After the split round, its good to get back to some normality and have all 8 games in the space of a few days. Hopefully all teams feel rested and it will be interesting to see who finishes the year strongly.

Essendon vs Carlton

Essendon had a comprehensive win last round over Melbourne and Carlton fought gallantly against St Kilda but came up short. Both teams sit in similiar positions on the ladder so I am expecting a tight clash.

An injury to Adam McPhee and Mark McVeigh’s one match ban are big outs for the Bombers but in come Henry Slattery and Nathan Lovett-Murray, to somewhat even up those outs.

Carlton really took it up to St Kilda in a very exciting match that was in the balance for much of the game, alot like the balancing act the medical tape was doing in holding Chris Judd’s broken face together.

Chris Judd really showed some courage and determination by playing on with a broken nose, and it just goes to show the seriousness of Carlton’s challenge to be amongst the final four at the end of the year. Playing high intensity football against the Saints will further steel them towards the pointy end of the year.

The only negative for the Blues might be the ‘ghost’ of big John Elliot who still casts a shadow over the club after all these years.

Hopefully the off field dramas don’t distract the new generation of Navy Blues on the field.

It should be a real tight clash as historically the Blues and Bombers play their best football in this fierce rivalry.  If Carlton play with the same intent like they did against St Kilda they should win.

Carlton by 22 points.

Adelaide vs Sydney

Adelaide are really on a red hot winning streak after 4 victories from their last 5 games. Coach Neil Craig has flicked the on switch and what impresses me the most is that he has done this while blooding a lot of young players.

Graham Johncock and Richard Douglas are big ins for the Crows and looking at their line up it looks pretty strong and settled. The form of young players like Taylor Walker, Kurt Tippett seems to complement the veterens such as Tyson Edwards and Scott Thompson.

Sydney on the other hand have been competitive but its more than a coincidence that in their close matches the Swannies have struggled to come away with a win. Sure Barry Hall’s brain snap could of cost them a win, but they have had plenty of opportunities to win their last couple of matches.

In the end I think they just don’t have the forward options of past years as players like Barry Hall and Michael O’Loughlin are showing their age and no one has filled their missing contributions.

Adelaide at home almost makes this game a certainty.

Adelaide by 36 points

Collingwood vs Fremantle

The Magpies had a resounding victory against Sydney last round and are really starting to steady as a team. They have won their last four games, abet against  a lot weaker opponents but 4 wins is nothing to sneeze at.

And Collingwood now sit fourth on the ladder as they face Fremantle. Scott Pendlebury is a big out for Collingwood as he has been a good contributor for them and Medhurst still doesn’t look like getting a game just yet for the Magpies.

Fremantle are using this game to blood a few more rookies and it will be interesting to see how  former Sandover Medallist Hayden Ballentyne goes for the Dockers.

I have been impressed with the young talent at the Dockers, but definitely while Collingwood are there for finals action in September, the Dockers will be doing some serious Spring cleaning.

Collingwood by 32 points.

West Coast vs Hawthorn

The West Coast Eagles last week were simply put, terrible. Just plain terrible. The game actually between them and Richmond was probably the worst match of football I have seen all year. Richmond won because they team that made the least mistakes in the end….and man there were plenty of them.

Dean Cox is a big out for the Eagles with a groin strain and although exciting rookie Nic Naitanui will step up, the kid is still raw talent that is replacing an All Australian quality Ruckman.

Coxy gets criticized for playing Dream Team like football, but to truly see how crucial he is for the Eagles – watch how much they will struggle without Dean’s contribution.

Speaking of disappointing performances, last year’s premiers Hawthorn either have an incurable grand final hangover or they’re a one hit wonder.

Defenders Stephen Gilham and Rick Ladson both are crucial ins for the Hawks as they need to win to remain in the hunt for a finals berth.

Maybe we have underestimated just how crucial bit like players are like Ladson and Gilham are for the Hawks. It did take an even team performance for the Hawks to dominate last year’s season.

Hawthorn by 24 points

Brisbane vs Melbourne

Brisbane looked in trouble when they were seriously running out of Ruckman for last round’s match against the Hawks in Tasmania.  But up steps Mitch Clark and Jarred Brennan who are starting to at last find some consistency in their football.

Hawthorn have an impressive record at Aurora Stadium but the Lions dominated them and Jonathan Brown was back to vintage form, single handedly smashed the Hawks out of the park with 5 goals.

Melbourne last round were just totally outclassed, and against better opponents in Brisbane, it should be much more of the same.

Brisbane by 64 points

Geelong vs Port Adelaide

Geelong had a close game against Fremantle winning by 19 points by the final siren, but they were never in doubt to walk away with a victory and now how an AFL record 12 consecutive wins on the road.

Port Adelaide continue their Jekyll and Hyde act and got thumped by the Western Bulldogs up in Darwin last round. Some say they just went up their for a cheap Kakadu sightseeing holiday. The Power looked like passengers more interested in watching than playing, with many critics questioning their pride and passion.

Something definitely is not right down at the club and most suspect Mark Williams and the Power are going separate ways at the end of the season. What is fact is that when they lose, the Power get thrashed. They either turn up to play or do great impersonations of sheep at a slaughterhouse.

Much like that metaphor this game for the Power will be ugly, the match will be all over by quarter time.

Geelong by 55 points

North Melbourne vs Bulldogs

Dean Laidley and the Kangaroos parted ways after the coach decided enough was enough. After trying every trick in the book to dress mutton up as lamb Laidley has exhausted himself. Injuries have been some of North Melbourne’s problem but overall they have been very disappointing.

But the general rule is the team usually gets up for the win the round after the coach goes.

I can’t see that happening here as the Western Bulldogs will be ruthless and alert in their disposal of the Kangaroos. The Bulldogs should continue to win in a very even team performance.

Western Bulldogs by 38 points

ST Kilda vs Richmond

Well this could  be an absolute blowout as the Saints put on a football clinic against Richmond, who last week won the worst game of football I have seen all year.

St Kilda looked really focused against Carlton in their split round victory and against 2nd class opponents, they should make it a quick and swift execution.

St Kilda by 42 points.

Your Round 13 Tips & Observations

So what are your tips & observations for the second week of the 12th round of AFL in 2009? Do you agree with Johnny? if yes or no please post your tips and observations about round 12 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: 70
2. Michael: 69
3. Martynkai: 66
4. JohnnyTruent: 65
5. Jermayn: 65
6. Princess: 64

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• 2009 AFL Finals Week One Tips (11)
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