Round 2 of the 2015 AFL season throws up some mouthwatering match-ups. Here are the ones to watch.
1. Port Adelaide versus Sydney – 7:10, Saturday, Adelaide Oval
Both sides are coming off performances that they would consider to be below their best. While Port Adelaide put in a strong showing against Fremantle, they appeared to be out run in the final quarter by an ageing Dockers outfit.
However Port fans should be comforted that it took some brilliant final quarter heroics from experienced players Matthew Pavlich (two goals) and David Mundy (13 disposals, five clearances) to get the Dockers just over the line on home soil.
Sydney were quite simply dominated for three quarters until Essendon’s lack of match practice caught up with them and they collapsed, allowing Sydney to snatch victory with seven final quarter goals. As pleasing as the comeback was, three goals up to three quarter time is quite concerning for the Swans who will be hoping it can be attributed to their historically poor starts to seasons as opposed to a theme that will recur this season.
There are a number of factors that swing the match in both teams favour. Port is coming off a six day break and had to travel back from Perth, whereas Sydney had a seven day break. Even though they lost, the Power was probably more impressive for more of their match than Sydney.
The home ground advantage of Port is offset by the fact that the Swans have enjoyed their trips to Adelaide Oval, winning both their games their last year in reasonably comfortable fashion.
This one is a flip of the coin.
Prediction: Swans by 2 points
2. Greater Western Sydney versus Melbourne – 1:40, Saturday, Spotless Stadium
Two of the competition’s weakest members over the last few years are both coming off wins going into Round 2 and for one of them – incredibly – will finish the round 2-0.
Melbourne are coming off their best performance in a very long time. Paul Roos has clearly worked very hard with them to instill offensive running and positive ball movement from defence to attack that was non-existent last year.
Their tackling pressure and intensity around the ball, albeit against poor opposition, was also very impressive. The Demons look like they have some encouraging avenues to goal that will be very threatening in the coming years after good performances from Jack Watts and Jesse Hogan and Chris Dawes yet to return.
GWS are also coming off a victory, against St. Kilda. The Giants have added some experience over the off season that was blooded against the Saints. Joel Patfull and Ryan Griffin made their debuts for the club and while they weren’t fantastic, the flow-on effect on the rest of the team will be seen. In particular the addition of Griffin will allow Callan Ward and Adam Treloar among others to find more space and avoid the opposition tagger.
Up forward, the Giants also looked good with Jeremy Cameron (four goals) seeming to be on the way back to his 2013 form and second gamer Cam McCarthy (three goals) also showing promise.
Interestingly, both clubs were challenged in their respective matches with the Saints and Suns both looking like a good chance at victory at different stages in the matches. However the Dees and Giants were able to hold off their opposition and, in a sign of development, record pleasing wins.
Prediction: GWS by 21 points
3. Geelong versus Fremantle – 12:40, Sunday, Simonds Stadium
This match is probably the most difficult one to predict out of all. With Geelong coming off its second biggest defeat since Chris Scott took over at the start of 2011, we are left to guess whether the ageing Geelong are set to finally fall off their perch or if it was a minor blip in the radar of a season that will be a continuation of what we have seen for the last eight years.
Despite an encouraging start, the Cats were embarrassed and not up to dealing with some excellent pressure from Hawthorn. They played a number of younger players including Darcy Lang and Nakia Cocatoo, both of whom struggled against the competition’s best team but showed promise.
Fremantle put in a very impressive performance against Port Adelaide, over running the self-proclaimed fittest team in the league. However their performance was from perfect with their ball use requiring some serious work. While Port Adelaide went at 79 per cent effective disposal, Freo went at only 73.5 per cent which was particularly noticeable when they went forward. However, importantly for the ageing side, the final quarter efforts of some of Fremantle’s older players suggests that age will not be a barrier for Fremantle this season.
Geelong has created a fortress in Simonds Stadium against virtually every team. However Fremantle have some happy memories in Geelong, not least their 2013 qualifying final upset. This will be a revealing match-up the tells us whether the Cats are contenders or if a new era beckons for Chris Scott’s men.
Prediction: Fremantle by 14 points
What do you think of my predictions? Which matches will you be watching in Round 2?
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