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FRIDAY JULY 30 ACST
Adelaide vs Kangaroos (20)
AAMI Stadium 8:10 PM ACST
SATURDAY JULY 31 AEST
Carlton (10) vs Fremantle
Optus Oval 2:10 PM AEST
Collingwood (22) vs Richmond
MCG 2:10 PM AEST
Essendon vs Port Adelaide (17)
Telstra Dome 7:10 PM AEST
Sydney Swans vs Brisbane Lions (55)[/i]
S.C.G. 7:10 PM AEST
SUNDAY AUGUST 1 AEST
Geelong (15)vs St Kilda
Skilled Stadium 1:10 PM AEST
Melbourne (36) vs Hawthorn
MCG 2:10 PM AEST
West Coast Eagles (42) vs Western Bulldogs
Subiaco Oval 2:10 PM AWST
The big match-up this weekend is clearly the Cats vs Saints clash out of Skilled Stadium. St Kilda have steadied in recent weeks and clearly boast the edge in sheer talent and match winners, but we can't sell Geelong short on its 2004 form. If it were at the Telstra Dome you would have to back the Saints, who clearly enjoy the perfect conditions, with the lack of wind suiting their talk marking players nicely. Skilled Stadium is a whole new ball game entirely, however, and its hard to go past the Cats here, as they play the ground so well. Assuming the fab Cat defence can do the job on the Saints forwards, then the blue & whites short get enough share of the ball to carry the day. Should be a beaut.
While Essendon's form of late has been ordinary, I would expect them to be fired up for this clash, given that their finals hopes are well and truly on the line. Unfortunately for them, Port is a side that has their measure anywhere and everywhere, and with the minor premiership still up for grabs, they won't be taking this one easy. Essendon has severe deficiencies and acute dependancies, whereas the Power seem solid across the board and are as an even a sie as any in the competition. Essendon is capable of winning providing its core group of experienced players are all on song, but how often is that these days?
Richmond beat Collingwood easily in Round 1 and has done stuff all since. They'd fancy their chances here as well, although Collingwood has looked a lot more spry in recent weeks. The Tigers have the more dangerous key players and the Magpies look invariably innocuous, but solid and steady seems enough to sink the Tigers nine times in ten. The off-feild woes continue at Punt Road, and I'm betting that these destabilising factors will keep the side on the loser's list for another week.
Same applies to Hawthorn, who smashed Melbourne in Round 1, and went immediately to hell (they've been there ever since). A caretaker coach helped Adelaide, but it won't overcome the Hawks forward woes and marked confidence problems. I'm no great wrap for the Demons, but I have a gut feeling that they're on their way to another Grand Final. It may not be the stroll in the park they're expecting, but the blue & reds still have a clear edge in personnel and should have to much poise and pace out of the midfield.
Were it not for the hapless Hawks, the Bulldogs would be utterly buried beneath a deluge of media speculation and vitriol. As it is, things are hardly sunshine and lollypops out West and the team will almost certainly take another step towards coach Rohde's inevitable demise in Perth. This side is a genuine contender for the worst set kicking team in the game's history. Combined with a lack of overall body strength and reliable tall defensive options, its hard to see the Bulldogs winning again this year (Hawthorn game excepted). West Coast is ever and always painfully average and unremarkable, but that's more than enough to recommend them here.
Sydney is kidding itsel fif it truly believes it is a genuine flag prospect and will get exposed again against all conquering Brisbane. Yes they have beaten the Lions in the past, but they've been worked out since then, and Brisbane has duly won the past three clashes. In essence, the Swans have an overt Hall reliance and have not fully compensated for the need to move injured Goodes away from full-on ruck/forward play. Their annoying penchant for overworking short plays is always punished by quality sides, and the brilliant Lions will run amok if they try it on here. Premiership number 4 for the Lions is a near certainty, and they should win well here.
Frankly, I don't much care about the other games...
CyberKev
Adelaide vs Kangaroos (20)
AAMI Stadium 8:10 PM ACST
SATURDAY JULY 31 AEST
Carlton (10) vs Fremantle
Optus Oval 2:10 PM AEST
Collingwood (22) vs Richmond
MCG 2:10 PM AEST
Essendon vs Port Adelaide (17)
Telstra Dome 7:10 PM AEST
Sydney Swans vs Brisbane Lions (55)[/i]
S.C.G. 7:10 PM AEST
SUNDAY AUGUST 1 AEST
Geelong (15)vs St Kilda
Skilled Stadium 1:10 PM AEST
Melbourne (36) vs Hawthorn
MCG 2:10 PM AEST
West Coast Eagles (42) vs Western Bulldogs
Subiaco Oval 2:10 PM AWST
The big match-up this weekend is clearly the Cats vs Saints clash out of Skilled Stadium. St Kilda have steadied in recent weeks and clearly boast the edge in sheer talent and match winners, but we can't sell Geelong short on its 2004 form. If it were at the Telstra Dome you would have to back the Saints, who clearly enjoy the perfect conditions, with the lack of wind suiting their talk marking players nicely. Skilled Stadium is a whole new ball game entirely, however, and its hard to go past the Cats here, as they play the ground so well. Assuming the fab Cat defence can do the job on the Saints forwards, then the blue & whites short get enough share of the ball to carry the day. Should be a beaut.
While Essendon's form of late has been ordinary, I would expect them to be fired up for this clash, given that their finals hopes are well and truly on the line. Unfortunately for them, Port is a side that has their measure anywhere and everywhere, and with the minor premiership still up for grabs, they won't be taking this one easy. Essendon has severe deficiencies and acute dependancies, whereas the Power seem solid across the board and are as an even a sie as any in the competition. Essendon is capable of winning providing its core group of experienced players are all on song, but how often is that these days?
Richmond beat Collingwood easily in Round 1 and has done stuff all since. They'd fancy their chances here as well, although Collingwood has looked a lot more spry in recent weeks. The Tigers have the more dangerous key players and the Magpies look invariably innocuous, but solid and steady seems enough to sink the Tigers nine times in ten. The off-feild woes continue at Punt Road, and I'm betting that these destabilising factors will keep the side on the loser's list for another week.
Same applies to Hawthorn, who smashed Melbourne in Round 1, and went immediately to hell (they've been there ever since). A caretaker coach helped Adelaide, but it won't overcome the Hawks forward woes and marked confidence problems. I'm no great wrap for the Demons, but I have a gut feeling that they're on their way to another Grand Final. It may not be the stroll in the park they're expecting, but the blue & reds still have a clear edge in personnel and should have to much poise and pace out of the midfield.
Were it not for the hapless Hawks, the Bulldogs would be utterly buried beneath a deluge of media speculation and vitriol. As it is, things are hardly sunshine and lollypops out West and the team will almost certainly take another step towards coach Rohde's inevitable demise in Perth. This side is a genuine contender for the worst set kicking team in the game's history. Combined with a lack of overall body strength and reliable tall defensive options, its hard to see the Bulldogs winning again this year (Hawthorn game excepted). West Coast is ever and always painfully average and unremarkable, but that's more than enough to recommend them here.
Sydney is kidding itsel fif it truly believes it is a genuine flag prospect and will get exposed again against all conquering Brisbane. Yes they have beaten the Lions in the past, but they've been worked out since then, and Brisbane has duly won the past three clashes. In essence, the Swans have an overt Hall reliance and have not fully compensated for the need to move injured Goodes away from full-on ruck/forward play. Their annoying penchant for overworking short plays is always punished by quality sides, and the brilliant Lions will run amok if they try it on here. Premiership number 4 for the Lions is a near certainty, and they should win well here.
Frankly, I don't much care about the other games...
CyberKev
Have a strong feeling we may have one of our group as Tool of the week next weekend .... 
