The race to the finals is looking very tight and what will please many Victorians is that Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane the only non-victorian teams currently in the race all look shaky. What also will please 15 other teams is that Collingwood is really struggling at the moment and only 2 points away from missing the top 8.

Hawthorn defeated Collingwood by 54 points

Collingwood were never in the contest and are in real danger of missing out on the top 8, while Medhurst, Thomas and Didak are dangerous on the ground their problem lies in the fact that they do not have any tall players who can take a mark and provide a contest with Fraser and Rocca injured and the lack in the quality of their ruckman.

While Bulldogs wrapped up a top 3 spot this week, I still think only Hawthorn (and Buddy) can be the team who can challenge Geelong for the premiership.

Hawthorns run home: Brisbane (Tasmania), Richmond, West Coast (Subiaco) and Carlton.
Collingwoods run home: St Kilda, Port Adelaide (AAMI), Sydney and Fremantle (Subiaco)

Essendon defeated Melbourne by 16 points

One of the games that really meant nothing with both teams struggling but Essendon do look a lot better especially with Llyod kicking 8 and taking a hanger.

I really like what Mathew Knights is doing at the Windy Hill and also what is happening at the Demons since Stynes took over. Lets hope that Melbourne’s rise financially will enable the team to be off the ‘endangered list’.

Adelaide defeated Carlton by 8 points

Carltons loss looks like they will miss on the finals this year but this break through year will hold them in good step for next year with Judd free from groin problems and the midfield looking dangerous. They still have a problem down back and would suggest they leave Kerr alone and go for a good backman, as they will help more than Kerr.

Adelaide may have unheralded their new Tony Modera with Moran kicking four which along with Maric and Tippet may be the forward line and ruck division that Adelaide have tried to get since their last premiership.

Adelaides run home: Richmond, Essendon (Telstra), St Kilda (Telstra) and Bulldogs.

Geelong defeated Richmond by 63 points

Looked good for the first 15 minutes but after that Geelong awoke and smashed the Tigers. They are looking awesome and do not forget that Ablett will probably return this weekend after a 3 week holiday.

Richmond will, I am sorry Tiger fans but will probably just miss out on the finals… yet again.

Geelongs run home: Melbourne, Sydney (Sydney), Kangaroos and West Coast
Richmonds run home: Adelaide (Adelaide), Hawthorn, Fremantle and Melbourne

Kangaroos defeated Brisbane by 8 points

Brisbane came back awesome in the third quarter to hit the lead and then they went back to sleep and could have cost themselves a top 8 spot, they are now out of the 8 and the Kangaroos are now the same number of points of being fourth. Top four two years in a row is not bad for a side no one rates.

Brisbane seem to lack a second game plan and if the twin Bs are not kicking them, who is left?

Kangaroos run home: Bulldogs, Carlton, Geelong and Port Adelaide.
Brisbane’s run home: Hawthorn (Tasmania), Bulldogs, Carlton and Sydney (SCG)

Bulldogs defeated Sydney by 16 points

Sydney are also in danger of loosing their fourth spot but means they may miss playing Geelong..

Bulldogs started slow but once warmed up they showed why people really rate them this year and beating Sydney (twice), Hawthorn, Kangaroos (draw) and Adelaide shows they are a real serious chance to challenge Geelong.

Bulldogs run home: Kangaroos, Brisbane (Gabba), Essendon and Adelaide (AAMI)
Sydney’s run home: Fremantle, Geelong, Collingwood (Telstra) and Brisbane.

St Kilda defeated Port Adelaide by 8 points

St Kilda looked like they would loose twice to bottom four teams after pulling off one of the upsets of the year beating Hawthorn in round 16 BUT then Port realised that a win would damage their chances of having a better pick in this years draft so they tanked for a quarter…

St Kilda’s run home: Collingwood, Fremantle (Subiaco), Adelaide and Essendon.

Fremantle defeated West Coast by 33 points

McManus got his grand final win after all by beating the worst team in the competition this year. Good on him for getting the best out of his body and skill level, if only more players played with heart and gave their best like him.