Previewing round 22 of the AFL
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With September nearing, this weekend’s round 22 football action will be decisive in who plays on past next week and who is planning their Mad Monday celebrations.
Friday night will be a ripper of a game with an out of sorts Essendon side looking to get back in the winners circle when they take on Richmond.
The Tigers have shown oh so much this season but are yet to grasp the concept of putting together a full season.
My tip: The Bombers will get back in the winners circle and keep alive their extremely unlikely finals chances.
Saturdays action will begin with what will most likely be a lop-sided contest between the Giants and Saints. The Saints will be looking to beat up on a young, in-experienced and tiring Giants team.
My Tip: The Saints will take home the four points with a sizeable win.
The almost laughing stock of the AFL, Port Adelaide will take on a quiet achieving Brisbane side that knocked off the Crows last week.
Garry Hocking will have his final game as coach in front of a home crowd, and will be hoping for an accountable performance from his men.
On the other hand, Vossy will be hoping that his Lions will bring some of last week’s form.
My Tip: Brisbane will win comfortably.
The match of the round will take place on Saturday afternoon as the Hawks take on the Swans at the SCG. A win will virtually guarantee the Swans the minor premiership and two home finals.
The Hawks will be looking to even the ledger after being beaten by the Swans earlier in the year down in Launceston.
The likely return of Buddy will have the Swans defenders on edge.
My Tip: Hawthorn will buck the trend and put Sydney to the sword on their home ground.
In what would be the match of the round any other week, the Magpies will head west to take on the Eagles. A loss for either side could ruin their top four chances come finals.
The Eagles ruck duo of Cox and Natinui will be looking to prey on Cameron Wood, who will have a fight on his hands.
My Tip: Home ground advantage, Cloke and Dawes out of form and no Jolly will result in a win for West Coast.
With September action within their grasp Carlton will look for a sizeable victory over an undermanned and tired Gold Coast side.
Despite a horror patch mid season, the Blues still could have an impact in September. The Suns will be looking to finish their second season strongly but will struggle against an in form Carlton side.
My Tip: Carlton will win by a sizeable margin.
In a similar late season resurgence to the Blues, Geelong are heading for another finals campaign. They will face the Bulldogs who have been a team of halves, with a large second half points against average.
Brendan McCartney will be looking to blood some youngsters in the start of a rebuilding process.
My Tip: The Cats will continue their rampaging form, and Tom Hawkins will kick a bag of goals.
Etihad stadium will host a season defining clash on Sunday between Fremantle and North Melbourne.
With the Dockers sitting a game inside the eight, they will be seriously thinking of knocking off the ‘Roos who last week dismantled the ‘Pies.
A win will open the door to Carlton. A win for the Kangas will almost guarantee a home final in the first week of September.
My Tip: With Pavlich struggling with due to injury, North will simply be too strong.
The final game of the round sees Adelaide pitted against the Demons. The Crows will be looking to bounce back after three terms of horrible football last week against the Lions.
Melbourne are simply rebuilding, which means they aren’t too fussed about results but they want progress with the playing group.
For Adelaide, a top two spot heading into the final week of the regular season is theirs for the taking.
My Tip: The Crows will win easily and Tippet and Walker will find some form in the wide open spaces of the MCG.
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