Hawthorn v Essendon

Hawthorn are on a high on the back off a 5 game winning streak and many of their star players playing themselves back into form.

Luke Hodge has been solid all season and with many of his other team mates stepping up, he hasn’t been bogged down in defense lately and can play more of an attacking rebounding role.

Their 47 point victory over Adeliade showed the free flowing game-plan that made the Hawks fancied challengers just 2 years ago.

Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis always toll away with some prodigious ball work but when you add the zip of a Cyril Rioli and a genuine target up forward in Buddy Franklin,

the Hawks are looking a formidable side once again.

Looking at their wins over Richmond, Carlton, Sydney, Port Adelaide and Adelaide only the Swans and the Blues are ranked ahead of Hawthorn by a game.

And both Sydney and Carlton are a bit hot and cold with form, so it is hard to read how much Hawthorn has improved since the start of the year.

Essendon have now sunk to 10th on the ladder after 2 losses straight but could almost be forgiven for losing to the unstoppable Geelong Cats.

Michael Hurley kicked 5 goals in their loss to the Cats and was supported well by Alwyn Davey with 3 goals up forward.

Last time these teams met in round 6 the Essendon were the victors by 43 points, but this time around without David Hille around they will struggle to get first bite of the cherry.

It definitely is a workhorse effort from the Bombers with their hard running, hard tackling style, while the Hawks have the most success when certain players display a bit of the flair and flashy style they are known for.

It will be a good test for Hawthorn to see just how much they have improved and the Bombers are desperate for a win to keep in touch with the top 8.

Hawthorn by 12 points.

Carlton v Fremantle

Carlton continue their inconsistency with another disappointing loss this time to the Kangaroos last weekend by 29 points.

The Blues definitely get a good service of the red Sherrin from their star midfielders with Bryce Gibbs, Marc Murphy and Chris Judd leading the possessions for the Blues.

But the Achilles heel for Carlton was exposed when North Melbourne used a successful tactic of having their defenders counter attack, with poor pressure applied from a lot of Blues players looking for easy possessions.

Fremantle meanwhile have suffered 2 losses in a row after the Saints outplayed the Dockers to win by  18 points.

It might be a sign of a flat spot for the Dockers in a season with plenty of highlights.

Matthew Pavlich and Aaron Sandilands had little impact in the game and a lot of the younger players struggled to get into the match against a much more match hardened St Kilda outfit.

Both teams need a win – Carlton are inconsistant with form but the Dockers’ recent losses have exposed some weakenesses, plus their form at Etihad stadium is patchy at best.

Carlton by 21 points

Brisbane v Richmond

Brisbane are struggling to keep it together with a further slide away from the top 8 and 2 losses in row the most recent one being last week’s 65 point thrashing by the Bulldogs.

Jonathan Brown is struggling with an adominal injury and will be lucky to make it back into the side within a month, while Brendon Fevola at Full Forward can barely do up his shoelaces or even pretend he is interested in making an effort to play.

The Lions are definitely down at the moment losing their last 7 of 8 matches so this looms as a crucial match if they are to salvage what’s left of their season.

Richmond are making huge improvements as the season goes on and Damien Hardwick no nonsense attitude is starting to rub off on his players.

Jack Riewodlt dominated last week with a 10 goal haul, something you don’t see every day and he is clearly the go to man up forward for the Tigers.

Brett Deledio is having a solid season playing an attacking sweeper role in defense, and while many have lamented the fact he isnt playing in his preferred position, a modern day half back role is very similar to that of a mid fielders’.

On form the Tigers look the goods but with game at the GABBA and the experience of whats left of the Brisbane team should be enough to see them scrape by.

Brisbane by 8 points

North Melbourne v Port Adelaide

The Kangas are flying high with 2 wins in a row and are sitting just out of the top eight due to percentage, after an emphatic 29 point win over their more favoured opponents Carlton last week.

Lindsay Thomas starred with a career best 7 goals and with 5 behinds could of definitely added to his match winning tally.

North Melbourne won the game due to a strong defensive effort and it showed with most of their best players Michael Firrito, Scott McMahon and Scott Thompson coming from their defensive 50.

Port Adelaide have gone cold with a 5 game losing streak after last week’s 38 point defeat at home to the Swans.

The Power have nothing to offer up forward with no one really standing up to the plate to deliver a target for them in front of the big sticks.

Brett Ebert is their leading goalkicker with an average 18 goals for the year but will miss this week’s clash with an ankle injury, along with Steve Salopek (shoulder).

And with further questions marks over the fitness/from of a lot of their players I don’t expect Port Adelaide to turn up to play.

North Melbourne by 32 points

West Coast v Western Bulldogs

West Coast were very average last week and can add the 49 point loss to cellar dwellars Richmond to their run of losses, with only one win from their past 5 games.

Questions have to be asked of their playing list and no matter how optimistic you can be about the Eagles, they won’t be building a premiership team from this current crop of bit part players.

Except for Josh Kennedy, Mark Le Cras their have been few players that can hold their head up high for West Coast this season.

The Western Bulldogs are at polar opposites to their opponents this week coming off a strong display in their 65 point whipping of Brisbane.

Daniel Cross, Matthew Boyd and Adam Cooney are all class and it showed last week with 90+ possessions amoung the 3 of them.

Barry Hall continues to offer them great value with a 6 goal haul and overall the Dogs have never looked sharper, but need to back it up at Subiaco where they have had some mixed success.

Sure West Coast are a different team at home and might be competitive, but the Dogs are simply a class above the Eagles.

Western Bulldogs by 45 points.