Carlton vs. Richmond            
Last years 10th vs. Last years 9th
This is the most hyped you’ll ever see a match featuring last years 10th verses last years 9th in your lifetime. Not without good reason though factors like the return of Ben Cousins, Blues’ being tipped to be the big improvers and the pressure on Terry Wallace to perform.
With an excellent record against Carlton and the fact that Carlton are debuting 5 new players which is way too many in one go, the Tige’s ,are my tip.
Supercoach watch: Will Gibbs live up to his high price-tag? Expect the big scores to come from Deledio and Richo’

 
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Hawthorn vs. Geelong            
Last years 1st vs. Last years
2nd
With the Hawthorn president’s insulting remarks reverberating around the press, coupled with Hawthorns injury interrupted pre-season and Geelong’s effortless showing in the NAB Cup final; you would be silly not to expect Geelong to win this.
Supercoach watch: If Franklin plays as a half-forward/mid like he did in the last pre-season match against West Coast, he could post massive numbers here and onwards.

 
Collingwood vs. Adelaide        
Last years 6th vs. Last years 7th
The Crows will be hungry after getting knocked out of the Finals by the Pies’ somewhat unexpectedly last year. Collingwood are widely expected to make top-four and a win against a quality opposition like Adelaide will definitely help when the ladder is shaping up at the end of the year. Opinions on the Crows are mixed but given the natural improvement of their young players and the way that they are effectively turning over the list they should at least be pushing for the eight’.
Expect a close one especially given that Adelaide is expected to use the “Rolling Zone”.
Supercoach watch: This is a game for the Adelaide bargains to hopefully get some game-time. The likes of Taylor “the messiah” Walker, Jared Petrenko, Andy Otton to play.

 
Brisbane vs. West Coast        
Last years 10th vs. Last years 15th
Most have this down as a definite Brisbane win but when you look at the past record of these clashes, it raises some questions. The Eagles have a pretty good record against the Lions’ up there and both teams’ pre-seasons have been poor (remember that Brisbane players will still be learning their new game-plan). Then there is the whole thing about the Eagles not losing in round one since 2001.
Still, it’s probably too much of to ask for the Eagles to beat the Lions’ given the outright quality difference between both teams.
Expect it too be close and ugly.
Supercoach watch: Having Cox as your captain this week is a must (and if you don’t have him – why on earth not?) going by past games against the Lions’. Jonathon Brown is also an option given his good record against the Eagles last year although given that he has only played one pre-season game, it is more of a risk.

 
St Kilda vs. Sydney            
Last years 4th vs. Last years 5th
Like last year, everyone is expecting Sydney to slide and unlike last year, the Saint’s are relatively hype-less which is definitely a good thing for both teams.
You definitely get the feeling that this game will say more about the Swans then it will about the Saint’s.
Given the way that these two teams play the game, expect it to be a close but ugly game.
Supercoach watch: Goddard is expected to go berserk this year so a heap of people have there fingers crossed on the pale one’

 
Melbourne vs. North Melbourne    
Last years 16th vs. Last years 8th
Melbourne’s focus in the pre-season has all been about “technique”. Don’t expect miracles but expect – or should I say hope for less turn-overs’. Either way North should win this one quite easily.
Supercoach watch: What?!?! No Jack Grimes!?!?!? Damn it. At least there is Jake Spencer, Liam Anthony and Jack Ziebell in this one.

 
Fremantle vs. Western Bulldogs    
Last years 14th vs. Last years 3rd
Both pre-seasons have been patchy but given that the Bulldogs pre-season was patchy last year as well, it would be safe to expect a Bulldogs win.
Last year the Bulldogs got won by a mere 3pts against Freo, although I think last years records are largely irrelevant when it comes to Fremantle given the high list turnover that has taken place over there.
Supercoach watch: It’s all about Shaun Higgins, Stephen Hill and to a lesser extent; Paul Hasleby in this one.