Schedule Preview & Breakdown
Adelaide v Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on Friday Night
The Crows were very unlucky to lose the showdown last week and really shot themselves in the foot.
They had a good lead, looked the winner, lost it, got it back and then lost it again at the death courtesy of some Motlop brilliance.
Something tells me Adelaide will be breathing fire this week but will need to do it without Sloane who will miss again.
The Dogs on the other hand are going quite well with 3 wins on the trot albeit against lower on the ladder sides Carlton, Gold Coast and Brisbane.
Safe to say the jury is still out on the Dogs.
Adelaide won the last meeting at Adelaide oval between them, 104 to 45 however the Dogs won the 4 meetings between the two prior to that.
I think the result this Friday night will be a convincing home win for the Crows as the Bulldogs have just not looked convincing enough the last couple of weeks and their undermanned Defence looks way too vulnerable.
Prediction: Crows by 50 points
North Melbourne v GWS Giants at Bellerive Oval, Saturday afternoon
The Kangaroos continue to be the surprise packet of 2018 and gave the reigning premiers a huge scare last week before losing by an honourable 10 points only.
Ben Cunnington has just taken his game to another level this year and is a contested ball beast.
Cunnington has 32 contested possessions last week to break the AFL record and his battle in the clinches against Coniglio will be a great watch.
The Giants continue to just be burdened by constant injuries which meant they couldn't stay with the Eagles last week, losing by 25 points.
During the match they lost the improved De Boer to hamstring just before half time.
If that wasn't bad enough their skipper Davis got KO'd and Whitfield spent a lot of time off the ground getting treatment for a shin injury.
The Giants will likely lose Davis for a week in a huge blow but should get some relief with Whitfield pulling up ok,
Kelly and Deledio are also expected to be available for selection.
Waite is in doubt for the Kangas who will be desperate for him to get up given the likely absence of Davis.
The Kangas could really expose the GWS defence with big Brown and Waite if he is fit.
The Roos will also be loving the Tassie advantage with the game being played at Bellerive Oval in Hobart.
The Kangas will be hoping for a wet windy foul Tassie weather day as that would suit them just fine and further effect the GWS possession game that has struggled this year due to their normally clean foot skills becoming a cause of concern.
Despite the real worry the Kangas Forwards could get off the chain, I really like GWS in this one.
I just think their midfield has too many options especially with the likely return of Kelly and Jacobs can't tag them all.
At this stage only cloudy with %10 chance of rain expected for Saturday in Hobart so the weather should remain dry enough for GWS skills to be the difference in this one.
Prediction: GWS by 14 points
Gold Coast Suns v Port Adelaide at Jiangwan Stadium in China on Saturday Early Afternoon
The annual China game is organised by Port but is classed as a Gold Coast home game which has been a cause of irritation for well everyone but Port supporters.
Not even rotated each year, oh no it just is always classed as an away game for Port.
One may think that if you own an idea and organize it, this should be at the expense of your own home game especially if you are pocketing the lions share of the profits but alas Kochie really does like to have his cake and eat it to.
Off the ground is not the only place Gold Coast are being bullied by the Power as the last match at this venue resulted in them losing to Port by 115 points!
Despite the belting last week at the hands of the Demons, the Suns are travelling better overall this time around and have been very competitive in 2018, winning the 3 games so far.
The Power are fresh off a roller coaster derby match against the Crows in which Motlop was the hero, kicking the winning goal with 20 seconds to go.
The addition of Motlop for the Power is looking a success and another big name recruit is also showing signs of giving the Power a return on their investment.
Tom Rockliffe played his best game for the club by far getting 31 possessions last week.
Those 2 will be instrumental no doubt in dismantling the Suns this weekend and so will Robbie Gray who is back to his brilliant best.
All in all the Power have way too many weapons for the Suns regardless of where the match is played.
Prediction: Power by 70 points
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