<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 18px;]Two weeks to go until the finals.
<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 18px;]Some of you out there might know, others not so much, but I play in a $100 cash league that pays out to the winner of the Grand final. Anyways, a couple of weeks back, I was sitting in 13th- though with the last few week being wins- including this week, and both 4th and 5th losing this round, it looks like I'll be sitting just percentage away from a double chance.
<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 18px;]Yeah- get in there!
<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 18px;]Got two games to come from outside of the 8 as well, which makes me smile a little.


That saide, it was a bizarre weekend of football, with a couple of massive finals changing games on the cards.



Firstly, Carlton all but but an end to Norths chances, while keeping there's alive. Next up, the Suns have opened up the opportunity for Collingwood to miss the top eigth this year.



Can I just say, I'll be smiling to myself just a little bit if Mick finishes the season by taking the #8 spot off Buckley. Oh how the newspapers will have things to write.



Finally, how was that game on Sunday!? Adelaide taking down the might of Geelong!



A wierd, wierd week it was.





North vs Carlton

Result: Carlton by 1.



It was a pretty tight match early, with Carlton's superior accuracy keeping them in the hint, but the third quarter- boy the Blues were good. Personally, I figured that North's end-game collapses had come early.



That was a mistaken assumption however, with North kicking eight of the last eleven goals of the match to go down by just 1 behind.



Scott D. Thompson was a rock. 23 touches, 8 marks and 126SC points for the Kangers saw him come in front of Drew Petrie by a nose - just 125SC for the big guy off 16 touches, 9 marks and 4 goals.



I gotta say, I felt a little bad for Lindsay Thomas who kicked 6 goals for just 77SC- when you've got Todd Goldstein and his 8 touches scoring him a 97SC. (Though to be fair, he also had 41 hitouts!)



On Carlton's side, Matthew Kreuzer top scored with a massive 139SC from 17 disposals and 29 hitouts. Just quietly, between you and me- with Mick vouching for this roll from the K man, it makes him an easy selection for next year.



Kade Simpson also impressed with 28 touches and 120SC.



Who didn't impress was that defender, Bryce Gibbs who for whatever reason, was given a tagging role. Yanno, we were ok with him being an actual defender- at least it gave him D/M status- but a run with role? Sad panda.



Heroes: Scott D. Thompson, Drew Petrie, Matthew Kreuzer, Kade Simpson

Villains: Andrew Swallow, Bryce Gibbs





St. Kilda vs Port Adelaide

Result: Port by 5.



Following on from the theme of snatching victory from the jaws for sheer throw, we come to the Power vs St Kilda. Port we just magnificent in the first half. Seriously, looked amazing. Went into the half time break a good 40 points up, and if my sources are to be believed, send out their c-grade stunt doubles to run out the game.



Well, that's how it seemed cause damn, the Saints were all over them in the second half. So much so, that they actually got their noses in front in that final term- and a couple of loose decisions saw Port get through.



I say loose, cause they were there- but particularly funny. Like the Pittard 50. Yes, he deliberately dropped the ball, but can I ask- what kind of an idiot tries to knock it out of his hands in the first place? Sheesh man.



I'm going to start off on Ports side, cause there were a couple of big ones, particularly that of Justin Westhoff who had 18 touches, 2 goals and 152SC. Expecting the early-year bandwagons to fire right back up again.



Chad Wingard was great, with 22 touches, 9 marks and 130SC while Matthew Lobbe had a big one- with 17 touches, 40 hitouts and 127SC.



Also want to give a shout out to Kane Mitchell who came on late in the 3rd, picked up 10 touches and 75SC points. Shattered that he has been in the green vest all year.



I know that I've got a no-rookie-villain policy, but I've also got a top 4 position in a keeper league to consolidate, and can't have Oliver Wines picking up just 8 touches and 24SC. You gotta lift mate!



On St. Kilda's side, there were some absolutely massive scores. I wonder if there's anything in the SC scoring system that rates the actions of a comeback stronger? Who knows.



Anyways, Jack Steven was massive. 162SC from 25 touches and 3 goals. Nick Dal Santo was massive. 159SC from 33 disposals. Leigh Montagna was massive. 145SC from 35 touches. Ben McEvoy was massive. 135SC from 13 touches (and 34 hitouts.). Nick Riewoldt was massive. 134SC from 20 touches and 2 goals.



See- massive, massive scores in a game that ultimately was lost. Seems a little odd- though it was great to see Steven stand so tall in the final quarter when it was officially on.



Heroes: Justin Westhoff, Chad Wingard, Matthew Lobbe, Jack Steven, Nick Dal Santo, Leigh Montagna, Ben McEvoy, Nick Riewoldt

Villains: Oliver Wines
Oh, and leematty- still in the LastManStanding comp- get in there son brilliant!