Port Adelaide – 13.10 (88)
Adelaide – 9.15 (69)
For all but Port Adelaide supporters this was a rather lackluster derby until the final quarter when Adelaide decided to kick into gear and give the Power a scare. The damage however was already done as Port Adelaide recorded a rather comfortable 19 point victory. (more…)
SportsBet Odds: $3.80 vs $1.27
14th vs. 10th
Who would have guessed that Adelaide would still be in contention for finals at this stage of the year, after their slow start many expected jobs to be lost but all of a sudden the Crows are a game and percentage out of the 8. Port Adelaide on the other hand is only one game clear of the bottom of the ladder, so there is plenty to play for in this clash. Oh and by the way it’s a derby too! (more…)
Richmond – 7.11 (53)
North Melbourne – 15.13 (103)
North Melbourne have simultaneously kept their finals chances alive and sent the Tigers a huge reality check as to where they are at as a club with a comfortable 50 point victory in trying conditions. The main reason for the result was North’s superior appetite for the contest but they also demonstrated that extra bit of polish that separates a finals contender from a team rebuilding like the Tigers are. (more…)
Richmond vs. North Melbourne
SportsBet Odds: $1.85 vs $2.00
15th vs. 9th
All of a sudden this is a game your average football supporter might watch, the Tigers are playing exciting football and North are sitting just outside of the top eight. Who would have thought this game could offer any interest at the start of the year! (more…)
Current Ladder Position: 2nd
Flag odds $3.65
1st-3rd St Kilda are still one of the best teams in the competition and assuming distractions like Lovett and Ball don’t have too great an impact, there is still plenty to get excited about with the St Kilda Football Club.
Ross Lyon has them all playing ‘Saints Footy’ and that could yet deliver them a premiership.
Melbourne – 19.8 (122)
Essendon – 14.19 (103)
Melbourne confirmed their status as a young team on the rise with a solid 19 point win against an Essendon team seemingly lacking direction and discipline.
Whilst the Bombers were inaccurate and the Demons did score quite a few goals from free kicks the final result really did seem appropriate based on the way the game was played, the Demons simply had more confidence in their game plan and executed it with much more authority than their more fancied rivals and that ultimately was the difference.
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SportsBet Odds: $1.92 vs $1.92
14th vs. 12th
What an important match this is for both of these clubs. A win in this clash for Melbourne will just about guarantee they aren’t going to finish last and undoubtedly it would shift the focus onto the outside possibility of making finals rather than winning the Wooden Spoon. For Essendon this is a must win game, pressure is mounting on Matthew Knights and a loss here is really going to make the situation worse. (more…)
St Kilda – 15.10 (100)
Melbourne – 9.11 (65)
This match went largely as expected, the Saints started well with three quick goals before Melbourne fought back. The next two quarters followed the same trend as Melbourne tried hard but could never really take the ascendancy off the Saints. In the last quarter the Saints kicked away to record a solid win. (more…)
SportsBet Odds: $1.15 vs $5.75
3rd vs. 14th
Earlier in the year this could have been a great match up as the Saints were struggling for form, now however the Saints have rediscovered the confidence and form that saw them finish 2009 as minor premiers.
This match will be a good test for the young Demons who are on the right path to becoming one of the better clubs in the league over the next few years. (more…)
Current Ladder Position: 14th
Flag Odds: $1,001
8th – 10th The Eagles in 2010 have no real excuse not to be fighting out for 8th position. They have been building for a couple of years and have a good mix of youth an experience. The plaguing question that concerns me is do they have enough of the top tier players required to see them into a finals campaign?
The Midfield/Ruck divisions form during 2010 will ultimately determine how many games are won. The forward line should improve but still lacks the consistency; the same can be said for the back half of the ground. I expect some good things from the Eagles in 2010. (more…)
