Well here we are after the split round, the business part of the season. Where the teams who are still in contention for the finals put on their armor and ready themselves for battle. Or in Barry Hall’s case watches yet another game from the stands after his king miss. The pretenders will be exposed and all eyes will be on the big four. The Cats, Bulldogs, Hawks and Swans. Which team will finish the season as the Premiership favorite? And who will fade away…

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

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.

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

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