Preview of AFL round 19 matches

Preview of round 19 AFL games (all times local).

Teams MELBOURNE V GEELONG
Venue MCG
Date Friday, August 8
Time 7.10pm
Head.to.head Melbourne 83 Geelong 118 Drawn 2
Last.time Geelong 16.16 (112) bt Melbourne 12.10 (82) R3 2008, Skilled Stadium
Betting TABSportsbet Melbourne $10 Geelong $1.03 Centrebet Melbourne $13 Geelong $1.03
Summary Good news for both clubs in this clash between the top and bottom sides, although Melbourne’s joy is all off the field. The Demons managed to raise a staggering $2million at a fundraiser which will settle some of their debt and will help the overall spirit at the struggling club. But the Cats have become invincible with the return of Brownlow Medal favourite Gary Ablett from injury to add to a line-up of talent which will send a shiver through the Demons. Last time the two met Melbourne had come off a combined total loss of 200 points in the first two rounds and actually performed creditably against Geelong – which will give the Demons some optimism. But with Geelong seemingly steamrolling their way to a second premiership, there’s no hope of an upset.
Key Through every line on the field there is simply no way Melbourne can match any Geelong position. The most they can hope for is damage control, but it could well get very messy
Tip Geelong by 60 points

Teams CARLTON V PORT ADELAIDE
Venue Telstra Dome
Date Saturday, August 9
Time 2.10pm
Head.to.head Carlton 5 Port Adelaide 12 Drawn 1
Last.time Carlton 10.15 (75) bt Port Adelaide 8.15 (63) R11 2008 AAMI Stadium
Betting TABSportsbet Carlton $1.22 Port Adelaide $4 Centrebet Carlton $1.24 Port Adelaide $4.10
Summary Port have finally raised the white flag and sent their key injured players off for surgery so, while they have nothing much to play for, the Blues still have a finals spot in their sights – however dim it might be. That is enough to set them up for a comfortable win. The Blues overturned the Power at Port’s home ground in round 11 by 12 points and this time the circumstances and the Telstra Dome venue point to a much bigger margin. Carlton have the firepower necessary to shoot down Port and their youngsters are gaining more confidence with every game. The Blues know that the next couple of encounters, against North Melbourne and Brisbane, are possible chances too so they’ll view this as a must-win match.
Key Brendan Fevola has been stunning in front of goal this season and with Chris Judd and Nick Stevens leading the charge out of the centre he looms as an unstoppable force for the Power
Tip Carlton by 25 points

Teams HAWTHORN V BRISBANE
Venue Aurora Stadium
Date Saturday, August 9
Time 2.10pm
Head.to.head Hawthorn 8 Brisbane 12 Drawn 0
Last.time Hawthorn 19.16 (130) bt Brisbane 17.16 (118) R5 2008, Gabba
Betting TABSportsbet Hawthorn $1.18 Brisbane $4.50 Centrebet Hawthorn $1.21 Brisbane $4.50
Summary Brisbane’s finals hopes hang by a thread and that is set to be cut on Saturday. They will feel distinctly uncomfortable in Launceston, a town Hawthorn have made their own. There are multiple reasons why the Hawks will win, not the least to celebrate the magnificent contribution of veteran midfielder Shane Crawford who will line up for his 300th game. Don’t think anyone in the side won’t be putting in just a little extra for the popular centreman. There is too much strength in Hawthorn’s line-up however, from the midfield to the remarkable goalkicking ability of Buddy Franklin, who rifled through eight goals last time the two sides met. He comes into the game fresh from another eight-goal haul, this time against Collingwood and has established himself as every rival club’s worst nightmare.
Key Jonathan Brown appears to be the chief worry for the Hawks but they should be able to stem the supply to the big Lion forward by dominating the centre battles
Tip Hawthorn by 40 points

Teams COLLINGWOOD V ST KILDA
Venue MCG
Date Saturday, August 9
Time 7.10pm
Head.to.head Collingwood 148 St Kilda 53 Drawn 1
Last.time Collingwood 16.7 (103) bt St Kilda 14.10 (94) R8 2008, Telstra Dome
Betting TABSportsbet Collingwood $2.25 St Kilda $1.60 Centrebet Collingwood $2.25 St Kilda $1.65
Summary Collingwood are in crisis after the debacle of the past few days which has forced the club to suspend playmaker Alan Didak and Heath Shaw, key players whose absence will hurt the Pies in this important match, for the rest of the season. There is also the issue of the battering morale has taken at the Lexus Centre after the pair lied over a drunken episode. If by some miracle Collingwood do get past St Kilda and reach the finals, they will surely be making up the numbers. The Saints will be smelling blood and, at one spot above the Magpies on the ladder, will see this as a not-to-be-missed opportunity to bolster their place in the eight. St Kilda will also pull out all the stops to ensure the great dual Brownlow Medalist Robert Harvey has the best possible send-off after he announced his retirement yesterday following a 21-year playing career.
Key It’s difficult to see how Collingwood’s heart will be in this game, while St Kilda has all the incentives it needs to win
Tip St Kilda by 30 points

Teams SYDNEY V FREMANTLE
Venue SCG
Date Saturday, August 9
Time 7.10pm
Head.to.head Sydney 11 Fremantle 8 Drawn 0
Last.time Sydney 11.23 (89) bt Fremantle 9.7 (61) R14 2007, SCG
Betting TABSportsbet Sydney $1.38 Fremantle $2.90 Centrebet Sydney $1.45 Fremantle $2.77
Summary Fremantle’s run of three straight wins is surely about to end, even if Sydney are continuing their see-saw run at the finals. The Dockers have the talent to match the Swans but they are not a happy bunch at the SCG. In fact they have lost their past eight matches there and haven’t beaten Sydney since 2004 at Subiaco. The Dockers cruised past West Coast last week, courtesy of nine goals from Luke McPharlin and Matthew Pavlich in the opening term, but are unlikely to be able to repeat that effort on Saturday. Sydney are clinging to a top four place and know they can’t afford to drop this one if they are to stay ahead of the pack behind them.
Key The likely return of Adam Goodes and Leo Barry will strengthen the Swans while key forward Barry Hall is due for a big game after missing the target in recent matches
Tip Sydney by 20 points

Teams NORTH MELBOURNE V WESTERN BULLDOGS
Venue Telstra Dome
Date Sunday, August 10
Time 1.10pm
Head.to.head North Melbourne 70 Western Bulldogs 70 Drawn 3
Last.time North Melbourne 16.17 (113) bt Western Bulldogs 16.14 (110) R9 2008, Telstra Dome
Betting TABSportsbet North Melbourne $2.30 Western Bulldogs $1.57 Centrebet North Melbourne $2.30 Western Bulldogs $1.62
Summary North Melbourne continue to win the close contests and while they are not exactly strolling along they have managed to win four on end. The Bulldogs will provide a severe test, however when they last met, in round nine, it was the under-rated Roos who emerged with the win, albeit by three points. That’s their trademark, apparently playing above themselves, without a key forward for most of the time or any superstars. Brent Harvey’s the closest they have and he’ll be the focus for the Bulldogs on Sunday. Brad Johnson will be keen to atone for missing the chance to win the game earlier this year with a kick for goal after the siren while Drew Petrie will be celebrating his new three-year deal with the Roos
Key North will be in all sorts of trouble if they can’t subdue the busy Bulldog midfield and their bunch of mid-sized goalscorers
Tip Western Bulldogs by 15 points

Teams ADELAIDE V RICHMOND
Venue AAMI Stadium
Date Sunday, August 10
Time 2.40 pm
Head.to.head Adelaide 16 Richmond 8 Drawn 1
Last.time Adelaide 22.14 (146) bt Richmond 14.12 (96) R11 2008, MCG
Betting TABSportsbet Adelaide $1.57 Richmond $2.30 Centrebet Adelaide $1.63 Richmond $2.28
Summary Adelaide have two wins on end at the right time of the year and will be intent on making further inroads into the eight. The Tigers, though, are in a more precarious position – lose this and they are out of business. The Crows inflicted a 52-point defeat on the Tigers when they met in round 11 which will be fresh in everyone’s mind. The match is at AAMI stadium which will only add to the Tigers’ woes, as they went down at home at the MCG last time. Adelaide are a genuine bogey side for Richmond, losing 10 of their last 11 games against the Crows. The good news for the Tigers is that Matthew Richardson has pulled up well from a slight knee injury and Nathan Brown, a late withdrawal last week due to a virus, is fit to play. But Adelaide look to have the strength in the midfield where the battle is likely to be won. Tyson Edwards, Simon Goodwin and Andrew McLeod should lead the way
Key History and a home ground will give the Crows an edge
Tip Adelaide by 16 points

Teams WEST COAST V ESSENDON
Venue Subiaco
Date Sunday, August 10
Time 2.40pm
Head.to.head West Coast 15 Essendon 22 Drawn 0
Last.time Essendon 16.17 (113) bt West Coast 13.13 (91) R12 2008, Telstra Dome
Betting TABSportsbet West Coast $2.55 Essendon $1.48 Centrebet West Coast $2.55 Essendon $1.52
SummaryEssendon have won six out of their last seven and will be keen to keep their slim finals hopes alive. West Coast, on the other hand, have only tasted victory once in their last nine games and due to their injury crisis, coach John Worsfold admitted he will have to play some out of form players. Josh Kennedy (shoulder) and Brent Staker (thumb) were this week sent away for season ending injury and join Daniel Kerr (knee), Brett Jones (knee), Adam Hunter (knee/shoulder), Beau Waters (elbow), Chris Masten (groin), Mitch Brown (knee) Shannon Hurn (leg) and Matt Rosa (ankle) on the sidelines. While Essendon will not field their best 22, their young group have coped well with their losses. While the Bombers have lost their last four games at Subiaco against West Coast, their round 12 win against the Eagles at Telstra Dome will give them enormous confidence.
Key The battle between all-Australian ruckman Dean Cox and David Hille will be one to watch. Hille took the honours in round 12 – a performance that was the catalyst for his sustained form over the past seven weeks – but Cox will be keen to atone in the return bout. Essendon’s speed on the wide expanses of Subiaco might cause the Eagles headaches while Matthew Lloyd will cause his own problems for the Eagles defence
Tip Essendon by 23 points

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