Melbourne v Western Bulldogs

I really don’t know what to make of the Western Bulldogs at the moment.

Flying high after a NAB premiership Rodney Eade‘s men looked like the team to beat.

But after 6 rounds the Bulldogs haven’t been at their convincing best with 3 wins and 3 losses, and to be honest last week against the Saints they should of won.

The game played into the Saint’s hand of being a low scoring grind out instead of being an all out attacking free flowing game suited to the Bulldogs.

If time and time again the opposition will test Barry Hall‘s patience and put him off his game, someone from the Dogs needs to step in and play the role of a ‘pinch’ forward.

Melbourne were also disappointing in their 26 point loss to the Kangaroos last week.

The young Demons showed a bit of inexperienced in last week’s clash by underestimating their opponents and an injury to the in-form Ricky Pettard didn’t help either.

Whether or not the Demons had hit a purple patch with 3 wins on the trot or are top eight contenders is yet to be attested.

The Bulldogs also have been facing questions on whether this year is the year they stamp their mark on the game.

Both clubs have something to prove but the experience and class of the Western Bulldogs should be enough to see them through for a win, a convincing win…I’m not so sure about.

Western Bulldogs by 18 points

Essendon v Port Adelaide

The Bombers had a huge win last week against Hawthorn to take the choccies by 43 points.

It was a strong finish and just showed us that the Bombers may not have the all out talent that the Hawks possess, but their hunger and drive cannot be questioned.

Essendon have had a patchy start to the season and recorded only their second win from six games.

There were some good signs for the Dons last week, but taking nothing away from their triumph the Hawks just were plain terrible.

Port Adelaide are sitting pretty with 4 wins the latest victory coming against cross town rivals the Crows.

Choco Williams better not get too ahead of himself with a win against a struggling Crows outfits, but the Power are starting to look a lot more consistent in their football this year.

For Port to win they’ll need another game-breaking effort from players like Robbie Gray who kicked 5 goals last week and dominated the showdown in a classy performance.

The Bombers are a real chance here though, and if they can find the form that saw them win against the Hawks and Blues it will be game on.

Port Adelaide by 23 points

West Coast v Hawthorn

Despite John Worsfold’s optimism on West Coast’s future, at the moment it is looking pretty bleak for the Eagles after yet another crushing loss, this time at the hands of the Dockers by 38 points.

I cannot remember the last time the Eagles won against their home town rivals, even when West Coast were in some sort of form they lowered their colours too easy against Fremantle.

Josh Kennedy and Mark LeCras offer something up forward, but the Eagle’s engine room is not what it used to be and quite often even with Cox and Naitanui in the Ruck, the midfield is out-classed and out-runned.

Maybe the Hawks did wing it in their premiership year and the stars aligned and it was a full blue moon, but they are still a team with plenty of talent that honestly needs a good kick up the backside.

Hawthorn don’t look like a motivated team and yes they have suffered from some injuries already this season, but they could take a leaf out of the Essendon’s book.

If the Hawks are to capture some of their past glory they need to open a bottle of vintage 2008 Franklin and Roughead.

The only thing tipping me in the Coasters’ favour is a home ground advantage.

West Coast by 15 points

Collingwood v North Melbourne

Collingwood seem to be the genuine article this year, as other teams have slightly faltered the Magpies have notched up 5 wins with their only blemish being a loss to a full strength Saints team.

A settled line up says it all and a 53 point win over a determined Carlton outfit, shows that Collingwood are starting to firm as final favourites.

It seems to be all coming together with Luke Ball getting his hands on the Sherrin, Dane Swan returning to a bit of form and youngster Chris Dawes playing beyond his years.

North Melbourne meanwhile are on a high coming off back to back wins, and the Kangas are starting to put together some competitive football with 3 wins from their past 4 games.

Daniel Wells has been in great form putting together a string of games now with goals and possessions aplenty. David Hale has also turned it around with a couple of games that he has kicked multiple goals.

The Magpies are expected to win and should, but this could loom as a danger game for Collingwood as we all know North Melbourne revel in being the underdog.

Collingwood by 34 points

Brisbane Lions v Fremantle

A  real test for both teams as this game looms as important one to win, with the Dockers and Brisbane facing tough opponents in the following weeks.

Brisbane came crashing back to earth with a thud last week with a 20 point loss to Sydney, and now have back to back losses.

Even though both Brown and Fevola have been combining well up forward, the loss of Matt McGuire (susp.) in the backline could be the Achilles heel for the Lions.

The inclusions of  Adcock and Sherman might add some spark to the Brisbane lineup but the Lions have to be wary of the strong finishing Fremantle team.

As expected the Dockers made light work of West Coast in last week’s derby to the tune of 38 points.

Michael Barlow and Paul Duffield were outstanding for the Dockers, and coach Mark Harvey must be pleased with a few of these lesser known players stepping up to the plate.

The Dockers have a strong backline and get a lot of good, quick rebound out of their defensive 50, so it will be interesting to see how Brisbane’s coach Michael Voss deals with this tactic.

Brisbane at home makes them irresistible picks for a win but the way Fremantle are playing, it definitely is worth looking at the Dockers.

Fremantle by 7 points

Geelong Cats v Sydney Swans

Geelong made easy work of the Tigers last week after their shock loss to Carlton.

The Cats at their best this year look like an invincible team that could rival the Brisbane team of the early 2000′s.

But Geelong have shown their vulnerability in both their losses so far and sit 4th on the Ladder.

Key players Matthew Scarlett and Gary Ablett are named in the squad even though they have a few niggling injuries.

For the Geelong jigsaw puzzle to come together this season these key players need to be there if the Cats are to make it back to back.

Surprisingly the Swans sit on top of the AFL ladder and even more surprising is that Sydney is playing a very attacking brand of football.

What is Brisbane’s loss is the Swan’s gain and Daniel Bradshaw has repaid them ten fold already with 23 goals from 6 matches so far.

It will be a hotly contested game  and an injury to Swan’s Ruckman Mark Seaby will be a test for Paul Roos depth of players.

It is too good a home ground advantage to ignore and the Cats have a ridiculous amount of success at their home ground (won their last 19 games at Skilled Stadium).

Geelong by 21 points

Adelaide v Richmond

If there is one positive from this match, one team at least will come away with their first win of the season.

Both the Crows and Tigers have had less than impressive starts to the 2010 AFL season.

Adelaide’s downfall has been the most surprising of the two after being so competitive in the past few seasons.

The Crows showed some fight last week against rivals Port Adelaide to lead at 3 quarter time, but a poor last quarter cost them the game and showed us just how much they are struggling.

Richmond were just outclassed by a Geelong side on a mission going down by 108 points.

On paper the Crows do have a side that should comfortably win but I’ve got the feeling the Tigers could beat the Crows in Adelaide.

Adelaide by 9 points

St Kilda v Carlton

St Kilda and Ross Lyon showed their briliance last week by masterminding a terrific win against the Bulldogs.

Not only did they stifle their opponent but the Saints dictated the type of game that was played to suit their style.

Sam Fisher helped to neutrilise the Dog’s attacking options while fellow Saints Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna, and Nick Dal Santo gathered so much of the ball the Bulldogs never really had possession.

The Saints are proving to be more than a one trick pony without Riewodlt, and this spell without him might actually benefit the team by making themselves less reliant.

Carlton were disappointing against the Magpies last week, after brilliantly overcoming Geelong the week before.

Setanta O’hAilpin has been a revelation up forward kicking 5 goals last week against Collingwood, and Chris Judd led by example.

But too often Collingwood were able to run riot as Carlton let their opponents be loosely checked.

A free flowing game suits the Blues but if the Saints make it a lockdown the more disciplined St Kilda will win.

St Kilda by 22 points

Your Round 7 Tips & Observations

So what are your tips & observations for round 7 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.

1) the_Tony: 36
2) Geaghs: 35
3) craig eyles: 32
4) Jermayn: 32
5) Martynkai: 31
6) Johnnytruent: 31
7) Princess of the Cats: 30
8 ) Mike: 30