BRENT GODDE: ... Err ...

MC: What are you doing here?

BG: Adam was unavailable. I’m your new partner.

MC: So, to use a Leigh Matthews analogy, I’m going to have to turn horse manure into strawberry jam to make this readable?

BG: I’ve got more wit in my little toe than Seewang could fit under his turban. But enough of the old, let’s talk sport — and manure and strawberries and North Albury. I know “Lethal” Leigh was talking about Collingwood but he might as well have been talking about North Albury.

MC: Not your worst call. It’s interesting to note that a couple of the Hoppers’ big additions, Kade Klemke and Damien Cupdio, haven’t been playing big roles of late yet Travis Hodgson’s men keep getting the job done.

BG: Meanwhile, the Wodonga Raiders’ season has been a significantly bumpier ride since they won their first seven matches. Reckon they can get it back on track and continue their good form against Yarrawonga this week or instead become the faders?

MC: Yes, but I don’t think they’ve gone too far “off track”. Yes, they’ve dropped a couple of games they would like to get back but they’ll be playing finals for the first time in many a year, which in itself is a massive improvement on last year. They’re a victim of their early season success in some ways.

BG: Hmm, the opposite to what’s happening to Corey Lambert’s other team, the Western Bulldogs. Now that they’ve ditched Aker, there seems to be a bit of momentum gathering at Whitten Oval.

MC: They’ve got a pretty cruisey run home — only one team, Geelong, in the top seven — so they should finish top four and prove a major handful in the first final.

BG: Hopefully they pump the Pies; my only regret would be that Aker won’t be there to torture the Magpies like he previously did in two grand finals.