The AFL has reached Round 15, and every team has had their bye and are now ready to take on the second half of the season.
Where teams finish on the ladder is anyone’s guess. What we know is that for a majority of teams they will do so with excitement knowing you need to turn up and put in the hard work to be competitive.
Round 15 is now upon us and who could’ve predicted, in their wildest dreams, a round like we have in store for us.
Where do we start?
Thursday night, of course. Melbourne host Brisbane, with Melbourne needing a win for their confidence more than anything and Brisbane looking to continue their good run of form. Both teams don’t want to let their top-four hopes slip.
Friday we have WB and Hawthorn looking to show they are not just making up the numbers and have something to prove. No one will stay up late up to care who wins in the west between the Eagles and the Bombers.
Then we turn our attention to Saturday and what a line-up of matches the fixture has thrown up for us: all six teams in the top eight, starting with Carlton versus Fremantle at Marvel. Both up-and-coming teams with attacking game styles who take on the opposition and leave nothing in the tank. A good test to see how the sides match up against each other.
Then we turn out attention to the MCG. Both teams are in decent form and will know a win is vitally important to keep their heads afloat with teams fighting for finals spots left, right and centre. Both these teams know all about a big stage and there’s no bigger than Saturday afternoon twilight to make a stand.
Saturday night finishes the day off with Sydney hosting St Kilda in another battle for who wants to challenge for a top-four spot or who has to scrap and fight from here in just to make the eight. It will be the battle of the legend himself, Lance Franklin, up against the next big thing in Max King.
Who can stand tall and take their team to victory?
Sunday is a day where you can unwind from watching nine hours of top-class, high-stakes, do-or-die footy and forget about who’s playing and what colours they’re wearing.
Make no mistake, every win from here on in is vitally important for where you finish and your ladder position and Round 15 if anything could be a prelude to what is to come in September.
Saturday, in particular, shapes as a big day in the season as one contender after another battle it out for the all-important top-four positions. What a day we have been treated to by sheer chance and ultimately brilliant scheduling.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
I am to say. Eagles and Essendon have shaken off their lethargy and I care.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I think I'm an Adelaide supporter ....
Brad Fooks
Roar Rookie
I know it may seem that way but I enjoy when the Non-Victorian teams do well and my comments about Sunday were only about some who may decide to do something else after watching footy on Saturday
Bradley Fooks
Guest
Who are you to say whether or not I have a Victorian bias I enjoy Fremantle and Brisbane winning ahead of Geelong and Richmond that's for sure. Sunday games on there own are more than worthy of watching just said after Saturday's marathon some may want to choose to do something else
Bradley Fooks
Guest
It was only my opinion on those games lighten up a little. A lot of people are saying this round is going to shape team and how they fare going forward
Bradley Fooks
Guest
I am Victorian and barrack for St Kilda but it was only a throw away line about Sunday but your right if you follow those on the Sunday you are interested about how they go
AJ73
Roar Rookie
All good Phones have a lot to answer for. Auto correct especially.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Doing stuff off your phone leads to mistakes, because I was responding to Brad,not you... AFL and Fox are both free, along with Zerohanger, Footyology,Sportal, ESPN AFL. They don't all agree which is refreshing and if you want to refine your tipping,look at Squiggle.
AJ73
Roar Rookie
???? I answered a question and you go on about Vic centric? Sorry for answering a legitimate question. Plus, I live in NSW, listen to SEN VIC because you don't get very much AFL news.
George Apps
Roar Rookie
??????????? All of what you said was a mess!
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
And on Fox Footy and the AFL site... And I care if the Eagles beat the Bombers. Get your head out of your Victorian oxter.
AJ73
Roar Rookie
I believe it is about 7. It was mentioned on SEN last night on The Sporting Capital.
STEPHEN T HUGHES
Guest
Wow you do realise there are.12 teams vying for a spot in the 8. This weekend will see the biggest shuffle in the 8 for a long time. Swans, saints and Rich all could fall.out, if Coll, Suns and WB win and increase % The Suns v Port is not a turn off, the Suns are playing amazing footy and have a real.shot at the 8. Percentage is 111 and growing each week I suppose you are another Vic one eyed against the national comp. 12 teams vying for the 8 now that is a footy marathon weekend.
Micko
Roar Rookie
How many other times has the coincidence of all top 8 sides playing each other in the one home & away round occurred? Would assume it's a very rare occurrence.