AFL Preview Round 14 2012

AFL Preview

Round 14

There didn’t seem to be a lot of news out of the AFL this week although I read a good piece about mid year reports on all the teams and where they are at this stage of the season and what they need to do to make the finals in some cases, make the top four or simply improve. Collingwood, West Coast, Adelaide, Sydney and Hawthorn figure highly but there will be some interesting last round games for teams looking to secure a place in the finals. Plenty of chances. Unfortunately that means the tipping will not be easy and we can expect upsets and form reversals aplenty. Oh goodie! There are a couple of tricky ones to get the ball rolling this week.

 Carlton V Hawthorn at the MCG Friday night at the MCG

That losing feeling Carlton has had for the past 6 weeks may raise its ugly head again when they meet the Hawks at the MCG Friday night. Form hasn’t meant a lot when it comes to tipping but we would need to see another form reversal to tip the Blues. Some injury concerns for the Blues and Hawthorn champ Hodge remains on the sidelines. The Hawks can only improve when Luke Hodge takes the field for the latter part of the season. A Murphy return for Carlton will also lift their chances.

Hawthorn by 19

 Collingwood V Fremantle at the MCG Saturday

The Pies put away one team from the West last week and it’s almost a sure thing that they will do the same to Fremantle in this game. The Dockers just don’t have the players to counter Collingwood’s runners and ball carriers. I am sure Freo will be competitive but that doesn’t always win you games. The Dockers still have a problem kicking big enough scores to win games albeit their defensive game has improved.

Collingwood by 44

 Adelaide V Richmond at AAMI Stadium Saturday

This is an important game more so for Richmond than Adelaide as the Tigers must keep winning these games against higher placed teams to be a chance to play finals. They sit in the mid ladder squeeze with the rest of the moderate teams at the moment. The Crows will want to make up for their form lapse last week against North Melbourne. Hard to see Richmond be good enough here. It should be an intriguing battle of the midfielders here as well. Adelaide’s Thompson, Dangerfield and Sloane against Richmond’s Cotchin, Deledio and Martin. Tippett and Walker will be hard for the Tigers to counter.

Adelaide by 16

 West Coast Eagles V Gold Coast Suns at Paterson Saturday

Gary Ablett’s Gold Coast Suns do not stand a chance in this game. It will be a nice trip back to Perth for Bluey McKenna so he can visit friends and family. Best he sticks to that social program as it will result in less stress than trying to devise ways for his team to come close to the Eagles. Drawing high tackles and throwing the ball decisions against West Coast won’t alter the result.

West Coast by 88

 Essendon V Western Bulldogs at Etihad Saturday

Tipsters would have given the Bulldogs a chance to maybe go close to winning this a couple of weeks ago but that’s a long time in football. Essendon keep on winning and they sit in the top 4 after more than half the season has passed. The Bullies got smashed last week and it might be a repeat for them this week. You can expect them to be more competitive after last week’s pathetic display against the Brisbane Lions and if they can fire they will run the Bombers close but not win.

Essendon by 29

 Sydney V GWS Giants at ANZ Stadium Saturday

The last time these two teams met it was a big win to the Swans and there is not a lot of change in form that suggests the result will be any different in this round. The Giants are doing sort of okay in their first year and some say they have exceeded expectations but Sydney are also doing more than okay and are also exceeding expectations. It will take a brave man to tip the Giants in this game. Not me.

Sydney by 77

 Geelong v Port Adelaide at Simonds Stadium Sunday

Have you seen Geelong coach Scott’s face when he’s angry? Like when the Cats lost last week against Sydney? He’s a scary dude. Geelong players are probably used to it when they had Bomber Thompson coaching anyway. Just to placate their coach it’s a sure thing that the Cats will beat the Power who might trouble lower teams but won’t beat teams like Geelong….except Carlton of course.

Geelong by 38

 Brisbane Lions V Melbourne at the Gabba Sunday

Both teams had massive victories last week so if you are going to tip on form, always a dangerous thing to do with these two teams, then it might be a flip of a coin. Brisbane has won more games and they are making it difficult for teams at the Gabba. Based on the game being at the Gabba and the loss of Clark to the Dees then the tip is with the Lions.

Brisbane Lions by 25

 St Kilda V North Melbourne at Etihad Sunday

This is certainly one of the games of the rounds with both teams equal on points and separated by percentage only. Depending on a couple of other results a North win would see them in the 8. A Saints win would give them a little breathing room. Expect a ferocious, tough contest here and it would be surprising to see a big margin at the end. The teams have been lacking consistency which makes the job of tipping very difficult.

St Kilda by 8