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High Fives

Welcome to "High Fives" the personal column of our ace Footy Director "Magic Mike".

A happy Hawker at heart, this diehard footy tipping analyst has an eye like a hawk when it comes to detail, statistics and knowledge of the game. The feathers will be flying as the battle commences to become Score Five's top tipster. However just remember Magic Mike may come to your rescue throughout the season if you forget to submit those tips. Some expert advice from Magic is to "tip with your head and not your heart"...

Stop Press:  Magic will again be joined each week by footy legend Peter Daicos as a guest tipper, so our players will get the benefit of two great minds.

And now over to Magic Mike...

previous predictions -

RECORD BREAKERS

The Swannies ended a 29 home game winning streak for the Cats on the weekend, the most by an AFL club at any venue. It was the first time Geelong had lost at home in four years, and the locals were just stunned, flabbergasted and amazed as they could hardly believe what they were witnessing unfold before their very eyes.

Sydney outplayed Geelong all day and were inspired by the sad news of their respected co-captain’s family tragedy. As a result of the shock win the Swans have more or less booked a home final against the Saints next week.

Collingwood v Geelong (MCG Friday 7:40pm) – The opening game of the final round of the home and away roster for 2011 is set to be a blockbuster, that’s if it was played about six weeks earlier. Unfortunately the game is set to be a bit of a fizzer as both teams are locked into their first up finals opponents for next week and will be sure to keep their cards close to their chest. The Cats will be keen for a win as going into their finals campaign with two consecutive losses on the back of a poor display against the Crows is not ideal, especially coming up against the in form Hawks. Geelong can take some heart into the contest having been the only team to defeat Collingwood this year when they won a close one by just three points.

Magic Tips: Collingwood (Home Win) 31-50 margin

Daics Tips: Collingwood (Home Win) 31-50 margin "BANKER"

Gold Coast v Hawthorn (Metricon Stadium Saturday 1:10pm) – The Hawks travel north to the Gold Coast and take on the Suns in their final game of their inaugural year. Hawthorn has been impressive lately now winning seven on the trot, and in the last 22 weeks have only been beaten by Collingwood and Geelong. Vice captain Sam Mitchell should return, Rioli will most likely be rested and Stratton is a chance of returning after a solid game in the VFL last week for Box Hill. Word out of the Suns camp is they will be hitting the weights hard and have ordered up on the protein powder in readiness for another grueling pre season that should have them climbing the ladder by a couple of spots in 2012.

Magic Tips: Hawthorn (Away Win) 51+ margin “BANKER”

Daics Tips: Hawthorn (Away Win) 51+ margin

Western Bulldogs v Fremantle (Etihad Stadium Saturday 2:10pm) – This match promised to be a cracker when perusing the roster at the commencement of the season, however both clubs have been very disappointing with most punters having them finishing well inside their top eight. Magic says get on the Dockers to finish top four next year with Sandilands, Mundy, Barlow, Morabito, Ballantyne, Pavlich and Hill all having interrupted seasons due to injury. The last time Freo beat the Doggies in Melbourne was in R14 2004, however they did snap a six game losing streak against the Dogs earlier this year in R5.

Magic Tips: Western Bulldogs (Home Win) 11-30 margin

Daics Tips: Western Bulldogs (Home Win) 11-30 margin

Sydney v Brisbane (SCG Saturday 4:10pm) – After a shock win last week down at Skilled Stadium things seem to be right back on track for the Swannies. They will be banking on the Blues to defeat St.Kilda, therefore giving them a first up home final if they defeat Brisbane at the SCG. Sydney has won the last three very comfortably over the Lions with the last two being at the GABBA, so you wouldn’t think this should be too much trouble for John Longmire’s chargers. For the boys from old Brisbane town, it has been a year of rebuilding that has provided coach Michael Voss with some promise leading into 2012 with Rockliff, Redden, Hanley and Rich set to build on promising performances. Congratulations Lukey Power ….. 282 games, triple premiership player, all-Australian and an all round top bloke.

Magic Tips: Sydney (Home Win) 31-50 margin

Daics Tips: Sydney (Home Win) 11-30 margin

Carlton v St.Kilda (MCG Saturday 7:10pm) – Even though the Blues cannot go anywhere as far as ladder position goes, it looms as an important game for the club having not won a game for two weeks now, and a loss would not be an ideal preparation for a massive game against the Bombers in week one of the finals. The Saints were sensational last week against the Roos and are certain to push the Blues in what promises to be a hard fought contest. Carlton and St.Kilda have not played each other twice in a season since 2008 with the Blues winning two of the three since then, including the three point game earlier this year.

Magic Tips: Carlton (Home Win) 11-30 margin

Daics Tips: Carlton (Home Win) 11-30 margin

West Coast v Adelaide (Paterson Stadium Saturday 5:10pm) – Last week was not want Adelaide coach Mark Bickley needed if he is to make a serious tilt at securing the vacant senior coaching position. With a respectable performance, or even an upset loss, will go a long way to getting his coaching ambitions back on track. The Coasters will welcome back gun midfielder Daniel Kerr, but don’t be surprised if more key playmakers for the Eagles miss through general soreness, or are subbed out at the half way mark of the game. It’s all about next week for West Coast as they sharpen their claws for the Magpies in week one of finals action, so don’t expect a massive margin with a degree of caution presiding over the playing group.

Magic Tips: West Coast (Home Win) 51+ margin

Daics Tips: West Coast (Home Win) 51+ margin

Port Adelaide v Melbourne – (AAMI Stadium Sunday 2:40pm) – Both these clubs have had a few months to prepare for Mad Monday with their seasons written off many weeks ago. It proves to one of the toughest games to pick for the round after the Power pushed the Bombers last week to the end, and the Demons had their first win in well over a month against the Suns. We’re going the upset given that Melbourne has not beaten Port Adelaide at West Lakes in the last ten years, and the Power have the added incentive on winning will ensure they do not receive their first wooden spoon.

Magic Tips: Port Adelaide (Home Win) 11-30 margin

Daics Tips: Port Adelaide (Home Win) 0-10 margin

Richmond v North Melbourne – (Etihad Stadium Sunday 4:40pm) – Could the season finish with a draw ….. a few Score Fivers will be hoping so giving them the opportunity to land one of our big prizes at the death. They played out a draw late in 2009 and this seems the best chance of the round for scores to be all locked up. The Tigers have won three on the trot now and a win against North this week and you guessed it …… ninth spot awaits. Both clubs are just a classy player or two from making a real impact come the business end of the season. Richmond won by nine points earlier this year but we’re tipping the Roos to bounce back from a disappointing performance against the Saints last week and finish just outside the top eight.

Magic Tips: North Melbourne (Away Win) 11-30 margin

Daics Tips: North Melbourne (Away Win) 11-30 margin

Bye: Essendon

Well folks, hope you have had as much fun as we’ve had this year at Score Five HQ, and make sure you tell all of your mates about the best and most strategic AFL tipping game on the web.

Catch you all in 2012 where we will have another game each round to pick thanks to the introduction of the Greater Western Sydney Giants.

Cheers,

MM

Round 24 Tips summary

Fixture			Magic Mike's tips				Peter Daicos' tips
Home	vs	Away	Result	Margin	Banker		Result	Margin	Banker
Collingwood	v	Geelong	Home	31-50			Home	31-50	Banker
Gold Coast	v	Hawthorn	Away	51+	Banker		Away	51+
West.Bulldogs	v	Fremantle	Home	11-30			Home	11-30
Sydney	v	Brisbane	Home	31-50			Home	11-30
Carlton	v	St.Kilda	Home	11-30			Home	11-30
West Coast	v	Adelaide	Home	51+			Home	51+
Port Adelaide	v	Melbourne	Home	11-30			Home	0-10
Richmond	v	Nth.Melbourne	Away	11-30			Away	11-30