Thanks Barry and Go Pies!

Carlton plays Collingwood next week and as a Hawthorn supporter I couldn’t be happier.

Against a dispirited North Melbourne, Collingwood reminded us all on Sunday afternoon why the Magpies are the team most likely in 2011.  Defeating the Kangaroos by 117 points made even Mick Malthouse look a little embarrassed after the match.

And after two losses in a row, this week against a resurgent West Coast Eagles, Geelong showed us again that Cats do bleed.

On Saturday, the Hawks managed to battle their way through another round with as many as 15 of its list out of action through injury or suspension.  With the bye next week, coach Alistair Clarkson looked relieved to say the least.

But it was Carlton’s loss to the Western Bulldogs on Sunday that pleased me the most.

With Hawthorn’s young guns fighting above their weight week after week and the Blues only two points behind the Hawks on the ladder, the two teams are in a tussle for third spot.  With West Coast now threatening for a top four position, every point counts.

Had Carlton won on the weekend, as many had expected them to, the Hawks would have fallen back to fourth with the Eagles breathing down their neck.

I tipped the Bulldogs out of hope with little regard for any considered analysis.  I was pretty sure my tip was in vain and that the Blues would quite easily account for an unreliable Bulldogs outfit.

But Barry Hall had other ideas.  In what was perhaps their best win of the season, the Bulldogs fought out an enthralling contest with premiership contenders Carlton to eventually win by a very respectable 27 points, putting them only half a point out of the top eight.

While it was the midfielders led by captain Matthew Boyd who were the best for the Dogs, big bad Barry was inspiring up forward, answering the many critics who have written him off this year by booting four goals.  As an impartial observer, it was nice to see him back.  

Now the Hawks have a rest and the Blues face the mighty Magpies.  I never thought I’d say this but GO PIES! 

Yours in all things footy,

Sasha Lennon