When it came to AFL footy tipping, my focus was beating Kane Cornes; Mathew Stokes; Geelong Cats; Hawthorn Hawks; Richmond Tigers; Essendon Bombers; Carlton Blues – MASHAHER

I was more accurate in tipping games involving Port Adelaide, the team coached by the great man Ken Hinkley. I have more than a soft spot for Ken as he was an assistant at Geelong when I started my career and I must admit his presence at Port influenced my selections. I won’t claim my support was unwavering, but, ultimately, I stuck with them and it helped me win the tipping.

I also jumped on the Hawthorn bandwagon early in their remarkable run as they went from losing their first five matches to finishing seventh, a couple of last-quarter lapses from a top-four spot. They won 11 of their final 13 games and if you were a believer, as I was, it helped.

As always, crucial tips in evenly split games proved the difference with July similar to the third round of a golf tournament, which is known as “moving day”. July for tipsters is moving month, when the Thursday night games are done, and you can tip with clearer selection information.

I shook off McGowan’s challenge by tipping the Hawks to beat the Dockers in Launceston, then the Lions to beat the Swans at the Gabba and Port to beat Adelaide in mid-August to seal the deal. I go against the grain too, often tipping younger teams late in the season as the quick games suit them.

There were no radical moves, just one or two tips off the beaten path that fell my way making the difference. By this time Cornes was watching my taillights fade.

Now another challenge awaits. I am sticking with the Hawks to beat the other in-form team, the Western Bulldogs, in the elimination final, while I will tip the Lions to beat Carlton.

I expect ladder leaders Sydney to defeat the Giants in the qualifying final, while I’m sticking with Geelong against Port Adelaide in the other qualifying final. Port’s midfield is outstanding but the loss of Dan Houston and Kane Farrell worries me.

A win in that first week is vital and sets up a repeat of the 2022 grand final with Sydney to meet Geelong at the MCG on grand final day.

This time, however, the result will be reversed with the Swans too slick for the ultra-professional Cats.

PS. I don’t take tipping that seriously but isn’t it fun finishing ahead of those, like Peter Ryan, who do!

Mathew Stokes is a Larrakia man who played 200 games with Geelong and Essendon. He played in Geelong’s 2007 and 2011 premiership teams.