As we slide into the second half of the home-and-away season, let’s preview the big games of the coming round. I will also let you in on who my tips are, including margins.
Can Carlton go one step better on back-to-back Friday night games?
The heartbreak for Carlton last week would have been at its peak. After a tough and shocking loss to the then bottom side Brisbane, they nearly upset the Cats at Etihad Stadium in a huge Friday night game. But they couldn’t quite quell Geelong’s late tide. Here they are, with their win-loss ratio at a bottom ten quality 4-7.
They are certainly out of finals contention, but that won’t stop them from coming out firing in another big Friday night stage. The Hawks have just started to regain some players and some of their Premiership winning mojo, as they convincingly beat the Eagles as they will look to build towards their blockbuster clash against Collingwood next week.
I tip that the Blues will start off strong but will be overrun by a dominant and hardworking Hawthorn in the second half. Hawthorn by 37 points.
Who wins out of the two in-form interstate teams?
Both the Sydney Swans and the Port Adelaide Power have risen to the top of the ladder this year as two interstate teams have dominated the AFL. Both have remarkable stories, with Sydney recruiting big names in a controversial manner, while the Power have turned everything around after a few disappointing years where they looked like they were in huge trouble.
Now both of these teams face off in one of the biggest clashes of the year as the two teams look to secure home finals. The Swans are coming off a solid win against Gold Coast while the Power outclassed the poor Saints as they look to secure their position at the top.
The reason why the Swans have done so well recently has been because of Kurt Tippett coming in and the midfielders playing brilliantly. But I tip that Tippett out mixed with a travel from the Gold Coast will result in an extremely close Port Adelaide win. Port by 4.
Will the unpredictables produce another amazing away win?
North Melbourne are the real surprise packets of the AFL this year. Two years ago they just scraped into finals but were sent out with a smacking. Many people have touted their young squad as likely premiership contenders over the next few years.
Yet 2013 wasn’t their year as they took the title of the ‘choker’ team after squandering many leads in last quarters frequently throughout the year, which ultimately cost them another spot in the finals.
This year they have dropped the ‘choker’ tag, but has become unpredictable, as they have produced two amazing wins over in Western Australia, yet have played poor games against Gold Coast, Essendon and Collingwood in Melbourne. If they can find some good form, they can make a rush towards the top four.
They play a great team in Adelaide who are starting to turn it on. I think that the Roos will come away with this one, as when they play well, they can beat anyone (remember, they are the only team to have beaten Port so far this year). Roos by 14.
Tips
Hawthorn by 37
Freo by 45
Port by 4
West Coast by 22
Brisbane by 29
North by 14
Geelong by 68
Collingwood by 53
Essendon by 31
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