So, another weekend has passed, with only one more week on the NAB to come to grips with. One more week of crossing our fingers, hoping that the rookies weve been watching all offseason dont get themselves injured (Im sure youve all had to take Callinan out of your lineups this weekend. Leaves a bitter taste in the mouth because not only was he a DPP, he also required me to free cash up in order to move him on).

Now, just to remind everyone- its tradition in these parts to avoid doing the RMT threads until after the NAB has finished. We do this purely because (as we saw this week)- one single injury can have a big effect on your team, and that all the effort that goes into rating teams can be for nought. Still, there will be an RMT thread next week sometime, so keep holding those horses!

As for this weekend, we had some pretty good games, culminating into an even bigger grand final next week. Should be an absolute ripper.

Anyways, game reviews are over the break-

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Essendon v St. Kilda

Friday night saw the Bombers get out to an early lead, and just keep on rolling. To be fair, the Saints did essentially give up after half time, but it was good to see the Bombers ble to twist in the knife and go in for the kill.

<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=82&pcid=13014&name=Brent%20Stanton">Stanton[/url] had the most touches on the ground for the night, however, his efficiency was pretty bad, making him a DreamTeam only prospect for mine. (Though a real good DreamTeam prospect).
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=303&pcid=13188&name=Mark%20McVeigh">Mcveighs[/url] move back to the middle looks to be a winner with him looking better than he ever did under Knights.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=1137&pcid=13673&name=Michael%20HIBBERD">Hibberd[/url] had his best game to date with 15 touches. One more performance like that and theres no way he wont play a lot of games next year.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=285&pcid=13172&name=Leroy%20Jetta">Jetta[/url] impressed once again. While he wasnt quite as prolific as the week before, I though his skills were top notch.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=1047&pcid=13583&name=Dyson%20HEPPELL">Heppell[/url] was Heppell. Didnt see any reason to cut him from my squad.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=366&pcid=13235&name=Patrick%20Ryder">Ryder[/url] was a little down on what youd expect considering there was no real ruckman against him all day. But, you know what they say about the NAB and premiums- doesnt count for much!
Now, onto the Saints. They were dissapointing- sure, its the preseason, but you do hope to see more of a shake than was shown. Ah well, no harm done until we get to the real stuff. What it does mean however, is that its tough to take too much out of it- so for mine, the biggest notes were the injuries.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=281&pcid=13169&name=Leigh%20Montagna">Montagna[/url] was subbed off at half time as a precaution, I believe it was back tightness- but if anyones heard more, let us know. Hes a highend premium and a lingering injury from before round one is the last thing you wanna be paying top dollar for.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=410&pcid=13265&name=Sam%20Fisher">Sam Fisher[/url] copped an elbow from Clarke early and the outlook was looking pretty bad, but it looks like he should be right for round 1.

Collingwood v West Coast
After falling behind early, the Pies managed to get themselves backing front, then kept themselves thereabouts to secure the win.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=421&pcid=13272&name=Scott%20Pendlebury">Pendles[/url] absolutely dominated with 34 touches. Gunna be a lot of coaches looking to save a little by trading Swan down to him. Smarter coaches will keep both considering Collingwoods early games.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=1037&pcid=13573&name=Andrew%20KRAKOUER">Krakour[/url] got a fair bit of it again, but he sure did handball a lot.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=284&pcid=13171&name=Leon%20Davis">Davis[/url] in the backline was good again, but again, didnt have to share with Shaw, so itll be interesting where he settles down if Collingwood play a full lineup next week.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=152&pcid=13071&name=Darren%20Jolly">Jolly[/url] looked rusty in his first hitout for the year. I can see a lot of quick trigger fingers jumping off him, but do keep in mind that its still just pre-season.
On the WEagles side, <a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=313&pcid=13197&name=Matt%20Priddis">Priddis[/url] got himself the ball a good 30 times- But over the full season, premiums-mids and bottom 4 teams dont tend to mix- so unless youre predicting a rise, Id steer clear.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=167&pcid=13083&name=Dean%20Cox">Cox[/url] on the other hand was great with 22 touches. If todays battle was a showdown to see who will be your #2 ruck, he came out well in front. And weve all seen what he can do in the past, even in a bottom 4 team.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=437&pcid=13282&name=Shannon%20Hurn">Hurn[/url] is just a beautiful kick, he really can just thread the needle in a way that is great for Supercoach. Should remain a solid pick next year, but Im still not sure on him being a top7 backman.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=729&pcid=13392&name=Luke%20Shuey">Shuey[/url] looked good again this week if youre looking at a mid pricer to fill a spot in your list.
Finally, <a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=1041&pcid=13577&name=Andrew%20GAFF">Gaff[/url] wasnt great, but he did look better than he did the week before- which was better again than before then. I dont know if hes done enough just yet, but if he keeps improving (as youd expect him to), hell more than earn his keep.

Next, we have a whole slew of challenge matches, and while details havent been fantastic, I do have a couple of key notes. (Though keep an eye out for the Freako email- that thing is GOLD!)
Geelong v Port Adelaide
Well, first things first, Port absolutely dominated this game 135 to 51. That said though, the Cats were missing Paul Chapman, Corey Enright, Jimmy Bartel, Cameron Ling, Steve Johnson and Joel Selwood.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=310&pcid=13194&name=Mathew%20Stokes">Stokes[/url] performed for the cats with 31 disposals.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=1192&pcid=13728&name=Jarrad%20IRONS">Jarrad Irons[/url] got a whole bunch of it and is well and truely on the watchlist to replace Callinan in the middle. Watch out though, rookies that come pop up at this point in the game can also disappear just a quickly- so buy with caution.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=481&pcid=13308&name=Travis%20Boak">Boak[/url] got himself 28 disposals and if he gets his body right could definitely be an option.

Brisbane v Melbourne
Brisbane finally got a win on the board, getting up 107 to 78 with Rich, Black, Power and Rockliff ledding the way.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=960&pcid=13550&name=Clayton%20BEAMS">Claye Beams[/url] did well with 2 goals and a fair bit of the ball
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=962&pcid=13551&name=Broc%20MCCAULEY">Broc McCauley[/url] will be worth a lookin if he gets off the rookie list.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=778&pcid=13465&name=Tom%20SCULLY">Scully[/url] got hiself tagged out of the game, so it might not be his year, but it certainly would have been a good experience for him.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=856&pcid=13506&name=Luke%20TAPSCOTT">Tapscott[/url] played through the backline and could be good for early games after being a high pick last year, and not getting a game.

Sydney v Gold Coast
Sydney won by 72 points, though the Gold Coast were playing the kids- even moreso that usual.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=7&pcid=12956&name=Adam%20Goodes">Adam Goodes[/url] dominated with 6 goals.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=785&pcid=13470&name=Gary%20ROHAN">Gary Rohan[/url] twinged his achilles in the warm-up.
Backline didnt give us much with Kennelly, Shaw and Mattner all missing. Would have been nice to know what was happening with Malceskis spot.
Im not even going to mention the GC as a) they got smashed, and b) they really were missing a lot of players.

Adelaide v Carlton
Carlton won by 24 points.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=424&pcid=13275&name=Scott%20Thompson">Scott Thompson[/url] got 26 touches, with a lot on contested touches. Lucas might be onto something with his call of a 100+ average.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=736&pcid=13386&name=Rory%20Sloane">Sloane[/url] was fantastic, clean and composed and a tackling machine.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=1054&pcid=13590&name=Brodie%20SMITH">Brodie Smith[/url] is really a good chance to play a number of games this year, did very well- though as Ive mentioned before, Craig is renouned for not playing the rookies.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=114&pcid=13037&name=Chris%20Knights">Chris Knights[/url] played out the game and kicked 2 goals. Looks like he didnt pull up sore or nothing! Gunna be a big decision for a lot of Supercoaches over the next few weeks.
With Tippett going down, <a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=697&pcid=13418&name=Shaun%20McKernan">McKernan[/url] really stood up well, though he did struggle in the ruck.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=1179&pcid=13715&name=Ian%20CALLINAN">Callinan[/url] is out from 6-8 weeks. Should make a good downgrade target- in the meantime though, you gotta feel for the poor bloke.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=113&pcid=13036&name=Chris%20Judd">Judd[/url] finished with 27 possesions. Looks like the pre-season concerns might not be so much of a concern.
New Recruit, <a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=512&pcid=13322&name=Andrew%20Collins">Collins[/url] did well with 18 touches.

Hawthorn v Richmond.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=131&pcid=13052&name=Cyril%20Rioli">Cyril Rioli[/url] dominated through the middle. Though word is that he wont be playing there when the Hawks have a full compliment of midfielders.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=1126&pcid=13662&name=Paul%20PUOPOLO">Puopolo[/url] is suring himself in as a defensive bench option.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=486&pcid=13311&name=Trent%20Cotchin">Cotchin[/url] absolutely smashed it- looks like a possible mid-priced option.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=1045&pcid=13581&name=Reece%20CONCA">Conca[/url], as Gaff has been, has continued to improve with each game.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=1154&pcid=13690&name=Jake%20BATCHELOR">Batchelor[/url] continues to impress down back.

Bulldogs v Dockers
Looks like the Dockers knocked up another successive loss.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=1070&pcid=13606&name=Tendai%20MZUNGU">Tendai[/url] impress again in a losing team.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=1113&pcid=13649&name=Zephaniah%20SKINNER">Zepheniah Skinner[/url] performed well for the Dogs with 4 goals, but I cant see him making the season proper.
<a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=1117&pcid=13653&name=Mitch%20WALLIS">Wallis[/url] and <a href="http://tooserious.net/player.php?id=1160&pcid=13696&name=Tom%20LIBERATORE">Liberatore[/url] both played, but from the sounds of things, neither did a whole bunch.

North Melbourne v Giants.
Well, it was the giants. They lost by 12 goals. North is stuff Im lead to believe- but who can really make a call on it.

Anyways, thats the weekend. Sorry its up so late, I reckon youve all got Quentin Tarrantino to thank for that! (And no, thats not a request for Samuel L Jackson quote in the comments! - though if you feel the need to pepper some legitimate comments with them, make sure you keep em clean!)

So, were all trading out Callinan- but who else hasnt cut mustard for you? And who has stood up for a guernsey?