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The Roar’s AFL expert tips and predictions: Round 5

Expert
18th April, 2018
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(Brett Hemmings/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Expert
18th April, 2018
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A nice long week of footy this one as the Anzac round sees games spill over into Tuesday and Wednesday. Who are you tipping?

Sydney and Adelaide have been two of the best teams in the league over the past few years so a game between them is one to look forward to.

Home ground advantage decides this one for me – the Swans have a good recent record against the Crows also.

Port Adelaide and Geelong both have questions over where they’re at so it’ll be a valuable scalp for whoever is able to get the win on Saturday night, of course only one can.

Again home ground advantage plays a big role in why I’ll tip Port. Geelong still have a significant injury list and don’t really have a ruckman who can take advantage of the absence of Paddy Ryder.

The resurgent Bulldogs are every chance of topping Fremantle but I suspect the Dockers will get over the line in Perth in what could be a very close match.

Neither Queenslander team played well last week, while Gold Coast have arguably been the more impressive of the two so far in 2018 I’m tipping Brisbane for a breakthrough win.

It’s not been uncommon this year to see sides who were embarrassed one week come out breathing fire the next. Am I brave enough to tip Melbourne? No, I’m a big soft coward – Richmond to win on Tuesday.

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Collingwood will challenge Essendon with their physicality on Anzac Day, and I reckon it just might be enough to get them a win over the Bombers.

GWS over St Kilda, West Coast over Carlton and Hawthorn over North all feel like reasonably straightforward tips this week.

Carlton could not have imagine a worse start to the year than having Sam Docherty and Marc Murphy both out with injury, and Matthew Kreuzer probably not at top fitness either.

For that reason, I’ll tip the Eagles to get a win over the Blues as my lock of the week.

Lock of the week from the Simpsons

Adrian Polykandrites
Sydney, GWS, West Coast, Port Adelaide, Bulldogs, Hawthorn, Brisbane, Richmond, Essendon

I still don’t totally trust the Giants away from home, but there’s a bit of a stink on the Saints, so the visitors shouldn’t have too much trouble on Saturday afternoon.

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An upset isn’t out of the question at the MCG; though I’ll take the Eagles in a close one over Carlton.

Port were dreadful against the Bombers, they should bounce back against the Cats and get the win at Adelaide Oval.

Both the Dockers and Bulldogs would fancy their chances of joining the mid-table scrap with a win here. I’ll bet on the Dogs proving their form of the past fortnight is closer to what they really are and cause a minor upset.

Hawthorn won’t have it all their way but should be too slick for the Roos.

After a shocker against the reigning premiers, I expect the Lions to notch their first win of the season against Gold Coast.

Tuesday night shapes as the game of the round and the Tigers will flex their muscles against the Demons.

Collingwood-Essendon is a coin flip. The Bombers have more scoring power but the Magpies have the superior midfield. I’ll take the Dons, just.

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Essendon Bombers Collingwood Magpies Anzac Day AFL 2015

(AAP Image/Julian Smith)

TomC
Sydney, GWS, West Coast, Port, Freo, Hawthorn, Brisbane, Richmond, Essendon

I think last week was just an aberration for the Crows, but nevertheless the Swans are normally pretty ruthless at home.

The Power look a little shaky, but on balance they have a bit more depth than the Cats, and can win at home.

The Dogs are playing better, but unless they can really get on top in the middle and deny the Dockers the ball I can’t see them winning at the new Perth stadium this week.

The Suns have a better team than the Lions, but half way through their magical mystery tour of everywhere but home I suspect fatigue is becoming an issue, so I’ll back Brisbane in a wet slog.

On ANZAC Day it’s anyone’s guess what will happen. The Magpies had a superb win last week, but I feel we’ve been down this road before of false dawns. The Bombers are a bit more of a complete side and I’ll just give them the edge.

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Elsewhere, GWS to have another rare Melbourne win over the Saints, ditto West Coast over the Blues, Hawthorn too classy for North, and Richmond too steady for the fragile Dees.

Round 5 Josh E Adrian P Cam R TomC The Crowd
SYD vs ADE SYD SYD SYD SYD SYD
STK vs GWS GWS GWS GWS GWS GWS
CAR vs WCE WCE WCE WCE WCE WCE
PA vs GEE PA PA PA PA PA
FRE vs WB FRE WB FRE FRE FRE
NM vs HAW HAW HAW HAW HAW HAW
BRI vs GCS BRI BRI BRI BRI BRI
MEL vs RIC RIC RIC MEL RIC RIC
COL vs ESS COL ESS ESS ESS COL
Last week 6 6 5 7 7
Total 18 24 20 23 24

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