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There's some tough calls to make in this round
None tougher than Melbourne vs Geelong, given that the Demons are in fine form, but have not beaten the Cats in their last four encounters. I'll opt for the Demons though, mainly due to the Cats coming off the tough trip west, and the tendency that has for sapping legs the following week. Geelong will rightly say that it won comfortably after doing this trip last year (it actually strung 6 wins together after losing in Perth), but Melbourne were most vulnerable in the last quarter last weekend, and its hard to see Geelong chasing them down like the Bulldogs were able to. Should be a fab match... Demons by 15pts
St Kilda has pounded the Kangaroos at this venue on the last two times the clubs have met, but with Gehrig under a cloud and Reiwoldt & Kozitschke both missing this time around, its fair to suggest that the Saint attack will lack its usual potency. The Kangaroos have been solid, rather than spectacular, in recent weeks, but that was almost enough to get Freo home in unfamiliar Tasmanian surrounds last week. The Kangaroos are a bit tougher than Freo, and should be able to squeeze the depleted Saints out of the contest. Kangaroos by 20pts
The last two games between Collingwood & Carlton have been thrillers, decided by 9 and 1 point respectively. Collingwood will go into this game weaker than they were, however, and Carlton will be a bit stronger than they have been recently. Accordingly, its difficult to see how Collingwood can win the game. They'll need to have all their players playing to maximum capacity, but I've seen little of late to suggest they can do this. Carlton are playing solid football and will have a lot more confidence to draw from. Blues by 32pts
The Perth derby is always an envigorating affair and I doubt this will be any different. Fremantle is a better side than its performances over the past 18 months indicate, but whether it has the matchplan and mental fortitude to get over the Eagles is doubtful. While West Coast was toughing out a strong win against strong opposition last week, Fremantle was throwing away four points against a weakened Saints line-up. This isn't beyond the Dockers, particularly if their tall players stand-up, but the Eagles appear to have to much midfield poise to draw from, and should get the points. Eagles by 18pts
Anyone and everyone seems to be tipping the Lions this week, but Sydney enjoys a good record against them, and will go into the match with a nearer to full strength side. Its hard to get an accurate fix on the Swans, who were quite dismal during their last quarter fade out against the Kangaroos at Manuka. Still, they match-up well on the Lions and their willingness to run at any opportunity unsettles the Brisbane side, much in the same way that West Coast constantly rattles them. I've also got a suspicion that the Lions will be tired from last week's game, as Port can tend to weary you with the way they play football. I'm happy enough to run with Sydney on an educated hunch... Swans by 10pts
Adelaide always lifts itself for the local derby and will be buoyed by better than expected performances across its opening two games. It also should be noted that the Crows rolled the Power last year, despite having a dog of a season. As such, it will be a tight affair, but Port should have superior talent late in the game, when it matters most. Its also true that Port can afford to have some key players ambling, whereas Adelaide will definitely need Riccuito & McLeod firing to stay in the contest. Its just too hard to go against the champions... Power by 24pts
Hawthorn has only won 1 of its past 12 encounters with Essendon, with that solitary win coming back in 1997. Its hard to see them changing that trend here, particularly as they will be debuting another 3 players for this game, just as they did a fortnight ago against Sydney. Essendon has also been ordinary and will struggle for much of this season. That being said, they have a fab record against the Hawks and maintain a more experienced line-up. Hawthorn will need to be especially wary in the opening term, as the Bombers are likely to settle quicker and could slip out to a large lead. The tide is close to turning in battles between these sides, but Essendon has enough fuel left in a leaking tank to make it 12 from 13 on Sunday... Bombers by 33pts
Richmond finally broke through for an overdue win last week and will enter this game with extra confidence, given that it has won its last 3 matches against the Hounds. Despite this, the Bulldogs look to be the better side, and will trouble Richmond with their pace and run through the midfield. In their last clash, Richardson won it singlehandedly by kicking 10 against worfully wasteful opposition. Richo hasn't looked like kicking anything like that since, but Eade will be nonetheless wary of the threat posed by the enigmatic Tiger forward. Richmond is capable of winning, but will want to get away well early, given the Hound's penchant for fast and strong finishes. I'll run with Western, who have greater options and the more skilled players, to this point... Bulldogs by 28pts
None tougher than Melbourne vs Geelong, given that the Demons are in fine form, but have not beaten the Cats in their last four encounters. I'll opt for the Demons though, mainly due to the Cats coming off the tough trip west, and the tendency that has for sapping legs the following week. Geelong will rightly say that it won comfortably after doing this trip last year (it actually strung 6 wins together after losing in Perth), but Melbourne were most vulnerable in the last quarter last weekend, and its hard to see Geelong chasing them down like the Bulldogs were able to. Should be a fab match... Demons by 15pts
St Kilda has pounded the Kangaroos at this venue on the last two times the clubs have met, but with Gehrig under a cloud and Reiwoldt & Kozitschke both missing this time around, its fair to suggest that the Saint attack will lack its usual potency. The Kangaroos have been solid, rather than spectacular, in recent weeks, but that was almost enough to get Freo home in unfamiliar Tasmanian surrounds last week. The Kangaroos are a bit tougher than Freo, and should be able to squeeze the depleted Saints out of the contest. Kangaroos by 20pts
The last two games between Collingwood & Carlton have been thrillers, decided by 9 and 1 point respectively. Collingwood will go into this game weaker than they were, however, and Carlton will be a bit stronger than they have been recently. Accordingly, its difficult to see how Collingwood can win the game. They'll need to have all their players playing to maximum capacity, but I've seen little of late to suggest they can do this. Carlton are playing solid football and will have a lot more confidence to draw from. Blues by 32pts
The Perth derby is always an envigorating affair and I doubt this will be any different. Fremantle is a better side than its performances over the past 18 months indicate, but whether it has the matchplan and mental fortitude to get over the Eagles is doubtful. While West Coast was toughing out a strong win against strong opposition last week, Fremantle was throwing away four points against a weakened Saints line-up. This isn't beyond the Dockers, particularly if their tall players stand-up, but the Eagles appear to have to much midfield poise to draw from, and should get the points. Eagles by 18pts
Anyone and everyone seems to be tipping the Lions this week, but Sydney enjoys a good record against them, and will go into the match with a nearer to full strength side. Its hard to get an accurate fix on the Swans, who were quite dismal during their last quarter fade out against the Kangaroos at Manuka. Still, they match-up well on the Lions and their willingness to run at any opportunity unsettles the Brisbane side, much in the same way that West Coast constantly rattles them. I've also got a suspicion that the Lions will be tired from last week's game, as Port can tend to weary you with the way they play football. I'm happy enough to run with Sydney on an educated hunch... Swans by 10pts
Adelaide always lifts itself for the local derby and will be buoyed by better than expected performances across its opening two games. It also should be noted that the Crows rolled the Power last year, despite having a dog of a season. As such, it will be a tight affair, but Port should have superior talent late in the game, when it matters most. Its also true that Port can afford to have some key players ambling, whereas Adelaide will definitely need Riccuito & McLeod firing to stay in the contest. Its just too hard to go against the champions... Power by 24pts
Hawthorn has only won 1 of its past 12 encounters with Essendon, with that solitary win coming back in 1997. Its hard to see them changing that trend here, particularly as they will be debuting another 3 players for this game, just as they did a fortnight ago against Sydney. Essendon has also been ordinary and will struggle for much of this season. That being said, they have a fab record against the Hawks and maintain a more experienced line-up. Hawthorn will need to be especially wary in the opening term, as the Bombers are likely to settle quicker and could slip out to a large lead. The tide is close to turning in battles between these sides, but Essendon has enough fuel left in a leaking tank to make it 12 from 13 on Sunday... Bombers by 33pts
Richmond finally broke through for an overdue win last week and will enter this game with extra confidence, given that it has won its last 3 matches against the Hounds. Despite this, the Bulldogs look to be the better side, and will trouble Richmond with their pace and run through the midfield. In their last clash, Richardson won it singlehandedly by kicking 10 against worfully wasteful opposition. Richo hasn't looked like kicking anything like that since, but Eade will be nonetheless wary of the threat posed by the enigmatic Tiger forward. Richmond is capable of winning, but will want to get away well early, given the Hound's penchant for fast and strong finishes. I'll run with Western, who have greater options and the more skilled players, to this point... Bulldogs by 28pts
