Adelaide v Geelong

The Crows are on a roll with 3 wins on the trot with the latest being a barnstorming 22 point win in the west over the Eagles, but this weekend face the unstoppable Geelong Cats.

Good signs for Adelaide supporters in recent weeks with the solid form of experienced players like Bernie Vince and Scotty Thompson leading the way.

Kurt Tippett continues to kick a bag up forward (4 goals) and give a focal point from the Crows’ midfield supply.

Jason Porplyzia has been omitted but in comes the familiar name of Andrew McLeod.

Meanwhile Geelong scraped in by 2 points to take the win against the Hawks and even though in recent times there has been less than a goal separating these two teams, the Cats definitely have the wood over Hawthorn.

For the Cats Jimmy Bartel was the best of the midfielders and has been consistently solid throughout the season.

Matthew Stokes bobbed up to kick 4 goals and it just goes to show the Cats alway have those one or two players that can step up when needed and kick a few.

Joel Corey and Cam Mooney come back into an already strong Geelong lineup.

The Crows are at home and have 3 good wins in a row but Geelong travel exceptionally well and should overcome any Adelaide resistence.

Geelong by 14 points

Collingwood v St Kilda

This should be a cracker of a match with the mother of all grudge matches and could well see some tempers boil over, as there is some definite unfinished business from both sides from their heated exchange earlier in the year.

That game the Saints used their grind away game style to nullify Collingwood up forward and the result for the Pies was embarrassing.

But since then Collingwood have gone from strength to strength and Malthouse is certainly looking at a tilt at the Premiership as his final swan song at the club.

Dane Swan was a ball magnet last week with 39 possessions and Chris Dawes kicked 3 goals in their party spoiling win over Port Adelaide.

But some sloppy elbow work sees Travis Cloke suspended and Leon Davis comes into the side.

The Saints had tough encounter in their 14 point victory over Brisbane but they and more importantly skipper Nick Riewoldt got through the game unscathed.

There were heavy fines handed out for a bit of tickle and giggle so the St Kilda players this week might approach cautiously, but with the inclusion of players like Brendon Goddard and Justin Koschitzke the Saints will be at full strength.

It will be a battle of the midfields and just how much Collingwood have improved and learned from this year’s earlier match is anyone’s guess.

St Kilda by 9 points

Hawthorn v Brisbane

The Hawks had their 7 game winning streak broken by a 2 point loss to reigning premiers Geelong but showed that they are truly back in the hunt for finals action, with an impressive display last weekend.

Lance Franklin kicked 3 goals and Cyril Rioli looked capable of anything with 25 touches and with these two players in form Hawthorn look a much better team.

Sam Mitchell has been named in the starting 18 and his inclusion will further strengthen the Hawk’s midfield.

Brisbane put in a much improved performance in their 14 defeat by St Kilda last week and showed the kind of fight and determination that Michael Voss expects from his team.

Injuries to Fevola and Jonathan Brown have been less than ideal for a Brisbane side looking for some stability and as a result the team hasn’t been able to gel together after such a promising start to the year.

Jonathan Brown and Matt Maguire are big ins for the Lions but whether both players are really operating at 100% is a different story.

Brisbane might be able to competitively lose but they are a long way from actually winning against the top teams.

Hawthorn by 22 points

Essendon v West Coast Eagles

Essendon have crashed to 5 losses as the pressure mounts on coach Matthew Knights to salvage what is left of the Bombers’ season.

Last weekend in their 19 point loss Melbourne the Bombers started strong but played they football in patches and paid the price for their inconsistencies.

Essendon really lack a focal point up forward and the patience must be wearing thin on the development of young players like Neagle and Gumbleton.

But there is definitely an opportunity for one of the two mentioned to really cement their place as Essendon’s best forward.

West Coast had no answers to Adelaide last week going down by 22 points, as the carpenter has almost finished sanding down what surely will be an unwanted wooden spoon to add to the mantle piece.

The Eagles are really suffering from the hangovers 2006 when they had an attacking midfield that offered so much delivery to the forward 50 and could pinch hit with a few goals too.

No one on the current list looks capable of coming close to offering this 5 star service they had become accustomed to, and it is a shame because the Eagles actually have a couple of talented forwards in Kennedy and LeCras.

Essendon by 36 points

Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide

The Bulldogs finally showed a bit of bite last week with a 68 thrashing of Carlton last week and will go into this match against the Power with some renewed confidence.

Fremantle’s loss to Richmond last week will give the Dogs extra incentive as they are now knocking on the door of the top 4.

Adam Cooney celebrated his 150th in style with 33 disposals and Barry Hall bounced back to form with 6 goals in their demolition of the Blues.

Hall did injure an ankle in his side’s win and will miss this encounter against Port Adelaide.

Not even the shock announcement that it would be Mark ‘Choco’ Williams last game as Port coach could stop the Power from an inevitable loss at the hands of Collingwood.

It was a spirited showing by Port Adelaide who managed to break out to a 32 point 1st quarter lead but were simply outclassed in the end by the Magpies.

Port Adelaide clearly need a new approach and Williams did the right thing, but it will be more of the same against the Bulldogs.

Western Bulldogs by 62 points

Carlton v Sydney Swans

The Blues had a shocker last week and copped a football lesson by the Bulldogs in their 68 point loss.

There was a lot of wasteful disposals and some ordinary defense that led to such a capitulation, and Carlton’s attacking style has to called into question.

It almost comes off as lazy the defensive pressure that the Blues applied last round and if Brett Ratten‘s men are to do any better this weekend they’ll have to tighten the screws.

Up forward Carlton needs to find some spark with just 2 goals from Jeff Garlett and none from Chris Yarran and Eddie Betts, they will be hoping Jarrad Waite‘s inclusion can add something up front.

Sydney meanwhile plugged away to have a 30 point win over North Melbourne last round.

Adam Goodes wound back the clock with a best on ground 33 disposals and 3 goals game to lead the Swans to victory, in a low scoring affair that played into Sydney’s hands.

If again Sydney can keep the score low they are more than capable of beating Carlton, but with the Blues surely to come out with a much sharper focus on ball use it could expose the Swans.

Carlton by 26 points

Richmond v North Melbourne

Richmond are in red hot form after a surprise 19 point win over Fremantle last round.

Win 4 wins in a row the Tigers certainly are capable of winning a few more and causing some upsets along the way.

Again Jack Riewoldt kicked a bag for Richmond with 5 goals and was supported by the likes of Daniel Connors (35 possessions),  Brett Deledio (29) and Michael Tuck (30) – all playing off half back.

North Melbourne have now lost their last 2 games and their latest defeat at the hands of Sydney was compounded with the injury to key position player Drew Petrie.

The Kangaroos struggled in a low scoring affair and really have no one up forward that could take the game by the scruff of the neck.

while North Melbourne have been workman like in the recent wins, Richmond have some genuine talent and are able to put up a healthy score.

Richmond by 35 points

Fremantle v Melbourne

Fremantle are starting to look vulnerable with some shaky form over the past month and injuries to key players most importantly Michael Barlow.

Although some will say that an umpiring decision did help the Dockers, Fremantle have to claim responsibility for their loss to the Tigers last weekend.

Adam McPhee stood up and played possibly his best game for Freo this season with a 23 disposal 13 mark game and as usual the Pav was solid with 3 goals.

Melbourne were terrific in their spirited 19 point win over Essendon last round.

While the Demon youngster have been leading the way, some of the more experienced campaigners for the Dees have been fairly consitent this year.

Brad Green kicked 5 goals and had 27 possessions while Mark Jamar continues to have a breakout year with another huge game in Ruck.

Melbourne have every chance of winning this match but quite simply Fremantle need to rebound to stay a top 4 prospect and at home they seem most likely.

Fremantle by 8 points

Your Round 16 Tips & Observations

So what are your tips & observations for round 16 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.