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Round 5 sees a couple of matches taking place on ANZAC Day before the remainder of the weekend’s action follows from Friday night onwards.
Essendon v Collingwood – MCG, 2:40pm – Thursday, April 25
The traditional ANZAC Day clash between arch rivals continues tomorrow with both sides in rich form following comfortable wins in Round 4 over St Kilda and Richmond respectively.
The Bombers sit aloft the AFL ladder with four wins from four matches, exceeding all expectations thus far, whilst the Pies are seventh having dropped one game to a savage Hawthorn outfit in Round 3.
James Hird has a few injury and suspension worries at present with Dustin Fletcher, Michael Hurley and Paddy Ryder all unavailable.
Fletcher’s absence will leaving a gaping hole in defence which could highlight the importance of the form of Travis Cloke, who booted seven against Tigers last weekend. He could prove to be the difference with that knowledge and I’m tipping him to get the better of the Dons defence.
Collingwood have saluted in the past three ANZAC Day clashes by an average of around five goals but generally, you can throw away the formbook for this fixture. Essendon have the confidence and the speed but the Pies have the right players on the park at present and the quality to get the chocolates in this one despite a big showing from Dons skipper Jobe Watson.
Prediction: Collingwood by 15.
ANZAC Day Medal: Jobe Watson at $6.50.
St Kilda v Sydney – Westpac Stadium, Wellington (New Zealand), 5:50pm – Thursday, April 25
The first competitive AFL match in New Zealand sees St Kilda take on reigning premiers Sydney with both teams coming off defeats.
The Saints were easily dealt with by Essendon whilst the Swans dropped a home game to Geelong in a high-quality affair at the SCG, eventually going down by 21 points.
The formguide for this one is fairly one-sided despite the Swannies loss but Sydney will be good enough to bounce back and secure another four points, heaping more misery on the aging Saints.
Sydney’s star-studded midfield will unleash on St Kilda’s, who have too few to rely upon, and I’m tipping a fairly relaxed result for John Longmire’s men who are hungry for further success.
Prediction: Sydney by 28.
ANZAC Day Medal: Jarrad McVeigh at $11.
*Remainder of Round 5 previews to come on Friday morning.
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