Ben Wise... isn't

This was Ben Wise's "expert" preview of today's Hawks vs Crows clash on afl.com.au:

World Cup referee Valentin Ivanov would need to show up at AAMI Stadium and somehow convince AFL Umpires Director Jeff Gieschen to enlist him as the game's officiator. Ivanov would then have to match the four red cards he dished out in the Portugal v Holland clash to Neil Craig's charges for Hawthorn to even have a chance in this one. No matter how you try to find a way that Hawthorn can win this game, the answer remains the same - they can't. A below-par Adelaide would still get over Hawthorn at its best, though in defence of the Hawks, that would apply to any team that played the Crows this week. Adelaide by 52 points.

How rude.

Apparently there are 37,446 people at AAMI Stadium today. Probably including my brother-in-law and at least one of my nieces, no doubt decked out in red, blue & gold. And I would hazard a guess, knowing the parochial Adelaide crowd as I do*, that about 98% of those people would NOT be barracking for the Hawks. In fact, they would probably be actively attempting to sledge the socks off them and hurling abuse at any poor soul wearing brown and gold.

I challenge any team to put up a good fight in those one-sided conditions.

But Ben Wise... let's take a look at the quarter time score:

Hawks: 2 - 3 - 15
Crows: 2 - 3 - 15

Go us! We're keeping up with the top team.

And half time:

Hawks: 4 - 5 -29
Crows: 5 - 6 - 36

Seven points. Not bad.

Even at three quarter time we hadn't given up the fight:

Hawks: 8 - 6 - 54
Crows: 10 - 9 - 69

Fifteen points. That's less than three goals. That's still an achieveable target.

We won't discuss the final quarter because its still in progress. I'll admit its not looking good, but never say never. We might still stage a bit of a comeback.

We'll give it a red-hot go anyhow.

Despite your kiss of death Ben Wise.

Tool.

Go shove a Balfours pie down your throat and don't be such a smart-arse.

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* As a third generation Hawks supporter who grew up in the southern suburbs of Adelaide, I know first hand how appalling Crows fans can be towards opposing teams and their supporters. I almost got my head smacked in once by a woman who didn't like me cheering a beautiful mark in front of goal by Gary Ayres... the irony was that he went on to become Crows coach.