Schedule Preview & Breakdown
Carlton v Melbourne at the MCG, Sunday early afternoon
The Blues are up and about this week after their first win of the year over the Bombers.
It was reward for effort for a Carlton side that is still deep in a rebuild but has some real exciting young talent coming through.
The Cripps and Curnow combination is going to be a scary one for opposition clubs for years to come but won't be enough this week against a red hot Demons side.
The Demons have won 3 in a row now and are fresh off a dismantling of Gold Coast at the Gabba last week.
They currently sit 6th on the ladder with 5 win banked.
Whilst Dee's fans would just be happy with a return to the Finals, I think they can be a little more ambitious and gun for a top 4 spot this year.
With a dominant big men Gawn and Hogan combined with a Midfield that is starting to bat deep, the sky is the limit for Melbourne who are on the verge of a nice era.
Unfortunately the Blues will come crashing back down to Earth with a thud this week.
Prediction: Melbourne by 60 points
Brisbane v Hawthorn at the Gabba, Sunday Afternoon
When will the Lions win a game of football?
The Lions are super competitive under Fagan and have been in a position to win 7 of the 8 games they have played this year.
Once again last week the Lions drew to within 7 points of the Dogs in the last quarter and looked to have all the momentum.
Unfortunately for Brisbane, they seem to of just forgotten how to win and skill errors at crucial moments were their undoing again.
The Hawks are having a much better season this year and Clarko looks to have them well positioned for a return to September.
Hawthorn lost a thriller to the Swans last Friday night but would of lost no admirers in what was a brilliant contest.
There is a toughness about the Hawks and their foot skills are still elite.
Tom Mitchell and Jaeger were a little down against the Swans but are enjoying great years and they will enjoy taking on a young Lions side that is unlikely to tag them.
Isaac Smith is another who can just carve up opposition teams and the Lions are going to need to pay him close attention to be any chance of breaking their duck.
The result here is a hard one to predict, as the Lions are getting closer and I just know they are on the verge of winning one.
If Hawthorn are the slightest bit off or have any sort of hangover from the physical Sydney match than they will lose this one.
I am going to back Luke Hodge against his old side to assist the Lions defenders in stifling his old mates Gunston, Roughy and Breust.
Provided the Lions defence can do the job on those 3, I actually think the Lions in form duo of Zorko and Beams can propel them to their first win of the season.
Prediction: Brisbane by 10 points
West Coast v Richmond at Optus Stadium, Sunday afternoon
They have saved the best for last this week with the top 2 sides meeting in the match of the Round.
Both sides have only lost the 1 game this year and are flying.
The Tigers survived a scare against North last week but just out pressured them in the end for a tough 10 point victory.
The Eagles had one of their best wins of the year by upsetting GWS in Sydney.
It was a superb coaching performance by Adam Simpson who completely stifled GWS's run and denied them access through the corridor.
The Eagles will be boosted this week by the return of Natanui who has served his one week suspension but will still be without prime mover Luke Shuey.
The reigning Premiers, Richmond look very capable of going back to back this year and are almost unbeatable in Melbourne.
If they are vulnerable, it is on the road and their only loss of the season so far was against the Crows in Adelaide.
Not much of a recent form-line between the 2 sides to go on as they only met once last year and that in Round 3 at the G.
The Tigers won that in a tight one by 11 points.
It would not at all surprise me if the Eagles won this match despite missing Shuey as guys like Redden, Hutchings and Masten are back playing good football and given them some real depth.
I will however stick with the Tigers as they have the Defensive answers to keep Darling and Kennedy quiet.
I think the Tigers pressure game will wear the Eagles down and they will get up in a close one.
Prediction: Richmond by 8 points
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