St Kilda v Richmond
MCG, Friday 7:40pm

Both sides will be looking to improve on their disappointing starts to the year. St Kilda should have beaten Geelong and fell

at the last hurdle. Richmond also looked like they could defeat Carlton but fell away in the last quarter. There were positive

signs for the Saints with their midfield looking good as usual and Nick Riewoldt looking like a force up forward. St Kilda’s

defence looked exceptionally strong with Raphael Clarke playing very well along with James Gwilt and of course Brendon

Goddard. Jack Riewoldt had a sensational start to the season for the Tigers last week and this week the match will be a

shootout between the Riewoldt cousins. Even with Jack Riewoldt firing, the Saints should still be too strong for the Tigers.

Prediction: St Kilda by 30 points

 

North Melbourne v Collingwood
Etihad Stadium, Saturday 2:10pm

Collingwood started their premiership defence off well last week with a convincing win over Port Adelaide. Even though Port

Adelaide are not the best side going around, Collingwood played very well. North Melbourne are coming off a tough game in

the heat of Subiaco against the Eagles that they were unsuccessful in. North’s young side will be tired coming from that

game and facing up against the might of Collingwood who have almost a full list to pick from, they should be no match.

Prediction: Collingwood by 34 points

Port Adelaide v West Coast
AAMI Stadium, Saturday 2:40pm

While Port Adelaide ended up losing to Collingwood by 75 points, the final margin did not reflect how well they played. Port Adelaide stuck with Collingwood for most of the game and had a 6 goal third quarter which raised a few Collingwood

eyebrows. Port Adelaide will be without their big forward Jay Schulz who went down with a knee injury last week. Recruit

Jarrad Irons looks like he might become a fantasic player for Port Adelaide up forward. West Coast recorded a good win

over North Melbourne but the loss of Mark LeCras will hurt them.

Prediction: West Coast by 8 points

Gold Coast v Carlton
Gabba, Saturday 6:50pm

The Gold Coast will make their much anticipated debut this weekend. AFL fans will be keenly watching to see where the

Suns are at. Ablett, Brown, Harbrow, Brennan, Bock, Rischitelli are among some of the established AFL players to defect,

as well as the huge draft concessions that the Gold Coast has had. How will this team perform? The team was poor in the

VFL last year but now all the young bodies are a year older and they have the guidance of the experienced players. The

Blues will not be underestimating the Gold Coast, especially as it is hard to gauge exactly how good they are. Expect the

Suns to show some signs, but the Blues’ superior experience and maturity will see them over the line.

Prediction: Carlton by 16 points

Fremantle v Geelong
Patersons Stadium, Saturday 5:40pm

Fremantle were disappointing last week and coming off a shocking pre-season they would be keen to perform in their first

home game. Geelong played a hard game last week but they should be able to back it up against an underdone Fremantle

outfit. Geelong are keen to return to the top of the game again with a new coach determined improve Geelong’s game.

Prediction: Geelong by 24 points

Western Bulldogs v Brisbane
Etihad Stadium, Sunday 1:10pm

The Bulldogs stunned everyone last week when they were comprehensively beaten by Essendon. The Bulldogs certainly

did not look like the flag contenders that many consider them to be. The Bulldogs were killed in the midfield and also an

underdone backline without Lake and Gilbee certainly heard them. Expect them to rebound and show the footy world that

they mean business. Brisbane have been terribly unlucky with injuries and their captain will again be having a lengthy wait

on the sidelines after sustaining terrible facial fractures. They won’t be a match for the Dogs on the rebound.

Prediction: Western Bulldogs by 46 points.

Sydney v Essendon
ANZ Stadium, Sunday 2:10pm

Everyone thought that Essendon would have their cockiness shot down last week by the Bulldogs. The game couldn’t have

turned out any differently. Essendon look like an exciting team and James Hird seems to have done something there that

has got the very best out of the Bombers. The Bombers should focus on not getting ahead of themselves after a start to the

season that surprised everyone. Sydney would have been expecting to beat Melbourne last week and they would be

disappointed with the eventual draw. Both of these sides have new coaches and I expect the game to be very close.

Essendon will be slightly too good though.

Prediction: Essendon by 7 points

Hawthorn v Melbourne
MCG, Sunday 4:40pm

The Hawks opened their season with a very disappointing loss to the Crows. Many had tipped Hawthorn to climb the ladder

again this year and that certainly wasn’t the start they were looking for. Melbourne are also a side on the rise. Hawthorn

are a more experienced team however and should account for Melbourne here.

Prediction: Hawthorn by 22 points

 

Thursday, March 31st, 2011 at 7:15 pm | 2011, Match Previews | Comments RSS