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The season has petered-out tiredly for most of us, with our teams shuffling forlornly down the road to nowhere, and this post will mirror that somewhat, as I have to be brief given time restraints...
FRIDAY AUGUST 29
Collingwood vs Essendon
Melbourne Cricket Ground 7:40 PM AEST
Possibly the biggest match of the H&A season, with a home final up for grabs for both teams... Essendon often has the better of Collingwood and recent form and the state of both line-ups says that this won't change here... Bombers by 25 pts
SATURDAY AUGUST 30
Geelong vs St Kilda
Skilled Stadium 2:10 PM AEST
Both sides will be bitterly disappointed at missing finals action, especially St Kilda. They're in superb form and have an enormous future with the young talent on their list... Saints by 36 pts
Melbourne vs Sydney
Melbourne Cricket Ground 2:10 PM AEST
Its a bit ho hum really, although the Swans will welcome the chance for another MCG game in the lead-up to the finals. Demons could surprise, particularly if they exploit Sydney's ruck & Defense deficiencies, but it means more to Sydney and they're good enough to get home... Swans by 24 pts
Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane Lions
Telstra Dome 7:10 PM AEST
The Bulldogs were a joke last week and can ill-afford such soft performances when they're trying to tie-up talented youngsters for 2004. The Lions have a sniff of second spot, assuming Collingwood loses, which is very possible. They'll smack the Hounds up... Lions by 62 pts
West Coast vs Fremantle
Subiaco 5:40 PM AWST
What fun, a full-on Western derby with a possible home final up for grabs. The idea behind non-VIC derbies during the last round was to ease travel concerns after Adelaide's horror four-match interstate finish to 2002. The downside, as I see it, is that the gung-ho nature of these contests could tire and damage the clubs prior to the opening finals round. Of course, it may have a State of Origin type effect, and harden them up, time will tell... Dockers by 12 pts
SUNDAY AUGUST 31
Port Adelaide vs Adelaide
AAMI Stadium 12:40 PM ACST
Will most likely be the match of the round. Adelaide has faltered badly over the last fortnight, but is still playing for second spot, if they win and both Collingwood & Brisbane lose. Port will want to finish strong, but Adelaide does have much to play for given the perception that they are the Power's bunnies... Power by 8 pts
Carlton vs Kangaroos
Telstra Dome 2:10 PM AEST
Hmmm, not a lot to play for, although a win to Carlton would assure that they don't win a second successive spoon. The Kangaroos had a fine win against the Crows last week and have the chance to earn the dubious title of best side out of the 8 if they win and both Hawthorn & St Kilda lose. I expect the Roos to win in a relatively humdrum affair... Kangaroos by 32 pts
Richmond vs Hawthorn
Melbourne Cricket Ground 2:10 PM AEST
The Tigers stuffed-up their first "we'll win it for Jack" game last week, so they've decided to have a second crack at it here. Their long-suffering supporters would be hoping that Frawley doesn't have to try for third time lucky during the 2004 preseason comp. Hawthorn is thristing for vengeance after the drama of the 71 pt turnaround game earlier in the season and will want to finish off the season strongly. The biggest concern for the Hawks here is Kane Johnson, who always plays blinders against the Glenferrie club... Hawks by 18 pts
CyberKev
FRIDAY AUGUST 29
Collingwood vs Essendon
Melbourne Cricket Ground 7:40 PM AEST
Possibly the biggest match of the H&A season, with a home final up for grabs for both teams... Essendon often has the better of Collingwood and recent form and the state of both line-ups says that this won't change here... Bombers by 25 pts
SATURDAY AUGUST 30
Geelong vs St Kilda
Skilled Stadium 2:10 PM AEST
Both sides will be bitterly disappointed at missing finals action, especially St Kilda. They're in superb form and have an enormous future with the young talent on their list... Saints by 36 pts
Melbourne vs Sydney
Melbourne Cricket Ground 2:10 PM AEST
Its a bit ho hum really, although the Swans will welcome the chance for another MCG game in the lead-up to the finals. Demons could surprise, particularly if they exploit Sydney's ruck & Defense deficiencies, but it means more to Sydney and they're good enough to get home... Swans by 24 pts
Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane Lions
Telstra Dome 7:10 PM AEST
The Bulldogs were a joke last week and can ill-afford such soft performances when they're trying to tie-up talented youngsters for 2004. The Lions have a sniff of second spot, assuming Collingwood loses, which is very possible. They'll smack the Hounds up... Lions by 62 pts
West Coast vs Fremantle
Subiaco 5:40 PM AWST
What fun, a full-on Western derby with a possible home final up for grabs. The idea behind non-VIC derbies during the last round was to ease travel concerns after Adelaide's horror four-match interstate finish to 2002. The downside, as I see it, is that the gung-ho nature of these contests could tire and damage the clubs prior to the opening finals round. Of course, it may have a State of Origin type effect, and harden them up, time will tell... Dockers by 12 pts
SUNDAY AUGUST 31
Port Adelaide vs Adelaide
AAMI Stadium 12:40 PM ACST
Will most likely be the match of the round. Adelaide has faltered badly over the last fortnight, but is still playing for second spot, if they win and both Collingwood & Brisbane lose. Port will want to finish strong, but Adelaide does have much to play for given the perception that they are the Power's bunnies... Power by 8 pts
Carlton vs Kangaroos
Telstra Dome 2:10 PM AEST
Hmmm, not a lot to play for, although a win to Carlton would assure that they don't win a second successive spoon. The Kangaroos had a fine win against the Crows last week and have the chance to earn the dubious title of best side out of the 8 if they win and both Hawthorn & St Kilda lose. I expect the Roos to win in a relatively humdrum affair... Kangaroos by 32 pts
Richmond vs Hawthorn
Melbourne Cricket Ground 2:10 PM AEST
The Tigers stuffed-up their first "we'll win it for Jack" game last week, so they've decided to have a second crack at it here. Their long-suffering supporters would be hoping that Frawley doesn't have to try for third time lucky during the 2004 preseason comp. Hawthorn is thristing for vengeance after the drama of the 71 pt turnaround game earlier in the season and will want to finish off the season strongly. The biggest concern for the Hawks here is Kane Johnson, who always plays blinders against the Glenferrie club... Hawks by 18 pts
CyberKev