Here are the previews for this week’s three remaining games.
Essendon vs. Melbourne
SportsBET odds: $1.28 vs. $3.80
11th vs. 16th
Essendon have a lot of underdone players coming back; namely Fletcher. I have a big problem with Essendon playing Fletcher, because I don’t know why they need him. It’s not like Melbourne have a gun tall full forward that needs stopping, in fact that’s the exact problem the Demons have. The Bombers move the ball a whole lots better than the Demons do most of the time. Both teams lack consistency though, which could make it an exciting game with periods of goal sprees at both ends. I’m tipping the Dons by 12-24 points.
SuperCoach watch: Shizzle Colin Sylvia is getting some good points along with Jack Grimes from the Demons. Cale Morton, who has had a disappointing year so far from a development perspective, played a good game against Essendon last time and is due a big game. Alwyn Davey is similar. He plays his best football against the Demons; probably because he wants to show up his brother Aaron. Alwyn isn’t due a big game though, he has been fairly consistent this year and is coming off 90pt’s in his last game.
By Luke
Sydney vs. Collingwood
SportsBET odds: $1.95 vs. $1.95
10th vs. 7th
This shapes up as a massive clash for both teams considering the ladder positions and how much a win will help them for the rest of the season. Yep. It’s another 8pt game.
For the Pie’s a win will extend their dominance over Sydney whilst propelling them into the top-4 on percentage. A loss for the Pies entrench them in the pack on 24pt’s with Hawthorn, Port, Carlton and Sydney.
The result on the match will affect Sydney more than the Pies for me however.
If they win, they would have managed to beat a side that has the wood’ over them and considering they are playing Adelaide next week, who also have an excellent record against them (9 out of their last 10 games…..) the confidence they would gain from beating the Pies will help them immeasurably.
A loss will most likely mean that they will not be making the finals.
Despite the importance of the clash for Sydney; with 6 wins in a row stretching back to 2006 for Colligwood against Sydney, it’s an easy tip for me.
SuperCoach watch: Adam Goodes is one player that the Pies can never seem to stop, and given that he is in excellent form as it is, I’d expect it to continue.
I’d expect the out-of-form duo of Travis Cloke and Dale Thomas to improve a fair bit from their form so far this year considering that they always lift against Sydney.
By Vish
Fremantle vs. Geelong
SportsBET odds: $8.50 vs. $1.08
15th vs. 2nd
The undefeated Geelong makes their second trip to Subiaco in 3 weeks to take on the Dockers who so far this season have only managed 3 wins and have lacked consistency throughout the year. Even with the likely returns of Luke McPharlin and Antoni Grover the Cats go into the game as almost unbackable favourites.
Geelong will look to dominate the midfield duel and expose Fremantle’s relative inexperience. The only challenges for the Cats will be to stop Pavlich, but with the likely return of Harry Taylor and possibly Captain Tom Harley, this is achievable for the Cats. I will be looking for a strong showing from the Cats, 40 points plus for me.
SuperCoach watch: Jimmy Bartel usually plays quite well against the Dockers, but I would be looking to see if Ablett can continue his wonderful form this year. One to watch for the Cats could be Travis Varcoe who is starting to put together some good point-scoring form. Look for Sandilands to score well against Geelong’s ruckmen with a season average of just under 100. Looking at the Stats its tough to see any standouts on recent form for Fremantle, no player last week scored above 100 points.
By Brent
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