Full preview of all the round three AFL games.
Teams WESTERN BULLDOGS v ST KILDA
Venue Telstra Dome
Date Friday, April 4
Time 7.40pm
Head.to.head Bulldogs 68 St Kilda 71 Drawn 3
Last.time St Kilda 12.13 (85) drew Bulldogs 12.13 (85) R18, 2007, Telstra Dome
Betting TABSportsbet: Bulldogs $2.80 St Kilda $1.40. Centrebet: Bulldogs $2.78 St Kilda $1.45Summary A clash between two of the four sides who remain unbeaten after two rounds is set to pitch a Bulldog outfit packed with a committed group of on-ballers against a team which features one of the tallest and most talented forward lines in the league. The Bulldogs had a dismal end to last year with a string of six losses and a draw – against St Kilda – and also need to bury memories of two big losses in succession to Geelong and West Coast on the big night stage. Saints Xavier Clarke and Justin Koschitzke finally reach the 100-game milestone after overcoming a string of injuries. Bulldogs fullback Brian Lake also brings up the ton.
Key If the Saints’ key forwards click, it should be enough to secure a third straight win.
Tip St Kilda by 20 points
Teams NORTH MELBOURNE v HAWTHORN
Venue Telstra Dome
Date Saturday, April 5
Time 2.10pm
Head.to.head North Melbourne 72 Hawthorn 85 Drawn 2
Last time North Melbourne 14.9 (93) bt Hawthorn 8.12 (60) 1SF, 2007, MCG
Betting TABSportsbet: North Melbourne $2.85 Hawthorn $1.38. Centrebet: North Melbourne $2.78 Hawthorn $1.45Summary Much soul-searching after their shock round one loss to Essendon has righted the Kangaroos but whether they have straightened enough to match top of the ladder Hawthorn is doubtful. The Hawks are fresh from their second straight win and one of the most important, success in the west after overpowering Fremantle. Shane Crawford is still serving the final match of a suspension incurred in last year’s semi-final loss to the `Roos, while Stuart Dew’s promising start to life as Hawk ended when he tore a hamstring against the Dockers. Their one weakness is the absence of a key defender to match Kangaroo forward Nathan Thompson, who will relish another crack at his old side. North responded impressively against Richmond last week, Corey Jones leading the way with seven goals.
Key Defensive concerns aside, the Hawks look to have the answers everywhere else.
Tip Hawthorn by 25 points
Teams FREMANTLE v WEST COAST
Venue Subiaco
Date Saturday, April 5
Time 2.40pm
Head.to.head Fremantle 8 West Coast 18 Drawn 0
Last.time Fremantle 19.10 (124) bt West Coast 14.17 (101) R18, 2007, Subiaco
Betting TABSportsbet: Fremantle $1.84 West Coast $1.90. Centrebet: Fremantle $1.87 West Coast $1.95Summary Both sides are coming off last-round losses but West Coast’s was the most unexpected, going down to Adelaide in an uncharacteristic display of poor form. While both sides lift a notch for the derby, West Coast will need to improve their start considerably after a lacklustre first term let Adelaide dictate terms last week. They will also need to improve their skill and accuracy and stop bombing kicks into dangerous territory. The result is likely to hinge on the battle between the respective midfields – if Daniel Kerr, Andrew Embley and Chad Fletcher seize control in the middle they will be able to minimise the opportunities open to Dockers’ dangerous forwards Matthew Pavlich, Luke McPharlin and Jeff Farmer. Another fierce ruck duel looms between star Eagle strongman Dean Cox and Docker Aaron Sandilands.
Key The Eagles were stung last week and with their experience are unlikely to put up with it twice in a row.
Tip West Coast by 20 points
Teams BRISBANE v SYDNEY
Venue Gabba
Date Saturday, April 5
Time 7.10pm
Head.to.head Brisbane 19 Sydney 16 Drawn 1
Last time Brisbane 9.9 (63) drew Sydney 8.15 (63) R29, 2007, Gabba
Betting TABSportsbet: Brisbane $1.65 Sydney $2.15 Centrebet: Brisbane $1.73 Sydney $2.12Summary Brisbane will approach their second home game in succession buoyed by their nailbiting two point win over Collingwood, but wary of Sydney’s performance last week in crushing last week’s grand finalists Port Adelaide. The Swans showed a different side to their game – after kicking only six goals in their loss to St Kilda in round one they booted more than that in the third term alone against Port. A total of 22 goals was a rare stat for Sydney and shows they are able to do more than just close down the action every week. The Swans get a lift through the return of veteran ruckman Peter Everitt to relieve Darren Jolly and between them they have the ability to give first use to midfielders Luke Ablett and Jude Bolton. A big boost was the Swans successful challenge to the striking charge against Adam Goodes, which allows the big utility to equal the Sydney consecutive games record of 194 held by Jared Crouch.
KeyThe Lions haven’t beaten the Swans in three years.
Tip Sydney by 10 points
Teams ESSENDON v CARLTON
Venue MCG
Date Saturday, April 5
Time 7.10pm
Head.to.head Essendon 109 Carlton 85 Drawn 3
Last.time Essendon 18.10 (118) bt Carlton 16.12 (108) R20, 2007, MCG
Betting TABSportsbet: Essendon $1.62 Carlton $2.20. Centrebet: Essendon $1.73 Carlton $2.12Summary The loss of spearhead Scott Lucas and the lingering effects of a 99-point thrashing have evened the match-up between the Bombers and the Blues. Carlton threw a scare into St Kilda last week before wilting in the wake of the Saints’ depth. The debut of No.1 draft pick Matthew Kreuzer – the Blues’ third top pick in a row – will add excitement to the night game but Carlton is going to be mindful of the Bombers’ embarrassment last week after their win in round one. And with all the pressure to kick goals on Matthew Lloyd, there is an ideal chance for the Blues to get on the board. Carlton needs forward Brendan Fevola to rebound after a quiet game last week while star recruit Chris Judd continues to gather form. Essendon coach Matthew Knights has declared he will not over-react to last week’s big loss and will continue to play youngsters. A Blues’ loss will equal their worst ever losing streak of 14.
Key If Lloyd and Fevola cancel each other out, the Bombers perhaps have a better spread of secondary scoring options.
Tip Essendon by 15 points
Teams GEELONG v MELBOURNE
Venue Skilled Stadium
Date Sunday, April 6
Time 1.10pm
Head.to.head Geelong 117 Melbourne 83 Drawn 2
Last.time Geelong 15.19 (109) bt Melbourne 8.9 (57), R3, 2007, MCG
Betting TABSportsbet: Geelong $1.02 Melbourne $12. Centrebet: Geelong $1.02 Melbourne $15Summary Potentially one of the greatest mismatches in the game as skid row side Melbourne faces the might of Geelong. The Demons, beaten by a total of almost 200 points in their first two games meet the Cats who just last week crushed a better side, Essendon, by 99 points. Melbourne has sunk to a point where they are stuck in a Catch-22 situation. They have zero confidence so are unable to kick goals and because they can’t score are unable to play with confidence. Defiant first-year coach Dean Bailey has been hammering home the point the side must be competitive, but how that is to happen is a mystery. Geelong has every line across the ground brimming with talent while even the Demons’ leaders seem to have lost the sort of passion they need to show the younger players the wat forward.
Key Every indicator points to a big Cats’ win on the day they officially unfurl the 2007 premiership flag. The only thing in doubt is the margin.
Tip Geelong by 70 points
Teams RICHMOND v COLLINGWOOD
Venue MCG
Date Sunday, April 6
Time 2.10pm
Head.to.head Richmond 84 Collingwood 109 Drawn 0
Last.time Richmond 18.8 (116) bt Collingwood 14.12 (96) R19, 2007, MCG
Betting TABSportsbet: Richmond $3.30 Collingwood $1.30. Centrebet: Richmond $3.25 Collingwood $1.35.Summary Last week’s two-point loss to Brisbane was tough for Collingwood to swallow. The game could have gone either way and this week the Magpies will make sure it goes their way. The euphoria of Richmond’s round one win over Carlton was tempered by last week’s loss to North Melbourne which was probably a better reflection of the Tigers’ true state. Richmond needs Nathan Brown back to his best now – it’s been a long time since his broken leg halted him – and they need to find some answer for Collingwood’s superior firepower. The Tigers do have Matthew Richardson to kick goals and he can be relied on as long as the ball is delivered his way. Young Magpie defender Nathan Brown has had tough tasks on Fremantle’s Matthew Pavlich and Brisbane’s Jonathan Brown in the past two games and has done a creditable job so he could be the man for the veteran Richmond forward.
Key Scott Burns, Alan Didak, Heath Shaw and Dale Thomas will make life too tough for the Tigers in the middle.
Tip Collingwood by 20 points
© AAP 2012Teams ADELAIDE v PORT ADELAIDE
Venue AAMI Stadium
Date Sunday, April 6
Time 4.10pm
Head.to.head Adelaide 11 Port Adelaide 12 drawn 0
Last time Adelaide 9.19 (73) bt Port Adelaide 10.5 (65) R18, 2007, AAMI Stadium
Betting TABSportsbet: Adelaide $1.65 Port Adelaide $2.15 Centrebet: Adelaide $1.70 Port Adelaide $2.15.Summary It hasn’t been the easiest of starts for last year’s grand finalist Port Adelaide, but they haven’t exactly responded with verve. Rampant Geelong in the grand final re-match and then Sydney has the Power looking miserable with a 0-2 scoreline second from the bottom on the ladder, ahead of only Melbourne. Adelaide on the other hand played with vigour and accuracy against West Coast in a sign which could put Port well and truly behind the eight ball this season. Port must have more from its traditional match winners, the Cornes and Burgoyne brothers, Warren Tredrea and Brendon Lade. Adelaide’s strength lies in the depth of its attack but last week the standout was captain Simon Goodwin with seven goals. He is poised to again provide headaches for Port, who may struggle to provide a decent foil for the skipper. In defence the Crows also look too strong, Nathan Bock, Ben Rutten and co giving little away.
Key It’s already crunch time for the second best team of 2007. The core players who got them that far need to resurface quickly.
Tip Adelaide by 20 points.
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