Crikey’s AFL & NRL Hot Form Charts

Crikey’s AFL Hot Form Chart

The Prelims: If you’re talking about Chris Judd, you’re obviously not a Geelong fan. What do they care about a homesick 24-year-old with a dicky groin? Nothin’ that’s what. And why would they? The Cats have stars all of their own and are just two victories away from supping of the Premiership Cup. There’s just one problem: Collingwood. You know, that team with no all-Australian players. Meanwhile, there’s a game in Adelaide on Saturday featuring two of the unlikeliest preliminary finalists of recent years. Who will win and meet on that other day that stops a nation?

Crikey’s Hot Form Chart has the answers: 

Why/Why not? Best attack, best defence, nine all Australians, minor premiers, a week’s rest … the list of reasons for Geelong’s favouritism is long and compelling. Every expert in Australia will be tipping the Cats, including this one. And yet, there’s just a feeling that the Magpies have a sniff. Should Collingwood play in the Grand Final after surviving extra time on the other side of the continent, expect low flying aircraft to be all the buzz. There are plenty of reasons to dismiss the Magpies, but they have come up trumps in two must-win finals so far and may stretch the competition’s best team.

And the winner is… Geelong by 19 points.

Why/Why not? The Power have pace, confidence and a ground the Kangas have lost four of their last five at. Need something more to convince you? Try that the Power have the best group of young players in the AFL. And the Kangas? Simply because everyone will say they can’t, the Kangaroos might. It’s enough to have you believing in this “shinboner spirit” malarchy. Providing Port don’t start believing in it, the Kangas face a mighty task in beating the Power at home.

And the winner is… Port Adelaide by 21 points.

Crikey’s NRL Hot Form Chart

The Prelims: I’m glad a voice of authority in Denis Fitzgerald, Parramatta’s CEO, drew back the veil of my ignorance and explained why the Melbourne Storm shouldn’t be in the NRL. I was going around thinking they were the competition’s benchmark … boy, do I feel like an idiot! Luckily for fools like me, Crikey’s Hot Form Chart makes it easy to ponder the form and pick the winners.

This is how the Hot Form Chart is seeing the match-ups in the penultimate round:

Why/Why not? The Minor Premiers have the best defence, the best attack and the all-too-fresh memory of a losing grand final in their armoury. It’s just as well for the Eels that Melbourne’s home ground advantage has been nullified … if only someone could explain that to the 40,000 Kiwis and nee-Northerners who turn up to Telstra Dome on Sunday. If their forwards go forward, the Eels sensational outside backs might just score enough tries to get their team into a grand final. Belief must be high amongst Michael Hagan’s men as well after handsome performances against tough opponents in the past two weeks. This one may be closer than the odds suggest.

And the winner is… The Storm by 8 points.

Why/Why not? Recent history has not been kind to the Sea Eagles as far as North Queensland encounters go — Manly have won just one in the last five years. But should that worry the no. 2 team in the comp, the team that has had a week off and goes into the game with a (nominal) home ground advantage? Crikey says yes! It must be my imagination but the judiciary always seems a little more … generous at this time of year. The availability of the game’s most influential player will be as big a psychological boost for the Cowboys as anything else, and may get the Queenslanders into another Grand Final.

And the winner is… The Cowboys by 1 point.