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Well, its hard to focus attention on AFL when one's head is drowning in LIVERPOOL... LIVEREPOOL, LIVERPOOL, LIVVVEERRPOOOL!!! But we can but try...
Melbourne vs Richmond @ Telstra Dome
Richmond has been a revelation, to this point of the season, and will enter this match carrying extra confidence, holding a 3-2 winning record against Melbourne in recent games. As much as anything, the most impressive facet of Richmonds improved performance level this season has surrounded the extra fight in the side. Against Hawthorn, Collingwood & Brisbane, the Tigers have looked under real threat at the three quarter time break, but have come home strongly to get the points. The Tigers also have an impressive record in close matches over the past few seasons and will be very tough to beat here. Melbourne is a very good outfit when at full strength, however, and will be capable of doing some damage to the Tiger defence. It will need to, as Richardson & Stafford will prove exceedingly hard to hold in the tranquil climes of Telstra, and Brown has been all bar unstoppable this season. I just sense that the Demons will get the better run going and that the Tigers are due to drop one Melbourne by 8 points
Hawthorn vs Collingwood @ M.C.G.
Hawthorn has turned-up to play in every match this season (bar round 1) and has looked very good over the past fortnight. In a season like this, the club will be sorely ruing a series of narrow defeats that would have otherwise had it surprisingly positioned in the eight. A 3-2 recent winning record will supply it with only limited confidence against a rejuvenated Magpie line-up though. Collingwood thrashed Hawthorn in their last meeting and was fabulous in upsetting the previously unbeaten Eagles last weekend. Despite this, its hard to see how Collingwood will be able to match Hawthorn around the ruck and midfield. The Hawks are faster and stronger than the Magpies, and if the latter side cant find a way to keep Everitt subdued (easier said than done) then they wont be able to win here. With key players Buckley & Rocca still sidelined, Ill stick with Hawthorn it what should be a tight and entertaining contest Hawthorn by 18 points
Geelong vs Fremantle @ Skilled Stadium
For mine, the Cats are currently the best side going around in the AFL and are absolute certainties for a top four finish, maybe even the minor premiership. They hold a 3-2 recent record against Fremantle, but a more telling statistic is that the Dockers have lost all 8 encounters at Geelong by an average losing margin of 6 goals. I thought Fremantle would be a much better side this year, but while they have teased at times, they have lost matches with a softness that defies belief. In essence, we have a contest here between the hardest side in the competition and the softest. Geelong are almost unbeatable at their home ground and, to be frank, Id back them to beat this bunch of frauds anywhere. Freo may come out meaning business after the hammering theyve taken in the media, and do have the pace to stick with the Cats, and the height to trouble them. The Cats are just playing too damn well at the moment to make this anything other than a monty for them though Geelong by 36 points
Brisbane Lions vs Kangaroos @ Gabba
Hardly an enticing clash this one; Brisbane limping like a lame duck Monarch and its opponent exposed badly in recent weeks, after dreaming of better things given a 5-zip start to the year. The Kangaroos have not beaten Brisbane since the year 2000 and I dont expect them to get the points here either. Brisbane has looked surprisingly inept in recent times, with their ball usage nothing short of deplorable at times last weekend. More tellingly, they have lacked the grunt and endeavour of previous years, and would normally be very vulnerable to a side like the Kangaroos. Fortunately for the Lions, the Kangaroos are not exactly playing true to form at the moment and dont give me the impression that theyre about to turn things around anytime soon. The best way to beat Brisbane still lies with boundless run and I dont think the Kangaroos possess this quality. The blue & whites have only ever won once at the Gabba and come Saturday night will find their season squared away at 5-5 Brisbane by 14 points
St Kilda vs Sydney Swans @ Telstra Dome
Surprisingly, Sydney holds a 4-1 recent record in head to head clashes between these sides, although the last meeting did result in a comfortable win to the Saints. Neither team would be particularly happy with their season to date, although Sydney couldnt reasonably expect to be faring better than they are, given the implicit limitations inherent in their squad. St Kilda is an entirely different proposition, and even allowing for the key players who have been missing most weeks, supporters of the club would still demand a top four finish for 2005. I think the Saints can still achieve this, given the nature of the competition, but they will need to win this one to get things back on track. The Swans will give a yelp, but the Saints are a tough proposition at this venue, and appear to have too many class options across the ground to lose here
St Kilda by 29points
Adelaide vs Carlton @ AAMI Stadium
Its hard to believe that only a couple of months ago, Carlton were newly crowned Wizard Cup champions with ambitions of a finals berth in 2005. The preseason competition isnt always a great guide to the season proper, however, and in this case it obfuscated the reality that Carlton has the worst list in the competition. In real terms, Carlton sadly lacks genuine midfield grunt, a strong ruck presence, and depth of talent down back. Adelaide, by way of contrast, has equal defensive capability, but superior ruck and midfield strength. More than this, Adelaide has sound form to fall back on and a 3-2 recent record against this opposition. Adelaide is far from unbeatable, and Carlton can prevail if theyre willing to get down and dirty, and fight for every inch. Ive seen little sign from the side that theyre willing to do this work, and it wouldnt surprise me to see the Blues installed as the new wooden spoon favourite come Sunday evening Adelaide by 22 points
Essendon vs Western Bulldogs @ Telstra Dome
While all of us would surely remember the Bulldogs gallant victory over Essendon in 2000 to deny that club an unprecedented unbeaten season, few of us would appreciate the side fact that this was the last time that the Hounds have bested the Bombers. The Bulldogs have been stuck in something of a holding pattern for some years now, but recent signs point to a looming renaissance for the club. Beating this Essendon side would hardly be an earth-shattering performance, but the Bombers have looked steadier in recent weeks and will appreciate the return of James Hird. That being said, the Bombers still look mediocre up forward and devoid of genuine talent in the midfield. The Bulldogs can still be very rough and ready, but they have genuine pace and an engine room capable of providing plenty of quality drive. I just cant see Essendon being able to stick with them for the journey Bulldogs by 32 points
West Coast Eagles vs Port Adelaide @ Subiaco Oval
Port carries a 4-1 recent record against the Eagles, including two wins at this venue. As such, I am exceedingly tempted to pick the Power, but given recent form (and the dubious state of their midfield), I cant see how they can go the distance this time around. Had West Coast won last week I would have tipped against them, but back on home turf with something to prove, they should have too much skill and speed for a Power outfit that has adjusted poorly to its topdog status. To be any chance, Warren Tredrea will need to play out of his skin, but while he still has his great moments, he has looked decidedly less consistent in 2005. Id like to see the champs get up for this one, but I just dont think they have this level of fight in them anymore
West Coast by 26 points
Melbourne vs Richmond @ Telstra Dome
Richmond has been a revelation, to this point of the season, and will enter this match carrying extra confidence, holding a 3-2 winning record against Melbourne in recent games. As much as anything, the most impressive facet of Richmonds improved performance level this season has surrounded the extra fight in the side. Against Hawthorn, Collingwood & Brisbane, the Tigers have looked under real threat at the three quarter time break, but have come home strongly to get the points. The Tigers also have an impressive record in close matches over the past few seasons and will be very tough to beat here. Melbourne is a very good outfit when at full strength, however, and will be capable of doing some damage to the Tiger defence. It will need to, as Richardson & Stafford will prove exceedingly hard to hold in the tranquil climes of Telstra, and Brown has been all bar unstoppable this season. I just sense that the Demons will get the better run going and that the Tigers are due to drop one Melbourne by 8 points
Hawthorn vs Collingwood @ M.C.G.
Hawthorn has turned-up to play in every match this season (bar round 1) and has looked very good over the past fortnight. In a season like this, the club will be sorely ruing a series of narrow defeats that would have otherwise had it surprisingly positioned in the eight. A 3-2 recent winning record will supply it with only limited confidence against a rejuvenated Magpie line-up though. Collingwood thrashed Hawthorn in their last meeting and was fabulous in upsetting the previously unbeaten Eagles last weekend. Despite this, its hard to see how Collingwood will be able to match Hawthorn around the ruck and midfield. The Hawks are faster and stronger than the Magpies, and if the latter side cant find a way to keep Everitt subdued (easier said than done) then they wont be able to win here. With key players Buckley & Rocca still sidelined, Ill stick with Hawthorn it what should be a tight and entertaining contest Hawthorn by 18 points
Geelong vs Fremantle @ Skilled Stadium
For mine, the Cats are currently the best side going around in the AFL and are absolute certainties for a top four finish, maybe even the minor premiership. They hold a 3-2 recent record against Fremantle, but a more telling statistic is that the Dockers have lost all 8 encounters at Geelong by an average losing margin of 6 goals. I thought Fremantle would be a much better side this year, but while they have teased at times, they have lost matches with a softness that defies belief. In essence, we have a contest here between the hardest side in the competition and the softest. Geelong are almost unbeatable at their home ground and, to be frank, Id back them to beat this bunch of frauds anywhere. Freo may come out meaning business after the hammering theyve taken in the media, and do have the pace to stick with the Cats, and the height to trouble them. The Cats are just playing too damn well at the moment to make this anything other than a monty for them though Geelong by 36 points
Brisbane Lions vs Kangaroos @ Gabba
Hardly an enticing clash this one; Brisbane limping like a lame duck Monarch and its opponent exposed badly in recent weeks, after dreaming of better things given a 5-zip start to the year. The Kangaroos have not beaten Brisbane since the year 2000 and I dont expect them to get the points here either. Brisbane has looked surprisingly inept in recent times, with their ball usage nothing short of deplorable at times last weekend. More tellingly, they have lacked the grunt and endeavour of previous years, and would normally be very vulnerable to a side like the Kangaroos. Fortunately for the Lions, the Kangaroos are not exactly playing true to form at the moment and dont give me the impression that theyre about to turn things around anytime soon. The best way to beat Brisbane still lies with boundless run and I dont think the Kangaroos possess this quality. The blue & whites have only ever won once at the Gabba and come Saturday night will find their season squared away at 5-5 Brisbane by 14 points
St Kilda vs Sydney Swans @ Telstra Dome
Surprisingly, Sydney holds a 4-1 recent record in head to head clashes between these sides, although the last meeting did result in a comfortable win to the Saints. Neither team would be particularly happy with their season to date, although Sydney couldnt reasonably expect to be faring better than they are, given the implicit limitations inherent in their squad. St Kilda is an entirely different proposition, and even allowing for the key players who have been missing most weeks, supporters of the club would still demand a top four finish for 2005. I think the Saints can still achieve this, given the nature of the competition, but they will need to win this one to get things back on track. The Swans will give a yelp, but the Saints are a tough proposition at this venue, and appear to have too many class options across the ground to lose here
St Kilda by 29points
Adelaide vs Carlton @ AAMI Stadium
Its hard to believe that only a couple of months ago, Carlton were newly crowned Wizard Cup champions with ambitions of a finals berth in 2005. The preseason competition isnt always a great guide to the season proper, however, and in this case it obfuscated the reality that Carlton has the worst list in the competition. In real terms, Carlton sadly lacks genuine midfield grunt, a strong ruck presence, and depth of talent down back. Adelaide, by way of contrast, has equal defensive capability, but superior ruck and midfield strength. More than this, Adelaide has sound form to fall back on and a 3-2 recent record against this opposition. Adelaide is far from unbeatable, and Carlton can prevail if theyre willing to get down and dirty, and fight for every inch. Ive seen little sign from the side that theyre willing to do this work, and it wouldnt surprise me to see the Blues installed as the new wooden spoon favourite come Sunday evening Adelaide by 22 points
Essendon vs Western Bulldogs @ Telstra Dome
While all of us would surely remember the Bulldogs gallant victory over Essendon in 2000 to deny that club an unprecedented unbeaten season, few of us would appreciate the side fact that this was the last time that the Hounds have bested the Bombers. The Bulldogs have been stuck in something of a holding pattern for some years now, but recent signs point to a looming renaissance for the club. Beating this Essendon side would hardly be an earth-shattering performance, but the Bombers have looked steadier in recent weeks and will appreciate the return of James Hird. That being said, the Bombers still look mediocre up forward and devoid of genuine talent in the midfield. The Bulldogs can still be very rough and ready, but they have genuine pace and an engine room capable of providing plenty of quality drive. I just cant see Essendon being able to stick with them for the journey Bulldogs by 32 points
West Coast Eagles vs Port Adelaide @ Subiaco Oval
Port carries a 4-1 recent record against the Eagles, including two wins at this venue. As such, I am exceedingly tempted to pick the Power, but given recent form (and the dubious state of their midfield), I cant see how they can go the distance this time around. Had West Coast won last week I would have tipped against them, but back on home turf with something to prove, they should have too much skill and speed for a Power outfit that has adjusted poorly to its topdog status. To be any chance, Warren Tredrea will need to play out of his skin, but while he still has his great moments, he has looked decidedly less consistent in 2005. Id like to see the champs get up for this one, but I just dont think they have this level of fight in them anymore
West Coast by 26 points
