Here we go footy fans, the business end of the season and it’s a race to fit 10 teams into eight places.
In one of the most unpredictable years, we could see the Swans fall out of the top eight and the Giants make history by making their first finals campaign.
Sydney versus Collingwood
If Collingwood want to make it 11 teams into eight they have to win this match.
The return of two of the league’s power forwards should add a touch of glitter to a match that could very well be marred by booing.
Travis Cloke will give the Pies greater accuracy and much-needed drama through the forward 50.
Lance Franklin brings strutting and 71 per cent of Sydney’s salary cap to the table.
Sydney has everything to play for – a loss and they could actually be out of the eight by the end of the round if other results go against them.
Prediction: Collingwood by 14 points.
Essendon versus Adelaide
Another open letter by Paul Little and another week where Essendon will be smashed in every department. The bets are on as to when James Hird will cross his arms, throw his phone away and give up.
The Crows have a mission to make the finals in honour of their slain coach, Phil Walsh. Something to play for is always a good thing – I’m sure Melbourne and Carlton had one once.
Adelaide have won only twice against the bombers in Melbourne, both times at Etihad, and for Essendon to win they have to rely on the Crows getting lost in traffic on the way to the ground to have any chance.
Prediction: Adelaide 73 points.
North Melbourne versus St Kilda
The real North Melbourne stood up in the last quarter against the Demons, as opposed to the really real North Melbourne that played those first three quarters.
(I’m not sure who the real North Melbourne is any more.)
It will come down to how fit Brad Scott’s face is. The arm stretched, mouth wide-open look can only go so far. However Alan Richardson has yet to master more than one facial expression.
This should make it six on the trot for the Kangaroos before they start their finals run against three top-eight sides.
Then we should see the really, really real North Melbourne.
Kangaroos by 37 points.
Port Adelaide versus Greater Western Sydney
This is the match GWS need to win if they hope to make the finals.
Port on the other hand are like when you are a kid at christmas and grandma hands you a giant present that turns out to be a lame jigsaw. Paddy Ryder was meant to be the missing piece of that jigsaw but turned out to just be a missing piece for most of the year.
This will be closer than people think.
Port by 15 points.
Geelong versus Hawthorn
One of the biggest modern rivalries in the AFL is set to heat up a cold Melbourne day. 80,000 screaming fans willing their team on.
Will we see Cyril Rioli lighting up the forward line? The big tomahawk kicking a goal after the siren to win? ‘Chip’ Frawley going off yet again under the concussion rule?
This is another Geelong must win and after last week’s loss to the Tigers, the Hawks will start to flex their finals bound muscles.
Hawthorn will go through Geelong quicker than Alastair Clarkson goes through a drunk heckler. The Cats, on their day, can beat anyone but this won’t be their day. They are on their ninth life and this could prove damaging to their finals aspirations.
The Hawks will make it four wins in a row against the Cats.
Hawthorn by 21 points.
Brisbane Lions versus Carlton
Who cares.
Carlton by 17 points
Richmond versus Gold Coast
“Oh to be a Tigers fan.” Gerard Whateley’s second favourite team are playing to avoid ninth spot yet again.
Surely Richmond can’t lose this one?
Having Brett Deledio back will give Richmond something they missed in last week’s heavy loss to the Crows. If anyone knows what that is please let the Damien Hardwick know.
Tigers by 55 points.
Western Bulldogs versus Melbourne
The feel-good story of the year up against the feel-sorry side of the last decade.
Everyone is waiting for the Doggies to fall away but they’ll have to wait another week. The Dogs are a breath of fresh air – high on confidence and full of attacking run. It’s great to see a first-year coach back his game plan.
Reports suggest the Bulldogs bandwagon will be up and roadworthy after this week’s match. I’m not sure it’s as heavy as Richmond’s, but it may just win a race between them.
Melbourne are just, well, Melbourne. The ‘nothing to see here’ sign on the door is still there.
Dogs by 43 points.
Fremantle versus West Coast
The Derby is here, and it’s pronounced with an ‘err’ not an ‘arr’ – no pirates in the west, but the plundering will start early.
Nat Fyfe is back and he’s running out of time to make himself ineligible for the Brownlow. Ross Lyon was right in resting his star midfielder so he doesn’t stuff it up, but there’s still time.
This match of the round should be an epic encounter. The Dockers have won the last six matches against the Eagles but it’s hard to see them making it seven.
Freo have fallen away after their blistering start to the season and West Coast will take full advantage.
West Coast by 23 points.
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
Wheres Don? :)
David
Guest
Freo needs to lock Hawthorn out of the top 2, that means going down to the eagles. Just saying ..
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
Thanks Tom, I'll take it as a compliment
TomC
Roar Guru
You are a weird guy.
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
Hey I found a graph!!! Premierships 3|West Coast, Brisbane 2|Adelaide 1|Port Adelaide, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs 0|Fremantle, GWS, Gold Coast OK, so its not so much a graph but a list. Still I tried
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
Im pretty sure I discussed the finer points of why I chose West Coast. Richmond should have smashed Freo but didnt. Hawks smashed Freo WC lost to Hawks because they didnt do the team stuff and gave away the last 3 goals. West Coast have been stronger in the last 6 weeks Freo could lose Pav and McPharlane. Pav is the one that kicks goals, Luke stops them. Johnson hasnt done any of those kinds of things for 2 months. Fyfe could still be injured but he could be nice and rested as well. West Coast are potent up forward and have a better midfield at this stage of the season. Losing McGovern isnt a big a deal as people think. And when the match ends I predict that Freo will have the lowest score. I know what the lowest score means. The lower the number, the lower the score Like the number 0 which is not only the lowest score but the amount of trophies sitting in Freos cabinet
Don Freo
Guest
Have a go at a graph then. You can throw out a barb. Don't expect to post an opinion and not have dissent. Especially such a crazy one. You could always pick up on the football part of the discussion but you choose not to. Freo has the tightest defense in the league...that's the one with the lowest score against it, Edgar.
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
Im guessing by the looks of your name you are a freo supporter? I guess that gives you the right to tell me how to tip. Or how I should think? Then throw in the fact I didnt like Ryans graph and OUCH! Still think West Coast will win. Maybe I'll double it to 46 and make a graph on why I did Hey Ryan...Can I borrow your graph?
Don Freo
Guest
Freo first went one game clear...then 2 games clear. They are now 2 1/2 games clear of second and three games clear of the rest. That's a "dramatic" fall away. Kennedy kicks over 3 goals a game this season...but only managed 1 against McPharlin. Johnno had 25 disposals in round 3 and Ibbo 22. They now have Silvagni back and Spurr in AA form. The tightest defence in the AFL. Good argument about Freo's weak defense. You are speaking in cliches, Edgar. No wonder you couldn't understand Ryan's graph.
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
Freo have fallen away dramatically. Given the attack that West Coast have against the defense that Freo have I would give the points to the Eagles. Pav and McPharlane are in doubt and Johnson who has been out injured for 8 weeks may be recalled to cover a defensive hole. If Fyfe comes in after his rest then Freo get something back in the midfield, but I have seen both teams play each week and I believe West Coast have what it takes to win. Time will tell. If I'm wrong, then I'm wrong :)
Don Freo
Guest
Freo have fallen away, Edgar? Not following the game closely?
Don Freo
Guest
Let the "slain coach" thing go, Edgar. Very tacky.
Balthazar
Guest
The wee girls are plenty strong up forward. It's just that they won't win the midfield battle and the ball won't get there often enough.
Malahka
Guest
How funny would it be if the two coaches did actually swap!!
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
The Crows had a down day. I stand by that given some players are really still struggling with the death of their coach. Thats a fact that was admitted by the club.
Stewart
Guest
When is a win not really something to be considered because the opposition had a 'down day'? Thrill me. How many of this years wins fall into that category across the competition? What a stupid thing to say. And the old not as good as 'we' think gem. Who is we? Biased much?
Penster
Guest
Some humour! I hope you're a regular Edgar Slosh, giving Titus a run for his money. Kangas are a tipsters nightmare, but I strongly suspect the inconsistency is because Brad and Chris Scott play identical twin swapsies during the season. They are more than capable of getting thumped by the Saints. Swans v Collingwood comes down to who's banner the Swans will hijack this week, what we're celebrating this round, if there's a dance to accompany it and if their cheer squad will be distributing free eggs to all booers. In a Collingwood crowd, that's a lot of eggs. A brisk pat down by security on the way in should foil that plan, but who knows what new gaff Eddie will bring to the event. Collingwood narrowly, but more to pick a smokey in the tipping comp. Hird could help Essendon by kitting up and getting on the field, things couldn't be much worse. Adelaide can save the Phil Walsh pep talks for finals. Port and GWS, purely for home ground advantage will get either over the line. Hawks. Carlton v Lions is the toughest one to pick. It should be removed from tipping comps due to irrelevance. Lions have beaten only Carlton and Port this season but weren't too far off rolling the Suns last round. Plus home ground advantage ...... Richmond and the Doggies seem like the easiest of the round to tip. Nic Nait out, that's big. Sandilands could have the ruck to himself. Pav and Mundy are potential big outs for Freo. Line call. Freo.
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
Hi Lindsay, Sydney arent as good as we all think, they beat up Adelaide who had a down day and Collingwood will get a 'lets play for our 2 banned boys' speech. Adelaide will slaughter Essendon. They now state they have a mission, something Essendon might want to adopt. Port are playing to keep the tarps away from Adelaide Oval, thats reason enough. Kangas, yep you are right, like I said I dont know who the real Kangas are anymore, does any one? Hawks cats will be closer than people think, something about finals and wanting to dent hawks top 4 chances Richmond have a 2/2 record against the suns but they are stronger and will be hurting after a belting last week You must be surprised by your doggies, everyone is...and how good is a team rising and taking on anyone....I love it, its what footy should be about I've seen freo and west coast all year. I just think the easgles will be too strong up forward Thanks for your reply
berrlins
Roar Pro
you tip dangerously Ill give you that, I know Sydney didn't wow us with their brilliance in Geelong but they are good enough to win in Sydney especially against a team who by all accounts fell over the line against Carlton. Adelaide should show the dons pretty easily but 73 points is a bit generous for Adelaide considering its in Melbourne, then again if they want to play finals they'll need percentage. Port got dragged through the dirt by the dogs and somehow I can Kinda see it happening again, GWS have alot to play for and I think they'll get over Port though yep it'll be close. Kangas you would think would have enough to belt up Saint Kilda and get a decent percentage boost but you never can trust North Melbourne, its more 50/50 than people realize. Cats have gotten some momentum going and the Hawks where a little beaten up in Perth neither the less, Hawks are by far a class above and should do it easily, Im thinking 40+. Blues and Lions: Battle of the wooden spooners, battle of the irrelevances a lot of names could be bandied about for that one but you're right, who cares, Blues probably. RIchmond should beat the coast but the suns have a could history against them so its a bit iffy, however tigers should manage to get the job done. After last week I'm expecting an absolute pantsing, total demolition from the dogs to keep their percentage going up, it probably won't happen but they still should win easily enough. Freo haven't really down on form it almost seems like they've been conservative with their games, top two spot is in the bag, just do enough to get a win, then cruise. that however will not suffice here in the Werby. expect an insanely high pressure game with both teams throwing everything at each other, Freo may fall over the line or West coast may. I'm tipping the boys in purple to get it done.