Hawthorn v Adelaide

A lot of people tipped both these teams last week as the Hawks were in the hunt for a top eight spot and Adelaide looking to cement a top four finish.

But in the end both teams had disappointing losses and will come out firing for this clash.

Adelaide in front of a home crowd are usually a sure thing and even though the Magpies don’t travel a lot and are very much underrated, Collingwood came away with a 21 point win.

The Crows always seem to falter in games that they need to win to make that next step.

Coach Neil Craig has been a pretty consistent coach getting solid performances out of his troops, but even he is baffled why Adelaide just can’t make that next transition to be serious Flag contenders.

Meanwhile the Hawk’s coach Allister Clarkson must be equally miffed about his own teams performance after a 25 point loss to the Saints who were missing several key players.

Injuries to Jarryd Roughead amd Mark Williams makes the Hawthorn forward line looking pretty average.

Adelaide also seem to be suffering from injury woes with Nathan Bock , Patrick Dangerfield and David Mackay to sit this game out.

Birdman Brett Burton also looks in doubt with a badly corked glute.

I’m expecting the Crows to come out this week with the same intensity their opponents showed them last week, something Hawthorn have been lacking all season.

Adelaide by 25 points

Richmond v Collingwood

Collingwood asserted their top 4 spot last week with an emphatic win over the highly rated Crows and definitely are in the mix this year for that one day in September.

Richmond on the other hand put out a sub par performance against Sydney after making so many improvements in previous weeks.

A 10 goal second half against an the Crows showed that the Magpies are genuine flag contenders and in this weeks game they should easily account for the lowly Tigers.

The usual stars Dane Swan and Alan Didak came to the party but I was impressed by young Cameron Wood who showed great composure with 20 odd possessions.

The ability for the Magpies to mix their experienced players with some smart drafting of talent youngster has meant they have been able to consistently play finals football over the years.

Hopefully in years to come the Tigers can follow this blueprint with similar amounts of success.

Collingwood by 36 points

West Coast v North Melbourne

West Coast had a surprising, thrilling win over the top four Western Bulldogs last week and will be looking to carry that momentum into this home ground clash against the Roos.

A good mix of experienced players finding form and young players with something to prove has made the eagles look a more formidable side against weary top eight teams.

Andrew Embley is showing the form that made him such a damaging player back when the Eagles were premiers and Mark LeCras has been the most dominant small forward this season in the AFL.

North Melbourne had a comprehensive victory over the Demons last week and the more experienced players helped Crocker to his maiden win as coach. Firrito, Petrie and Brent Harvey were among the senior players lining up last to thrash Melbourne by 62 points.

It should be an interesting clash but based on recent form the Eagles should break away for another win at home.

West Coast by 21 points

Brisbane v Western Bulldogs

Both teams are showing the fatigue of a long AFL season with indifferent form in past few weeks.

This is an important game as Brisbane are eyeing up a top four finish and the Bulldogs are sitting in their way in fourth. In the past 3 weeks the Western Bulldogs have suffered two losses ( St. Kilda, West Coast ) and a win ( Fremantle ). Meanwhile the Lions have had a win ( Kangaroos ), a comprehensive thrashing ( Collingwood ) , a draw ( Essendon ) and everything in between.

Brisbane really should of beat Essendon last week and the same could be said for the Bulldogs shock lost to the Eagles.

Handy inclusions for the Doggies in Welsh, Murphy and Picken could just be that little bit needed to see them get over the line against an equally competitive Lions outfit.

Dogs by 11 points

Sydney v Geelong

An interesting game with the seemingly obvious tip being the Cats who sit in 2nd place should beat a 10th placed Swans outfit.

BUT on recent form the boys from Geelong are looking like Battered Savs with injuries being the new black in Cat land.

Sydney had a close 1 point loss to 1st place Saints and easily disposed of the Tigers last week in an impressive 55 point win.

Geelong had a 35 point loss to Carlton and suffered more injuries with David Wojcinski and Darren Milburn going down.

Matthew Scarlett and Harry Taylor are handy ‘ins’ for the Cats and they’ll need it against an in form Swans team

The Swans are a good smokie even though the game is at their 2nd home ground ANZ stadium, but I’ll have to tip the obvious.

Geelong by 18 points

Melbourne v Fremantle

It might be better to watch paint dry than see both these teams ‘play’ this weekend. The Dockers actually impressed me with a dominating display at home, beating top eight pretenders Port Adelaide by 42 points.

But their away form has been dismal with a lot of the boys looking more interested in a weekend getaway for a bit of clothes shopping, than actually playing contested football.

The Demons can afford another win without sacrificing the all important priority pick and this is definitely the closest they’ll get to another win for another season.

Dean Bailey might awaken from his coaching coma but if the Dockers turn on for ‘Wharfie time’,  the ‘Purple fog’ should take the 4 points.

Fremantle by 31 points

Port Adelaide v Carlton

Much like their different jumper designs, the Power’s form this season has been hit or miss.  A bit of stability is good for a club with the resigning of Mark ‘Choco’ Williams as coach, but the Port city has to be wary of complacency.

It could of been a season defying win against Hawthorn 3 weeks ago, but teamed with an embarrassing defeat against the Dockers last week – it just looks like more of the same with the Port Adelaide boys.

The boys in Blue had a terrific win against Geelong last week beating them soundly by 35 points. The Juddernaut of wins can continue for Carlton  and will be handy going into finals action.

But enough bad puns, seriously if a midfield with Chris Judd, Bryce Gibbs, Marc Murphy, Kade Simpson and Andrew Carrazzo find the ball like they did last week – come finals time the Blues could be a dark horse.

Carlton by 27 points

Essendon v St Kilda

Why did the Saints win last week with several key players –  Baker, Gilbert, Fisher, Goddard, Hayes, Dal Santo, Montagna and Riewoldt?

Well one of the answers might be their intensity at the ball.

Literally while watching the game it was if every player on the field tackled with the ferocity of a younger tagger with something to prove.

I guess in such a genuine contender like St Kilda, everybody is essentially auditioning for their spot in the team.  This breeds a certain competitiveness by even the second tier players and is something their opponents last week, Hawthorn used to have.

Essendon’s burning ambition is there but unlike the Saints, they cannot afford the luxury of resting players that are struggling for match day fitness.

A bruising draw against the Lions last week might have been the straw that broke the camel’s back as the Dons slipped out of the eight.

St Kilda by 38 points

Your Round 19 Tips & Observations

So what are your tips & observations for the 20th round of AFL in 2009? Do you agree with Johnny? if yes or no please post your tips and observations about round 20 in the comments section.

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

1. Geoff: 110
2. Craig: 110
3. Martynkai: 104
4. Princess: 104
5. JohnnyTruent: 102
6. Jermayn: 99