Schedule Preview & Breakdown
Geelong v Carlton at GMHBA Stadium, Saturday Night
Both of these teams are coming off shocking losses last weekend.
The Cats were stunned by the Bombers at the G while Carlton were deplorable, losing by 109 points to Melbourne.
The Blues should regain the all-important Curnow brothers this week but are likely to lose skipper Murphy who has again hurt that sore foot of his.
The loss of Murphy is going to mean Cripps will face a monster task against the Cats strong Midfield of Danger, Selwood, Ablett, Duncan and Menegola.
Rowe's match up with Hawkins will be an interesting one and the Cats Forward line continues to miss the mercurial presence of Menzel but will get plenty of help in the goal kicking department from their Midfield stars.
The Blues will enjoy having Charlie Curnow back up forward and he is always good for a couple of goals as is small forward Wright who is still very underrated and is a smart footballer.
I like the Cats Defence with Blicavs, Harry Taylor & Tom Stewart back there and they will make scoring difficult for the Blues.
I'm tipping an angry Cats Midfield to run rampant in this one and I would not be surprised if the Blues cop a similar losing margin to last weeks.
Prediction: Geelong by 76 points
GWS Giants v Essendon at Spotless Stadium, Saturday Night.
Is the real Essendon back?
Where did that performance against the Cats come from and where has that pressure been all year?
Worsfold copped a lot of flak for still being grumpy in his press conference after their win but I can't blame him.
It must be frustrating to see the high level the Dons can play at one week but then be so bad other weeks.
It's certainly frustrating for punters as hard to know what to expect from the Bombers week to week.
The Giants on the other hand are struggling and have lost their last 3 matches.
The depth that was the envy of 17 other clubs has dried up over the last few years and injuries have bitten them hard.
Their best 22 is still capable of anything but they have bigger problems than just injuries to Kelly, Greene and Scully.
They are down on confidence and their foot skills have been appalling some weeks.
I am however going to back them in to get back in the winners circle this week.
I think with the expected return of Kelly, that is going to be a real boost for their Midfield and will free Shiel up to be at his most damaging best on the outside.
I also think Coniglio and Ward will be too strong on the inside for the Bombers and will give the Giants enough of a clearance advantage to provide a match winning supply to their Forwards.
With Hurley expected to be out again this week, now would be a great time to bring Patton back.
He was good in the NEAFL last week and an under strength Bombers backline will struggle to contain both Cameron and Patton, especially if the GWS Midfield is on top.
GWS will be further boosted by the return of skipper Davis from concussion
With Davis back and Haynes patrolling that back line, I can't see the Bombers kicking anywhere near a big enough score no matter how well Heppell, Zaharakis or Merrett play.
Prediction: GWS by 36 points
Hawthorn v West Coast at Etihad Stadium on Sunday Afternoon
If this game was at the MCG I would have no problems taking the Hawks in an upset but now I don't know.
The fast deck of Etihad in perfect conditions is only going to play into West Coast's hands and their speed could blow the Hawks out of the Park.
The Lions showed last week what fast ball movement and strong attacking play can do to the Hawks and no one does it better than the Eagles.
The Eagles will be sky high in the confidence stakes to after their big win over the reigning Premiers in Perth last week.
The Hawks should regain Jaeger this week which is important as they are going to need his, Henderson and Isaac Smith's run more than ever to combat the Eagles.
Hawthron should get an advantage in the clinches courtesy of Tom Mitchell who is back in top form and if he can have a big day the Hawks will be a chance provided their Forward line can function a lot better this week.
It was a shambles against the Lions and the ball was rebounded out far too easy.
The Hawks certainly have the cattle up Forward to kick a winning score in Roughead, Breust, Gunston and Puopolo so will need some Clarkson magic tinkering this week or McGovern will dine out all day.
The Eagles Forward line has no such issues and Darling is on fire this year.
Kennedy is also starting to work into some form so the Hawks will be desperate for Frawley to pass a fitness test and bolster the backline against the Eagles twin towers.
West Coast have won 8 in a row to be top of the ladder and their Midfield depth is better than most sides they meet including the Hawks.
I don't subscribe to the teams being due for a loss theory but if anyone could engineer their downfall it is Clarko.
I just have a feeling Clarko might have a couple of tricks up his sleeve and cause a shock here.
If the Eagles do drop a game it certainly won't be in Perth where they are nigh on unbeatable but in Melbourne they are gettable, so I am taking the Hawks in an upset here.
Prediction: Hawthorn by 7 points
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