I’m deeply uncomfortable with the idea of North Melbourne heading into a match with one of last year’s top four sides as favourites – but the conclusion is hard to escape.
The Roos keep putting in competitive efforts, meanwhile GWS are still missing a host of key players, and a Hobart fixture is always a boost for the Roos.
I’d be lying if I claimed to be particularly confident, or even remotely confident at all, but I’ll tipping North this week.
Probably the hardest match to tip this week is also the most anticipated, between West Coast and Richmond on Sunday afternoon.
They are undoubtedly the best two sides of the opening third of the season, both having lost only the one match so far, and neither has dropped a game in the last six weeks.
On one hand I feel that West Coast having the home ground advantage will be telling in this game. There’s no doubting when you look at the numbers that Richmond have been strongest this year when at the MCG.
However I worry that the continued absence of Luke Shuey may prove too much for West Coast to overcome in this one.
I’ll be tipping the Tigers to take a win on the road, but it’s an incredibly close call in a match that could go either way. Not to be missed.
The rest of this week’s matches all look fairly straightforward – Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Geelong, Sydney, Collingwood, Melbourne and Hawthorn are my tips.
I’ll make Port Adelaide in Shanghai my lock of the week. Gold Coast aren’t going to win too many (if any) games without Tom J Lynch this year.
Adrian Polykandrites
Adelaide, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Geelong, Sydney, Collingwood, Melbourne, Hawthorn, West Coast
North should be too good for the flaky Giants in Hobart and Port will wax the Suns in China.
Geelong will be too good for Essendon at the MCG.
An upset wouldn’t surprise me in either of the Saturday night games, but I can’t go against Sydney and Collingwood.
Melbourne will easily account for Carlton.
Hawthorn won’t want to take the Lions lightly at the Gabba but I’ll tip the Hawks in a close one.
West Coast to take top spot in game of the round – or possibly the season – against the Tigers in Perth.
TomC
Adelaide, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Geelong, Sydney, Collingwood, Melbourne, Hawthorn, West Coast
I’ve pretty much run out of faith in the Giants. If you’d told me at the beginning of the year I’d be tipping North to win this contest I’d have laughed, but it’s the plucky Kangaroos in Hobart for me.
The only question about Port’s game against the Gold Coast in Shanghai is whether the final margin exceeds the attendance. The Power by plenty.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Essendon came out swinging this week against the Cats and kept this close for a while, but Geelong will outlast them one way or the other.
Brisbane have been getting close and not winning in most games recently. Against Hawthorn at the Gabba I predict they will get close and not win. I wonder how many games in a row they can lose before we cotton on that there are serious problems at the Lions.
Match of the round is surely West Coast at home to Richmond on Sunday evening. The reigning premier’s only other trip interstate this season netted them their only loss so far, and with the form the Eagles are in most likely they’ll retain a 0 per cent record outside Victoria to go along with their 100 per cent record inside Victoria.
Elsewhere, Adelaide comfortably at home to Western, Sydney will finally surely win a game they’re supposed to over the Dockers, Collingwood too strong for St Kilda, and Melbourne to end Carlton’s brief party.
| Round 9 | Josh E | Adrian P | Cam R | TomC | The Crowd |
| ADE vs WB | ADE | ADE | ADE | ADE | ADE |
| NM vs GWS | NM | NM | NM | NM | NM |
| GCS vs PA | PA | PA | PA | PA | PA |
| ESS vs GEE | GEE | GEE | GEE | GEE | GEE |
| SYD vs FRE | SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD |
| STK vs COL | COL | COL | COL | COL | COL |
| CAR vs MEL | MEL | MEL | MEL | MEL | MEL |
| BRI vs HAW | HAW | HAW | HAW | HAW | HAW |
| WCE vs RIC | RIC | WCE | WCE | WCE | WCE |
| Last week | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Total | 39 | 45 | 43 | 47 | 49 |
TomC
Roar Guru
Geez, who's that idiot saying the Lions would lose, and they have problems? What kind of no-hoper qualifies as an 'expert' on this site?
Hiru
Guest
Eagles would be in front by 3q but Tigers to have strong last q to win the match.
Jonboy
Guest
Great matchup True Tiger versus Matti 6x6......may the best man win.
Jonboy
Guest
On what evidence Pope ?
Jungle Jim
Guest
I'll stick my neck out for a potential chop-off and predict WCE by a few goals! Have a hunch, wishful thinking perhaps, that they might surprise all and deconstruct the Tiggys and won't the media be abuzz!?
Jungle Jim
Guest
I think mutimer is an emergency, not on the interchange..?
Jungle Jim
Guest
that's a misconception about Jets. he plays a role now on the back flank and he doesn't so much go missing as busy playing that role...his role is not to be a flashy runner burning up the paddock continually and get on the highlights reel? It's a team unit and he's a great cog often providing drive forward from the back.
ja ja klazo
Guest
The Roar - where people go to argue over who has more injured players on the team they support.
I ate pies
Guest
Yep
Michael Pallaris
Roar Rookie
For some reason, I think the Giants will bounce back this week.
peter chrisp
Guest
DG you should have 9 winners this weekend it does look pretty easy?
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Danger game for you Swannies.
Swannys
Guest
Totally agree North represent everything right about footy and Gws everything wrong .
Guero
Guest
Won't be playing champ. WAFL form has been average.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Good grief.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Crows- just because it's in Adelaide. No Tex and a few others will ensure Doggies get within a couple of goals Norf- The Giants are crippled at the moment, while Norf are going well. 4 goals in this Port- I fear a Showdown hangover here, but Lynch is already looking at Real Estate.com and he's not looking in China Cats-Bombers are currently the worst team in the comp. Can't see that changing in a week. Cats by 6 goals Swans- Will be too good for Freo, about 20 points Pies- Pies will bounce back from a pretty ordinary last round. 15 points Dees- By plenty (No E Curnow- just makes Cripps workload that little bit more ) Hawks- Another single figure losing margin for the Lions as they don't know how to win. WCE- in WA, will be a cracker. Two best teams in the comp. Grand Final preview
Gezbee
Guest
I think Richmond will win this weekend but that’s fine as Eagkedxwill learn how to beat them come the finals.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
And it'll be good to see what Kurt Mutimer brings this season,has good pace and a long kick,marks alright,. Only 4 games to judge him by so far,but that'll be okay.
Samuel Ord
Roar Guru
Wouldn't think Collingwood v St Kilda will be tough match up. Collingwood a 90 per cent chance at a win. Hawthorn v Brisbane a much more interesting encounter.
sammy
Guest
truetigerfan..what is it to you. I listed facts and you too are only looking at 1 part of the picture. In addition to the number on the injury list, the club has lost more games to injury than anyone else this year. the number of prime a grade players injured is very high. You say 3 are long term - here is a list of where our injured A graders are at:- Sloane is weeks away, McGovern is 2 months at least, Smith is TBC (from an ACL) with best case August this year, Walker as of tonight we are told will be weeks and in need of a mini preseason due to his injury interruptions, Brad crouch is TBC and is unlikely to play this year. So I am staggered that you are not challenging Cat on why he disputes the facts instead of having a pop at me stating facts. I would love to see where your club would be at minus dusty, cotchin, reiwolt and rance