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Round 3
Back to the MCG: It was rather interesting listen to Mick Malthouse offering comments on the Hawthorn V Geelong game last Monday. It looked like the Hawks were going to run away with the game and he was still talking up the Cats!! He was right too. You can take Mick out of football but you can’t………………..
Carlton V Collingwood at the MCG Friday night
The 3rd round opens with one of those blockbusters at the MCG between Carlton and Collingwood so you can expect a crowd of 80,000 plus. The Pies still have some of their better players out but that excuse aside it should be an interesting and close game. Still think the Magpies have it over the Blues. The Pendlebury /Swan versus the Judd / Murphy contest might determine the result in this game. I haven’t watched the Pies play so far this season so I don’t know if they are working a new game plan. Carlton’s pre-season form was a hoax!
Collingwood by 11
Richmond V Melbourne at the MCG Saturday
After 2 thrashings and an obvious struggle with the game plan it’s going to take a leap of faith to put your money on the Demons this week even if the opposition is Richmond! The Tigers look good enough to win and Melbourne still looks good enough to lose! It would certainly take a form turnaround of mammoth proportions for Melbourne to win the game but this is football so magic can happen!
Richmond by 29
Port Adelaide V Sydney at AAMI Stadium Saturday
The smart money might go on the Power in this game against the Swans. Home ground and the teams are enjoying about the same form after a Port Adelaide improvement this year. While the game record held by Sydney’s O’Loughlin will be equalled this week by Goodes that milestone shouldn’t be a major motivating factor for the Swans. Port’s midfield is performing so they might be able to capitalize on the return of Sydney’s Mumford to the ruck.
Port Adelaide by 16
Fremantle V Brisbane Lions Saturday evening Paterson Stadium
The Lions will need to grow another leg if they want to beat Fremantle at home. Oh, they have – Jonathon Brown is back. But they lost Simon Black. The Dockers need to make up for a disappointing loss to Sydney. Brisbane needs to find a bit more footy. An interesting aside is the return of Mark Harvey to Fremantle but as the assistant coach at Brisbane. I think the purple haze will give him a round of applause. The supporters didn’t have a problem with him.
Fremantle by 31
Gold Coast Suns V Essendon at Metronome Saturday night
The Bombers have a few injury problems and the Suns will welcome back Bock. Last time they played Essendon kicked 15 goals in the first quarter. Surely Gold Coast won’t allow that. Perhaps not but they still won’t win. Fletcher is set to play his 350th game for the Bombers! Nice! Ablett is on Brownlow standard but being in a team that loses so much and so badly will probably stop him from winning a second!
Essendon by 41
Western Bulldogs V St Kilda at Etihad Saturday night
It’s hard to gauge just where these two teams are so far this season. New coaches usually mean new playing styles. The Saints have beaten Gold Coast, big deal, and the Bulldogs have been thrashed by West Coast and narrowly beaten by Adelaide. Could be a draw. Reiwoldt and Kozza need to continue kicking goals. Up the other end the Bullies are missing Barry Hall or at least a focal point. I see a spot for Fev there.
St Kilda by 16
Sydney Giants V West Coast Eagles at Blacktown Sunday
This game, being played at Blacktown, is a David and Goliath match up but David has no slingshot. The tip is easy, it’s the margin that we should concentrate on. I’ll give the Giants the benefit of the doubt but it’s another percentage booster for the Eagles. Brogan may be back for Sydney but he comes up against Cox and Natanui – welcome back Deano. By the way, how did they find an AFL ground in Blacktown?
West Coast by 99
Hawthorn V Adelaide at the MCG Sunday
The Hawks will be bristling after allowing Geelong to steal the game from them last week. If ever the Crows needed a measure of where they are this season then they have it. After 2 impressive wins Adelaide will need to play above itself to secure the 4 points here. Hawthorn isn’t a one man team but Buddy is certainly a star in their forward line and if he’s not kicking goals he’s creating opportunities for other Hawthorn players to kick them. Sam Mitchell plays his 200th for the Hawks as does Burgoyne. In the Crows forward line there is a similar focus with Taylor Walker.
Hawthorn by 38
North Melbourne V Geelong at Etihad
Note: I mistakenly said in the review on Tuesday that this game was to be played in Geelong!
We all know that North won last week by more than 100 points against the Giants. But they are meeting a team who play another level of football and who have not let North beat them for some years. Geelong is looking good and they have a potent forward line with the Pod, ‘Magic’ Johnson and Hawkins. North might have an edge in the ruck but the Cats have the players to capitalize on any opposition ruck domination. Ziebel returns for North but a bit underdone for match fitness.
Geelong by 30
Article last changed on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 5:49 PM EDT
