Schedule Preview & Breakdown
Port Adelaide v Richmond
It's been hard to get an exact read on Port Adelaide this year.
At times they have looked like real contenders but other times the vulnerable Port has shown it's face.
They must be doing something right though as they currently sit in 8th spot with a game in hand on the chasers.
What they need to do now is beat a team like Richmond and show the Footy World that maybe they could be a top 4 chance and a genuine challenger.
They will probably never get a better chance to beat the Tigers than this week as Richmond have been a tad vulnerable interstate and will be without their star man Dusty.
Dusty is out with a calf injury and on a plane to NZ.
With or without Dusty it is hard to tip against the Tigers after they systematically put an inform Essendon side to the sword by 71 points last week.
Port were good also I thought despite losing to the Hawks.
Hawthorn are hard to beat in Tassie and Port got within a kick of them.
I think back at their home ground against a Dustyless Tigers team, the Power can pull off a mini upset and get home in a close one.
Prediction: Port to win by 7 points and Wingard to return to form and kick 3
Geelong v North Melbourne
5th v 6th meet here in a very interesting contest.
On paper with that midfield of Danger, Selwood, Duncan, Ablett and Menegola I would normally say it's a matter of how much Geelong but the Kangas are inspired this year.
The Kangaroos continue to get it done in 2018 and put the Lions to the sword in Melbourne last week.
The Cats have been a little shaky the last month and their star powered Midfield has not hit top gear yet this year.
Geelong also had a thumping win last week over Gold Coast in what may be a return to a bit of form however it is hard to tell as Gold Coast are horrendous right now.
Who will Jacobs tag is a big question and the smart money is on Ablett.
Jacobs lowered his colours for probably the first time all year when Beams tore him apart so he will be eager for another scalp this week.
The problem for the Kangas is this Geelong Midfield bats deeper than even the 5 mentioned above so they would need a lot of Jacob's to stop them all.
Parfitt, mature age recruit star Kelly, Murdoch, youngsters Cunico and Fogarty just give the Cats so many options through the middle of the park.
Kangas quality in their are all playing at the top of the game but they don't bat as deep as the Cats and rely heavily on
their twin towers kicking them a winning score.
One of those towers is missing this week as Waite could not recover in time for this game.
I think that is a real blow to the Kangas chances and while the Cats have Forward line problems of their own they always have the option of throwing Danger up there to help kick them a winning score.
Prediction: Geelong by 24 points
GWS v Gold Coast
Well a few weeks ago this might of been an ok game to watch but now not so much.
GWS are back!!! maybe?
The Giants were awesome rolling the Crows in Adelaide last week and are a much better side with Kelly back in that Midfield.
Gold Coast were awful in a match where a lot of punters gave them a sneaky chance.
The Suns have now lost 5 in a row and the honeymoon period over for Dew.
New just got worse Gold Coast during the week with co captain May ruled out for 4-6 weeks and Hall gone for the season.
Surprisingly they did not recall Lyons to the senior side this week and he is again exiled to the NEAFL.
This is going to leave a whole lot of work for poor old Swallow and it seems he is going to be one man battling the Orange Tsunami.
Lynch been back does straighten the Suns up a bit but I imagine he is going to be a frustrated man and one step closer to the exit door after this game.
He will likely be starved of opportunity and will have to battle Davis, with Haynes dropping in on him all day as well.
Not much of a case can be made for the poor old Suns in this one and the Giants will get another good chance to consolidate their good form before their bye.
Prediction The Giants by 50 points
St Kilda v Sydney
I noticed today that the Swans win loss record is 8 and 3.
It's funny how effectively this mob goes about their business as they have looked vulnerable at times this season.
Their Midfield has looked old and slow, Buddy has missed games, their backline has been accused of being to
predictable, the list goes on yet here they are at 8 wins, 3 losses to be 4th on the ladder.
It's a little scary as they have a couple more gears to move into yet for the year and might just time their run to September beautifully.
The Saints on the other hand have had the year from Hell.
Have not won a game since Round 1, have lost players to long term injuries and coach is under fire.
Their may be a little light at the end of the tunnel for the Saints after their terrific fighting effort to run West Coast so close in Perth last week.
Membrey would of been a relieved man, finally getting his radar back on with 6 straight.
The Saints will relish being back on their own deck of Etihad and whilst they traditionally struggle against the Swans, I smell a little chance here for them.
They will be relieved to have N Brown back in full back to take on Buddy and Dunstan is a great inclusion to the Midfield.
Saints Midfield of Steele, Ross, Sinclair, Dunstan, Steven, Newnes and their find in young Phillips is a lot better than a 1 win team.
They are long overdue for a 2nd win of the season and I think their Midfield will get on top of the Swans in this one and get them home.
Prediction: Provided Buddy doesn't kick 7 or 8 the Saints will win by 10 points
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