Port Adelaide vs Collingwood

The Power have had a pathetic season and have disappointed their fans all around the country. I think this game should be moved to Melbourne as it’s likely that no one but Collingwood supporters will show up. Collingwood need to win this game in Adelaide to get some confidence back in the team after a horrid two or so weeks with their president and club being embarrassed by some silly little boys with alcohol. It’s a wonder their noses haven’t grown with all the lying they’ve been doing

Collingwood win

Essendon vs Adelaide

Essendon shot themselves in the foot last week when they were unable to beat the lowly Eagles in Perth. Granted the Eagles played well, but the Bombers are too young to be as confident as they are. another year or so and they might, i say might be ready for the finals.

Adelaide have crossed to Dangerfield, literally with the young 18 year old debuting straight from the under 18s competition. It sounds like the crows may be complaining that they’ve had some key injuries this year and have to decided to combat that with some players who’ve never set foot on an AFL game before. I see the logic…not. They have emerged as pretenders and without Porplyzia they will struggle to win. But i think they will anyways.

Adelaide in a close one

Melbourne vs West Coast

Who will get smacked with the big fat wooden spoon? Personally i would LOVE to see the Eagles win it for the first time, but I don’t think they’re going to. too much pride. But Melbourne could give it away seeing as the talk is that the Eagles may be tanking. Personally i don’t think they are because if they were, they wouldn’t of beaten the Bombers last week. They seemed desperate to win and that desperation will cause an upset win. yes you heard it, the Eagles are underdogs. But they’re no dumb mutts and they will defeat the demons.

West Coast win

Brisbane vs Western Bulldogs

Can the twin towers withstand the Bulldog terrorists? Welcome home Akermanis, im sure all the fans are so happy to see you. um i think not, he might want to start a vending machine company with all the food and drink he’ll get thrown at him. Brisbane and the Bulldogs have both been struggling somewhat in recent times. Brisbane have the ammo up front but the Dogs have the cattle.

Bulldogs to win

Sydney vs Geelong

The Swans are needing a win if they want to stay in the top four, but I think that the reigning premiers will hunt the big white birds and tear their feathers out. Sydney are not the team they used to be and will probably have little impact on the finals.

Geelong are continuing to show why they will more than likely go back to back this year. they are unstoppable and so in sync with each other I swear they all have telepathic abilities. They are more than likely going to win this affair which may just be the preview of the Cats first final, unless the Kangaroos have something to do with it.

Geelong comfortably

Richmond vs Hawthorn

Richmond are a flop. Terry Wallace needs to go, otherwise they will not win a premiership. He couldn’t do it with the dogs, he WILL NOT do it with the Tigers. wouldn’t it just be so ironic if they finished ninth? They had an ok season but once again showed everyone why they are not a finals contender.

Chance Bateman resigned this week with the Hawks and will be a key player to help Buddy get his 100th goal

Hawthorn are sitting pretty in 2nd spot and big bad Buddy might just kick a bag to move past one hundred goals. If he does will security be able to hold back all the crazed fans who just want a piece of Buddy Magic? We’ll see. Hawthorn are cruising along and after the Bulldogs fall from grace it seems they may be the only team to successfully challenge the might of Geelong in the Grand Final.

Hawthorn easily

Carlton vs North Melbourne

Carlton need a bit of luck and some hard fought victories if they want to make the eight. Starting here with the in form Kangaroos. Fevola and Judd need to fire up the troops if they want to overcome one of the most underrated but most improved teams in the league.

The Kangaroos just need to keep playing the way they are to ensure a top four finish and a real crack come September time. They have a tough task this week but i think the shinboners have what it takes to make it 6 in a row and come bounding into the finals

Kangaroos win

Fremantle vs St Kilda

Fremantle are the most unpredictable team in the world, and are facing the yo-yo-ing saints in Perth this week. Can they finish the season on a high and damage St Kilda’s chances of a finals berth or will they slip back into the background and have another disappointing year?

St Kilda must win otherwise they will be under serious threat from Carlton and Brisbane. Can they put their on and off field troubles behind them and snatch a win to stay in the finals? Unfortunately I think the Dockers might just pip them in Perth

Dockers win

Related K2K Posts

• 2008 Round 20 round wrapup (4)
• AFL 2008 Round 14 tips pt2 (1)
• AFL 2008 Round 14 tips pt1 (3)
• Will West Coast tank and will you run on the ground? (3)
• AFL 2008 Round 19 Tips (4)

Visit to comment and leave your opinions
© 2008 Kick2Kick.net

Gary Ablett comes back into the Geelong line up after being out from injury. For Melbourne they have lost Aaron Davey (foot) but in comes Nathan Carroll, James Frawley and Nathan Jones for the clash with Geelong on Friday night.

Even with some handy inclusions for the Demons, they will be no match for the Cats who should use this game to fine tune their efforts for the up coming finals.

Geelong win.

Andrew McLeod plays his 300th game this weekend.

CARLTON v PORT ADELAIDE

Carlton need to win to keep some hope of making it into the final eight and these are games they should win if they are to be contenders and not passengers. Port Adelaide have been one of the major disappointments this season. How can you go from Grand Finalists to scraping the bottom of the barrel?

They could of won last week against the Saints but they show they lack some engine and heart to really grind out a win. Carlton lost to Adelaide at AAMI last week which is to be expected but they got close to an upset.

In comes Jason Saddington for the Blues which should bolster their defense for what I’m predicting should be a comfortable win.

Carlton win.

HAWTHORN v BRISBANE LIONS

The Brisbane Lions’ final campaign seems to be sinking quicker than decommissioned Navy ship. Recent losses to the Kangaroos and Richmond shows that something is lacking in the Lion’s gameplan. With players like Simon Black, Bradshaw and Brown in a team you think they would be doing a lot better than they are.

But it is the support team that is lacking. Guys like Drummond, Sherman, Brennan and Rischitelli need to step up. Some of these players are talented but don’t put in enough hard work to fully reach their potential.

Hawthorn have named an unchanged line up after beating Collingwood convincingly last week.

Hawthorn win.

COLLINGWOOD v ST KILDA

A hat trick of losses and some major off field issues have Collingwood looking as ordinary as Joffa’s haircut. Are Collingwood trying to emulate the West Coast Eagles of the past few years? I know Mick Malthouse is struggling for ideas but surely he could come up with a more original concept.

The Magpies definitely have some club culture issues to address but at least it has stopped Mick ‘the man with an opinion on everything’ Malthouse from talking. Sometimes silence can be golden.

I don’t think the off field misdemeanors have distracted the Magpies too much, they just have’nt been good enough to compete at a high level in the past month. The Saints had a good win over Port last week but will miss Luke Ball (hamstring) for the next few weeks.

It should be an interesting game with both teams sitting in similiar postions on the table, but I’m tipping a Collingwood win.

Collingwood win.

SYDNEY SWANS v FREMANTLE

The Dockers had a spirited win, in a Derby that no one really took an interest in last week. It was good to see them win for one of their club’s longest serving players, in Shaun McManus. Here is a guy who kicked liked a drunken donkey at times, but had more heart and determination than a draught horse.

A lot of his team mates could learn from him and his other friend in retirement Peter Bell. Names like Headland, Haselby and Farmer might not be as inept as Shaun was but definitely lack his ‘draught horse’ characteristics.

The Swans are staring down the barrel at a possibility of 3 losses in a row, but I can’t see that happening. Leo Barry and Adam Goodes are very handy ins for the Swans and they usually play the SCG well.

Sydney win.

NORTH MEBOURNE v WESTERN BULLDOGS

This could be a really interesting game. Both teams are playing into some form with the Bulldogs having a solid win against the Swans last week. The Kangaroos have won 4 in a row and are sitting pretty in 5th. Both teams play a similar brand of football. But what impresses me with the Kangaroos is guys like Petrie and Wells are taking what seems like, the next step up.

I am tipping a Western Bulldogs win in close game.

Western Bulldogs win.

ADELAIDE v RICHMOND

Congratulations to Andrew McLeod in reaching AFL 300 games for Adelaide Crows. Not only is he a great player of the game but is a good role model for other Indigenous players aspiring to play at the highest level. To think that he could of been a Docker but was overlooked, just goes to show that you shouldn’t judge people on first impressions. But what Freo lost was Adelaide’s gain.

Adelaide seem to be settling after last month’s hiccup of losses. Some solid wins against Carlton and Sydney have them back on track for a finals berth. The inclusions of Johncock and Tippett should make their line up even stronger.

Richmond have been very competitive but I can’t see them winning this week in Adelaide against the Crows.

Adelaide win.

WEST COAST EAGLES v ESSENDON

West Coast’s lack of skill almost looks like a disease with no cure during last week’s Derby. Some kids playing AusKick at half time would put them to shame and were probably more entertaining. But seriously it doesn’t look inspiring at the moment the way West Coast play.

Their last win against the Saints was a surprise but the concept of stringing two wins together seemed to abandon them last week. Essendon have had two wins on the trot and looked really good against the Demons last week. Matthew Knights is trying to inject some life into the club after its staleness in recent years and slowly they will get there.

Essendon win.

Related K2K Posts

• AFL 2008 Round 20 Tips (4)
• Round 19 2008 Wrapup (3)
• AFL 2008 Round 18 Tips (3)
• AFL 2008 Round 17 Tips (3)
• AFL 2008 Round 16 tips (3)

Visit to comment and leave your opinions
© 2008 Kick2Kick.net

Collingwood vs Hawthorn

Collingwood are pretenders and have lost some very valuable games lately. They don’t have what it take to win a premiership and i stand by my comments in that they need to replace Mick Malthouse. However they should provide a contest against the Hawks on Friday night.

The Hawks have missed some oppurtunities to move into second spot but are still looking fairly good for September. They should get the job done against the 6th placed Magpies.

Hawks win

Essendon vs Melbourne

The bombers are barely in contention for the finals provided that they continue to win games. They will more than likely have to win all their games to have a chance, and they need to win this week against the bottom placed Demons.

Melbourne haven’t been too bad over the last few weeks. They were easily accounted for last week but their future does look somewhat hopeful for the coming years. A win here would instill some pride and all but end Essendon’s chances of a finals berth. However I think the Bombers should take the victory.

Bombers win

Adelaide vs Carlton

Brendan Fevola has commited to Carlton during the week

Two teams who are still fighting it out for a spot in the 8. Adelaide had a fantastic win over Sydney in Sydney last week. Porplyzia placed magnificently and really is a shining light for the Crows at the moment. They should be able to beat Carlton in Adelaide.

Carlton had a very hard fought comeback win over the Bulldogs last week. Fevola was a key to the win and with the signing of his contract during the week he should be on fire again this weekend. If he and Judd can really get going then the Blues will be a real chance.

Adelaide win

Geelong vs Richmond

Geelong have fended off the Bulldogs and the Hawks in successive weeks and are yet again the team looking to take the premiership. They are literally unstoppable and the Tigers should be an easy task for them.

Richmond have a tough final couple of weeks and need to dig in if they’re to make the finals. An upset win over the reigning premiers would really get them going but i don’t think they have the depth to defeat the Cats.

Cats win

Kangaroos vs Brisbane

Another two of the finals hopefuls face off this weekend and what a big game it will be. A North Melbourne win will see them comfortably nestled in the top 8 but a loss allows them to be overtaken. They are a good team but I don’t know if they will beat Brisbane on the Gold Coast.

Brisbane are still very much in the hunt for the finals but they need to put last weeks loss behind them and move forward and win some games. They are literally at home at Carrara and I think they might just take down the Kangaroos.

Brisbane win

Western Bulldogs vs Sydney

The Bulldogs have lost two straight and I think that they might come out this rounds with a reals sense of hunger. A few players need to work harder but I think that they can bounce back and take the Swans.

Sydney had a bit of a shock losing to Adelaide at home and they should bounce back reasonably well. However I think that the Bulldogs might just pip them.

Bulldogs win

St Kilda vs Port Adelaide

St Kilda had a bit of a wake up call at Subiaco last week losing to the lowly Eagles. If they want to be a finals threat they need to win those games, and they will be looking to rectify on Sunday against Port Adelaide.

Port Adelaide tried hard but couldn’t make it two in a row against Fremantle. What a fall from power. To go from grand finalists and to not even making the finals this year. I doubt they will upset the Saints.

St Kilda win

Fremantle vs West Coast

What a unexciting affair this will be. Both teams have been absolutely rubbish this year and while it should be a good game seeing as they both sit in the bottom four, not many people will look at it with much interest. The only good thing is, is one of these teams can make it two ina row after both won last week. Fremantle lose their most experienced player Shaun McManus and should win it for him.

Fremantle win

Related K2K Posts

• AFL 2008 Round 20 Tips (4)
• AFL 2008 Round 19 Tips (4)
• Wrapup of Round 18 2008 (0)
• AFL 2008 Round 17 Tips (3)
• AFL 2008 Round 16 tips (3)

Visit to comment and leave your opinions
© 2008 Kick2Kick.net

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.

Related K2K Posts

• AFL 2008 Round 20 Tips (4)
• AFL 2008 Round 19 Tips (4)
• AFL 2008 Round 18 Tips (3)
• 2008 AFL Round 17 wrapup (1)
• AFL 2008 Round 16 tips (3)

Visit to comment and leave your opinions
© 2008 Kick2Kick.net

Andrew Mcleod returns for the Crows in their Derby

North Melbourne had a spirited win against Port Adelaide last week in South Australia. At their best this season the Kangas have been hard working and disciplined, but I don’t believe they are a top eight side. They rely too much on their aging stars and its time for players like Daniel Wells to finally step up.

Nathan Thompson has been drop while Shannon Grant and Corey Jones will be handy inclusions.

Collingwood have made no changes to the side that soundly defeated Adelaide at the MCG last week. The Magpies on their day can really produce and it helps when you can get the best out of recruits like Paul Medhurst who since leaving the Dockers, looks like a new player.

Collingwood win.

GEELONG v WESTERN BULLDOGS

Geelong are looking solid at the business end of the season with a rough but well fought out win against Fremantle last week. The fall out from that game though, means that both Cameron Ling (Cheekbone) and Gary Ablett (ankle) will be missing in this week’s fixture.

Geelong should have enough cover to compensate for their loss but Ling and Ablett are the type that can produce a win when the game is on the line.

Western Bulldogs are looking fairly settled in second place and this could be match of the round. Obviously beating Melbourne last week was no mean feat but the Bullys look like a refined unit and could push Geelong to their limits. Geelong should prevail though.

Geelong win.

RICHMOND v ESSENDON

Both teams are coming off great high scoring wins and this could be a really competitive game. There is not much between both Richmond and Essendon. The Tigers have made no changes to the side that humiliated West Coast by 77 points. And Essendon have named a similar side that upset Brisbane at the Telstra Dome last week.

This will be a close one but I am tipping the Tigers who impressed me last week. The Bombers can be quite attacking but they lack the defensive discipline that Richmond has.

Richmond win.

BRISBANE LIONS v WEST COAST

Brisbane should win this game against West Coast after their disappointing defeat in Melbourne last week. The Eagles look like they would struggle to complete training drills let alone compete in a game of AFL.

By the looks of some of the ins and outs for West Coast (in: Selwood, MacKenzie, McNamara outs: Jones, Braun) the Eagles are looking to be culling some older players at the end of the year. Woosha and co. must be trying to blood their youngsters in an attempt to see if there is any light at the end of the tunnel.

Brisbane win.

ST KILDA v HAWTHORN

Hawthorn had a comprehensive win against Sydney last week but Buddy’s kicking could be the difference between them winning and losing when playing against stronger opposition. Franklin’s kicking is a perfect analogy for Hawthorn as a team. The Hawks like Buddy’s wayward kicking, are almost there but both are lacking maturity and composure at the moment to take that next step up.

St. Kilda should be where Hawthorn are and have under achieved, or maybe we just over estimate their talents .

Hawthorn win.

CARLTON v SYDNEY SWANS

Sydney are lacking a big quality forward since Barry Hall was last in good form. And with his indefinite suspension, it could be the end of quite a successful partnership Hall and the Swans had at one time.

Carlton also have a ill disciplined but much younger forward in Brendon Fevola. He is coming out of contract at the end of the year and letting every man and his dog know about it. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him give out group hugs to the Swans at the end of the game. The Swan’s mascot might even get a kiss.

Sydney should have a much all round game to combat the brilliance of Judd and curb Fevola’s influence up front.

Sydney win.

PORT ADELAIDE v ADELAIDE

This should be a fiery clash. Last time these two teams met it was a pearler of a game with spot fires breaking out everywhere. The Power and Crows have as much love for each other as rival Mafia gangs have.

Both Port and Adelaide have had a shocking month not winning a single game, so this a vital game in more ways than one. Adelaide are going to missing two key forwards in Burton and Porplyzia but in comes McLeod and McGregor, which are valuable contributers.

At the moment, Adelaide have more to play for with a finals berth beckoning. Port have been disappointing this season.

Adelaide win.

FREMANTLE v MELBOURNE

Fremantle should win…but thats a saying we hear too often. It should be their catch cry. It wouldn’t surprise me if Melbourne come up and win, after all the Dockers are more interested in kicking the man in the balls while he is down rather than kicking the ball down.

At least Solomon goes hard but somehow his timing is more off than a misfiring car’s engine. If the Dockers concentrate on winning they should win convincely.

Fremantle win.

Related K2K Posts

• AFL 2008 Round 20 Tips (4)
• AFL 2008 Round 19 Tips (4)
• AFL 2008 Round 18 Tips (3)
• AFL 2008 Round 17 Tips (3)
• AFL 2008 round 16 wrapup (1)

Visit to comment and leave your opinions
© 2008 Kick2Kick.net

Carlton vs St Kilda

The Blues have had a good season this far, pulling themselves from the rear of the ladder to be in contention for the finals this year, kudos to them. But, now we’re getting serious, do they have what it takes to handle the pressure and actually make the final 8? They’ve got a few tough challenges ahead and it begins with the Saints.

St Kilda on the other hand were exalted as premiership contenders prior to the season opening. Now they’re just hoping they can even make the 8. Oh how the mighty have fallen. Well actually they never were mighty. They are a mediocre team with overrated players and i think that Carlton may well take the points on Friday night.

Carlton in a close one

Judd is a certain starter for the Blues this week

Collingwood vs Adelaide

Collingwood are ok. They’ve won some big games, but have also crashed and burned a couple of times. They need some fresh ideas and a new coach in my opinion. Someone who can lead this club forward. They will not win a premiership while under the reign of Mick Malthouse. However at the MCG they should beat the struggling Crows.

Adelaide were thought to be a real contender this year but their cracks are showing. They have no forward line and Geelong picked them to pieces last week with strong defense. Unlike the Bulldogs the Crows cannot afford to rely on their small forwards, they are not talented enough.

Collingwood win

Geelong vs Fremantle

Geelong are amazing. They smashed the Crows last week at AAMI Stadium and at home they will be extremely hard to beat. The have built Skilled Stadium into a fortress and don’t look like losing there.

Fremantle may have come close to beating Geelong early in the year, and probably should have. But they have absolutely no chance of taking the points against the rampaging Cats on Geelong’s turf.

Geelong easily

Essendon vs Brisbane

Essendon are a young inexperienced team, and while have done ok this year they have a long way to go yet. Mathew Knights has a lot of work ahead.

Brisbane on the other hand are looking dangerous. If they can keep Bradshaw injury free and Brown can start kicking straight consistently then come September they will be a real chance in the finals.

Brisbane win

Port Adelaide vs Kangaroos

Port continued to struggle in Round 14 after a smashing from the in form Bulldogs. They have fallen hard and fast from last year and have yet again confirmed my belief. They are one-hit wonders. Nobody even bothers to show up to their games anymore and they’ll be lucky to attract 20 000 people.

Shannon Grant might never again play VFL, but he doesnt seem to be playing AFL either

The Kangaroos were put back in their place after a humbling defeat at the hands of the Saints. Riding high after trouncing the Hawks, they failed to back it up and fell to a mediocre St Kilda. However they should bounce back against the lowly Power and get an important win in the race to September.

Kangaroos win

Hawthorn vs Sydney

Hawthorn bounced back big against the struggling Eagles. But are they the real deal? Personally I wonder if they are, and am worried that they are starting to fade and may continue doing so. They have a tough task against the Swans this week and while I think they can win, I’m not overly confident.

Sydney have done the right thing by suspending Barry Hall indefinitely, but will it make a difference? He was to miss this week anyway and i think they may struggle without him. However they are renowned for stifling teams run and that could really hurt the Hawks. But I still think Hawthorn will be too strong.

Hawthorn win

Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne

The Dogs are up and about after thumping the Power in Darwin two weeks ago. They are really exciting and this week should be a fairly simple task. But they should still expect Melbourne to put up a fight and be prepared for anything.

Melbourne did well to beat Brisbane in round 14 but i cannot see them upsetting the Bulldogs. The Demons aren’t strong enough to do so but will hopefully put up a decent fight.

Bulldogs easily

West Coast vs Richmond

Oh how the mighty have fallen far. Nobody, including me expected the Eagles to be 2% away from 16th position after 15 rounds of footy. But they are. They have a lot of work ahead of them and if they beat Richmond at Subiaco then they may be on their way slowly. I doubt it though

Richmond celebrated their centenary in round 14 with a um…loss. They were overrun by a confident Carlton and failed to celebrate in style. Not to worry. They have a small chance of making the finals, but its is doubtful. They do need to win against the Eagles this week to keep any hope alive. And I think they should get the job done.

Richmond in a interesting game

Related K2K Posts

• AFL 2008 Round 20 Tips (4)
• AFL 2008 Round 19 Tips (4)
• AFL 2008 Round 18 Tips (3)
• AFL 2008 Round 17 Tips (3)
• AFL 2008 Round 16 tips (3)

Visit to comment and leave your opinions
© 2008 Kick2Kick.net

Matthew Scarlett will be a handy inclusion for the strong Cats.

This should be a hotly contested match but won’t be as anticipated as it would of been last year. I feel that Adelaide are slipping. Neil Craig is very much a competent coach and a stickler for preparation. His Sports Science background and ethos on fitness has really helped the Crows achieve more than most had predicted.

But come game day, he leaves it in the hand of the ‘gods’. Craig might have all the line ups and pre-planning ready for the day of the match,but he isn’t versatile enough to make the changes necessary midway through game to effect a win.

The only advantage for Adelaide is that they are playing at home. Geelong on the other hand look like they are starting to hit their straps. They absolutely pumped West Coast last round and just showed how well oiled and slicked their running midfield is.
Geelong win .

Sydney v Collingwood

Sydney will be without Adam ‘babyface’ Goodes who somehow got served with a one match suspension even though he’s coated in layers of Teflon. The Swans will have enough all round talent to counter this loss against Collingwood, who look very vulnerable playing away from their beloved state of Victoria.

Collingwood will be without Anthony Rocca but could see the return of Leon Davis and Josh Fraser which will bolster their line up. The Swans are definitely on a roll, winning their last five games against opponents that they should be expected to beat. They face Collingwood who are a top eight team so this will really test their endurance. I can’t see Collingwood winning though.
Sydney win.

Related K2K Posts

• AFL 2008 Round 14 tips pt1 (3)
• AFL 2008 Round 20 Tips (4)
• Round 14 pt2 Wrapup (1)
• AFL 2008 Round 14 pt1 wrapup (9)
• 2008 Round 20 round wrapup (4)

Visit to comment and leave your opinions
© 2008 Kick2Kick.net

Crawford a huge inclusion for the Hawks

Hawthorn vs West Coast

Hawthorn was disappointing against the Kangaroos last week. They looked like they didn’t pay North enough respect especially with the comments made beforehand by the idiotic Jeff Kennett. They will be looking to bounce back this week against the dismal Eagles.

I’m not going to say anything about West Coast. But I really think John Worsfold needs to accept that his club is in trouble at the moment, and WILL NOT win a premiership within 3 years.
Hawks easily

Richmond vs Carlton

Richmond are starting to come of age. They played a good game last week at AAMI Stadium and will come out firing again this week.

Carlton will be bitterly disappointed with their performance and will come out breathing fire. I’m very much leaning towards Richmond but for some reason I keep thinking Carlton.
The Blues in a close one

Kangaroos vs St Kilda

St Kilda are still extremely disappointing. At the beginning of the year everyone talked them up and yet again they have shown they are overrated and not to be taken seriously. A boring win against Fremantle and probably didn’t deserve it.

North Melbourne was very good but I still don’t see how they can ever win a premiership with the team that they have at the moment. They need new players to go with the talented recruits they have and set a path to a future premiership.
Kangaroos win

Western Bulldogs vs Port Adelaide

The Dogs are coming off another big win, this time against a gallant Collingwood. I think even if Collingwood had 22 fit men on the field the Dogs still would have taken the win. They didn’t play as well as they would’ve liked but are able to get the job done.

Port Adelaide are finished. They’ve accepted defeat and have packed up for the season. Huge omissions this week and the AFL should take note of this, because Port Adelaide are OFFICIALLY tanking. You only have to look at the names left out of this weeks clash in Darwin.
Dogs easily

Melbourne vs Brisbane

Melbourne are still hopeless. But at least they’re showing some fighting spirit on and off the field. I’m glad they’re starting to play ok footy but they have a very long way to go.

Freo has done what St Kilda did by dropping over rated players, this time Farmer

Brisbane are purring along very nicely at the minute. A nice win against the Crows have them firmly in the top 8. They should well crush the Demons this week. Bradshaw makes his return which will strengthen their forward line.
Lions win

Fremantle vs Essendon

Fremantle are still one of the most disappointing teams this year. They promised so much and had the talent to back it up, but like St Kilda they have crashed and burned this year. They can play well, and should beat Essendon at Subiaco this week. Congratulations to Mark Johnson who plays his 200th.

Essendon on the other hand, have been up and down this season. They’ve had brilliant performances against the Kangaroos and Carlton, but then dismal performances against Geelong and other teams. They are a young side and look to be ok for the future, but at the present they aren’t traveling that well. At Subiaco they should fall to the Dockers, but then again, who knows which Fremantle will turn up.
Fremantle win

Related K2K Posts

• AFL 2008 Round 14 tips pt2 (1)
• AFL 2008 Round 20 Tips (4)
• Round 14 pt2 Wrapup (1)
• AFL 2008 Round 14 pt1 wrapup (9)
• 2008 Round 20 round wrapup (4)

Visit to comment and leave your opinions
© 2008 Kick2Kick.net

What is going on at both these clubs? It’s like looking at your big,ugly twin in the face. They may be on opposite sides of the country and have many years separating them, but Freo and the Saints are so alike. It scares me.

On paper St Kilda have a line up that sounds competitive, yet a lot of these players have been passengers on a train moving slower than a Tortoise with Rigamortise. And this week, coach Ross Lyon has wielded the axe on Nick Dal Santo and Stephen Milne and will be introducing 3 players all making their debut.

At the moment people are debating on the AFL’s issues on Tanking and Lyon could cop some criticism with these cut throat decisions. But I think he is simply drawing a line in the sand ( of the Telstra dome turf ).

Meanwhile Fremantle are coming off an impressive win over the Kangaroos. Coach Harvey has made no changes to his line up….and why would he. His injection of youngsters like Rhys Palmer and Garrick Ibbotson have been a breath of fresh air and have made the more experienced players stand up and deliver.
Fremantle win.

Stephen Milne has been dropped from the Saint\'s line up for tonight.

HAWTHORN v NORTH MELBOURNE

The Hawks are looking very sharp and Alistair Clarke’s coaching is so versatile at the moment. It helps when you have players like Jarrod Roughead and Buddy ‘Love’ Franklin as trump cards. It got them over the Crows by four points and should see them dispose of the Kangaroos quite easily.

The injury to McIntosh (knee) could hurt Dean Laidly more than people realise. He’s a very handy big man and with a lack of quality Big men in the Kanga’s line up, it will make their job all the more harder.
Hawthorn win.

PORT ADELAIDE v RICHMOND

Port Adelaide were very ordinary in their ‘re match’ of last year’s Grand Final with Geelong. They got pumped and Mark Williams is looking for answers. He even jokingly suggested he might put on his recently lost weight, because they won more games when Mark was heavier. But seriously Port should be a lot more competitive then they are at the moment.

Richmond had a win over cellar dwellers Melbourne which is nothing to brag about, but a win is a win and can do wonders for a team’s confidence. The experienced Power should win but it wouldn’t surprise me if Terry’s Tigers come close.
Port Adelaide win.

BRISBANE LIONS v ADELAIDE

Neil Craig’s robotic style of coaching cost him in the final minutes of their game against Hawthorn. Once his team is written on his little white board, it is set in stone. When the game comes down to the crunch you have to be able to go with the flow and make positional changes. This can be the difference between a really good coach and a great coach.

The ‘Birdman’ Brett Burton comes back in to bolster the Crow’s forward line, but I’m expecting the Lions to run amok up at the GABBA.
Brisbane win.

WEST COAST v GEELONG

Everytime I see a ‘West Coast v Geelong’ fixture, it conjures up memories of the 1992 and 1994 Grand Finals. Geelong fans would also remember this forgettable time in their Football history and would be rejoicing in the new breed of Cats, taking the so called ‘new breed’ of Eagles to pieces this week.

Braun, Kerr, Hansen, Fletcher all come back into an Eagle’s side that lost to Essendon last week. But even with this mass introducing of experience to the line up - the Eagles are badly out of form. Both Michael Braun and Chad Fletcher look ready to collect their pensions instead of getting out there to make a contest of it.
Geelong win.

MELBOURNE v SYDNEY

The Sydney Swans are more stealth than a dawn attack by a couple of BlackHawk helicopters. They have snuck past their opposing teams and are sitting pretty in fourth. Has anyone noticed at all?!

A very settled line up with a good mixture of experience ( the ‘untouchable’ Goodes ) and youth ( Keiren Jack ) is the Swan’s recipe for success. They should be able to cook up a win against the Demons.
Sydney win.

CARLTON v ESSENDON

The clashes between Carlton and Essendon are pretty fiery and both teams really lift for this traditional rivalry, no matter where both teams sit on the ladder. At the moment though, Essendon struggle to be consistent over four quarters.

Expect the Bombers to be good for a quarter here ,a quarter there but it won’t be near enough. The return of Andrew Lovett will help around the clearances for the Bombers but once he gets it out, who to then?

Carlton’s classy midfielders will make Essendon’s defenders look ordinary with their picture perfect deliveries to Fevola and co.
Carlton win.

COLLINGWOOD v WESTERN BULLDOGS

Mick Malthouse reminds me of that Rolling Stones’ song ‘Can’t get no satisfaction’. The energy he spends on complaining of the ‘unfair’ treatment the Magpies recieve, could be harnessed and used to supply a 3rd World country with a enough power to last a couple of decades.

When Mick is focussed on the job at hand and not being a U.N Ambassador, the Magpies can pull off near to perfection wins like they had against the Geelong Cats. Injuries to Leon Davis (ankle), Josh Fraser (knee) won’t help Malthouse’s cause this week and he’ll probably use this excuse in the post match wrap up.

The Bulldogs have named the same line up that carved up Brisbane last week, and I expect them to do the same against Collingwood this week.
Western Bulldog’s win.

Related K2K Posts

• AFL 2008 Round 20 Tips (4)
• AFL 2008 Round 19 Tips (4)
• AFL 2008 Round 18 Tips (3)
• AFL 2008 Round 17 Tips (3)
• AFL 2008 Round 16 tips (3)

Visit to comment and leave your opinions
© 2008 Kick2Kick.net

West Coast is finished as a major power in the AFL for now. They are in a rebuilding stage but have a chance to remain competitive and give their youngsters valuable experience and get a few wins against other struggling clubs like Essendon.

Essendon have nothing to offer at the moment. Too young and too inexperienced and still have not sorted out their game plan. However at the Telstra Dome they should provide a decent enough contest against the Eagles.
Eagles in a good contest

Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane

The Bulldogs are sitting very comfortably in 3rd after demolishing St Kilda. Truth be told the scoreboard only said 106-79 but the Bulldogs forfeited the chance to win by a margin more. They are a real threat to the premiership this year, but they need to continue to beat teams like the Lions at the MCG to instill confidence and get the critics of their back.

Brisbane is playing very well and come finals time they could be a real chance to knock off one of the higher ranked teams. Their midfield has its act together and the forward line is on fire. However the Dogs midfield is superior but it will be interesting to see the match-ups in the Lions forward line. Without Bradshaw in the team the Lions may struggle as the Dogs defence will surely crowd Jonathon Brown.
Bulldogs win

Fremantle vs Kangaroos

The tipster’s nightmare. The Dockers do not know how to win. But one would think that against the Kangaroos at home they should come out victorious. I will tip them but they will lose now.

The Kangaroos are not close to premiership material. They are good and competitive but come finals time they will be one of the first teams to exit if they indeed even make the finals. I can see them beating Freo, if The Dockers continue in this recent form, however the Dockers should get over the line.
Fremantle in a tight contest

Barry Hall is back after his brain and wrist snap

Sydney vs St Kilda

Sydney are playing quite well at the moment and will be boosted by the return of Barry Hall. Sydney at home are very hard to beat and they will be looking for revenge from round one.

St Kilda are struggling and I doubt they will even make the finals. They need to start playing a lot harder and lose some of their older players. Their overpaid and over-rated players need to pull their finger out if they ever want to play in a grand final.
Sydney win

Adelaide vs Hawthorn

I do not know what to think of the crows. Just when you think they are a real premiership contender they struggle. They would really be missing Brett Burton at the moment and against the quality of Hawthorn they will struggle I think.

Hawthorn were back on the winners list after defeating Essendon last week. They remain one of the sides to beat, and I don’t think that Adelaide can stop Buddy Franklin. Hawthorn should win, but at AAMI Stadium it might be a bit harder than they expect.
Hawthorn win

Geelong vs Port Adelaide

Geelong are quite brilliant at Skilled Stadium. The only team to beat them at their fortress recently, was Port Adelaide. However this time I think that the Cats will be far too strong and another big performance from big Cam Mooney is on the cards.

Port are not the team they were last year. Mark Williams needs to shut his mouth, stay out of the media and focus on his team actually winning games and then he can brag. The Power seem unfit and faded badly against an inspired Carlton last week, and surrendered a 30 odd point lead to lose by 12 points.
Geelong too strong

Collingwood vs Carlton

What can we say about the Magpies. Two massive wins against Geelong and the Eagles, and the next week struggle to contain bottom placed Melbourne. They are the real deal I think this year but need to win games like this if they want to have any chance at the flag. Carlton took the honours last time they played, and if they play the same way they did in the 4th quarter last week, they might just topple Collingwood. However I think that the Magpies will be too strong.
Collingwood win

Richmond vs Melbourne

Richmond simply must win. They cannot afford to lose this game otherwise they can kiss their season goodbye completely. Its crunch time for the developing side, because they have failed to play four full quarters of footy this year. They’ve got a few games coming up where they should win, and they really need to if they want to play finals.

Melbourne were gallant against Collingwood on the Queen’s Birthday. But they still lack the confidence to knock off an opposition. If they were to take down Richmond they could instill some confidence on the back of Jim Stynes taking the reigns at the club.
Richmond should win comfortably

Related K2K Posts

• AFL 2008 Round 20 Tips (4)
• AFL 2008 Round 19 Tips (4)
• AFL 2008 Round 18 Tips (3)
• AFL 2008 Round 17 Tips (3)
• AFL 2008 Round 16 tips (3)