A look at the Round 19 matches in the AFL

The AFL home and away season is slowly coming towards an end and this week, Round 19 is upon us. Three teams have the bye this week in Richmond, Brisbane and Sydney, so there are only seven games in this round. Starting with…

North Melbourne v Carlton – Friday Night – 7.40 EST – Etihad Stadium

North Melbourne come up against yet another top four side on Friday night, looking to break the hoodoo of embarrassing losses to top sides. Unfortunately, I don’t see this happening.

Despite the head-aches that will be caused by stopping Andrew Swallow and Drew Petire, I think the class of Carlton’s midfield, and their small brigade of small forwards will be too classy for North Melbourne.

Tip: Carlton by 36 points

Western Bulldogs v West Coast – Saturday Afternoon – 2.10 EST – Etihad Stadium

It’s fair to say that the Bulldogs need to improve from their last outing against the West Coast Eagles. Despite the Eagles’ patchy form interstate, I think that they will win this game.

The Bulldogs are expected to lose Morris, Cooney and Higgins, with doubts over other senior players. I don’t believe that the Bulldogs have the depth to replace these players to stop Kerr, Kennedy, Lecras and Hurn.

I expect total ruck domination from the Eagles.

Tip: West Coast by 27 points

Geelong v Melbourne – Saturday Afternoon – 2.10 EST – Skilled Stadium

Without disrespecting Melbourne, this should be another fairly easy win for the Cats at the fortress that is Skilled Stadium; they are just that good at home.

If the Cats put four quarters together, then it could turn quite ugly, but I’m still expecting the Melbourne side to be full of fight. The emergence of players like Christensen and Menzel has been very impressive this year.

Class all across the board will give Cats victory here.

Tip: Geelong by 54 points

St Kilda v Gold Coast – Saturday Evening – 7.10 EST – Metricon Stadium

If this game were about six weeks ago, I would say that the Gold Coast were a chance, but with the current form of St Kilda, there is really only one team that can win this game.

The Gold Coast has already exceeded expectations this year, and would be excited to get more games into players like McKenzie, Matera and Swallow.

I would like to see the Saints play a more attacking style of football, and kick a high score, because that’s the kind of football that is required in September.

Tip: St Kilda by 67 points

Fremantle v Hawthorn – Saturday Evening – 7.40 EST – Patterson’s Stadium

This is the game of the round, without a doubt. Fremantle have the benefit of the home ground and are expected to name Sandilands, but are also coming off a physically enduring derby decided after the siren.

Hawthorn does not travel well at all to Subiaco, losing to both the Dockers and Eagles last year. On paper, Hawthorn are a better side, any day of the week, but the suggested returning presence of Sandilands, and the home ground advantage, puts the game marginally into Fremantle’s balance.

Tip: Fremantle by five points

Collingwood v Essendon – Sunday Afternoon – 2.10 EST – MCG

It may not be ANZAC day but both these sides will be treating it as if it is.

For Collingwood, its all about maintaining form, and ensuring that they enter September in the right frame of mind, because if they do, then they should win a second flag.

After glimpse of form from Essendon, the loss to Carlton would be very disappointing. Expect Maxwell to nullify the influence of Hurley, and the on-ball brigade to be out-classed by Swan and Pendlebury

Tip: Collingwood by 25 points

Adelaide v Port Adelaide – Sunday Afternoon – 4.40 EST – AAMI Stadium

Forget about form (if there is any), forget about ladder positioning and throw all logic out the window.

This will be a spiteful contest, with both teams desperately seeking the opportunity to receive bragging rights, and get the media off their back.

These two teams will play this game like it’s a grand final, and whilst the skills may be of low quality, the effort will not.

Both teams should be full of energy, with Port coming off a bye, and Adelaide effectively coming off a bye against St Kilda.

Adelaide have more potentially quality players in their line-up, and should win.

Tip: Adelaide by 11 points

That’s how I see the upcoming weekend of football. I will try to upload one of these each week.