A Geelong and Sydney Friday night match-up is one that has looked appealing for a while, but some of the bite has gone out of it now that Patrick Dangerfield won’t be playing.
Really, the Swans should consider themselves lucky. After dropping a match they should win against Hawthorn last week, they now have a golden opportunity to score a win against a top-two side.
They’ve generally been able to beat Geelong most times in the past anyway, so expect them to get the win here.
The Giants have done much lately to suggest they’re any better than Melbourne, who would want to bounce back for last week’s disappointing loss. Melbourne is my tip here.
The rest of Saturday’s matches probably won’t have a huge impact on the season – Essendon, the Bulldogs, Collingwood and Fremantle are my tips, though the latter two are close calls.
St Kilda at home should be capable of knocking over West Coast, but the match could certainly go either way.
For the first time in a year, Hawthorn have that hard-to-kill aura about them again. I’m not sure Richmond can overcome that. Tipping the Hawks.
Neither of the Adelaide sides performed well last week and whoever wins the second Showdown of the year will have a major feather in their cap. I’m tipping the Crows can make it two for two.
If we’re looking for a lock of the week, I’d have to say Essendon to get the job done against Carlton.
Maddy Friend
Sydney, Melbourne, Essendon, Bulldogs, Collingwood, Fremantle, West Coast, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide
Home ground advantage could be a big factor for Geelong on Friday night, but no Dangerfield, and the fact that Sydney have a good recent record against the Cats, leads me to tip the Swans.
In Saturday’s games, Jeremy Cameron’s injury should help Melbourne over the line in Canberra, will Essendon should defeat Carlton in a canter and the Dogs will get a nice percentage booster against Brisbane.
North Melbourne and Collingwood could really go either way, but Collingwood is playing slightly better footy at the moment, and will want to rebound from last week’s disappointing finish.
The Dockers and Suns are both struggling, and with Gold Coast’s injury woes continuing, I’m tipping the Dockers at home.
West Coast don’t travel well, but the Saints are looking tired, and after making some much needed personnel changes last week, the Eagles should get the win.
Richmond versus Hawthorn should be a cracking game, and I’m tipping Hawks to get up in a close one. The Showdown should be a fantastic match also, Port come into this in good form and energised and should get the job done.
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Cameron Rose
Sydney, Melbourne, Essendon, Bulldogs, Collingwood, Fremantle, St Kilda, Richmond, Adelaide
Sydney have won four of their last five against Geelong, and now get the luxury of playing them minus one Patrick Dangerfield. But will they have Josh Kennedy and Jake Lloyd? The game being played at Kardinia Park should swing the game towards the Cats, but I think the Swans will bounce back from a flat performance last week when they had too many players down.
GWS only just got the job done against Freo last week, and Melbourne put in a shocking last quarter. Backing the Dees to bounce back in this topsy-turvy season. Essendon should munch Carlton, and the Dogs will handle Brisbane.
Feel free to make other plans on Saturday night, as two Who Cares Cups will be played. Collingwood to get a win over North in the one, and Fremantle to be too strong at home for the Suns in the other.
Sunday, on the other hand, is enormous. The Saints will still be smarting from throwing away their season against Port in the final minute last week, and can take out their anger with a win over the Eagles. Richmond can put an end to the Hawthorn resurgence, while Adelaide can take out the Showdown.
| Round 20 | Josh Elliott | Maddy Friend | Tim Lane | Cam Rose | The Crowd |
| GEE vs SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD |
| GWS vs MEL | MEL | MEL | MEL | MEL | GWS |
| ESS vs CAR | ESS | ESS | ESS | ESS | ESS |
| BRI vs WB | WB | WB | WB | WB | WB |
| NM vs COL | COL | COL | COL | COL | COL |
| FRE vs GCS | FRE | FRE | FRE | FRE | FRE |
| STK vs WCE | STK | WCE | STK | STK | STK |
| RIC vs HAW | HAW | HAW | HAW | RIC | RIC |
| ADE vs POR | ADE | POR | ADE | ADE | ADE |
| Last week | 6 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 5 |
| Total | 89 | 91 | 99 | 99 | 94 |
Cat
Roar Guru
No comment on your 'facts' being completely wrong Brendon?
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Don't knock the mighty goat for he is the most handsome and noble of all barnyard creatures. Plus it's winter and they're warm.
Josh
Expert
Crowd tips in. Geelong/Sydney and Richmond/Hawthorn incredibly tight. Amazing to see nearly 70 per cent tipping GWS over Melbourne given the whole panel has picked the Dees.
Don Freo
Guest
WC have won a few away from home. Every Vic team struggles away from home, too. It is just a media story line that has nothing to do with footy. If they lose, they will have to win the next one. What does it mean if Hawthorn or Sydney lose? No more, no less.
truetigerfan
Guest
Suits us that the Hawks are favoured. Eat 'em alive tigers!
sammy
Guest
haha..beryl. The crows don't need port to roll over as they have beaten them when Port tried their hardest the last 4 times they played them. Now go back under that rock you came out from :-)
GJ
Guest
Whats your average crowd this year. Is it rising or falling now? The reason you have the biggest crowds at is showdowns when Adelaide fans turn up. Rating random people in a train carriage poorly is understandable when you're preference is copulating with goats?
J.Roger
Guest
concur with dour! should be a slugfest...
J.Roger
Guest
Yep, WCE vs. Saints is a nail-biter already..with so much on the line for both teams, not sure if i've got the ticker to watch it?? I suspect the coasters wont be a push-over from this game on, and if they are then they deserve the fallout. theres been changesd going on, they've been practising new things, not relying on JK and kicking goals for one..my heart says WCE but my head says Saints at home could have the advantage and should be expected to take the points...will we see a fired up/ four quarters Eagles team, to the death? or will i regret posting this? ((;
Cat
Roar Guru
http://afltables.com/afl/crowds/vn_adelaide_oval.html Biggest crowds at Adelaide Oval: 53,698 Port Adelaide vs. Adelaide 2017 53,518 Port Adelaide vs. Adelaide 2015 53,141 Adelaide vs. Geelong 2016 52,505 Port Adelaide vs. Carlton 2014 May want to recheck your facts, Brendon the 1st. Port Adelaide does have the 13 smallest and 19 out of 20 smallest AO crowds.
Lroy
Guest
Eagles looked solid across the board last week, so unless there are major changes in the works they should be pretty solid this week as well. Their forward line looks different with McGovern up there, he really is a target, has hands like a Venus fly trap, anything coming his way he'll nab... this allows Darling to play wider which in turn frees up space for Kennedy.... so if that's how they line up they will kick enough goals to win. So I think the Eagles will get it in a dour game. WCE by 8 points.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
I took the train to work a couple of weeks ago when a crows game was on, 4 carriages of crows supporters and not one looker amongst them, not one, I'm actually not even joking Also, port have the two biggest crowds at AO, neither of them in showdowns, check facts, then write. Port by 15.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Ha ha, Hawks are just about this rounds lock of the week. Richmond can still finish 9th, it's possible.
Birdman
Guest
not sure why the pundits are suddenly on the Hawks to beat the Tiges but once again expecting a genuine contest. Would much prefer Hodgey to be leading the Hawks defence but hopefully another soldier steps up in his absence.
TomC
Roar Guru
Hey, they'll still probably win by ten goals. They're a better side. But I'd like to think the Lions can make a fight of it.
marto
Guest
That's what you have been saying since 1980..Settle down tiger..haha
marto
Guest
ROUND 2 2005 was the blues last win against the Hawks, so 12 years...
GJ
Guest
If you're going to the game, soak up the atmosphere. An Adelaide home game is the only time you'll see the venue close to capacity for a long time. Because "we will never, ever, ever, tear up the tarps" And don't forget to take the hub cap you stole for signatures after the game.
I ate pies
Guest
Yeah I think I do. It used to be Collingwood but then they just got farcical. Don't worry though gameofmarks, GWS tops my list and daylight is second.
GJ
Guest
bit of moderation going on?