HAWTHORN v GEELONG
Friday night football and first up we are in for a treat for what I regard as match of the round. Both teams have a relatively unchanged line up. For Hawthorn their only change is Stokes for Morton.
Some of the match ups should be interesting, with Geelong having the likes of Bartel,Corey,and Selwood against the midfield of Mitchell,Hodge and Ellis.
Both teams play an attacking brand of football and it will be exciting to see how Hawthorn’s forward line will cope with Geelong, who have one of the best defensive line ups in the league at the moment. If Buddy’s kicking wasn’t so wayward, Hawthorn could get over the line.
I can’t see that happening though with Geelong looking strong along every position.
Geelong win.
Can Buddy kick straight enough for the Hawks to be a chance?
ESSENDON v COLLINGWOOD
On form you would have to back the Magpies who sit in 5th compare with the lowly Bombers in 12th position. Essendon have been somewhat on a roll though winning four of their last five games, but suffered a close defeat against Richmond last week.
Collingwood will be too strong defensively against Essendon’s weak attack and up forward they have too many options in Davis, Thomas and Medhurst.
Collingwood win.
WEST COAST v ST KILDA
West Coast are playing at home but no longer is Subiaco Oval a ‘House Of Pain’ for visiting sides. West Coast are on a roll…of losses compared to the Saints who have quietly won their last four games against admirable opponents. Beating Hawthorn is nothing to be sneezed at and I can’t see the Saints self imploding to lose against the easy beat Eagles.
St Kilda win.
RICHMOND v BRISBANE LIONS
This should be an interesting game with Brisbane’s away form being a little off in recent weeks. Richmond play as a team and might not be challenging for the premiership, but can play competitive football that can win them games.
Richmond’s past 5 weeks has seen them win 4 matches and away from home Brisbane have lost to Melbourne and Essendon. On early season form I have to tip Brisbane but it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Tigers lift for this one.
Brisbane win.
SYDNEY SWANS v ADELAIDE
Sydney are almost certainties at their home ground against any opponent in the AFL. In comes Barry Hall for his first game since his ‘indefinite’ suspension and Nick Malceski. The Swans lose Leo Barry (hamstring) and Michael O’Loughlin (ankle) which are big outs.
Adelaide have included Porplyzia to bolster their forward line but I can’t see them snapping out of their losing streak.
Sydney win.
PORT ADELAIDE v FREMANTLE
Port are coming off a solid win against Adelaide to snap them out of their month of horror. Their win over Adelaide has come at a price with Chad Cornes (shoulder, knee) out with injury.
Fremantle had a spirited win against Melbourne at Subiaco but we can’t really look into that too much for a form guide. Port should win because they are a better team and it is at their home ground.
Port Adelaide win.
MELBOURNE v NORTH MELBOURNE
The Kangaroos had a really great win over Collingwood last week. Drew Petrie, Daniel Wells, and Brent Harvey had outstanding games last week. If the Roos are to be a more consistent unit guys like Petrie, Wells, Firito, Gibson and Jones need to be more reliable week in week out.
Brent Harvey is a fantastic player and a lot of the younger guys could learn a lot from the spirited way he plays. The Kangaroos should have enough talent to beat Melbourne, but should be aiming to play a more complete game.
North Melbourne win.
WESTERN BULLDOGS v CARLTON
This should be an interesting game with Carlton’s close loss last week and the Bulldog’s coming off a defeat to Geelong. Carlton might consider themselves a chance of an upset based on this but I expect the Bulldogs to bounce back.
Daniel Cross, Lindsay Gilbee, Adam Cooney and Ryan Griffen all got a lot of the ball for the Bulldogs but they need to convert these possessions into goals, otherwise they are all but useless. Geelong last week showed that their ball magnets also convert goals and thats something the Western Bulldogs have to develop.
Western Bulldog win.
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July 25th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Ahh finally the Geelong v Hawthorn game, had to wait 17 rounds for this and I cannot wait!
Geelong - If the Hawks forward line fires, Geelong may struggle to hold them but Geelong is very very equal in their form and I expect a good game but Geelong should win.
Collingwood - Their forward line failed last week but I expect them to bounce back especially against the Dons leaky defence.
St Kilda - Who will play on Riewoldt with Glass and Hunter out? Either Beau Wilkes, Eric Mackenzie or Matt Spangher (12 games between them). I hope the Eagles turn out an competitive game which has been lacking for the year.
Richmond - Big fan of them and has showed alot with wins over West Coast (away) and coming back from behind against Essendon last week.
Sydney - Bringing back Barry Hall is imo a mistake and this is the end of the ‘Bloods code’ as we know it. If they were serious he would NOT play again.
Port Adelaide - Port as its at home and Freo still holding onto those old farts
North Melbourne - Too much class but Melbourne may have a win (or a loss) in being competitive and have the Eagles drop to 16th on the ladder.
Bulldogs - While were majorily humbled last week, it would do them good to show they are not that good and have a way to go. Carlton also have a long way to go but the Bulldogs are closer to play finals than the Blues.
July 25th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Whoooo im actually looking forward to this game - GO THE Cats (sorry Dad but if we can whip the bulldogs with two of our best missing we are going to whip hawthorne 2)
- Colling Wood
- Roos
- Port Adelaide
- Brissy
- Swans
- Saints
- Bulldogs
July 25th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
i actually like what i see this year from the Saints they have put on a good show…