AFL ladder predictions: Round 4

‘Boy, oh, boy, wowee!’ to quote Brian Taylor. My 2018 predictions have got off to an exhilarating start, with a couple of upsets and shocks to start the season.

Adelaide and Essendon both sit in the top four after three rounds, and none of Sydney, Hawthorn, GWS, or Geelong sit in the top eight after three rounds, with only Sydney sitting in the top twelve. Let’s see what round four predictions have in store.

Sydney vs Melbourne
The last time the Dees and the Swans faced off against each other, it was a tight game with the Swans reigning victorious by nine points at the home of football against the red and blue.

In saying that, had the Demons been kicking straight, they would have won that game. I can definitely see this one being a tight game, however; I believe the Dees will win in a final quarter rampage over the Swans to kick off Round 4.

Prediction – Melbourne by 17 points

Collingwood vs Western Bulldogs
The Dogs have a predicted 2-1 record after Round 3, whilst the Pies are predicted to be undefeated. This game could possibly be Jordan Roughead’s first game against his former side, and I see the Pies beating them by between five and ten goals.

Prediction – Collingwood by 42 points

Brody Mihocek of the Magpies and Mason Cox (Photo by Ryan Pierse/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Geelong vs GWS Giants
One of these two teams will be predicted to finish the first month of football with no wins on the board, which will shock many in the AFL nation. I can’t see the Cats dropping this game to the Giants at home.

Prediction – Geelong by 23 points

Essendon vs Brisbane
The Bombers and Lions are both predicted to be 2-1 after three rounds, except are on the opposite end of the ‘2-1 spectrum’ due to percentage.

I’ve predicted the Bombers to win this one as it is at the MCG and an away game for the Lions, and with the Bombers firing units in all sections of the ground, I can’t see the young Lions defeating the Bombers.

Prediction – Essendon by 33 points

Port Adelaide vs Richmond
The last time the Power and Richmond played each other in Adelaide, the Power won over the Dustin-Martin-less Tigers at their home ground.

The Tigers poor record outside of Victoria in 2018 has been much publicised, with the Tigers boasting 1-4 interstate win-loss record, with their only interstate win coming against a lowly Suns outfit at Metricon Stadium.

I did tip the Tigers to beat the Giants interstate in Round 3, however; I can’t see the Tigers beating the Power in Adelaide.

Prediction – Port Adelaide by 9 points

North Melbourne vs Adelaide
I’ve predicted the Crows to start the season on fire and open the season with three straight wins in the first three rounds, and I believe that the Crows will continue their winning streak and keep on rebounding from a disappointing 2018 season with a win over the Roos.

Prediction – Adelaide by 20 points

Josh Jenkins of the Crows (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

West Coast vs Fremantle
This game will have a ferocity about it, and it’ll be interesting to see how the players and fans respond to seeing Andrew Gaff playing his first game against the Dockers since his punch to Andrew Brayshaw’s jaw in Round 16 last year.

Not only that, there will be more interest in this game as to how it influences the ladder. The Dockers and Eagles both contain a 2-1 record after Round 3, and the winner will be in touch with the top four in fifth place behind Essendon with a 3-1 record on percentage.

The loser will go back to the pack among the teams with a 2-2 record after four rounds.

Prediction – West Coast by 29 points

Gold Coast vs Carlton
There could be limited opportunities for wins for these two clubs in 2019, and both teams will be wanting to snag the win to get them a step away from claiming the wooden spoon.

Despite this game being at Metricon Stadium, I believe that the Blues will beat the lowly Suns away.

Prediction – Carlton by 23 points

St Kilda vs Hawthorn
Round 4 ends on an intriguing note. The last time the Saints and Hawks faced off at Docklands was in Round 22 of 2018, where the Hawks got away with the four points, ironically winning the game by four points.

I don’t think it’ll be that close this time but will certainly hold a little bit of interest to the footy nation.

Prediction – Hawthorn by 16 points

Predicted ladder after Round 4
1. Collingwood – 4-0
2. Adelaide – 4-0
3. Melbourne – 4-0
4. Essendon – 3-1
5. West Coast – 3-1
6. Richmond – 2-2
7. Port Adelaide – 2-2
8. Fremantle – 2-2
9. North Melbourne – 2-2
10. Hawthorn – 2-2
11. Western Bulldogs – 2-2
12. Brisbane – 2-2
13. Sydney – 1-3
14. St Kilda – 1-3
15. Geelong – 1-3
16. Carlton – 1-3
17. GWS Giants – 0-4
18. Gold Coast – 0-4

Bernie Vince of the Demons (Photo by Scott Barbour/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Collingwood’s win has taken them above both Melbourne and Adelaide on percentage in the undefeated category, with the Pies and Crows separated by less than 0.5 per cent.

The Dogs and Lions are both sitting pretty after a month of football, with them split evenly in terms of wins and losses. The shocks so far in my predictions is that none of Sydney, Hawthorn, Geelong, or GWS are in the top eight, with only Hawthorn split evenly on wins and losses. Geelong and Sydney only have one win from a month of footy.

The Giants still have no wins on the board and sit in the bottom two after a month of football. That’s my round four ladder predictions, keep an eye out for the Easter round predictions.