AFL preview
Round 10
Not a lot to report on apart from the AFL warning 11 would-be punters to stop betting on games. As time goes on I feel this will be harder than pushing water uphill. In a slow news week I see that Akermanis got his name in the papers again and teams continue to scramble to re-sign their better players. In round 10 there are a couple of good contests and important games as we roll on towards the halfway stage of the season. I can see Collingwood and West Coast as two definites for the top 4 but the other 2 positions remain up for grabs. I think I mentioned this before but teams that get to play the GWS Giants and Gold Coast Suns twice will get a handy benefit with 8 premiership points that will help them make the finals.
St Kilda versus Richmond at Etihad Friday night
This is certainly a good game to start the round with both teams in reasonable form and needing wins to stay in touch in the case of Richmond and maintain momentum in the case of St Kilda. The last time these teams met they played a draw and the same result is certainly a possibility. On-ballers for both teams are making a strong contribution and it will be interesting to see who can win the clearances. That statistic may determine the winner.
Richmond by 7
Geelong versus GWS Giants at Simonds stadium Saturday
The only enjoyable aspect of this game for the Giants will be the drive from Tullamarine to Geelong. The Cats may not be playing as well as they did last year but they are certainly playing well enough to have a percentage boosting win over this new Sydney team. It's a shame Hawkins for Geelong is out injured because I am sure he would have added considerably to his goal tally for the season.
Geelong by 60
Hawthorn versus North Melbourne at Aurora Tasmania Saturday
The 2 AFL part time occupants of Tasmania should provide us with a very closely fought game. Hawthorn's momentum hit a large speed bump last week against Richmond while the form of North Melbourne has been a little bit up and down. Both teams need to win desperately. Both teams are capable of kicking lots of goals. Expect a tight finish.
Hawthorn by 11
Fremantle versus Adelaide at Patersons stadium Saturday
I wouldn't normally pick against the Dockers when they play at home unless of course they are playing the West Coast Eagles. However, based on their very ordinary form and their inability to kick a lot of goals I am trying to figure out how they can beat Adelaide. Will the Crows even remotely consider 2 losses in a row? This particular home ground is a tough nut to crack and I guess most people will be tipping Adelaide to go back to their winning ways after being beaten by Collingwood last week. But Fremantle are copping a hiding from the press and supposedly from their supporters by being an unexciting team to watch. As long as unexciting football can win games Fremantle followers and spectators shouldn't really care. With all this bad press and criticism ringing in their ears the Dockers may just come out and press their home ground advantage and maybe even win. The return of Walker for the Adelaide Crows will make it a little bit harder for Fremantle.
Fremantle by 10
Essendon versus Melbourne at the MCG Saturday
At some stage during the season the Demons will get it right and on that day when we all tip against them they will win. This isn't the day. Stats seem to indicate that Melbourne is improving but they also still have a lot of problems in trying to win games while the Bombers seem to have a lot of problems trying to lose games. The last time they played each other the Demons actually won but at that stage of the 2011 season Essendon were on a downward spiral after a great start. Hmmmm… will that sound familiar!
Essendon by 55
Port Adelaide versus Carlton at AAMI stadium
Port Adelaide has managed 3 wins this season so far, and the last 2 in a row, but it's difficult to see them being good enough to beat even an out of form Carlton regardless of the venue. The Blues could ill afford to drop a game like this and as moody as the Blues get they will still win this game. It certainly is a danger game for them considering it is being played at AAMI stadium but it's doubtful that the Power can keep up a sustained effort long enough to win.
Carlton by 33
Brisbane Lions versus the West Coast Eagles at the Gabba Sunday
We keep talking about the West Coast injuries but the Eagles continue winning and winning well. The Lions made a great comeback against North Melbourne last week but in the meantime have lost badly against top 4 teams. West Coast is top of the ladder. Brisbane usually gives West Coast a good battle at the Gabba and we should expect no less in this game. Unfortunately the Eagles lost another player in Shuey after his visit to the tribunal but the Lions have also lost Simon Black in a bizarre incident that injured his knee while rocking his baby! Goes to show that even great players are human!
West Coast by 25
Sydney versus the Western Bulldogs at the SCG Sunday
This is another good game from which it will be difficult to pick a winner. Sydney have been a bit shaky since winning their first 5 games so they need to take this opportunity to consolidate with a good win against the Bulldogs who looked anything but finals material at the start of the season but lately are in reasonable form. There is nothing but the home ground advantage that swings my tip towards the Sydney Swans.
Sydney by 19
Collingwood versus the Gold Coast Suns at the MCG Sunday
The Pies have won 6 in a row and the Suns remain winless. After this game on Sunday the only stat to change will be the Pies having won 7 in a row! Collingwood lost another player to a long-term knee injury giving them a total of 4 for the season! That has to be some kind of record. Regardless of the knee injury list the Magpies will be too good for the Gold Coast Suns - again.
Collingwood by 66
Article last changed on Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 7:37 PM EDT