NORTH MELBOURNE v GEELONG

North Melbourne didn’t do much to impress me with their performance last week at the GABBA. Once Brisbane got ahead, North didnt try to counter attack and just let the game slip further and further away. The Kanga’s keep asking to be taken seriously as flag contenders but they do little to convince us otherwise.

Some say Geelong aren’t looking like the team to beat this season…but does that really matter? As long as they are at that last day in September they are half a chance. Cam Mooney and Paul Chapman come back in this week and they will further strengthen an already pretty strong side.

Geelong win.

Jonathan Brown (pictured) and Daniel Bradshaw have been in destrcutive form lately.

RICHMOND v ADELAIDE

Richmond are very much a developmental project for Terry Wallace at the moment. It is very hard to change a club’s ‘culture’ and a lot of that has to do with the success the team has on the field. I can see a few of their players like Brett Deledio, Richard Tambling and Jack Riewoldt being solid contributors in years to come. At the moment they and the team struggle for consistency.

Adelaide on the other hand look as solid as an oak table. Sometimes they almost look too predictable and clinical in they way they go about their football. But you can’t argue with their form. They will be missing the ‘Birdman’ Brett Burton which could hurt them up forward, but they should come away with the four points at the MCG.

Adelaide win.

WEST COAST EAGLES v SYDNEY SWANS

In what use to be a much looked forward to tussle, has developed into somewhat of a mis match. While Coach Worsfold has had to deal with retirements, off field dramas, player trades and injuries, coach Roos just hides way up in Sydney going about his business quietly. Obviously being an AFL team in a Rugby League town means you don’t get that much media exposure, and I think that benefits the Swans.

The media and public both overlook the Swans as serious contenders and most thought they would struggle without Barry Hall. But quite the opposite has occurred. Not only have they flourished, but they have increased their scoring capacity and this is evident in their recent wins by huge margins.

West Coast have included some much needed experienced players in Hunter, Butler, Graham, Seaby, and Nicoski, but they won’t be good enough to stop the rot.

Sydney win.

ESSENDON v HAWTHORN

Essendon got agonizingly close to a win last week against a strong Crows outfit. But as the dockers can account for, close enough is just not good enough. Matthew Knights believes the proof is in the youth which is all good in theory, but by offering a great Bombers player in Scott Lucas a year by year contract just smacks of disrespect.

Often clubs are too quick to just go out with the old and in with the new. But I believe to be successful you still need some mentoring and experienced players in the team. It would be good to see some repay of faith for the loyal Lucas and he would be a good role model for the younger players. 250 games of experience is an invaluable for any team to have.

Hawthorn should be reeling about their loss to the Bulldogs last week and I think they will make light work of their opponents this week.

Hawthorn win.

BRISBANE LIONS v FREMANTLE

Fremantle, Fremantle, Fremantle, Fremantle. What more can I say? The coach is trying to sound upbeat saying a win is not far off, but you might as well say Santa Claus is real because that sounds more believable. Matthew Pavlich often gets criticized by not stepping up to the plate when the game is on the line…but that is utter Bulldog’s breakfast talk. Out of 22 players if you are relying on just one to get you over the line then you know you have problems. The media must be scraping the barrel if they are criticizing Pavlich. In a team everyone is accountable…but I think a lot of people forget that.

The twins towers are a formidable force up front for the Brisbane Lions. Bradshaw and Brown sounds like a wrestling combination but Leigh Matthews must be grateful these big guys have chosen AFL as their profession. Three wins in a row for the Lions and I can see them making this number four. Congratulations on Leigh Matthews for 450 games of VFL/AFL as player/coach.

Brisbane win.

ST KILDA v WESTERN BULLDOGS

St Kilda don’t look like the team they promised to be at the start of the season. A team full of potential…How many years can we keep on saying the same thing? Their only wins have come against teams ( Richmond,Melbourne ) which definitely don’t rate in the top eight.

Western Bulldogs are genuine contenders this year. I think they are turning their club around both on field and off field and we are just beginning to see the fruits of this labour. Their win against the Hawks last week just shows they have the run and skills to mix it with the best.

Bulldogs win.

PORT ADELAIDE v CARLTON

I think Port Adelaide are a top 8 side. They are definitely the best of the worst and at home they should get up against the Blues. If they can get over their habit of falling down at the last hurdle they should be a much better performing side in the remaining rounds.

Carlton are an interesting team full of talent but lacking that big game experience. Their record against the Power at AAMI stadium proves that.

Port win.

MELBOURNE v COLLINGWOOD

Collingwood should easily beat the Melbourne Demons this week. The Magpies are looking good for finals football this year and it certainly helps when you have a very favourable draw. A trip to the corner deli is as far as they travel nowadays. A lot of their players like Leon Davis and Paul Medhurst have finally pulled their fingers out and put in some hard work to match the talent they possess. This combined with courageous youngesters like Pendlebury and Brown have made Collinwood a well rounded side.

Collingwood win.

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