The Roar’s AFL expert tips and predictions: Round 8

The 2015 AFL season is heating up and Round 8 offers fans what should be some truly enticing battles. As they are each and every week, The Roar‘s panel of expert tipsters are back with their tips and predictions for Round 8.

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Ryan Buckland
Geelong, West Coast, GWS, Collingwood, Hawthorn, Fremantle, Essendon, Western Bulldogs, Port Adelaide

I know this scheduling caper is hard. But once again we’re being forced to choose which top-of-the-ladder match up to watch live? Thank goodness for DVR and small, square shaped pieces of cardboard to stick on the corner of the TV.

The Friday night match up resumes regular programming this week – you didn’t think we’d be able to escape Carlton for more than a week, did you? – with the Cats hosting the Blues. This one’s relatively clear cut, I think, but come back tomorrow for an extended take.

By my count we’ve got four genuine toss ups on Saturday this round. Delicious.

The first game shouldn’t be one of them. While West Coast are 5-2 with the league’s best percentage, colleague Cam Rose’s piece from earlier in the week postures they’ve caught teams at a bad time most weeks. Riewoldt-less, the Saints somewhat fit that criteria. But they’re building, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they measure up to a team like the Eagles. But West Coast should win.

The Giants and Crows are two sides battling for a top eight spot, and so this game takes on extra significance. It’s GWS’ first game against the mid tier teams ahead of the bye, and should they win it’s likely they’ll be ensconced in the eight and possibly a game inside the top four. The same goes for the Crows. Match up wise this one looks almost dead even, so take the home points. I think.

In Round 16 last season, Gold Coast knocked off the Pies in the Gary Ablett Shoulder game, and in the process “booked themselves a spot in the finals”. Hmmmmmm. Gold Coast aren’t as bad as they looked in the first few weeks of the year, although their trip to Perth last week bordered on disastrous. The Pies on the other hand haven’t quite regained their early season intensity, but would be hoping to pounce on a Suns side that still hasn’t quite nailed down its footy brand. I reckon they’ll do it, but the Suns could certainly surprise.

The fabled Grand Final Rematch is the first of the Saturday night games. Rematches have this real mystique about them, but in recent years the sparkle has faded a bit. Check out the numbers.

Hawthorn are in a mini-funk: they’re destroying the sides that they should destroy, but teams with slightly better chops are giving them a bit of trouble in 2015. Sydney, on the other hand, are doing what Swans do best: gliding gracefully, staying off everyone’s radar, and building a very good record. It’s got potential, this one, but in case you haven’t worked out yet I bank on offence over defence – and you should tip accordingly in this one.

Over the other side of the country, the Dockers are hosting the enigmatic North Melbourne. The loss of David Swallow, and continued absence of Daniel Wells and Nick Dal Santo, will probably be what counts the ‘Roos out of this game. It’s a shame, because the North forward line vs the Fremantle back line battle looks exciting on paper. I just don’t think North will get enough chances inside the paint to kick a good score. Here’s hoping the return bout in August sees both sides field fully stocked midfields.

This baby’s getting a little long, so we’ll wrap the Sunday games quickly. Out of form top four fancy or in form bottom four fancy? Take the home points, and back in mean regression. (That means Essendon). Melbourne look oh-so-decidedly Melbourne right now, while the Dogs make the Dockers look human for three quarters last week. Tip accordingly.

Port Adelaide play their fourth-straight Sunday twilight game this week, hosting the Tigers. Of all the games this week, this one is possibly the hardest to pick. The Power have way more on the line – some pundits (not me!) had them as premiership favourites before the season. A loss here could push the loser two games outside of the eight. Back the Power at home. I think…

Cam Rose
Geelong, West Coast, GWS, Collingwood, Hawthorn, Fremantle, Essendon, Bulldogs, Port Adelaide

Geelong vs Carlton: The Cats have thus far only lost to the likes of Hawthorn, Freo, Sydney and North, while the Blues are holding up the ladder, bereft of talent, form and confidence. This is a result that can surely only go one way. Geelong by 37 points.

St Kilda vs West Coast: A battle of two clubs that have defied expectations thus far in 2015. As I wrote earlier in the week, I’m not exactly sure where the Eagles are at, and the Saints have been playing with plenty of pluck and gumption. This game is an upset chance, but I’ll play it safe. West Coast by 17 points.

GWS vs Adelaide: 4th vs 5th on the ladder, both sides with five wins off friendly draws. The Giants should have the clear edge in running players with the Crows missing the likes of Sloane, Jaensch and Smith, but can they stop the Eddie and Tex show? I think they can. GWS by 25 points.

Gold Coast vs Collingwood: The Suns had been making incremental progress from an extremely low base, but went backwards last week. The Pies were okay against a Richmond finally playing decent football, and they’ll win this. Collingwood by 37 points.

Hawthorn vs Sydney: Both sides will easily win their two matches after this, but which team will be going in off a win? The Hawks have crushed some minnows but also lost three games by a combined 18 points. Sydney are starting to build some consistency after some questionable in-game lapses. The Hawks have more to lose, as well as home ground advantage, which might just be enough. Hawthorn by 15 points.

Fremantle vs North: The Dockers continue to build up the wins with early dominance, before allowing teams back into the game. The Roos are struggling to play four quarters, as middle-of-the-road sides do. They can ill-afford such largesse against Freo in Perth. Fremantle by 22 points.

Essendon vs Brisbane: The Lions are back playing with spirit after some woeful and bewildering early season form. The Dons have been largely unimpressive for five weeks, but showed some better game-style signs last round. They’re no good things here, but should do enough. Essendon by 17 points.

Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs: Playing the three best sides in the comp consecutively was too much for the Dees, falling apart defensively at the last of them. Interestingly, they scored exactly 50 points each time against Fremantle, Sydney and Hawthorn. The Bulldogs gave Fremantle a mighty scare after conceding a start, and should have too much run for Melbourne. Bulldogs by 36 points.

Port vs Richmond: Can the Tigers sustain or improve on the form that saw them play with freedom and dare to overcome the Pies? Have the Power hit their lowest ebb after the Brisbane defeat, or will it take another loss? Who knows, but I know better than to tip the Tiges. Port by 28 points.

Who will come out on top in the Grand Final re-match? (Photo: Michael Willson/AFL Media)

Sean Lee
Geelong, West Coast, Adelaide, Collingwood, Hawthorn, Fremantle, Essendon, Western Bulldogs, Port Adelaide

Geelong to defeat Carlton: The Cats may be a fading power but if Carlton are as insipid as they were last week, this could get ugly!

West Coast to defeat St. Kilda: The Saints are a chance at home, but West Coast should be able to counter anything that St. Kilda throws at them…and if Nic Nat starts taking some marks…lookout!

Adelaide to defeat GWS: If it wasn’t for that other little game between Hawthorn and Sydney, this would be match of the round! GWS are good to watch, but they face stiffer opposition this week. Jeremy Cameron won’t be able to boss around the Adelaide backs the way he did Carlton’s last week.

Collingwood to defeat Gold Coast: With Swan returning to form and the indefatigable Pendlebury blasting the ball out of the centre, young Clokey should get enough of the pigskin to really polish up his goal kicking routine.

Hawthorn to defeat Sydney: Sydney were bashed up last time these two teams met and it will be interesting to see if there are any mental scars because of it! You’d think that the Swans would be ready and waiting, but who knows? A gut feel has the Hawks coming out on top again.

Fremantle to defeat North Melbourne: The Dockers, undefeated and at home. That’s a tough assignment for anyone and just a hop too far for the Kangaroos.

Essendon to defeat Brisbane: Brisbane have found some encouraging form, something that has deserted the Bombers in recent weeks. This could be the week the Dons turn it around though. With some big names returning and their season on the line, they need too!

Western Bulldogs to defeat Melbourne: Overrun by the Saints two weeks ago, and then almost running down the Dockers last week, the Bulldogs are a hard team to get a handle on. They are young and on the rise, so expect some inconsistency. They’ll be back on the winner’s list this week.

Port Adelaide to defeat Richmond: One solid win does not a season make, although for Richmond, it is definitely better than losing, which is what Port Adelaide have been doing lately. If Port have any aspirations at all for the top four, then they better start winning consistently, and soon. Perhaps they’ll turn things around this weekend.