Carlton v Brisbane

The Carlton Blues are really living up to their nickname with some down and out performances in the past two rounds.

Very ordinary losses to Fremantle and North Melbourne have exposed the Blues’ lack of consistency in a season where they were hoping to take it to the next level.

A serious knee injury to ruckman Matthew Kreuzer will further test Brett Ratten‘s playing stocks and someone will need to step up to fill a very important role.

Brisbane have had a similiar run in recent weeks with 3 losses in a row compounded by injuries to key players Jonathan Brown and Brendan Fevola.

A homeground loss to Richmond last round really shows how far Brisbane have fallen after such a promising start to the year.

Carlton have a terrific record against the Lions at Etihad stadium in recent years and on paper have much stronger team, but they may struggle in the Ruck department.

Carlton by 18 points

Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs

Hawthorn have now won 6 in a row and look to be barnstorming their way into finals contention, but face a major test this week against a formidable opponent in the Bulldogs.

The Hawks are the form team of the competition on paper but looking at their opponents, only Sydney and Carlton feature in the top 8.

Lance Franklin put on a dominating display with 5 goals last round and all the Hawks need now is for Jarryd Roughead to work in tandem with Buddy up front for the Hawks to truly be a force to reckon with again.

The Western Bulldogs have had some easier opponents in the past two rounds with huge wins over West Coast and Brisbane but when they last faced teams in the top half of the bracket they came off second best.

What I like about the Bulldogs is that they usually have quite an even spread of goal-kickers topped off by Barry Hall up forward who can kick a bag.

Depending on what Bulldog team turns up when on song the Western Bulldog’s mid-fielders (Daniel Cross, Matthew Boyd to name a few ) can launch forward with goals or setting up in their forward 50.

It should be a good test for both teams but at the moment the engine room for the Bulldogs looks a lot better.

Western Bulldogs by 22 points

Fremantle v Port Adelaide

The Dockers have definitely proven that they deserve to be in the top half of the ladder, with a win by 9 points over Carlton last round in a game where the Fremantle of old might of folded.

Breaking a 2 loss streak Fremantle needed to stand up and be counted, and I still find it hard to believe it is his first season of AFL but Michael Barlow had a huge game with 4 goals and 30 disposals.

Michael Johnson is a chance to play for Fremantle if Chris Tarrant fails to be fit in time and there is a lot of competition for playing spots at Dockerland at the moment.

Port Adelaide are a sinking ship with the power slumping to their 6 consecutive loss and it doesn’t look to get any brighter for the South Australian team.

Jay Schulz kicked a career high 7 goals for Port last round in their 36 point loss to the Kangaroos, but the stars for the Power were few and far between.

Port Adelaide do play Subiaco very well but last time these two teams met here the Dockers came away with the points and it should be more of the same this time round.

Fremantle by 35 points

Collingwood v West Coast

Collingwood are coming off a dominating 25 point win over the Sydney Swans, and should see this match against West Coast as a certain percentage booster.

Harry O’Brien turned defense into offense against the Swans with some brilliant runs off half back, and this has been characteristic of the way the Magpies play some exciting rebound football.

Chris Dawes and Steele Sidebottom add some spark across the Magpie’s forward line and it shows the depth that Collingwood have at the moment, when a few of their stars aren’t firing some of the lesser known players are able to step up.

The only thing West Coast seem to be challenging for is a wooden spoon with another ordinary display in their loss to the Western Bulldogs.

At least Bradd Dalziell (29 possessions and five inside 50s) finally showed some form with his best performance since being recruited by West Coast this year.

Collingwood by 48 points

Adelaide v Essendon

The Crows at home in Adelaide almost look like the Crows of old putting on strong displays in their wins over Melbourne, Fremantle, Brisbane and Richmond.

Last round Adelaide showed they still have some quality players in Simon Goodwin, Scott Thompson, Graham Johncock and Kurt Tippett who can be matchwinners on their day and playing at home seems to give the Crows a whole different attitude at the moment.

Essendon will be searching for a win to keep in touch with the top 8 after going down by 16 points to the Hawks last round and now with 3 losses in a row.

Alwyn Davey looked dangerous up front with 3 goals but it was defencively where the Bombers fell apart with no answers to the dominance from Hawthorn’s forwards.

I can’t see the Bombers turning it around at the moment and with a very average winning record at AAMI stadium, the Crows should win comfortably.

Adelaide by 51 points

Geelong v North Melbourne

Geelong had a shock 24 point loss last week to St Kilda and it just goes to show that nothing is certain when it comes to football.

The weather certainly aided the Saints but simply the Cats were outplayed physically and sometimes you have to win ugly, instead of trying to do all the pretty stuff and end up losing.

The Cats’ forwards struggled for goals and out of frustration two of the key forwards ( Steve Johnson and Cam Mooney ) will be missing due to suspension.

Geelong are hoping to regain James Kelly, Paul Chapman and Joel Corey if they pass the final fitness tests.

North Melbourne by contrast are on a high with 3 wins in a row and are starting to play some real workman like football that they have been known for.

Veterans Brent Harvey and Brady Rawlings led by example with such a dominating accumulation of possessions, and it was encouraging to see promising Lachlan Hansen kick 5 goals in front of the big sticks.

It is good to see the Shinboners show a bit of spirit but it is hard to back them when they rely so heavily on a few older players week in week out.

Geelong have shown that they can be beaten if their free flowing style is stunted but the Kangaroos cannot defensively sustain a game-plan similar to the Saints’.

Geelong by 31 points

Richmond v Sydney

Richmond are starting to gel as a team and Damien Hardwick‘s no nonsense approach to the game has to be given credit for giving the Tigers some sense of direction.

Last round Richmond were terrific with an even team performance with so many of their players like Shane Tuck , Ben Cousins and youngster Dustin Martin contributing to the win.

Sydney admit they they don’t have the personal to match it with the better sides at the moment and with a lot of their stars either injured or far from their best, it was not surprising to see a frustrated Paul Roos last game.

Daniel Bradshaw struggles to be even fit for a game and you have to wonder where the goals can come from for the Swans who are more known for their low scoring, defensive games.

Richmond will be hoping Jack Riewoldt can kick a bag of goals for them then they will have every chance of winning, but on paper the Swans still have a strong enough line-up with more experience.

Sydney by 14 points

St Kilda v Melbourne

The Saints are on the march with their 5th win in a row after disposing of the Cats by 24 points last week.

With a style of play that complemented the wet weather conditions it was the smaller players Schneider and Steven that dominated around the goals for St Kilda.

Steven Baker will be missing after being given the mother of all suspensions for being a serial pest.

And whether or not you agree with the sentence handed down, it really was a failure on the night of the umpire to not try and nip Baker‘s behaviour in the bud.

The Demons have shown so much promise this year but had another disappointing loss, this time to the Crows in Adelaide.

Although Jack Grimes, Brad Green and Jack Trengove all played well it was a sub par performance from a young Melbourne outfit.

The Saints are looking every bit a top 2 team and it will be a challenge for Melbourne to keep up with St Kilda’s ball use.

Although the Demons play the MCG very well, i can’t see them overcoming a strong Saints group.

St Kilda by 32 points

Your Round 14 Tips & Observations

So what are your tips & observations for round 14 of the 2010 AFL season? Do you agree with Johnnytruent?

If yes or no please post your tips and observations about the round in the comments section.

We will keep a running tally of the tips throughout the year, so make sure you get your tips in on time & you never know there could be a prize for the winner.

If you have not added your tips yet that is ok, please feel free to add them and what your ongoing tally is.