Following an invitation from Taber Talk, Chris Batchelor – winner of the Vietnam Swans AFL Tipping Comp – has just announced his tips for the first week of the finals (the Goose has given them to us even before we know the teams).

Ex-president Taber has thrown down the gauntlet and invited me, as the yet to be officially crowned Swans tipping supremo, to provide the winners for this week’s finals. And what a HUGE challenge it is! All quality games that could go either way.

Before sticking my neck out though, I’d like to commiserate with Kutch but also thank him for falling at the last hurdle. Rumour has it that he did so as a result of firstly, his aversion to picking Adelaide and secondly, his liking for the Dogs. It begs the question: Will Geelong do the same thing – that is lead all year then lose the Big One?

Thanks also to the competition manager and all other tipsters whose ongoing participation has helped make this year’s footy season more interesting and enjoyable.

One other question unrelated to the tipping but linked to the blog picture of our esteemed ex-president: How big is Taber’s nose? I reckon we could invite estimates and provide the closest one (to the nearest metre) with a bottle of JB. Just a thought.

Now for the tips. All usual guarantees though: 

• Port Adelaide to beat West Coast at home by 13 points on Friday night. Attendance 43,901
• Adelaide to upset the young Hawks by 18 points in a goal fest at Telstra Dome on Saturday. Attendance 43,075
• Sydney to beat Collingwood by 15 points in a low scoring game at the MCG on Saturday night. Attendance 83,173
• Geelong to win a close one, by 5 points, against North Melbourne at the MCG. Attendance 72,421

Depending on how I go this week, I suppose next week, if invited, I could provide quarter by quarter scores, first goal kickers for each match and estimated pensioner train fares from The G (Richmond) to Nar Nar Goon.

Go Pies!!!