Heading into Round 3 of the home-and-away season, certain sides will be out to break their hoodoos.
Hawthorn v Fremantle (MCG) Friday, 7:50pm
Their last meeting was of course on the biggest of stages last year. In a tight tussle, the Hawks, the best team all year, took the points.
Fremantle have not beaten Hawthorn since the 2010 elimination final, a game they won by 30 points. Since then, five straight to the Hawks, including two at the MCG.
Hawthorn have won eight of the past nine between the sides. Fremantle are well poised to break the streak, in this massive grand-final replay on Friday night.
Gold Coast Suns v Brisbane Lions (Metricon Stadium) Saturday, 4:40pm
The Suns won the inaugural Q-Clash in 2011, but haven’t been able to do so since, with the Lions racking up five consecutive wins. This season they sit winless, while the Suns tipped over Richmond in the opening round.
Gold Coast should start favourites, and will be very determined to snap a five-game hoodoo against their older brother in Queensland.
Collingwood v Geelong (MCG) Saturday, 7:40pm
The Magpies have pinched all three contests against Geelong since the 2011 grand final loss. I may be drawing a long bow, but we know all about the Cats’ long streak after a loss on the biggest day to Hawthorn, will we see something similar evolve here?
It won’t have the ‘curse’ tag, but it may just develop into something.
The Cats have cruised to victories in both rounds, while Collingwood recovered well with a Round 2 win after Fremantle made a mess of them in the first week.
The Cats should snap their streak here, but will they?
North Melbourne v Port Adelaide (Etihad Stadium) Sunday, 4:10pm
An interesting hoodoo, a mind game perhaps. You’d think Port Adelaide will get the job done on Sunday against a flat North.
Will Etihad be a factor? Port won their Round 1 clash at the venue and had a 1-2 record there last season. But Port Adelaide have not beaten North at the Docklands, believe it or not, since the 2005 elimination final – a romping 87-point triumph.
Since that day, the sides have played four games at the ground, all wins to North, by 19, 5, 36 and 60 points.
These little stats are essentially meaningless come game time, but sometimes track record and mental edge plays a bigger part than expected.
My tips for these games are: Fremantle, Gold Coast, Geelong and Port Adelaide – that’s four sides I’m tipping to break their hoodoos this week.
Will we see it happen? We’ll find out soon enough.
Axle an the guru
Guest
<Reply:it will be interesting to see how long he lasts before he breaks down again Gene. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Cat
Roar Guru
2 - 3 more weeks.
Axle an the guru
Guest
When will Tippett be playing? He is starting to look like a WOFTAM to me. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Balthazar
Guest
Maybe not Fyfe alone but Fyfe, Barlow and Dawson is pretty grim. Still, aywhere, anytime... Wish Sylvia looked a bit fitter though
Radelaide
Guest
Yes that game sure was suss, the whole day was set up as a big North in Tassie promotion day even with the AFL big wigs being down there and you could sense they wanted to make sure everything went North's way and still Port loss by only 10 points. That being said it's just a regular Etihad game and now that Port is being taken more seriously/admired I don't think that will happen as Harvey is a year older and Port is a better team by 6 or 7 goals.
Franko
Guest
Certainly the 38-15 free kick count in favour of North didn't help last year. If Port want to be a top 6 side, knocking off opposition like the Kangas is essential. Not sure who will get the job in Lindsay Thomas, but I think he is key.
Radelaide
Guest
I think Port will win and as the outsiders I think Brisbane and Adelaide will get the job done.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Another awesome round indeed TomC.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Tippett isn't playing/.Longmire has said his first training session back is this Friday.
Mark Lewis
Roar Rookie
Port should surely break their hoodoo. North are notorious for giving up leads, especially in the last quarter, and Port are now the fastest finishers in the league. Look for Port to overrun the Roos if they're within seven majors at the last break.
TomC
Roar Guru
No idea how that happened. Still, I suppose it bears repeating.
Mark Lewis
Roar Rookie
Tippett won't be playing.
TomC
Roar Guru
Certainly a big round of footy.
TomC
Roar Guru
Certainly a big round of footy.
johno
Guest
You can change your Freo tip with the MRP tar and feathering Fyfe this week
Cat
Roar Guru
Isn't Tippett a few weeks away from playing yet?
Franko
Guest
Perhaps not a hoodoo but the Swans Crows game this week is a big one for both sides. The loser goes 0-3 setting them up for a tough fight to stay in contention. Also perhaps the first time Tippett has played against the Crows in SA since leaving???