Well it has been a tippers’ nightmare these past couple of rounds showing how even a playing field the AFL really is.  By default the way it has been going, you could almost pick a team based on favourite colours.

Here’s my tips for Round 6.

North Melbourne v Collingwood

Both Collingwood and the Kangaroos should of won last week against seemingly weaker opponents.  Anzac Day clashes have traditionally been big games for both Essendon and the Magpies.

But lets face it Collingwood are a top 8 team and can challenge for top 4.

The Kangaroos based on their more established playing list and potential, should of beaten a Tiger’s outfit that play like a bunch of kittens.

Essendon are rebuilding and should have never won.

But they did and while it shows how gritty the Bombers are , it also highlights Collingwood’s mental weakness of winning those winnable games.

North Melbourne were too inaccurate last week and this just shows they don’t have the skills to mix it with the top 8 teams this year. Losing to Richmond in an uninspiring game of football says it all.

Brent Harvey looks to be out for at least most of this year so it looks like the Kangaroos will have to rely on their team of passengers to float through the season.

I definitely think at the end of the year there will be mass trading of players and delistings because North Melbourne’s playing list reads like a who’s who of players that should of, would of, could of but never lived up to their potential.

Collingwood by 24 points

Hawthorn v Carlton

Hawthorn had a great escape last week against West Coast hanging on to win the game in the last quarter.

While the Eagles have been playing better footy, the Hawks I feel are yet to really hit their straps.

Relying on a game plan to win you games is just not going to cut it in the AFL these days.

Some of their star players like Buddy Franklin, Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell need to step it up this year and can’t afford slow starts.

Carlton looked really classy in their win last week against the Bulldogs.

Led by Chris Judd with a supporting midfield in Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs and Kade Simpson the Blues thrashed the Bulldogs.

And Brendon Fevola chipped in with 3 goals. It was a solid all round contribution from everyone at the Navy Blues and if they carry this form into their match against the Hawks they should come away with a comfortable win.

Carlton by 36 points

West Coast v Fremantle

This Derby could just end up as one big grudge match as there has been a bit of trash talking in the media against the Dockers with their off field behavior, ‘missed’ premierships, and trade talks and poor recruiting.

This situation usually sees the Dockers take out all their frustrations out in the Western Derby in what could be the dirtiest match since Kickett’s brain snap back in early 2000.

The Dockers did have a suprising (gross understatement) win over Sydney last week and will use that to hopefully get them ahead in this match.

A season ending injury to Rhys Palmer though will sorely test their ‘quality’ playing stock. Even though he is only in his second season, Palmer shows more heart and determination than a lot of the other 17 players out there.

The West Coast Eagles had a real chance to beat Hawthorn last week and even though they lost, look in better form than the Dockers.  It should be an interesting game with both teams having young players with a lot to prove.

West Coast by 14 points

Port Adelaide v Adelaide

Both South Australian teams looked very ordinary last week. While the Power copped a 66 point hiding from the hands of the Saints, Adelaide grinded out a lackluster win against the Melbourne  Demons.

This Derby looks a hard one to pick with both teams in terrible form.

Port Adelaide are just above the Crows on the AFL ladder (5th and 7th) but they were definitely were below the class of the Saints last week.

Adelaide had a shocker against the Demons which turned out to be worst match of the round. It was a sloppy game with a low scoring result and a high tally of possession errors.

While Scott Thompson, Bernie Vince and Simon Goodwin were racking up possessions too many times it did not translate into goals for the Crows.

Port Adelaide were over run by St Kilda’s intensity and fell victem to too many skill errors under pressure.

This should be a close game with both Port and Adelaide looking pretty even  in playing styles and form at the moment.

Adelaide look stronger metally when push comes to shove.

Adelaide by 16 points

Brisbane v Essendon

I don’t think anyone expected the Lions to win against the Cats last week, but to go down by 93 points must be humiliating for Brisbane.

Conditions were trying for both teams but the Cats made it look easy and it just goes to show the gap between a few of the top teams and the rest of the AFL playing field.

Brisbane do have a habit of starting slow and this cost them dearly last week, so it should be interesting to see how they go against the Bombers who had a morale boosting win last week against Collingwood.

Brent Stanton and Patrick Ryder were outstanding last week but the Bombers will again need an all out team effort this week to beat the talent rich (no pun intended) midfield of Brisbane.

Brisbane by 33 points

Sydney v Richmond

Sydney must be ropable after losing a game to the Dockers that should of been an easy 4 points. But the way most teams are playing just rocking up is not going to cut the mustard these days to win.

Simply put, there were not enough contributors for the Swans.

Captain Kirk and Adam Goodes rallied hard all game but the Dockers actually turned up to play a game of football and came away with a win.

If the Swannies take the same attitude into this game against the Tigers, Richmond definitely could come be onto a two game winning streak.

Jack Riewoldt dominated last week for the Tigers up front and it was good to see  Mark Coughlan get through his first game in a few years.

Although I do rate Sydney more highly than Richmond, the Tigers did show a glimpse that they are capable of playing winning football.

Sydney by 26 points

Melbourne v Geelong

I think this game could be a blow out with the way Geelong are traveling at the moment.

Melbourne had a close game last week but they struggled to kick points let alone goals .

They had a 0.3 (3) return in the first half  which was their worst first-half score since Rd 1, 1991.

The Dees will just be totally be outclassed by a Cats outfit that is firing on all 8 cylinders. Garry Ablett jnr absolutely carved up last week with 42 disposals and looks to be in career best form which is hard to beat. He definitely is a one of a kind player.

Joel Selwood (31) and Paul Chapman (34) also ran rings around their opponents last week and against Melbourne, we could see as many as 5 players with 30 plus possessions for the Cats.

Geelong by 64 points.

Western Bulldogs v St Kilda

The Western Bulldogs might be suffering from what they call ‘Longdistancitis’  but they traveling can’t excuse how poor their poor form has been.

They have been inconsistent with big losses to West Coast and Carlton but luckily sit 4th.

The trend of huge losing margins is not good because it shows the Bulldogs best and worst vary greatly.

St Kilda on the other hand look like the most likely team to challenge Geelong for the premiership this year.

The Saints have had a blistering start to the season winning all 5 games by huge margins. Captain  Nick Riewoldt played strong up forward and is complimented well by the Saints small forwards like Adam Schneider.

St Kilda by 42 points

Your Round Six Tips

So what your tips for the sixth weekend of AFL in 2009? Please post them below in the comments section along with any other observations about round six you may have.