Round 5 preview and top tips

By Conor / Roar Guru

The AFL season is hitting its stride now, giving us all a chance to see form lines emerging. Here are my tips for Round 5.

Port Adelaide versus Carlton
Port Adelaide have their number one ruckman returning from suspension this week, and with the match being a Port home game, it should be a win to the home team.

Prediction: Port Adelaide by 35 points

Western Bulldogs versus Brisbane
The Dogs will go into this week without new 250-gamer Travis Cloke, but with it being Captain Bob Murphy’s 300th, the home team should get the win.

Prediction: Western Bulldogs by 28 points

Gold Coast versus Adelaide
Gold Coast have won their last two after a horror first two rounds, but will be without their leading key defenders in co-captain Steven May and Rory Thompson. The Crows first month of footy has been fabulous, and I can’t see them dropping this one against the Suns.

Prediction: Adelaide by 45 points

Fremantle versus North Melbourne
It’s hard to pick a winner here, with both teams playing well, but the Roos not managing a win despite gallant losses against Geelong and the Bulldogs. Unfortunately, I can’t see the Kangaroos bouncing to a win (excuse me for the pun) against the Dockers. I expect it to be a tight match here.

Prediction: Fremantle by 16 points

Sydney versus GWS Giants
Sydney receive a major boost this week, gaining Kurt Tippett, Isaac Heeney, and Gary Rohan from injuries for the first game of the year. Despite Sydney gaining back some gun players, I expect the Giants to get over the line in a nail-biter.

Prediction: GWS Giants by 9 points

St Kilda versus Geelong
St Kilda and Geelong face off on Sunday afternoon, and the Cats will be aiming for revenge after a tight loss last year. I believe it will be another tight match between these sides, but the opposite way with a clawing win for the Cats.

Prediction: Geelong by 5 points

Hawthorn versus West Coast
Both teams effectively have a hole to dig themselves out of in this game. It was supposed to be the match where Sam Mitchell goes up against his former team, but he has been ruled out with an ankle injury. Hawthorn need to win to recover from a horrible first month of losses, while West Coast must win against Hawthorn to break their losing streak at the MCG.

Prediction: West Coast by 29 points

Richmond versus Melbourne
My Dees have now lost their last two, and should of beat Fremantle last week. They will regain Jesse Hogan from suspension. Richmond have played well in their first month, and are at 4-0 in the top three. I can’t see the Tigers losing to the Demons, but Melbourne have won the past three against the Tigers, and anything is possible in footy.

Prediction: Richmond by 21 points

Essendon versus Collingwood
The Bombers will be hoping they can make Chapter 5 of the return a success, and recover from the past two losses. Meanwhile, Collingwood will be hoping not to go 1-4 after five rounds, and get a second win for the year on Anzac Day. I believe the Bombers will upset the Pies, in which, for every Collingwood-hater, I hope happens.

Prediction: Essendon by 14 points

The Crowd Says:

AUTHOR

2017-04-21T11:48:42+00:00

Conor

Roar Guru


I'm not so sure their completely done for the season with Max Gawn out for 12 weeks. They had more scoring shots against Geelong, and had they kicked straighter, they probably would of won, and had they had leadership in Lewis playing last week on the field with Hogan, they would've. Melbourne leaders keep getting suspended though and there goes finals. Don't expect them to beat Richmond on current form, Tigers will probably win by 3-5 goals, won't disagree with that hal

2017-04-21T09:17:56+00:00

hal

Guest


Melbourne are gawn! They won't beat Richmond and they only beat Carlton because Lewis and Hogan resorted to thuggery. They beat an absolutely pathetic St Kilda and lost to Fremantle at home. I did not have them in my eight. I think the Tigers will win by 5 goals.

2017-04-20T23:53:51+00:00

DingoGray

Roar Guru


Melbourne played Fremantle last week.

2017-04-20T22:30:26+00:00

Rob

Guest


Im pretty sure Melbourne will beat the tigers - so far theyve beaten collingwood carlton brisbane and west coast (on a wet MCG...) Melbourne bearly got out of second gear last week and should have beaten Geelong with better kicking for goal - this really should be a game betwern 2 unbeaten clubs. Hogan in will make a big diffrence to Melbournes forward line. Demons by 4 goals.

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