Don't wanna speak to soon, but I think the choccies may head North this year. What a see sawing hum dinga of a season! Unless Sally, 'The kid' Douglas and Jane crack the jackpot, it would be fair to say that Stuart Milne has it in the bag.

So this is it! the final chapter for 2008. I know your all asking, Who is this Stuart Milne? What makes this guy tick? Where does he come from? Well it just so happens I caught up with Stuart in this exclusive interview over the weekend and here's what he had to say...

Above: 2 points clear, Stuart Milne

Matty: Well Stuart, must say, a sensational comp for you this season… and to be 2 points clear coming into the last round coming from 5th ranking early on is remarkable… But what’s with the hair dude?

 

Stuart: It's not over till that chick sings on Sunday night though. The hair, I've been experimenting with my business attire and hirsute look of late, this was what I wore to the latest investment committee meeting of the Milne Family Superannuation Fund. Plus, making wigs with my armpit hair is a bit of a hobby.

Matty: For the other tipsters, do you mind me asking... Who are you? & what do you do?

Stuart: Father of two girls (7 & 3), cheese lover, ex-pat Melbournite, moved to Sydney, meets Sydney girl, gets married, buys ridiculous Sydney mortgage, end of story. Needs pet (beer drinking) male dogs to even up the numbers at home. Runs boutique financial services consulting business in investment, superannuation and funds management industry, seems to put food on the table but not quite sure how. Doesn't yet know how to do plaits or half-up/half-down (what the???) but can do pigtails...

Matty: How many years with kirkfood tipping ? 

Stuart: Three years if I remember correctly, only one podium finish so far though.

Matty: Bunnings, Mitre 10 Mega, Dans or topping up your super to spend the cash? 

Stuart: Definitely Dans, the fruity lexia can become an investment of the super fund... 

Matty: You reckon the trouble and strife will be holding her hand out for some fold? 

Stuart: Doesn't know I'm in the running. She can have a glass of the fruity lexia as a special treat. Heck, may even buy a six pack of Island Coolers. 

Matty: Are you going to take the punt and possibly go further into lead or play it safe this round? 

Stuart: Probably play it safe by tipping all the home teams, oh wait, maybe that should be the away teams but only if their name comes before the opposition in the alphabet. Maybe I'll stick my head out and tip a few roughies like the Eagles to win at Kardinia Park. In the end I think I'll go with the tried and tested  "we like the teams with stripes"... Anyone's guess really (hope I've put you off the scent 2nd & 3rd rankers....) 

 

Matty: What's better...Monday morning log in to admire your position or Friday arvo placing the tips? 

Stuart: Monday morning without a doubt 

Matty: Any other tipping comps your gunna clean up in this year? 

Stuart: Nup, only other tip each week are that the Lindfield U7s (all girls) will get flogged by some steriod enhanced soccer crazed all boys team.

Matty: If the 2nd rankers pip you at the post, will your wife beat up on you? 

Stuart: Hope so, will be no different to a standard Sunday night at home when I haven't completed by laborious weekend to-do list

  

Matty: How intense is the research before placing your tips each week? 

Stuart: Amazingly intense, The Age,Herald Sun, Oz, RealFooty, three days of watching replays on BigPond, Kangaroos are bigger than Cats, Lions hungrier than Tigers, Eagles & Hawks are always a tough one - the bird ones always get me. 

Matty: In 20 words or less, What sort of Super investment fund Should I be looking at at the moment?

Stuart: One that correlates to your actuarially derived life expectancy which includes suitable alpha generation which compliments any beta volatility incurred. [In all seriousness, look at the long term folks, volatility happens and history has shown they a mere "blips" - stay focused]

Matty: eh? 

Matty: Last of all, when you win.... How long before you expect to be paid? 

Stuart: Depends on whether the footy tipping pool has been held in cash. If it's been invested in Babcock & Brown shares I'm in for a long wait. Subject to negotiation, I'll get my guys to call your guys...

Well there you have it folks, thanks to Stuart for letting us in on his world, in the meantime we have 1 round of tips to go. There is still a weeks worth of cash up for grabs and it is make or break now for the second, third and fourth rankers. Oh, almost forgot...It's almost as hard a task to come last than first... Jen! your the champ!

You will more than likely give us kirks a whippen for last place honours, Great goin girl!

Click here to place your tips for the last time this season and we hope you've had as much fun as we've had.

Thanks

Matty