I must admit, i took the Crows with the 17.5 point start today with a higher than usual level of confidence. Not only has Hawthorn kicked me in the chocky-starfish twice in 2 weeks, but today they were wearing stiletto's. It probably helps when you have 4 forwards at 6'3"+ that know their roles perfectly, but the Hawks are the real deal this year and a very serious threat to the Cats in the eyes of this humble punter. They're quick, they're skillful, and they're direct. I'd really like to think that there are 3-4 sides on that level, but at this stage the Hawks and the Cats are by themselves, and can't play each other soon enough.

Although the odds on the Hawks will be putrid next week, they'll make my multi, and it'll have to be a monster line for me to go against them again.