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AFL Round 15 match-by-match preview

30th June, 2011
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30th June, 2011
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After a week spent in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, the Western Bulldogs will finally get the chance to try and create some front-page material on the field.

A stirring performance is required from the Bulldogs this week, after a less than convincing win against the Suns in Round 14.

The usual suspects of Ryan Griffen, Mathew Boyd, Daniel Gianciracusa and Robert Murphy will need to be firing this week, if the Bulldogs are to have a chance of snatching the points.

It seems Melbourne has finally turned the corner, having strung two solid performances together over the past fortnight. However, it would be wise not to get too carried away, the Demons have been the embodiment of inconsistency thus far in 2011.

But with that being said, the blossoming midfield brigade should turn the tide in favour of the Demons, leading to Melbourne chalking up their third straight win.

Tip: Demons by 20 points.

FREMANTLE vs. GOLD COAST (Patersons Stadium, Saturday 3:10pm).

Another week, another fresh batch of injuries for the Dockers. Just as it seemed things were getting back on track, Aaron Sandilands went down once more, quicker than Dockers fans could say turf toe. Despite being plagued by injury and inconsistency, the Dockers still sit seventh on the ladder.

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Gold Coast has now lost five on the trot, yet they seem to be getting better with each passing week. The Suns pushed the Bulldogs in Round 14, before eventually going down by 22 points. A massive improvement from the 71-point belting they suffered in the same fixture in Round 3.

The Dockers to win this one; it’s a must-win game for a side still pushing to play finals footy. However, the Suns have shown that they aren’t daunted by the trip across the Nullarbor, as seen in the clash with the Eagles in Round 11. Like the objects in your rearview mirror, this could be closer than it appears. The Suns are a dangerous side if they’re up and about on the day.

Tip: Fremantle by 25 points.

RICHMOND vs. CARLTON (MCG, Saturday 2:10pm).

Two traditional powerhouses doing battle at the MCG on a Saturday afternoon, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Some of the wind was knocked out of Richmond sails last weekend, resulting from their 27-point loss to Melbourne.

The Tigers are reminiscent of Carlton from a few years ago, able to play some great footy on their day, but prone to a lifeless performance here and there. Jake King a welcome inclusion down at Punt Road, where they’ll also be hoping that the loss of Carlton defender Michael Jamison allows Jack Riewoldt to get off the leash.

A host of inclusions on the horizon for Carlton, with Jarrod Waite, Nick Duigan, Mitch Robinson, Ed Curnow and Jeremy Laidler all expected back from injury this week.

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The Blues will be desperate to bounce back after a poor performance against the Eagles, and a big win over the Tigers could be just the tonic. We’ve been hearing that Carlton is a legitimate contender in 2011 – if that’s true then this is one the Blues should be winning.

But don’t expect the Tigers to let Carlton have it all their own way, should be a tough, bruising encounter in store.

Tip: Carlton by 15 points.

ESSENDON vs. GEELONG (Etihad Stadium, Saturday 7:10pm).

Although they won’t publicly say it down at Geelong, this is more than just another game for the Cats. Many of those involved with the club would still have a sour taste lingering in their mouth, stemming from Mark “Bomber” Thompson’s defection to join the all-star coaching panel at Essendon.

With Jimmy Bartel, James Kelly, Brad Ottens, Mathew Stokes and Josh Hunt all in line for recalls this week, the Cats will be back to basically full strength.

The same can’t be said for Essendon, who lost David Myers, ex-Cat Lonergan and skipper Jobe Watson to injury in Round 14. It seems an eternity ago that the Bombers were being touted as a top-four side just weeks ago, and a loss to the Cats will make it an uphill battle to qualify for the Finals.

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Both sides will come out fired up from the first bounce, but the Cats will be far too good.

Tip: Geelong by 60 points.

ADELAIDE vs. SYDNEY (AAMI Stadium, Saturday 7:40pm).

The 2011 season is officially over for the Adelaide Crows. After being smashed by Geelong in Round 14, the Crows now sit 14th on the ladder, with a lowly three wins from 13 starts. Adelaide are the third lowest scoring team in 2011, whilst conceding 1322 points, the fourth highest tally across the league. That pretty much says it all for the Crows.

Hopefully for Crows fans, Neill Craig and co will start to give some younger players their chance, but that’s about all there is to look forward to. Sydney almost stole one from the wayward reigning premiers in Round 14, before going down narrowly by just 6 points.

The only worry for the Swans coming from that game – other than metal pegs – was the injury to Kieren Jack. Luckily, the Swans could probably shut Jack down for the week, as they shouldn’t really need him against Adelaide.

Tip: Sydney by 35 points.

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BRISBANE vs. PORT ADELAIDE (GABBA, Sunday 1:10pm).

A match-up between arguably the two most irrelevant teams in the AFL, making it tough to expect much in the way of entertainment from this one.

Some thought that the return of the talismanic Jonathan Brown could spark the Lions’ season, it hasn’t. Brisbane have been uninspiring all year, and are in serious danger of falling behind their newly created rivals from the Gold Coast.

The only element that gives the Lions any chance this week is that Port Adelaide are hardly travelling any better. Steven Salopek and Chad Cornes are looming as likely inclusions for the clash with the Lions, it’s just a shame that both players are definitely well past their prime.

Purely because they’re at home, the Lions would have to be favourites, and should take the points. But it’s hard to know what to expect from either side, and this really is a toss-up.

Tip: Brisbane by 15 points.

COLLINGWOOD vs. HAWTHORN (MCG, Sunday 2:10pm).

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Shapes up as a likely contender for match of the round: Collingwood looking to quell one of the contenders to their throne, while Hawthorn is just hoping to find 22 players to take the field.

And don’t worry, there is absolutely no love lost between these two clubs. Collingwood look set to welcome back Darren Jolly and Ben Johnson for the clash, two massive inclusions for the reigning premiers.

After inaccurate kicking almost cost the Magpies in Round 14, some extra time would have been spent practicing putting the ball through the big sticks in training this week.

Someone down at Hawthorn must have broken a mirror or walked under a ladder before the season, as their terrible run of injuries continued last week. Cyril Rioli and Brad Sewell were the latest names added to the inactive list for the Hawks, before being joined by Jordan Lewis who was given a two-week ban from the tribunal.

Even if both sides were at their absolute best, Collingwood are a better side than Hawthorn, and would be fancy their chances. After factoring in the players Hawthorn has out, it is hard to go past the Magpies.

Tip: Collingwood by 30 points.

NORTH MELBOURNE vs. ST KILDA (Etihad Stadium, Sunday 4:40pm).

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All of a sudden, North Melbourne is knocking on the door for the finals. The Kangaroos have won four straight, and have surged up the ladder to ninth spot. Drew Petrie was fantastic in Round 14 – taking contested marks at will – and he continues his climb up the key-forward ranks in the AFL.

North Melbourne will be sweating on Todd Goldstein’s ankle injury, with the young tall key emerging as one of the key players for the Kangaroos.

St Kilda will be doing their best to buck the bye trend this week.

It’s a task not made any easier by the suspension to Justin Koschitzke and injury to Jason Blake. A win would mean plenty to both sides, with St Kilda desperately trying to keep its season alive, while the Kangaroos know that another win would put them in great position to play finals in 2011.

Tip: North Melbourne by 10 points.

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