With the massive top of the table clash last week over, we still have the 8′ to be settled with the likes of Port, Carlton, Sydney, Essendon and Hawthorn vying for the last 2 spots in the top-8′.
The crucial 3rd and 4th spots are up for grabs this round as well adds even more to this round.
Here are our thoughts on the upcoming games.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Western Bulldogs vs. Collingwood
SportsBET odds: $1.60 vs $2.40
3th vs. 4th
The stakes in this game are high. Both teams are in form and want to strengthen their positions in the top four, show how much they are contenders for this season and possibly even cement themselves in third position depending on the games’ result.
The Bulldogs have won their last 5 games by an average of 62 points, with an absolutely dominate performance last week against reigning premiers Hawthorn and Port Adelaide a few weeks ago.
Collingwood has won their past 6 games by an average of 45 points. They’ve had a strong wins over Fremantle and Melbourne, with a solid win over in form side Essendon.
Their past 7 outings both at the MCG and Etihad Stadium have seen almost an even ratio. The Dogs have won 4 (including the past 2 encounters) and the Pies have won 3, but not since 2006.
I would like to say Collingwood would win, and if they do I’ll be over the moon. But I think that the Bulldogs will win this one in a close encounter which will see many multiple goal scorers and tough running and pressure in the midfield.
SuperCoach watch: Didak has been dominating games in the past few weeks with an average of 152 pt’s in the last 3 weeks. Can he continue his good form?
Heath Shaw also usually has good games against the Dogs, especially in these 2 teams last match, where he scored 158pts and had 31 possessions.
Look out for good games by Dogs players in Cooney (averaging 106pt’s in his last 5 games), Gilbee (averaging 97pt’s in his last 3 games) and Cross (averaging 150pt’s in his last 3 games) who also play well against the Pies.
By Christine
Sydney vs. Essendon
SportsBET odds: $1.70 vs $2.20
10th vs. 8th
The Swans and Bombers have only met once in each of the previous two seasons. Each encounter has been in Sydney, one at the SCG and the other at ANZ Stadium. Each team has won one of these games each, the most recent being a second half demolition of the Bombers by the Swans. The Bombers win was in a thrilling game where the visitors came out on top by a single point.
Last time these teams met it was the Swans with the smiles after a convincing 91 point victory.
I think it is fair to say however, that the Swans were in much better form than the Bombers last year. The Bombers have surprised many this year by winning some games people thought were certain losses, but losing games that people thought should have at least been close and weren’t.
The Swans will be looking to put the Barry Hall saga out of their minds and prove that they can still win without the big man while the Bombers will be looking to rebound from their disappointing showing against the Pies last week.
For the Swans, Jarrad McVeigh and Leo Barry need to pass a fitness test before teams are selected. While for the Bombers major ball-winner Jobe Watson is a chance to return from an ankle injury, and Mark McVeigh returns from both an AFL and a club enforced suspensions.
A win at home will give the Swans a real look into the 8, while a win on the road will go a long way to helping the Dons stay there.
It’s hard to pick a winner. My heart says the Bombers can bring home the points, but my gut says the Swans should be able to shut down the run of their opponents and come away with the win. It has potential to be a close one, but it could also blow out either direction.
I’m gonna say Sydney just because they are at home, but as a Bombers fan I’m hoping my heart is right.
SuperCoach watch: Brett Kirk has been in fine form of late, and he also loves playing the Bombers. Scores of 166pt’s and 126pt’s in his previous two matches against the Dons is a good sign for you if you have him.
Ryan O’Keefe is another one to watch. He has had triple figure scores in each of his past two games against Essendon and has started to find some form in recent weeks. For the Bombers, Mark McVeigh is returning and prior to his suspensions was starting to find some touch. Like Kirk and O’Keefe he has had two triple figure scores in the last two games between the sides and was the only triple figure scorer for the Dons in their most recent encounter.
By Ben
Carlton vs. Richmond
SportsBET odds: $1.28 vs $3.75
7th vs. 14th
Pre-season whilst looking at this game, you would have thought that this would have been a big clash……Well it isn’t; but it is still good seeing two of the big-four going at it.
Carlton got dragged over the line by their captain who had an excellent game along with O’Hailpin, who seems to be playing his best football of his patchy career.
Richmond finished the game against Adelaide to be within 15 points after looking like they were going to be smashed. Promising given the form Adelaide is in.
Given that both teams looked sloppy, the weather is going to be wet/windy and they both had to travel few the week before; I’d expect this to be a real scrap.
I’ll play it relatively safe and choose the Blues here.
SuperCoach watch: Judd’s excellent game translated to a score of 165pt’s, his highest score for the year.
Tambling had an excellent game with 31 possessions but, despite his excellent use of the ball, he only scored 111pt’s.
Young defender Jarrod Silvester has been dropped keeping him on two-games. Getting 10 goals kicked on him in those two games will do that to you.
By Vish
Brisbane vs. Geelong
SportsBET odds: $2.95 vs. $1.40
2nd vs. 6th
Geelong will be looking to bounce back after its first loss in 2009 last round.
The Cats take on Brisbane who suffered defeat to Port Adelaide last round.
Geelong are as undermanned as they have been for a while with Matthew Scarlett, James Kelly, Darren Milburn and also Steve Johnson missing.
The Cats will have to find a match up for Brown and Bradshaw if they want to walk away with a victory with Tom Lonergan and Harry Taylor most likely getting the gigs.
The match could be dangerous for the Cats who will not want to drop another game leading in September.
The Lions will want to make up for their disappointing road trip to Adelaide. The last time these two teams met was at Geelong and the Cats won by a convincing 97 points. I suspect this game will be closer with the midfield and forward-line of Brisbane showing much improvement in 2009.
Geelong coach Mark Thompson has gone into bat for both Hawkins and Blake who will need to lift for the Cats.
SuperCoach watch: Still no Steve Johnson with Ling, Scarlett, Kelly and Milburn joining him this week on the sidelines. I’d tip a massive effort from the midfield this week. They need to produce the goods with no Scarlett and Milburn in the backline.
Luke Power had his poorest game in a while after starring over the past few weeks; still, he managed to score 101pt’s.
Josh Drummond is back for those who had the nerve (or no trades left) to leave him in their team.
By Brent
Adelaide vs. Fremantle
SportsBET odds: $1.14 vs. $5.75
5th vs. 15th
You can’t go past Adelaide here with the inclusions of Reilly and Goodwin for the Crows and Freo’s best player, Aaron Sandilands out for no reason(hmmmmm……).
It’s going to be a smashing here people.
The Crows are in good form with 6 wins in a row and will easily make it their 7th.
SuperCoach watch: Nathan Bock continues to be a reliable SuperCoach player, with his best result of 117pt’s against Richmond. Not a bad player for $470 500.
Dominant ruckman and high points-scorer Aaron Sandilands is out leaving the bulk of the ruckwork to be done by 3rd gamer Zach Clarke. He’ll clearly play every game for the rest of the year to get some experience into him.
Hayden Ballantyne had a better second game than he did a first one with a score of 72pt’s against the Blues whilst showing some good signs as well. Speedy youngster Tim Ruffles becomes Freo’s 10th debutant for the year. Tank-you very much.
By Vish
Hawthorn vs. North Melbourne
SportsBET odds: $1.52 vs. $2.55
11th vs. 13th
Depending on this weeks results(read; both Essendon and Carlton win), a loss will signal the end of the Hawks finals aspirations. And unfortunately for them, they have to take on a team who will definitely take them on.
North, under Darren Crocker have played some attacking football and have been in contention to win both games, only to be run over the top in the last quarter. Still, the loss of Wells and Pratt are compounded by the return of Rioli for the Hawks, who is a massive in.
After stuffing me and a heap of others this year so far in tipping, I’m giving them one last chance.
SuperCoach watch: Cyril Rioli is back and he has a break-even score of 126pt’s this week. So depending on how his return is, he could be a bargain in a few weeks.
Last chance to jump on Liam Anthony – Potential keeper.
By Vish
Melbourne vs. Port Adelaide
SportsBET odds: $3.10 vs. $1.38
16th vs. 9th
Port have come off a big win to Brisbane and will come in big favourites against the Demons. The Demons did play some decent football against a poor West Coast side last week though too. Port do not have a good record against Melbourne at the MCG.
In their last three outings to the ‘G they have lost two and the only victory was by under a goal, whereas both of Melbourne’s wins at the MCG were by about 40 points.
That being said Port has won the last three matches against the Dees, all the games were at Footy Park, by huge margins and are much more telling of both teams’ performance than the games at the MCG statistic.
Port won’t have an easy run as Melbourne have a little bit of enthusiasm after last week and Jimmy Stynes’ cancer announcement but the Power will run over the top of the Dees in the third quarter, as most teams do against Melbourne. Port Adelaide will win the match and Port will be looking like they are one step closer to September.
SuperCoach watch: Port Adelaide star SuperCoach player Troy Chaplin is rubbed out for the next two-weeks for a late bump, make sure you bench him at least.
Brett Ebert has hit some good form and kicked 4 goals this week, ‘not sure what Melbourne’s defence is going to do with him.
Danyle Pearce had 35 touches last week, mostly handballs though; he is scoring above his ability for mine at the moment.
Jason Davenport and Danny Meyer are cheap but are still not scoring well; I wouldn’t bother bringing these guys in at this stage.
Jack Grimes played the best game of his career last week against West Coast getting a massive 142 SuperCoach points down back for the Demons, he looks to be the goods for a back for SuperCoach.
Davey had a very disappointing game last week scoring just 70 SuperCoach points, well down on his average. He was heavily tagged though; I wouldn’t expect him to be scoring that low consistently.
Sylvia has been rubbed out for 3 weeks for striking.
By Luke
West Coast vs. St Kilda
SportsBET odds: $4.85 vs. $1.19
12th vs. 1st
With Cox and Kerr unlikely to play the only thing that is going to determine this game is how St Kilda play, and in most people’s view, even if they come in without full focus on the clash, they’ll still escape with the points.
This game is a chance for St Kilda to send a message – Having won a gruelling encounter against the Cats, a big win here would re-enforce that success, especially if Brisbane manage to push Geelong.
Look out for a big game from Gardiner; especially if Cox doesn’t come up.
SuperCoach watch: Michael Gardiner will be pumped to prove a point this week after a sensational game last week. Expect St Kilda players to score well as the young Eagles will struggle to shut them down at Subiaco.
We’ll learn a lot about Nic Naitanui from this game as it’ll be hard for him to get an easy stat against Gardiner or against St Kilda’s backline. If he gets through this clash with a respectable score; get on him.
By James
Hail Mary multi-bet of the week
For this week, I’ve gone for………..
Sydney to beat Essendon outright ($1.70)
Geelong to win by less than 39 points ($3.50)
Adelaide to beat Freo by more than 40 points ($2.10)
Hawthorn to beat North by lest than 39 points ($2.25)
and the Saints to beat West Coast outright, just for a little extra ($1.19)
Those bets together get multi-bet odds of $33.46…………
By Vish
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