, Tom Lynch, Jack Riewoldt
RUCK: Toby Nankervis, Trent Cotchin, Shane Edwards

BENCH: Jayden Short, Jack Graham, Shai Bolton, Nathan Broad
EMERGENCIES: Oleg Markov, Josh Caddy, Mabior Chol, Jake Aarts

Brisbane Lions v Geelong Cats

Saturday 17 October 2020 – 6:40 PM (AEST) – THE GABBA

Brisbane

B: D. Rich, D. Gardiner, H. Andrews
HB: Z. Bailey, R. Lester, G. Birchall
C: H. McCluggage, M. Robinson, C. Ah Chee
HF: D. Zorko, D. McStay, C. Rayner
F: O. McInerney, E. Hipwood, C. Cameron
FOLL: S. Martin, J. Lyons, L. Neale

BENCH: J. Berry, L. McCarthy, C. Ellis-Yolmen, B. Starcevich
EMERGENCIES: K. Coleman, M. Hinge, J. Payne, T. Fullarton

IN: C. Ellis-Yolmen
OUT: K. Coleman (omitted)

Geelong

B: J. Henry, H. Taylor, J. Kolodjashnij
HB: L. Henderson, M. Blicavs, T. Stewart
C: M. Duncan, J. Selwood, S. Menegola
HF: L. Dahlhaus, G. Rohan, G. Miers
F: G. Ablett, T. Hawkins, S. Simpson
FOLL: R. Stanley, P. Dangerfield, C. Guthrie

BENCH: J. Bews, B. Parfitt, Z. Tuohy, M. O’Connor
EMERGENCIES: T. Atkins, Z. Guthrie, E. Ratugolea, B. Close

Preliminary Finals 2020

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 03:59:50 GMT

It’s that time of year. We are down to the last four and there are only two weekends left in the season.

It’s been a strange and truncated season, the likes of which we haven’t seen before and hopefully will never see again. Judging by the activity on BigFooty.com the enthusiasm for AFL has waned in 2020 but this was probably to be expected.

If your team isn’t still in the running then you are not reading this to hear me wax lyrical about how impressive Geelong were vs Collingwood last weekend, even though they were! Geelong taught a master class to a Pies team that looked like they shouldn’t have bothered showing up. To be fair to Collingwood they haven’t been firing this year and only scraped into the top eight. The Pies were relegated to a warm up session for Geelong in their bid for the flag. Coach Nathan Buckley said the players were spent. It has been a short but hard season on the pies.

St Kilda came to their match ready to play a hard game and they did but Richmond are just too strong this season. Let’s face it they have been showing that consistent strength the last few years. Shane Edwards rejoined Richmond after the birth of his first child played a pivotal role along with Shai Bolton. The early goals served up by these two had St Kilda on the back foot early and the Saints never really recovered.

It’s not all bad for the Saints, they had a good season and coach Brett Ratten has combined the old guard and the new recruits into a formidable team that I predict will feature again at the finals end of the 2021 season. Watch this space.

Port Adelaide v Richmond

This Friday Port Adelaide and Richmond will go head to head. Port Adelaide beat Richmond in round 11 but Richmond have seven players on the field that didn’t play in that round. Richmond feels the stronger team but Port have rarely put a foot wrong this season so this will be a hard-fought match. It’s a shame that one of these teams will be knocked out in this round as Richmond and Port have never faced off in a Grand Final.

Brisbane v Geelong

The other match this weekend is Brisbane vs Geelong and if you were going to play the odds you would have to give it to Geelong. They have won eight of their last nine matches versus the Lions but Brisbane did win the last one so maybe we shouldn’t write them off too quickly. Both teams are fired up and looking strong this game should prove to be a proper Prelminary Final.

AFL Teams – Semi Finals 2020 – Lynch returns, Mabior out; Saints 3 changes

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 23:07:36 GMT

RICHMOND v ST KILDA

Friday October 9, 7:50pm at Metricon Stadium

TIGERS

Our semi-final side

— Richmond FC (@Richmond_FC) October 8, 2020

B: D. Astbury, D. Grimes, N. Balta
HB: L. Baker, N. Vlastuin, B. Houli
C: K. McIntosh, J. Graham, M. Pickett
HF: S. Bolton, J. Castagna, D. Martin
F: T. Lynch, J. Riewoldt, D. Rioli
FOLL: T. Nankervis, S. Edwards, T. Cotchin

I/C: D. Prestia, J. Short, K. Lambert, N. Broad
EMG: O. Markov, J. Caddy, M. Chol, J. Aarts

IN: T. Lynch, N. Broad
OUT: J. Aarts, M. Chol (both omitted)

SAINTS

The Saints have arrived on the Gold Coast ahead of tomorrow night’s semi-final against the Tigers #AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/t7xrGmvYed

— AFL (@AFL) October 8, 2020

B: J. Marsh, D. Howard, B. Paton
HB: N. Coffield, C. Wilkie, J. Geary
C: B. Hill, S. Ross, J. Billings
HF: D. Butler, T. Membrey, J. Sinclair
F: D. Kent, M. King, J. Battle
FOLL: R. Marshall, Z. Jones, J. Steele

I/C: S. Savage, H. Clark, D. Hannebery, J. Lonie
EMG: R. Abbott, D. Roberton, N. Hind, J. Webster

IN: J. Marsh, J. Battle, S. Savage
OUT: B. Long (suspended), J. Carlisle (family reasons), P. Ryder (injured)

GEELONG CATS v COLLINGWOOD

Saturday October 10, 7:40pm at the Gabba

CATS

Announced Friday evening

MAGPIES

Announced Friday evening

Manchester United set for a testing season

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 10:00:08 GMT

For a manager of a club as big as Manchester United, it is never easy to see opposition managers get all sorts of backing in the transfer window.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has so far only welcome one new face at Old Trafford in the shape of Donny van de Beek. The young Dutchman was initially linked with a move to Real Madrid but due to the current financial climate, the Spaniards chose not to spend as lavishly as they do in transfer markets.

This is why, United lured the talented midfielder away from Ajax. However, that move had nothing to do with Ed Woodward’s negotiating skills. The club’s supremo gets quite a bad rep for never being able to seal moves for prospective targets and while such statements can be a little unfair, even the most distant punters willing to use US bonus codes would put there money on Woodward having yet another disastrous window.

Frank Lampard is relatively new to football management but has been given a lot of backing in the transfer market by the Chelsea management. The Blues got most of their transfer business done quite early, bringing in Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Malang Sarr and Thiago Silva.

Knowing that Kepa Arrizabalaga was struggling, Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was also signed.

Liverpool might not have been that active but the signing of Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich is a shrewd acquisition.

In a similar vein, Manchester City have been genuinely concerned about the areas they needed to improve on. Defense was an issue last season and Pep Guardiola was able to bring in Nathan Ake from Bournemouth. Moreover, Ruben Diaz was also signed from Benfica which means that Aymeric Laporte has a trustworthy partner on his hands.

The departure of Leroy Sane was a big blow but the arrival of Ferran Torres from Valencia gives City another good long term option down the flanks. The Citizens may have lost their title to Liverpool by some margin but it is clear that they have a plan this time around.

The likes of Everton and Leicester City have also invested very smartly in the transfer window which piles further pressure on Manchester United.

Throughout the summer transfer window, The Red Devils have been trying to bring Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund. However, the Germans are not too eager to allow their star player to leave and have reportedly rejected United’s latest offer for the England international.

Solskjaer has been chasing the gifted winger for quite some time and in all honesty, this move should have been finalized. However, the fact that Ed Woodward has been thrifty in his dealings, now threaten the chances of this deal ever happening.

United are now looking at alternatives that include Watford’s jet-footed winger Ismaila Sarr and Barcelona winger Ousmanne Dembele.

Defense has been an issue as well. Harry Maguire is not the fastest center-back on the planet while Victor Lindelof is always one mistake away from catastrophe. The Swede is clearly not good enough to start on a weekly basis yet United haven’t made any movements in this regard.

Down the left back position, Luke Shaw is also no longer the hot prospect he once was during his time at Southampton. The Englishman is a marauding full-back but seems far from imaginative in attacking phases.

Following a very indifferent start to the new campaign which started with a 3-1 loss at home to Crystal Palace, Manchester United should consider themselves lucky that they were able to beat Brighton in their second league outing.

With Tottenahm set to visit on Sunday and the transfer window shutting down on October 5, Manchester United might be in for a very testing season.

Everton flying high

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 02:45:53 GMT

Following a 4-1 win over West Ham United in the Carabao Cup, Everton are inching closer to perhaps finally ending a really long wait for a bit of silverware – a feat attracting all sorts of punters using sites like bet-bonuscode.ca. Ahead of the game against the Hammers, manager Carlo Ancelotti had made clear that winning the League Cup was a top priority this season.

No one can blame the Italian tactician for wanting to go for the cup competition given the fact that winning it would give them a guaranteed path to Europa League next season.

With competition for the top six places in the league getting intense with each passing week, Ancelotti simply cannot rely on his players beefing up for one route towards Europa League. The League Cup not only provides the Toffees a definitive chance of winning some silverware, it is also a rather more straightforward chance to gain access to Europe.

After winning a lot of trophies during his time as manager of AC Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, Carlo Ancelotti was never going to take any cup competition for granted.

The game against West Ham was Everton’s toughest test in the competition this season. They headed into this fixture on the back of a great start to the new English Premier League campaign. Since the beginning of the new campaign, Everton have looked like the real deal.

James Rodriguez has taken no time to get settled while Allan is linking up very well with Andre Gomes.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin had a great 2019/20 campaign and continues improving at a phenomenal speed. The English striker scored a hat-trick against David Moyes’ men. No wonder Manchester United have been linked with a move for him.

Following this win over the Hammers, Ancelotti’s men are only three games away from finally winning some piece of silverware and guaranteeing themselves European football next season. While there is still a long way to go, the Merseysiders are riding high and looking at their form, who can bet against them?

There are a few issues that need to be addressed however!

The team’s defensive situation is not the best. Both Mason Holgate and Jarrad Branthwaite are out injured and Yerry Mina has only just returned from injury. The Colombian was not used in the win over West Ham and Lucas Digne filled in admirably for the former Barcelona man.

Michael Keane has proven to be quite the leader in the heart of defense, with the Manchester United academy graduate stealing the show with yet another accomplished showing.

Injuries might have created a few problems but Michael Keane is really thriving which bodes well for Ancelotti who at least has some depth in defense.

Keane is perhaps one of the most underrated defenders in England.

The 27-year-old has great ability with the ball at his feet and actually made more successful passes than all of his teammates. Boasting a 96% pass accuracy would definitely inspire Ancelotti’s confidence.

Solely due to Ancelotti’s trust in him, Keane’s overall gameplay has improved and he has become more or less and undroppable member of the starting XI.

Calvert-Lewin shows no signs of stopping.

The youngster showed great composure while scoring his first goal against West Ham, controlling the ball brilliantly from his first touch and then beating Darren Randolph before thumping the ball in the back of the net.

The 23-year-old is slowly becoming a more complete striker than we imagine him to be a few years ago. Perhaps Ancelotti’s biggest concern would be to convince his star striker that he can achieve everything at Goodison Park.

All in all, Everton are one of the most in-form teams in England and the run they’ve put in, needs to have enough longevity in order for them to finally become a team that can more than just punch above its weight.

AFL Teams Round 18, 2020 – Updated daily.

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 03:10:28 GMT

NORTH MELBOURNE v WEST COAST EAGLES

Thursday September 17, 7.10pm at Metricon Stadium

KANGAROOS

B: E. Vickers-Willis, R. Tarrant, F. Perez
HB: S. Atley, B. McKay, L. McDonald
C: B. Scott, J. Simpkin, J. Polec
HF: C. Zurhaar, J. Walker, J. Ziebell
F: T. Garner, N. Larkey, S. Higgins
FOLL: T. Goldstein, J. Anderson, T. Dumont

I/C: L. Davies-Uniacke, S. Durdin, T. Murphy, A. Hall
EMG: M. Wood, M. McGuInness, T. Campbell, L. Hosie

IN: S. Durdin, T. Murphy
OUT: M. Wood (omitted), A. Bonar (injured)

EAGLES

B: T. Cole, T. Barrass, B. Sheppard
HB: S. Hurn, W. Schofield, L. Duggan
C: J. Nelson, D. Sheed, J. Waterman
HF: B. Ah Chee, J. Darling, J. Petruccelle
F: O. Allen, J. Kennedy, L. Ryan
FOLL: N. Naitanui, T. Kelly, A. Gaff

I/C: L. Foley, B. Williams, B. Ainsworth, J. Rotham
EMG: J. Brander, X. O’Neill, J. Cameron, H. Edwards

IN: D. Shee, B. Ah Chee, L. Foley, B. Williams
OUT: H. Brayshaw (omitted), X. O’Neill (omitted), J. Brander (omitted), J. McGovern (injured)

Is Ken Hinkley Right to Call Out His Veterans?

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 00:32:03 GMT

Across the globe, few industries are more ruthless than sports. Because of the sector’s physical demands, age and injuries can unquestionably impact career longevity and selection processes. Recently, this issue has come to the forefront concerning the AFL, with Ken Hinkley publicly calling for more from his veteran players, Brad Ebert and Justin Westhoff. So, let’s consider whether the Port Adelaide coach was right to question two experienced players.

Laying Down the Gauntlet Isn’t Always a Bad Thing

In sport, experience is an invaluable trait that is only acquired through years of hard work and unrivalled professionalism. That said, career longevity shouldn’t make competitors immune from criticism because of their previous contributions and success. Between them, Ebert and Westhoff have given a combined 21 years to Port Adelaide, but that hasn’t seen them avoid criticism from their 55-year-old coach.

According to a report by News.com.au, Hinkley declared that both of his veteran players need to earn their places in the team, implying that reputation alone is no longer enough. The public call-out comes after both were dropped in advance of the one-time AFL winner’s clash with North Melbourne. Moreover, the decision to implement change comes following the Power’s victory over Geelong, which saw them retain their spot at the top of the table.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9-EQAzxKN0

Crucially, the decision to drop Westhoff – who has played 277 games for Port Adelaide – came through Hinkley’s desire to implement tactical alterations. As per TripleM, the 53-year-old believes that two ruckmen offer more mobility than Westhoff, who is predominantly playing as a forward. Furthermore, from an individual standpoint, this decision will likely hinder both Ebert’s and Westhoff’s chances of clinching individual accolades. At present, Ebert is 66/1 with Aussie Rules betting regarding Brownlow Medal individual player club votes, as of September 4th.

Pressurized Man Management Doesn’t Always Work

Outside of the AFL, there are numerous examples of pressurised management resulting in fruitful player improvements and trophy-winning success. However, this is often rare. Perhaps the most notable example of this style in sport comes from Jose Mourinho, the current Tottenham Hotspur manager. The Portuguese coach is notorious when it comes to questioning his player. While his record somewhat speaks for itself concerning success, his man-management hasn’t always yielded positive results.

Although, of course, there are distinct differences between football and Aussies Rules, managerial styles aren’t limited to specific sports. If Hinkley is drifting towards a Mourinho-like approach, then he may find himself being unable to once again get the best out of Ebert or Westhoff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RgRGnaN4rs

Over the years, the two-time Champions League-winning manager has questioned the likes of Joe Cole, Juan Mata, and Ricardo Quaresma. Ultimately, according to Football Whispers, each failed to deliver their best performances after being singled out. There’s a lesson to be learned from this, and that’s that public questioning of professional athletes can drastically backfire. As such, Hinkley is taking a risk, especially calling out two Port Adelaide veterans.

How Will Ebert and Westhoff Respond?

Having given so much of their professional careers to Port Adelaide, both of the Power’s veterans may feel like any discussions should take place behind closed doors. However, being singled out in the press has the potential to spur players on to perform to their best, though it’s not guaranteed. What happens next will be fascinating, particularly given Ebert and Westhoff’s popularity among the team’s supporters.

AFL Teams, Round 17 2020 – Updated daily.

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 00:37:34 GMT

ST KILDA v WEST COAST EAGLES

Thursday September 10, 7.10pm at the Gabba

SAINTS

B: J. Geary, D. Howard, N. Coffield
HB: H. Clark, C. Wilkie, B. Long
C: J. Battle, S. Ross, J. Billings
HF: J. Lonie, R. Marshall, B. Hill
F: M. King, T. Membrey, D. Butler
FOLL: P. Ryder, J. Steele, Z. Jones

I/C: B. Paton, J. Sinclair, D. Kent, N. Hind
EMG: D. Roberton, S. Savage, J. Marsh, J. Carlisle

IN: M. King, T. Membrey, N. Hind
OUT: R. Abbott, J. Marsh, E. Phillips (all omitted)

EAGLES

B: W. Schofield, T. Barrass, B. Sheppard
HB: S. Hurn, J. McGovern, L. Duggan
C: J. Nelson, T. Kelly, J. Waterman
HF: J. Brander, J. Darling, J. Petruccelle
F: O. Allen, J. Kennedy, L. Ryan
FOLL: N. Naitanui, B. Ainsworth, A. Gaff

I/C: H. Brayshaw, X. O’Neill, T. Cole, J. Rotham
EMG: L. Foley, B. Williams, J. Cameron, N. Reid

IN: W. Schofield, S. Hurn, J. Brander, J. Petruccelle, N. Naitanui, H. Brayshaw
OUT: T. Hickey (omitted), L. Jetta (injured), D. Sheed (injured), M. Hutchings (injured), J. Redden (injured), B. Ah Chee (injured)

Where does Donny van de Beek fit in at Manchester United?

Sun, 06 Sep 2020 21:00:16 GMT

After at least a month of inactivity and watching the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City strengthen their ranks, it appears that Manchester United have woken up and are slowly starting to make moves in the current summer transfer window.

The Red Devils were in hot pursuit of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund but a fee has not been agreed with the Germans.

However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has received a major boost after Netherlands international, Donny van de Beek decided to leave Ajax for Old Trafford. The young midfielder has reportedly turned down the overtures of the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona in doing so which clearly makes this a huge coup for the English giants, and a player that may entice punters to use Draftkings promotions.

The youngster arrives at Old Trafford with the reputation of being an all action midfielder and someone who scores goals and provides them in equally good measure. He was also a key figure for the Amsterdam club when Ajax reached the semifinal of the 2018/19 Champions League.

After being extensively scouted for the past 12 months, Solskjaer decided to make his move but one wonders if the youngster would be able to fit in alongside Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba?

A deep-lying playmaker?

Van de Beek is renowned for his attacking qualities and can be a really great player during offensive builders. However, that is not the only quality he has. The 23-year-old is a great at recovering possession in the final third which further outlines his eager to play higher up the pitch.

But with the likes of Fernandes and Pogba already at the club, the Norwegian tactician might seek to position Van de Beek in a deeper role.

In a 4-2-3-1 formation, you can expect the youngster to be paired up with Pogba at the base of the midfield. he would definitely be a great alternative to Nemanja Matic who is nearing the twilight years of his playing career.

But unlike the Serb, Van de Beek is not as defensive but that doesn’t mean he would be avoid doing the dirty work. Last season in the Eredivisie, the Dutchman averaged 2.2 tackles per 90 minutes which is very close to Matic’s tackling per 90 minutes average of 2.6.

Van de Beek has crafted a reputation of being a hard working player whose intelligent off the ball movement makes him easy to pick out. By being at the base of midfield, the Dutchman will have enough chances to move around and make himself available to be picked out.

His passing ability is something that will make him a great addition to the squad. Van de Beek has excellent vision and just like Fernandes, loves finding gaps in packed defenses. This will come in really handy when United play against teams that like to defend in blocks.

However, Van de Beek is also going to thrive if he is played in a midfield diamond which would result in one of the three forwards being sacrificed.

But that would ensure Matic stays on the pitch in a holding role, leaving Fernandes, Pogba and Van de Beek closer to Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial. During his time at Ajax, Van de Beek has done well on the right side of a midfield and in the long run this will be the position he would be used in.

A lack of depth did hurt United last season and although they were able to finish strongly and qualify for the Champions League, over-reliance on the likes of Pogba and Fernandes would be risky. But with Van de Beek around, Solskjaer has a nice selection headache ahead of the new season.

Leeds and Bielsa set to thrill

Sun, 06 Sep 2020 08:05:44 GMT

Finally!

After a 16-year hiatus or a 16-year spell in the wilderness, or whatever you may term it, Leeds United are back in the Premier League. This is where the Lilywhites belong.

They might not have won a lot of trophies in their illustrious history but Leeds United are one of the crucial aspects of everything related to English football. This is a club that embodies resilience, passion and sheer dedication.

And the perfect man to lead this club was always going to be Marcel Bielsa. The Chilean tactician has guided the club to the Premier League and has done so while making his charges play attractive football.

El Loca is a unique manager in the sense that he will never back down from a challenge and would also want his sides to play an attractive brand of football. Like an aggressive high roller using a BetMGM bonus code, regardless of the quality of opposition is in front of them, Bielsa wants his teams to attack.

The Athletic Bilbao side under Bielsa was punching above its weight and played really attractive football.

In a similar vein, Leeds United are expected to play attractive football and would look to match the very best in England at the same time.

Bielsa is one of the most enigmatic characters in the game and has been in football management for over three decades. The Chilean has done wonders wherever he has gone and is also a big influence on some of the best coaches on the planet, including Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola.

The former Lazio manager is notorious for his attention to detail. He is completely dedicated towards in depth analyses of the opponents, something that can be traced during the infamous Spygate incident where he sent his coaches to spy Derby County’s training seasons.

And Bielsa never denied those accusations and instead admitted what he was doing.

While the English FA handed Leeds a £200,000, it was Bielsa who insisted on paying the fine out of his salary.

At Leeds, you can expect Bielsa to put in an attacking formation that has a potential of scoring goals and conceding as well. The Whites were the fittest team in the league last season and their relentless pressing and harrying makes it really hard for other teams to settle into their rhythm.

This is the reason why a lot of goals scored by Leeds were late on, when the opposition was tired.

We are likely to see a 4-1-4-1 formation which would shape into a 3-3-1-3 when the wingers and full backs push up further.

Perhaps the most important thing, even more important than tactics and formations would be the fact that Leeds are on the verge of tying down their manager to a long term deal. The Chilean usually never spends a lot of time in one place but it is clear that he loves being at Leeds United.

His desire isn’t fueled by money even though Bielsa is going to sign a pretty lucrative deal.

It would be so amazing to see Marcelo Bielsa in the dugout for the first ever Manchester United-Leeds encounter in the Premier League in 16 years. The two teams’ fans simply hate each other on principle and Bielsa would be eager to get one over the Red side of Manchester.

This rivalry has been at the forefront of English football for many years and who would be better than a man who defeated Sir Alex Ferguson’s United twice in the Europa League round of 16 in 2012.

Bielsa’s tactics were so spot on that even the great Scot was amazed at his team’s relentless approach.

For teams that have been used to sweeping away minnows in the Premier League, they will definitely not be looking at Leeds as the latest whipping boys who can help them improve their goal difference.

Leeds might be back after 16 years but seem more than up for the battle that awaits them.

AFL Teams – Round 16, 2020

Sat, 05 Sep 2020 03:41:09 GMT

NORTH MELBOURNE v PORT ADELAIDE

Saturday September 5

7:40pm at Metricon Stadium

KANGAROOS

B: J. Walker, R. Tarrant, F. Perez
HB: S. Atley, B. McKay, L. McDonald
C: T. Dumont, J. Simpkin, J. Polec
HF: M. Wood, N. Larkey, J. Ziebell
F: B. Scott, C. Zurhaar, L. Hosie
FOLL: T. Goldstein, S. Higgins, J. Anderson

I/C: M. Williams, L. Davies-Uniacke, E. Vickers-Willis, A. Hall
EMG: P. Ahern, T. Murphy, M. McGuinness, T. Campbell

IN: F. Perez, J. Polec, J. Ziebell
OUT: M. Daw, P. Ahern, T. Murphy (all omitted)

POWER

B: R. Burton, T. McKenzie, D. Houston
HB: H. Hartlett, T. Jonas, D. Byrne-Jones
C: X. Duursma, O. Wines, K. Amon
HF: S. Powell-Pepper, T. Marshall, Z. Butters
F: C. Rozee, C. Dixon, R. Gray
FOLL: S. Lycett, T. Rockliff, T. Boak

I/C: S. Motlop, T. Clurey, K. Farrell, C. Sutcliffe
EMG: M. Bergman, J. Garner, W. Drew, B. Woodcock

IN: D. Houston, S. Motlop, K. Farrell
OUT: R. Bonner, B. Ebert, J. Westhoff (all omitted)

Is Sancho the masterstroke that Manchester United Needs?

Sat, 05 Sep 2020 03:30:39 GMT

Is he worth 120 million or 100 million? Should the money be paid upfront or installments and why are the Glazers not willing to pay right now? These are often the questions that come up on social media and on numerous sports websites with analysts also chipping in. However, should this be the main focus for a team that is listed as the 3rd richest team in the world and finished 33 points below the EPL champions, Liverpool?

Well it shouldn’t be because in spite of the fact that money is now a huge part of football, the beautiful game has become a casino akin to a punter using a us bookmaker.

This is why in this analysis we will be taking a close look at Sancho’s numbers, how he fits in with the Manchester United’s team and what he could bring to the table if the deal is sealed.

Jadon Sancho joined Dortmund 3 years ago from Manchester City to get more playing time as he was declared surplus to requirements by Pep and in 3 years the England winger has not just broken into the England team but also notched up 35 goals for the German team in 3 years.

This is a pretty impressive number when you look at the current stats of players in Manchester United where only 3 players have gone past or come close to hitting that number in the last 2 years (Pogba, Rashford and Martial). While Sancho’s major role in any team would be to provide the assist for the strikers to get the goals. He isn’t doing so badly in that department and Manchester United last season relied so much on their front three to get the goals before Bruno came in and struggled when they didn’t step so yes they need the extra goal juice upfront.

A natural creator

Manchester United racked up a lot of goals last season but all these were pretty much down to when Fernandez and Pogba came into the team. They struggled with creative spark in the midfield and this was evident during their loss against Southampton after the restart. Jadon Sancho notched up 15 assists in just 23 games before the lockdown and these are just direct assists and not the chance created.

Boost players morale

The fact that Rashford was checking up on transfer news on Fabrizio’s twitter page for news on Van De Beek shows that the players at United know that the club needs reinforcements if they want to compete. While the signing of Van De Beek is all but completed, the players need a proven star player to boost the rest of the squad and he could have the same effect that Bruno had when he came on board.

A strong bench

It is no surprising the Ole often had to wait to the last minute to make changes when Manchester United needed to get a result and it’s simply because the bench isn’t strong enough and to compete at the biggest stage you need a strong bench and there can never be too much quality in a team of Manchester United’s standard.

So it’s time to stop putting the numbers forward and talk about how he can impact the Red Devils and with his star power, there is no saying that he won’t pull in the financial numbers to cover up his transfer fees. Now is the time for the Manchester United board should show that they are ready to compete and pay to get the right talents in and a player like Sancho can make a huge change in more ways than one.

AFL Teams Round 15 – Updated daily.

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 01:23:35 GMT

Get your tips in, too:

https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/pickem/2020-bigfooty-afl-home-and-away-comp-all-welcome.5/

HAWTHORN v ADELAIDE CROWS

Tuesday September 1, 5:40pm at the Adelaide Oval

HAWKS

B: B. Hardwick, B. Stratton, T. Scully
HB: J. Frawley, S. Burgoyne, J. Ceglar
C: J. Cousins, D. Howe, J. Scrimshaw
HF: L. Breust, M. Lewis, C. Wingard
F: J. Impey, T. O’Brien, J. Gunston
FOLL: B. McEvoy, J. Worpel, T. Mitchell

I/C: C. Jiath, O. Hanrahan, C. Glass, D. Minchington
EMG: D. Greaves, D. Moore, M. Hartley, H. Morrison

IN: B. Stratton, J. Frawley, S. Burgoyne, M. Lewis, J. Impey
OUT: M. Hartley (omitted), J. Patton (injured), W. Day, S. Frost, L. Shiels (all managed)

CROWS

B: L. Brown, D. Talia, J. Kelly
HB: D. Mackay, K. Hartigan, B. Smith
C: R. Sloane, B. Crouch, L. Sholl
HF: S. McAdam, E. Himmelberg, C. Jones
F: T. Stengle, T. Walker, D. Fogarty
FOLL: R. O’Brien, H. Schoenberg, R. Laird

I/C: L. Murphy, M. Crouch, M. Poholke, B. Keays
EMG: R. Knight, B. Crocker, B. Frampton, F. McAsey

IN: D. Talia, B. Crouch
OUT: J. Butts (injured), B. Crocker (omitted)

WEST COAST EAGLES v ESSENDON

Tuesday September 1, 8:10pm at the Gabba

EAGLES

B: T. Cole, T. Barrass, B. Sheppard
HB: S. Hurn, J. McGovern, L. Jetta
C: L. Duggan, D. Sheed, A. Gaff
HF: J. Redden, J. Darling, L. Ryan
F: B. Williams, O. Allen, B. Ah Chee
FOLL: N. Naitanui, T. Kelly, L. Shuey

I/C: X. O’Neill, J. Nelson, M. Hutchings, J. Rotham
EMG: J. Brander, T. Hickey, W. Schofield, J. Cameron

IN: L. Jetta, J. Redden, O. Allen, J. Nelson
OUT: J. Brander, N. Reid (both omitted), J. Kennedy (injured), J. Cripps (rested)

BOMBERS

B: M. Gleeson, M. Hurley, B. Zerk-Thatcher
HB: J. Ridley, J. Stewart, A. Saad
C: D. Parish, A. McGrath, K. Langford
HF: W. Snelling, C. Hooker, I. Mosquito
F: D. Smith, J. Daniher, A. McDonald-Tipungwuti
FOLL: S. Draper, D. Shiel, D. Heppell

I/C: Z. Merrett, M. Guelfi, D. Clarke, J. Stringer
EMG: A. Phillips, M. Redman, B. Ham, J. Townsend

IN: M. Hurley, S. Draper, D. Heppell
OUT: B. Ham, A. Phillips, M. Redman (all omitted)

Forward thinking: Who’s winning the 2020 Coleman Medal?

Sun, 30 Aug 2020 21:00:45 GMT

The race for the prestigious title of the season’s best goal kicker has never been so enticing.

With ever club playing each other once in a shortened season, the title for the 2020 Coleman Medal is wide-open and it seems we could have a new named etched into the winner’s books.

We take a look at the five forwards with the best chance to end the season on top.

Tom Hawkins

The Cats star has come into his groove in 2020, dominating defender after defender with pure strength and muscle and sitting in pole position for the Coleman.

Rivals have had very few answers for ‘the Tomahawk’, with the 32-year-old booting 33 goals for the season, with just two goalless performances.

An average of 2.5 goals per game to go along with 16 goal assists for the year suggests the Geelong veteran is a handful for any opposition backline.

The Cats have a moderately comfortable run home, but Hawkins will need to be at his very best to remain in at the top of the competition.

Josh Kennedy

It’s hard to say where many would’ve rated the Eagles star forward heading into 2020, with injury setbacks and age not on his side. But the classy veteran has proven any doubters wrong as he eyes a third Coleman Medal.

A seven-goal performance against the Magpies skyrocketed his goalkicking campaign, where he now sits five goals behind Hawkins with a game in hand.

The Eagles have enjoyed life back in Perth, with Kennedy booting 22 goals in their six games at Optus Stadium since round seven. The question will remain; how high can the Eagles and Kennedy fly as they return to a Queensland hub.

The Eagles last four matches of the season will be against sides ranked in the worst seven defenses in the league, meaning Kennedy will be licking his lips ahead of their upcoming month of football., with the Coleman in his sights. Click here for Online bookmakers.

Dan Butler

No matter what happens in 2020, Dan Butler will be over the moon with the resurrection of his AFL career.

The former-Richmond goal-sneak has lifted the Saints into the top eight with 24 goals from 13 matches and sits in All-Australian contention.

The flashy forward has booted majors in 11 matches, placing him third in the Coleman Medal race with four games to go.

For Butler, taking out the title will be a massive win for the little guys as he leads the pack of small forwards chasing the title.

While his blistering start to the season has somewhat cooled off, the chance is there for the taking in his run to the finals.

Charlie Dixon

The man leading the Port Adelaide defiance, with the South Australians proving their doubters wrong thanks to the brute force of Charlie Dixon.

The 107kg monster has been unleashed in 2020, booting 23 goals – including a bag of six in round three.

Dixon leads the league for contested grabs this season, an asset of his game that has launched him into All-Australian discussions. Defenders seem to have no hope of stopping the Port spearhead.

For Dixon’s chances at the Coleman title, he will need to take every possible advantage of their upcoming games against the Swans, Kangaroos and Bombers.

Matt Taberner

The Dockers forward is no dark horse in this race, proving himself worthy as he sits in the league’s top five goalkickers.

Taberner remains as the only player in 2020 to kick a goal in every round, booting 23 for the year and 11 in his last four appearances.

Fremantle’s engine room has been one of the most in-form of the last month, offering silver-service to Taberner and co. as the Dockers eye a late run for the top eight.

Taberner’s reliable eye for goal and dominance in the air are steering his bid for the Coleman, with a monster bag of goals just around the corner.

The five contenders for the 2020 AFL Rising Star Award

Sun, 30 Aug 2020 08:49:25 GMT

With Gold Coast sensation Matt Rowell out of the picture for this season’s Rising Star race, the pool of rookies in 2020 have not failed to let us down in making the chase for the honours a close competition.

The Suns have continued their surge without their bullish onballer, with a host of first-year sidekicks stepping up in his absence.

While five nominations are still up for grabs, we take a look at the five strongest contenders for the overall Rising Star Award in 2020.

Caleb Serong

The gritty midfielder launched into contention after his round eight performance against Geelong, winning his nomination after 22 touches, 10 contested possessions, seven tackles and a goal against the Cats.

Since then, Serong has collected over 20 touches in three of his last four matches, with the Dockers collecting a win in each match he reached the feat.

The 19-year-old is the clear favourite for the Rising Star title, but he will need to maintain his form as Fremantle come up against four clubs above them on the ladder in their last five rounds to end the season.

Max King

An elongated nomination, but King’s named was pencilled into the class of 2020 after his best perforce of the season in round 12.

King pulled in four marks (three contested) from his seven disposals against the Bombers and booted an equal career-high three goals in the Saints victory.

The brute forward is already a proven goal-scorer, already tallying 18 majors for the season across his 13 matches in 2020, only being held goalless on three occasions.

King stands a great chance to go ahead of Serong in the power rankings as he continues to play a significant role in St Kilda’s finals push. Click here for Pointsbet offers.

Izak Rankine

It seems the Suns’ patience with their treasured prodigy has paid off, with Rankine living up to the livewire expectations that were thrust open.

The dazzling forward has flared for the Suns in his first eight games with the club, despite just the one victory.

A three-goal performance and a Rising Star nomination on debut were quickly backed-up by 16 touches and two goals in his first career win, with the youngster a proven match-winner in his second season in the league.

For Rankine, an improvement in goalkicking and decision-making are a must if he wants to earn the honours of Rising Star in 2020.

Noah Anderson

The No.2 selection in the 2019 draft, Anderson perhaps flew under the radar up until his last month of football.

Anderson collected double-digit disposal counts in 11 of his opening 12 matches in the AFL, highlighted with 26 possessions (13 contested) against the reigning premiers.

His versatility and dependable efforts have been a major cog in the Suns success in 2020, with his ability to thrive in the air while being a threat on the ground.

Playing every game so far this season gives Anderson a great appeal for the Rising Star, giving voters much to consider if he is to end 2020 with strong numbers from 17 games.

Will Day

The Hawthorn youngster is yet to receive a nomination in 2020, but we’re sure one is on its way.

In a season where the Hawks are coming to terms with a bottom-half finish and the beginning of a rebuild, Day has been a standout performer as the answer to the club’s future.

His professionalism and decision making in the Hawks’ backline matches that of a veteran, leading a lacklustre defence at the age of 19.

Day has offered excellent service off the back-50 and is a name to watch out for in 2020 and beyond.

AFL Teams Round 14 – Updated daily!

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 23:07:11 GMT

HAWTHORN v ESSENDON

Thursday August 27, 4:40pm at Adelaide Oval

HAWKS

B: B. Hardwick, M. Hartley, T. Scully
HB: W. Day, S. Frost, D. Minchington
C: J. Cousins, D. Howe, J. Scrimshaw
HF: J. Patton, L. Breust, C. Wingard
F: L. Shiels, T. O’Brien, O. Hanrahan
FOLL: B. McEvoy, J. Worpel, T. Mitchell

I/C: C. Jiath, J. Gunston, C. Glass, J. Ceglar
EMG: D. Greaves, D. Moore, J. Ross, H. Morrison

IN: D. Minchington, J. Gunston, J. Ceglar
OUT: B. Stratton (Managed), S. Burgoyne (Managed), J. Impey (Injured)

BOMBERS

B: M. Gleeson, C. Hooker, M. Hurley
HB: J. Ridley, M. Redman, A. Saad
C: Z. Merrett, A. McGrath, B. Ham
HF: D. Shiel, K. Langford, I. Mosquito
F: J. Stewart, J. Daniher, A. McDonald-Tipungwuti
FOLL: A. Phillips, W. Snelling, D. Parish

I/C: D. Smith, M. Guelfi, D. Clarke, J. Stringer
EMG: B. Zerk-Thatcher, M. Hibberd, J. Begley, J. Townsend

IN: C. Hooker, J. Daniher, A. Phillips
OUT: T. Bellchambers (Injured), A. Francis (Injured), S. Draper (Managed)

RICHMOND v WEST COAST EAGLES

Thursday August 27, 7:10pm at Metricon Stadium

TIGERS

B: B. Houli, D. Grimes, N. Balta
HB: J. Short, N. Vlastuin, O. Markov
C: K. McIntosh, J. Graham, M. Pickett
HF: J. Aarts, K. Lambert, T. Lynch
F: J. Riewoldt, D. Martin, J. Castagna
FOLL: I. Soldo, S. Bolton, T. Cotchin

I/C: L. Baker, T. Nankervis, D. Rioli, T. Dow
EMG: J. Ross, J. Caddy, N. Broad, W. Martyn

IN: T. Nankervis, T. Dow
OUT: S. Stack (Injured), M. Chol (Omitted)

EAGLES

B: S. Hurn, T. Barrass, B. Sheppard
HB: L. Duggan, J. McGovern, J. Nelson
C: D. Sheed, L. Shuey, J. Cripps
HF: J. Brander, J. Darling, L. Ryan
F: B. Ah Chee, J. Kennedy, N. Reid
FOLL: N. Naitanui, T. Kelly, A. Gaff

I/C: O. Allen, X. O’Neill, T. Cole, J. Rotham

EMER: H. Brayshaw, L. Jetta, E. Yeo, M. Hutchings

IN: B. Williams, M. Hutchings
OUT: O. Allen (Injured), J. Nelson (Injured)

Analysing the footy snacking experience

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 04:57:17 GMT

Watching any game of Australian footy (especially a big one where your team is set to make it or break it) is a unique viewing experience. One of the most critical considerations, next to what beverage you’ll be enjoying, is what you’ll be snacking on in-between the time spent yelling at the screen.

The process of snack elimination

As you well know, some snacks are more appropriate than others. You’ll know from personal experience some that run out too quickly, some that you get sick of too fast, and others that are simply too messy and require clean-up afterwards.

Trying to find an equilibrium in your footy snack of choice is something that’s a lot easier said than done. This is especially true if you know your cravings change faster than the team rankings, as your idea of the perfect footy snack will vary with your tastes.

Some snacks never go out of style when you’re watching a foot game. For example, something like cheesy nachos, or classic Arnott’s Tim Tams, are two food items that will always serve you well during your footy viewing.

Combining dinner time and footy time

Of course, you can simply replace footy snacks with a full-fledged dinner. If you’ve got someone special who’s happy to cook for you – great! If not, then making dinner in preparation for a footy match might seem like more trouble than it’s worth.

However, there’s no reason to give up on the idea. There are plenty of ways to simplify the cooking experience, so you have something ready to eat at kick-off. For example, you could use the simple four-step EveryPlate recipes to get a great meal without much effort in the kitchen, with all the ingredients delivered to your front door (which cuts down on waste as well).

The Grand Final effect

When you’re thinking about footy snacks, you can’t always just think about your own wants. When you’re viewing with a group of people, especially for a Grand Final viewing party, you’re going to have to think about catering for many different appetites.

The obvious solution is to do what the Americans do with their Superbowl parties, where everyone is obliged to bring a snack to share. Ideally, you’ll end up with a veritable smorgasbord of items that everyone can pick apart at their leisure while you watch the game.

Quick and reliable options

Sometimes it’s just not practical or convenient to cook a savoury footy snack. In these situations, don’t hesitate to run to the nearest supermarket and pick up some Smiths Chips to tide you over while you watch the footy.

These options won’t let you down when you’re in a hurry to make sure you’ve got a footy snack. If you’ve had dinner before the game, then these light options are more than enough to tide you over through the match.

Pubs and barbeques

Sometimes the ritual of having a barbeque or going to the pub during the footy match is all you need to do to keep yourself and everyone with you fully satisfied – especially at half-time!

Fun and Unusual Ways to Bet on Sports

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 04:01:08 GMT

Whether it is footy you like to wager on or any other sports, the betting industry is evolving rapidly with each passing year, making it a genuinely one-of-a-kind experience for punters across the globe. Similar to other businesses, to stay ahead and keep their audience interested, the industry is continuously upgrading itself. Often coming up with new ideas that can help make sports enthusiasts earn more as they go about enjoying their favourite tournaments.

It is, however, pertinent to note that before you start placing bets, choosing the right bookmaker is an essential activity. If you are entirely new to the betting world, stick with the known names that guarantee excellent customer service and plenty of wagering options to play around.

Moreover, don’t attach yourself with one particular sport, and look at other possibilities such as betting on the Premier League or the Super Bowl, competitions that attract thousands of punters as they present highly lucrative winning opportunities. Furthermore, keep a check for options that allow you to earn during the off-season of your favourite sport in a manner that is equally fun and exciting.

Live Betting

Live betting is a touchy subject in Australia with certain restrictions in place; however, for most other nations, it is possible to bet on a game while it is in play. As a result, live betting is an excellent chance for beginners who might be unsure about picking up odds before a game, and much prefer to see how the teams are performing before making a bet on them. Admittedly, the returns are less than when you choose an odd in advance, but it nevertheless makes for a play that can add an element of excitement to the game you are watching at that particular time.

Virtual Options

We are starting to live more and more in the virtual world than ever before. From social media to playing games, it didn’t take long for betting to become digital too. Fantasy leagues have been a thing for a while now, and in fact, several bookies let you bet on them. However, the newest entrant in town is virtual sports competitions that allow punters to place bets on simulated games, just like they would on real ones. Not only are these perfect for when no enjoyable sports is happening, but beginners can get a feel of betting by playing computer-generated games before they move on to the real deal.

Betting Varieties

Most beginners, when starting to gamble on sports, stick to bets like who will win a match or a tournament. Nothing wrong with that, but remember, there is a lot more money to be made on the smaller bets. You can bet on which four teams will end up on top at the end of the AFL season, or the one that will be last. You can bet on the end score of a single match or who will win the rising star award. Then there is going into specifics like the top Victorian team or who will win the Coleman medal. There are several possibilities, and by dividing your wagers over different bets, you stand a better chance of making higher profits.

AFL Teams Round 13, 2020 – Updated daily!

Thu, 20 Aug 2020 08:28:59 GMT

Teams posted as they are announced.

GOLD COAST SUNS v CARLTON

Friday August 21, 7:50pm at TIO Stadium

SUNS

B: C. Budarick, S. Collins, J. Harbrow
HB: J. Bowes, C. Ballard, C. Graham
C: J. Lukosius, H. Greenwood, B. Ellis
HF: L. Weller, S. Day, J. Corbett
F: I. Rankine, B. King, S. Flanders
FOLL: J. Witts, D. Swallow, T. Miller

I/C: B. Ainsworth, N. Anderson, S. Lemmens, W. Powell
EMG: A. Sexton, C. Burgess, Z. Smith, N. Holman

IN: J. Harbrow, D. Swallow, S. Lemmens
OUT: B. Fiorini, N. Holman, A. Sexton (all omitted)

BLUES

B: K. Simpson, L. Jones, T. Williamson
HB: S. Docherty, J. Weitering, L. Plowman
C: M. Cottrell, P. Cripps, W. Setterfield
HF: M. Gibbons, L. Casboult, Z. Fisher
F: E. Betts, H. McKay, J. Martin
FOLL: T. De Koning, E. Curnow, M. Murphy

I/C: S. Petrevski-Seton, S. Walsh, J. Newnes, M. Pittonet
EMG: L. O’Brien, C. Polson, J. Honey, C. Moore

IN: J. Martin, M. Pittonet
OUT: M. Kennedy (injured), J. Honey (omitted)