Western Bulldogs v Collingwood

What a game to start the round off this Friday night and it should be a really tight clash as both the Bulldogs and Magpies are playing at their peaks.

Western Bulldogs absolutely embarrassed the Hawks last week with a first quarter effort that was sublime. Collingwood meanwhile were able to weather the Essendon storm and come away as convincing winners.

Adam Cooney is back to the form that saw him win his Brownlow last year and all the Bulldogs in fact looked to have stepped it up this year. The boys from Footscray really do a play a high intensity brand of football with a lot of ball use that relies on everybody contributing.

Collingwood were impressive after making amends for their ANZAC Day loss to the Bombers. Didak and Dane Swan dominated like they had the ball on a string, and Josh Fraser had a solid game which he needs to do more of.

While the Magpies are playing smart football the intensity and pace of players like Matthew Boyd for the Doggies should be the difference.

Western Bulldogs (not Collingwood) by 14 points

Sydney v Essendon

Essendon’s young players look like they are starting to tire as we get towards the end of this long AFL season.

In their game against the Magpies the Bombers just seemed to lack the run in their legs to be able to run out the four quarters, but played admirably. Essendon sit at the edge of the eight and this is a must win game for them if they want to remain in the hunt.

Sydney are coming off a victory against the Kangaroos and need to win this week to keep in touch with the top eight. Big, Bad, Bustling, Barry Hall’s decision to cool his heels indefinitely from football and part ways with his Blood brothers, now leaves Sydney with a big hole to fill up forward.

The game is at the SCG which Sydney play very well at but for me Essendon should have the better attacking options.

Essendon by 21 points

Carlton v Richmond

The Blues have had more up and downs than a roller coaster and even though expectations have been pretty high they should be a lot better than they are. Last week Carlton battled to hold off the Dockers and if it wasn’t for Fremantle not being able to recognise where their goals were, the Navy Blues would of lost.

Speaking of expectation, last time these two teams met Richmond were being touted as genuine contenders for finals this year….but that dream was quickly extinguished in the first 30 minutes.

I don’t think the Tigers will suffer that big a defeat as they did in round 1 but the better team Carlton should prevail.

Carlton by 24 points

Brisbane v Geelong

Both teams are coming off losses and although for the Cats it is a luxury they can afford, Brisbane need to keep on winning to maintain their spot in the eight.

Geelong played the Saints last week in truly must be billed as the best game this season and even though they didn’t come home with the four points, there is a lot they can take a way with them  to learn from that game.

Geelong definitely could do with more firepower up front to complement their stellar midfield. Brisbane have both Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw when on song are unbeatable but the Cat’s defence just seems to nullify their effect on a game of football.

Brisbane will be stepping it up after their loss to Port Adelaide by 8 goals when Coach Voss knows they should of been better than that.

After Geelong’s first loss since last year’s Grand Final, it would be a miracle if the Lions came away win the four points.

Geelong by 36 points

Adelaide v Fremantle

Adelaide and Neil Craig somehow have been able to find a winning formula while at the same time being able to blood youth. The result is that they are on a red hot winning streak and I can’t see Fremantle doing much more than add to the Crows scalps this year.

Players like Kurt Tippett, Chris Knights and  Jason Porplyzia have given the Crows more scoring opportunities up forward where usually the Crows have struggled to kicked goals in recent times.

With seasoned campaigners Simon Goodwin and Brett Burton looking to return for Adelaide, it just about makes Fremantle’s chances of winning –  mission impossible.

Adelaide by 42 points

Hawthorn v North Melbourne

Hawthorn has officially lost the plot this year. Sure injuries play their part but it is almost like they need to rebuild their team if not a new game plan to be at their competitive best. The forward line just is not functioning at all – and Buddy Franklin looked like a little boy lost in a supermarket when he was made to play in defense.

What was telling was the lack of conviction in a lot of players for the Hawks. There isn’t much difference between teams when you get to the cream of the crop in the AFL and that can’t be taken for granted.

Beating Geelong in a GF does not equal a premiership legacy for years to come. As the hunter becomes the hunted, the Hawks have to realise what Geelong and past great teams like Brisbane have achieved is hard to do.

A pity for this season they are learning the lesson too late.

North Melbourne had a solid outing against Sydney but I would be surprised if they win against the Hawks.

Hawthorn by 23 points

Melbourne v Port Adelaide

Both Melbourne and Port Adelaide had good wins last week. Melbourne road a wave of emotion in their game against West Coast. Port Adelaide just felt like winning for once, rocked up and played like they should.

Port Adelaide are their own worst enemies and it shows when they lose by 38 points and the next week win by a similiar margin. They should be able to win against Melbourne who played with a lot of heart last week.

Port are a more talented side than the Demons but which Port Adelaide side will turn up?

Port Adelaide by 31 points

West Coast v St Kilda

West Coast are a very raw team very much like Nick Naitinui and may struggle to win a game for the rest of the regular season. They were always in the game against the Demons but never looked liked winning, at best they looked like being competitive losers.

St Kilda took the points in a close game against Geelong and looked very much a settled team.

The surprising form of Michael Gardiner for them is an added bonus, as the former Eagle put on a match winning performance last week.

St Kilda by 54 points

Your Round 15 Tips & Observations

So what are your tips & observations for the 15th round of AFL in 2009? Do you agree with Johnny? if yes or no please post your tips and observations about round 15 in the comments section.

We now include the total correct tips of the Kick2Kick writers & readers, so here they are (will be updated every week). If your doing better than us, let us know…

1. Geoff: 83
2. Craig: 82
3. Martynkai: 77
4. Princess: 76
5. Jermayn: 75
6. JohnnyTruent: 75

Related K2K Posts

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• 2009 AFL Preliminary Finals Tips (8)
• 2009 AFL Semi-Finals Tips (9)
• 2009 AFL Finals Week One Tips (11)
• 2009 AFL Round Twenty Two Tips (12)