AFL Round 3 preview

All the talk over the last week has been on Melbourne and how bad they are. However there are also a lot of teams playing great footy.

Some in form teams meet each other this week including the big clashes of Fremantle v Essendon and Collingwood V Hawthorn.

Here is my preview for each match.

Fremantle v Essendon

Two in form teams meet in a top of the table clash on Friday. The Bombers are coming off an 148 point thumping of Melbourne. They looked brilliant on Saturday might however they won’t find it so easy against Freo who played typical Ross Lyon footy against the Doggies last week.

They are expert at only doing what they needed to do to get the four points without any injuries.

The pest Hayden Ballantyne will be back after serving a one-week suspension.

Key battle: Jobe Watson V Ryan Crowley. This battle will prove decisive in the final result, if Crowley can nullify the Brownlow medallist’s influence then Freo’s midfield should overpower the Bombers and win the game.

Tip: Fremantle by 10

North Melbourne v Sydney

The first for real test for the premiers this year.

North had the Cats beaten at half time only for them to choke in the second half and surrender a 41 point lead.

Brad Scott will be looking for a win against a very good side to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke. Sydney have played Gold Coast and GWS so far and will be looking to test themselves against quality opposition.

Key battle: Andrew Swallow v Kieran Jack. A head to head match-up between the two stars looms likely both have had brilliant starts to the season and the winner could help there side across the line.

Tip: Sydney by 25

Melbourne v West Coast

Melbourne have been terrible in their first two games and come up against a side determined to turn their poor start around. The Eagles can view this game as a gift to hopefully get some form into their players and boost their percentages.

Key battle: Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling v the Demon Defence. How are the Dees going to stop these two from kicking a bag each?

They have both looked dangerous against good sides like Freo and Hawthorn and will be licking there lips thinking about the possibility of a 10-goal haul.

Tip: Eagles by 120

GWS V St Kilda

The Saints will be wary of the Giants after losing to fellow expansion side Gold Coast in Round 1. They will not want a repeat of that.

The Giants have shown glimpses in the first two games but not enough consistency.

Key Battle: Lenny Hayes V Lachie Whitfield. How will the no. one draft pick go against the experience Lenny Hayes, Nick Dal Santo and Co?

They say Whitfield is a star but he can prove it by doing well against a quality midfield

Tip: Saints by 40

Geelong v Carlton

I wonder if the roof will be closed for this one? The horror start to Carlton’s draw continues this week when they play Geelong.

The Cats proved they could win from anywhere with two come from behind wins to start the season and will be looking for a faster start this week.

Key battle: Mick Malthouse V Chris Scott.

Mick has been out coached two weeks in row and would love to get a win to his record with the Blues and also might want to get some revenge on the man who denied him a Premiership with his last game at Collingwood.

Tip: Geelong by 25

Gold Coast v Brisbane

This is shaping out to be the closest Q Clash yet, with an in form Suns side coming up against a Brisbane side with a big Pre Season Hangover.

It is a must win game for the Lions to avoid being zip and three.

Key battle: Gary Ablett V Brisbane Tagger. Who ever it is they better be on their game, because if Gazza breaks free, then Gold Coast are in a very strong chance of winning the game.

Tip: Brisbane by 25

Richmond v Western Bulldogs

The Tiges will be looking to be three straight when they play a doggies side tamed by Freo last week, the dogs showed glimpses of brilliance last week against the dockers but couldn’t match them for four quarters.

Key battle: Trent Cotchin v Nick Lower.

Will Cotch be Lower’s next victim, after beating Daniel Rich in round one?

Lower held ex-teammate David Mundy to just 17 disposals last week. If Lower can defeat the Tiger’s captain, then the Doggies are a big chance

Tip: Tigers by 35

Hawthorn v Collingwood

Now for the big one, both came off solid wins last week and will want to take bragging rights in this blockbuster clash.

The Pies showed that they have lots of depth last week and the Hawks pulled off a gutsy win in Perth after a six day break.

Key Battle: Buddy Franklin v Ben Reid. If Buddy gets let off the leash, that spells trouble for the Pies.

Ben Reid is the likely man to get the job. In history Buddy has done pretty well against the Pies and relishes the challenge.

Tip: Hawks by 1

Port Adelaide v Adelaide

Whenever there’s a derby showdown, Adelaide comes to life.

Both teams lift a notch for this game because they want bragging rights. With Port having such a great start to the season (although against two not so great clubs) there will be a lot of interest in this game.

Key battle: Ollie Wines v Rory Sloane. The battle of the hard nuts, Wines has been compared to Sloane because of his hard nature.

Can Wines produce another match winner like in round one or will the pressure of the big occasion get to him?

Tip: Adelaide by 30