Schedule Preview & Breakdown
Brisbane v Essendon
Both teams coming off poor losses last week that also included injuries to important players.
The Lions have lost Charlie Cameron for the year while the Dons lost important Midfielder Zaharakis for up to 8 weeks. '
The last time these two sides met resulted in a shock upset win for the Lions at Etihad by 8 points. Up until last week the Bombers looked rejuvenated defeating Geelong then GWS in Sydney but the smashing at the hands of the Tigers may drain of drained that confidence.
The Lions have only won the one game this year but look to be improving under Fagan and their win over the Hawks at the Gabba a couple of weeks back was a nice little glimpse at the attacking exciting footy we will see from Brisbane in the future.
Having a look at the match ups, both teams have a lot of youngsters named but the Midfield battle from some experienced heads will go a long way to deciding this.
The Midfield battle of Martin, Beams & Zorko v Bellchambers, Heppell & Merrett will be a good watch but this is where I think the Lions can do more damage.
I also like the Lions tall Forward set up of Hipwood, McInerney & McStay who was marking everything last week.
I think this will be the catalyst for aerial dominance for the Lions as the Bombers will need to keep Hooker back leaving them a little under sized up forward.
Based on this the Lions will officially snuff out any lingering finals hopes the Bombers had for this year.
Prediction: Brisbane by 12 points
Fremantle v Adelaide
The Crows depth has been severely tested this year with a host of injuries to go on top of the off season departures of Charlie Cameron and Lever.
Thanks to the handy acquisition of Bryce Gibbs, career best form of Seedsman and the emergence of Ellis-Yolman & Greenwood in the Midfield, they have mostly been able to cover the absence of Tex, Lynch, Mcgovern, Sloane, Brad Crouch and at times Matt Crouch.
However the last few of weeks they have looked tired and nowhere near their best which has seen them slip out of the 8.
They are further weakened this week by the loss of star Defender Laird and Forward Lynch is out again. They do at least get their skipper Tex back to lead the Forward Line.
Fortunately for the Crows they meet a team that is also low on confidence and struggling with injuries and a suspension to Fyfe.
The Dockers are also still without Sandilands in the Ruck and their record without him is not great. Fyfe is the big one though as their Midfield is already without the Hill brothers.
Neale is going to need some help in there this week so expect Walters to get more Midfield time and Mundy might need to wind the clock back and return to the centre of the ground.
The Dockers also have some serious problems up Forward and have ran out of patience with Cam McCarthy.
I can't see the Dockers winning the Midfield battle against Gibbs, Crouch, Greenwood & Ellis-Yolman and even if they did, I just can't see their Forwards capitalising enough to kick a winning score.
The Crows Forward Line however of Tex, Jenkins and Betts do have goals in them.
The Dockers are a lot better at home but it won't be enough.
Prediction: Adelaide to win by 24 points
Melbourne v Collingwood
The Queens Birthday clash looks set to be a ripper this year with both sides in great form.
The Demons are in the Top 4 on the back of a 6 game winning streak.
Collingwood are also travelling well having won 4 of their last 5 and are currently in 7th position.
Extra credit needs to be given to Buckley and Co as they have had to do it despite some significant casualties on the injury list.
They are still without a few but their Defense will be bolstered this week with the return of the high flying Howe.
The Demons Defence on the other hand has been rocked by the devastating ACL to star recruit Lever.
Melbourne desperately need others to step up and cover the loss as they do not want to move Tom Mcdonald back there after he has turned into a revelation up Forward this season.
The one two punch of Hogan and Mcdonald has made defending Melbourne a nightmare.
Even if those two don't take the mark, it creates opportunities at ground level for the lethal Petracca, Melksham and co.
The Demons Forward line looks to be the difference in this game as the Midfield battle will be very even.
Melbourne have been getting on top of most teams in this part of the ground of late with Brayshaw taking his game to another level to give them yet another option to complement Jones, Viney and Oliver.
They won't enjoy it as much this week against a lethal Pies on ball brigade of Pendles, Treloar, Sidey, Wells and Phillips.
Even big Gawn will meet his match in Grundy in what should be the dual of the day.
All things considered I think the Pies backline that is still without Reid will struggle against the Dynamic Dee's Forwards and this should open the door for win number 7 in a row for Melbourne.
Prediction: Melbourne by 18 points
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