Schedule Preview & Breakdown
Collingwood v Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium Friday Night
The Pies enter this match the favourite with the bookies but I don't know about that.
They are only 1 game ahead of the Dogs on the ladder but I like what I am seeing from the Bulldogs the last month.
The Dogs are slowly building and getting that quick moving handball game going that has served them so well in the past.
The Dogs were good for parts in unsuited conditions last week against Adelaide but just didn't adapt to the conditions as well and were very poor in front of goal kicking 2.14.
At least that scoreline shows they were generating chances and the conditions won't be a problem Friday night in the comfort of Etihad or Marvel Stadium as it is soon to be known.
Last time the two sides met, the Dogs prevailed by 14 points and I think they will have the speed to worry the Pies again.
The Midfield battle between the two sides will be great to watch with Pendles, Adams, Phillips, Treloar and Sidey v the dominant Macrae, Hunter, Dalhaus, Bont and the much improved Toby Mclean.
Who wins that battle will go a long way to deciding the contest but up Forward I think the Dogs have more goals in them.
I am loving the move of Johannisen forward and he can ignite the Dogs.
Gowers has been a revelation, Dale can take a mark while Daniel, Dalhaus and a resting Forward Bont give them more unpredictability than the Pies De Goey lead Forward line.
Speaking of De Goey he is red hot up Forward at the moment on the back of another bag (6) against the Saints.
The Dogs are expected to bring Dale Morris back this week and he will lend some much needed support to
Easton Wood who is the likely De Goey match up.
Injuries to Elliott, Moore and now Wells again combined with the lack of form from Varcoe robs the Pies of some spark up Forward and I just can't see them kicking a winning score.
Prediction: The Dogs to win by 14 points
Richmond v St Kilda at the MCG, Saturday Afternoon
Both sides are coming off a defeat last week, for the Tigers it would be an unusual feeling but for Saints fans it is all to familiar.
The Tigers have only lost twice this year and both times were interstate.
While that is a small concern, the Tigers are nigh on unbeatable at the MCG in front of their Tiger Army and
Grand Finals are not played interstate.
The Saints were competitive for a half last week but were woeful after half time and have still not won since Round 1.
This game could get really ugly, really quickly especially if Carlisle doesn't prove his fitness as the Saints will already be without full back Nathan Brown.
Jack Riewoldt could be smelling a big day coming up and another player who will be eager for a big one is Dusty.
Martin has been well below his best the last few weeks and the Saints could well run him back into form here.
Looking at the Match ups makes for scary reading as the Saints are seriously outgunned up forward and down back.
Membrey will be desperate for McCartin to return as it is going to be a tough afternoon against the Tigers big 3 down back of Rance, Grimes and Astbury who will all be sure to give the Tigers air supremacy.
If Billings was to find form and get his radar working, now would be the time to do it!
The Saints missing Defenders Roberton, Brown, Gilbert and possibly Carlisle will struggle to stop Riewoldt, a resting Dusty, Caddy, Castagna and Co filling their boots.
Saints only chance in this one is if their Midfield can get right on top and luckily for them they do possess some quality in there through the likes of Steven, Ross, Dunstan, Sinclair and Steele.
On their day they are capable of matching the Tigers Dusty and Cotchin led Midfield but they have too many other holes to band aid over
Prediction: Richmond by 40 points
Brisbane v Sydney at the Gabba, Saturday Afternoon
The Lions are on the board for 2018 and were terrific in dismantling the Hawks at the Gabba last week.
The Lions possess some serious speed in their play and have the ability to cut through teams if their skills are on, as the Hawks found out.
Brisbane have been seriously competitive in all but one game this season and that win might finally give them the confidence to take the next step in matches.
The Lions biggest enemy is themselves and if confidence drops early the turn overs will begin.
As the Dockers discovered last week, Sydney are the equal of any side at creating turnovers through pressure and they could really make the Lions pay in this one.
Taking a look at the match ups and the first one to catch the eye is the potential Buddy v Andrews one.
Andrews is a rising star of the game and must be in All Australian contention as his intercept marking and composure have been brilliant this season for the Lions.
He also has those Dustin Fletcher long arms and can get his fist in even when he looks out of the contest.
Andrews will get a lot of support from "the recruit" Eagles and the much improved Darcy Gardiner.
While the Lions have some serious height and will not fear any high balls coming in, they need to be able to stop the Swans hitting up Buddy, Heeney, Rohan and co on the lead.
If that's not a scary enough thought, they also need to keep an eagle eye on goal sneak Ronke when the ball is on the ground.
The Lions will ask some questions of their own up Forward and I like their new big Forward set up of Hipwood, Mcstay and the Big O (McInnerney).
Rampe, Grundy and Smith will have their hands full with them.
The Midfield battle is where the Swans have got on top of the Lions in recent years as the physicality of Kennedy, Parker, Hannebery and Co have been too much for them in the clinches.
The Lions are a lot better on the inside this year but are still ranked 14th for clearances while Sydney are one the strongest.
Beams, Zorko, McCluggage and Co will need to break even here or the Swans Forwards are just going to get too much supply to be stoppable.
While I think the Lions will get very close to Sydney this time, I think the Swans are again going to be just a little too tough when it matters.
Prediction: Sydney by 8 points
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