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The results last week went a long way towards tightening-up the dogfight for lower tier positions in the final 8 and it'll be interesting to see which sides are able to capitalise on this small window of opportunity.
FRIDAY JULY 4 AEST
St Kilda vs Essendon
Telstra Dome 7:40 PM AEST
They're an unimpressive and troubled unit the Bombers and should be facing several years away from the finals action. The latest news from Windy Hill is that the club is struggling to hang on to Matthew Lloyd due to continuing salary cap concerns (what sort of obscene figures are they paying players out there???!!!) St Kilda were pathetic last week and hopefully will have learned something from the experience. If the Saints are to be any realistic chance of playing in September then they need the four points here. If they can play anywhere near their best they'll get them, as you get the feeling that the rattled Bombers are closely akin to the little boy with his finger in the dyke... Saints by 14 pts
SATURDAY JULY 5 AEST
Hawthorn vs Western Bulldogs
Melbourne Cricket Ground 2:10 PM AEST
The Hawks have looked infinitely better in recent weeks, but this is a danger game if ever there was one. Expect the embattled Hounds to try and run the Hawks off their feet, which may be a cause helped by Hawthorn's leg wearying win in heavy conditions at York Park last week. The Bulldogs have rarely been battered this season and are suffering from an incapacity for playing out a full four quarters. That won't be any less of a concern for them here with Hawthorn capable of rattling on quick points when their tails are up, but I think the Dogs have enough character to push this one all the way. Too important for the Brown & Gold's to drop this one, however, and they should get home... Hawks by 31 pts
Fremantle vs Brisbane Lions
Subiaco 1:40 PM AWST
I'm not brave enough to tip it just yet, but I do sense that the wilderness is quietly calling the Lions home. Over the last couple of years the club has enjoyed one of the best injury runs in history, but things are clearly turning sour for them. They're tiring and they lack the necessary hunger to maintain their grip on the premiership cup. Fremantle battled hard, but were outgunned by a resurgent Hawthorn in Tasmania last week, but should fare better on home turf. Against the Hawks they paid the price for short and wide kicking and will be keen to return to a longer and more direct game in (hopefully) better conditions. Brisbane will battle to match Freo in the air and for leg speed. Its also worth noting that the Lions are rarely a good travelling side... Dockers by 18 pts
Kangaroos vs Collingwood
Telstra Dome 7:10 PM AEST
The Kangaroos cannot win here and are the one absolute certainty to lose this weekend. They've done well this season and I'd love to see them get up here, but non-WA sides simply do not win the week after playing in Perth. Collingwood revived themselves a tad last week and can still be dangerous provided they maintain workrate and their two key forwards are willing to pull the finger out. The Kangaroos are very vulnerable in the run home, but Collingwood should make the eight given their relatively easy run, starting here... Magpies by 27 pts
Adelaide vs Richmond
AAMI Stadium 7:10 PM ACST
How many more games can Richmond lose before the media decides to once again put the blowtorch to Danny Frawley's feet? You can mark them down for a sixth defeat on the trot here and it is now highly unlikely that the side will make the eight after a surprisingly promising start. A win here will preserve Adelaide's fragile hold on fourth spot and they should be good enough, particularly when they usually outgun the Tigers at the best of times. Can't see anywhere on the park where the Tigers can get on top of the Crows and they'll need a massive turnaround in form to steal this one... Crows by 38 pts
SUNDAY JULY 6 AEST
Sydney vs West Coast
Sydney Cricket Ground 1:10 PM AEST
Tentatively the match of the round and while I don't hold the Swans in particularly high regard, I think they can do the job here. A win will all but guarantee West Coast a spot in the four and while the team is capable enough, it will surely be feeling a tad sluggish after playing in those atrocious conditions last week. Sydney threatened Port at times, but were outclassed when it mattered and would face a crisis of confidence were they to drop this one at home. The red & whites are no great shakes despite their lofty ladder position and while they only need four more wins to be sure of a finals berth they can ill afford to lose any at home. Swans by 20 pts
Carlton vs Melbourne
Optus Oval 2:10 PM AEST
Carlton were well and truly exposed again last weekend for sheer dearth of talent , as they are going to be most weeks. Melbourne has been shocking this season, but played fab against the Saints last week and will be looking to maintain the momentum here. The Demons are vulnerable to most sides at both ends of the ground, but Carlton lacks the arsenal to punish their weaknesses. The Demons need to win 8 of the remaining 9 games to play finals football and will be long odds to even get close. Chalk one up for them here though, on the strength of last week's form alone... Demons by 36 pts
Geelong vs Port Adelaide
Skilled Stadium 2:10 PM AEST
Port hasn't fully reached its peak by any means, but it is currently the best side going around regardless. The Power wants to retain the minor premiership and atone for finals sins (of the last two years) with a big finals campaign (including a possible two home finals). Geelong is too young and raw to damage these lofty ambitions and will chalk-up its 11th loss for the season. The club has enjoyed a happy week having re-signed 8 of its key youngsters, but the celebrations will have to wait for another time. Too strong, too fast, too good the Porters... Power by 40 pts
CyberKev
FRIDAY JULY 4 AEST
St Kilda vs Essendon
Telstra Dome 7:40 PM AEST
They're an unimpressive and troubled unit the Bombers and should be facing several years away from the finals action. The latest news from Windy Hill is that the club is struggling to hang on to Matthew Lloyd due to continuing salary cap concerns (what sort of obscene figures are they paying players out there???!!!) St Kilda were pathetic last week and hopefully will have learned something from the experience. If the Saints are to be any realistic chance of playing in September then they need the four points here. If they can play anywhere near their best they'll get them, as you get the feeling that the rattled Bombers are closely akin to the little boy with his finger in the dyke... Saints by 14 pts
SATURDAY JULY 5 AEST
Hawthorn vs Western Bulldogs
Melbourne Cricket Ground 2:10 PM AEST
The Hawks have looked infinitely better in recent weeks, but this is a danger game if ever there was one. Expect the embattled Hounds to try and run the Hawks off their feet, which may be a cause helped by Hawthorn's leg wearying win in heavy conditions at York Park last week. The Bulldogs have rarely been battered this season and are suffering from an incapacity for playing out a full four quarters. That won't be any less of a concern for them here with Hawthorn capable of rattling on quick points when their tails are up, but I think the Dogs have enough character to push this one all the way. Too important for the Brown & Gold's to drop this one, however, and they should get home... Hawks by 31 pts
Fremantle vs Brisbane Lions
Subiaco 1:40 PM AWST
I'm not brave enough to tip it just yet, but I do sense that the wilderness is quietly calling the Lions home. Over the last couple of years the club has enjoyed one of the best injury runs in history, but things are clearly turning sour for them. They're tiring and they lack the necessary hunger to maintain their grip on the premiership cup. Fremantle battled hard, but were outgunned by a resurgent Hawthorn in Tasmania last week, but should fare better on home turf. Against the Hawks they paid the price for short and wide kicking and will be keen to return to a longer and more direct game in (hopefully) better conditions. Brisbane will battle to match Freo in the air and for leg speed. Its also worth noting that the Lions are rarely a good travelling side... Dockers by 18 pts
Kangaroos vs Collingwood
Telstra Dome 7:10 PM AEST
The Kangaroos cannot win here and are the one absolute certainty to lose this weekend. They've done well this season and I'd love to see them get up here, but non-WA sides simply do not win the week after playing in Perth. Collingwood revived themselves a tad last week and can still be dangerous provided they maintain workrate and their two key forwards are willing to pull the finger out. The Kangaroos are very vulnerable in the run home, but Collingwood should make the eight given their relatively easy run, starting here... Magpies by 27 pts
Adelaide vs Richmond
AAMI Stadium 7:10 PM ACST
How many more games can Richmond lose before the media decides to once again put the blowtorch to Danny Frawley's feet? You can mark them down for a sixth defeat on the trot here and it is now highly unlikely that the side will make the eight after a surprisingly promising start. A win here will preserve Adelaide's fragile hold on fourth spot and they should be good enough, particularly when they usually outgun the Tigers at the best of times. Can't see anywhere on the park where the Tigers can get on top of the Crows and they'll need a massive turnaround in form to steal this one... Crows by 38 pts
SUNDAY JULY 6 AEST
Sydney vs West Coast
Sydney Cricket Ground 1:10 PM AEST
Tentatively the match of the round and while I don't hold the Swans in particularly high regard, I think they can do the job here. A win will all but guarantee West Coast a spot in the four and while the team is capable enough, it will surely be feeling a tad sluggish after playing in those atrocious conditions last week. Sydney threatened Port at times, but were outclassed when it mattered and would face a crisis of confidence were they to drop this one at home. The red & whites are no great shakes despite their lofty ladder position and while they only need four more wins to be sure of a finals berth they can ill afford to lose any at home. Swans by 20 pts
Carlton vs Melbourne
Optus Oval 2:10 PM AEST
Carlton were well and truly exposed again last weekend for sheer dearth of talent , as they are going to be most weeks. Melbourne has been shocking this season, but played fab against the Saints last week and will be looking to maintain the momentum here. The Demons are vulnerable to most sides at both ends of the ground, but Carlton lacks the arsenal to punish their weaknesses. The Demons need to win 8 of the remaining 9 games to play finals football and will be long odds to even get close. Chalk one up for them here though, on the strength of last week's form alone... Demons by 36 pts
Geelong vs Port Adelaide
Skilled Stadium 2:10 PM AEST
Port hasn't fully reached its peak by any means, but it is currently the best side going around regardless. The Power wants to retain the minor premiership and atone for finals sins (of the last two years) with a big finals campaign (including a possible two home finals). Geelong is too young and raw to damage these lofty ambitions and will chalk-up its 11th loss for the season. The club has enjoyed a happy week having re-signed 8 of its key youngsters, but the celebrations will have to wait for another time. Too strong, too fast, too good the Porters... Power by 40 pts
CyberKev
