RICHO’S TOP 10: Brisbane, Collingwood, Hawthorn, Geelong, Western Bulldogs are the most reliable teams to tip

1. What a cracker we have tonight on Channel Seven’s Thursday night footy.

The Cats and the Dogs are both coming off huge wins. Unfortunately, the Cats will not have Danger who is out with a hamstring injury. That means Jeremy Cameron will need to stay a bit closer to the goals tonight. He’s in form coming off a seven-goal haul against Port Adelaide so look to him to repeat that performance. As for the Dogs if they win this one it is starting to feel like 2016 all over again. They have two recent wins at the Cattery so will go into the game with confidence. I loved Bevo’s cheeky dig that it’s taken the Dogs to almost fill GMHBA Stadium after Bailey Smith’s earlier crack about his former side playing in front of a small crowd in Ballarat. Geelong has only had one home crowd over 30,000 this year so the Bevo-Bailey show is just what will draw the fans in. Expect a few, harmless scuffles early on as Smith reacquaints himself with his former side.

The Bulldogs are flying due to the consistent efforts of its role players, as well as their stars. Players like Rhylee West, James Harmes, Buku Khamis, Sam Davidson, Joel Freijah, Ryley Sanders, Laitham Vandermeer, James O’Donnell, Luke Cleary and Lachlan Bramble. These are guys that might not have been in the Bulldogs’ best 23 at the start of the year but definitely are now. Bevo has this team locked and loaded. What a game it should be, grab the popcorn.

2. The insufficient intent rule is farcical.

The way it’s interpreted lacks any common sense or feel for what the players are actually trying to do. When they are paid in the forward half of the ground late in games with the attacking team trying to score to win a game it blows my mind. You’re trying to score not waste time with a stoppage and allow the opposition to shut things down. The AFL should change the rule so whomever touches it last is at fault. The way the rule is interpreted at present is so frustrating for players and fans.

3. Talking of frustrating, what about footy tipping?

When you do your tips how many of them are you confident in? Who do you trust to tip without hesitation or thought. The teams that I trust are Brisbane, Collingwood, Hawthorn, Geelong and the Dogs. The Suns and Crows need to show they are the real deal to get into that trust zone. The other teams worry me from week to week. Those five teams I trust are the ones that can win the flag. So, who do you trust? I know Brisbane just drew with North and lost to Melbourne but premierships get you major trust points with me.

4. There’s a bit of talk about the ARC being able to overturn umpiring decisions.

An example of a clear mistake that could have been overturned but wasn’t was the Mitch McGovern out of bounds on the full last Friday night at the SCG. The resulting free kick was then converted for a goal by Isaac Heeney. On the replay it was clearly a bump ball. I’m a hard no on going down the path of the NRL and having a video ref intervening during play. It’s swings and roundabouts. Some go your way some don’t. It adds to the whole drama of our game.

5. Another hard no from me is removing time on from the game.

One of the great things in our game is the tension and intensity in tight games with the players not knowing exactly how long is left. Playing the game until the end and not managing the clock is what makes the end of close matches so nailbiting. Playing 20-minute quarters without the clock stopping will see more clock management, which means fewer thrilling finishes.

6. I love Nate Caddy.

He will be a star, there’s no doubt in my mind about that. But should he be eligible for the Rising Star award? He was nominated last week as well as being nominated last year. Having an extra 12 months in an AFL system gives you a big advantage over the first-year players. I think only first-year players should be eligible and it should not be based on number of games played. Do you agree?

7. How good is Sir Doug Nichols Round?

It started last Thursday with a ripping contest in Darwin between the Suns and Hawks and tomorrow night we have the pinnacle match of the round — Dreamtime at the G. The brainchild of Kevin Sheedy is now one of the best nights on the footy calendar. Indigenous players have made Aussie rules a better game over the years and thrilled so many fans around Australia. My favourite all time indigenous players are Maurice Rioli and Buddy Franklin and of the current players Izak Rankine is an absolute all-round star.

8. I never saw Stephen Michael play.

The Hall of Famer never did cross to Victoria, but was an absolute superstar for the South Fremantle Football Club winning two Sandover medals and five best and fairest awards in a storied career. Living in Tasmania we had no access to vision of WAFL games. But I knew of his legend. My work colleagues Brian Taylor and James Brayshaw saw him play a lot growing up in Perth and speak often of his brilliance. So do yourself a favour and go to AFL.com and watch the documentary about him. What an athlete for a man of his size. He could do it all. Having had the honour of meeting him at a few functions he is a very humble gentleman as well.

9. The Hawks sit 7-3 and are going well.

They are not absolutely humming, but you don’t want to be doing that until August and September. The next month is critical for them to get into a good position to peak during for finals. Waiting for them over the next four rounds are the Lions at the Gabba, Pies at the G, Doggies at Marvel and then the Crows in Tassie. If they get through that at worst with a 2-2 result then they can really push for that all important top four finish and earn a finals double chance card. I feel like they have plenty to improve on in their game, but are in a good spot with plenty of time to get their system absolutely right.

10. Have the Suns arrived and are they ready to play finals?

Two epic wins against strong opponents in Darwin says they are. At 7-2 with 14 games to play it seems a certainty. They have been here before at 7-2 (2014), but that was all about Gary Ablett Jnr. He then got injured and that was that. I’m willing to say it’s a certainty after this week. They come to Marvel this Sunday to play the Saints. They must prove they can beat teams in Melbourne. They lost to The Tigers during their last visit to Marvel. If the Suns have what it takes, they should account for Saints. If they do, clear your September calendar Suns fans.