Friday, May 28, 2010

AFL Round 10 Preview

Essendon v Western Bulldogs - This game has the potential to a high scoring and enthralling clash. Both teams are more the run and gun style so expect it to be fast paced. However its the Dogs that have more class, experience and are finally finding some form. Essendon will have to do more than rely on Hille to do everything again. Another thing is that they can't compromise their style, because as soon as they do they are doomed. Dogs by 35

Geelong v Melbourne - Melbourne was excellent and courageous last week, snatching back a well deserved victory in the final minute. However heavy legs due to the heat, humidity, travel and shorter break are going to come into play. And lets not forget that its at Skilled which is nigh on impregnable, oh and a team called the Cats that are in simply devastating form. Cats by 60

Port Adelaide v Richmond - For me this is one of the most interesting of the round. On face value with Richmond going to Adelaide it looks like its a done deal, however Port will have the same heavy legs that Melbourne does, will be without their gun forward Motlop (and are already missing Tredrea), so they are going to be have to be playing well to beat a Tigers team that has actually shown some form. Whilst they were slaughtered in the first against Essendon, they pretty much matched them (losing the remaining 3 quarters by a total of 8 points) for the rest of the game. Their form is on the up, and I think they might just get up. I'm picking the upset, Tigers by 12.

Brisbane v Collingwood - The Lions are in complete disarray. Their key forwards are under permanent injury clouds, they have plenty on the injured list including key back and key playmakers, and ontop of that (or because of that) their form is dreadful. The Pies however are flying. Yes there was a hiccup last week, but no shame in it. In fact they'll be out with a point to prove. I expect a ruthless Pies outfit that will take the Lions to the cleaners by 50.

St. Kilda v Adelaide - This is another really interesting match, but I seriously don't want to watch it. I mean Lyon's boring and dour defense versus Craig's Crowbots. I can't begin to work out how this will pan out, other than it being low scoring. I'm going the Saints because its at Etihad, and whilst Adelaide is finding form its too much to ask to travel and win, against a better opponent. Saints by 13

Hawthorn v Sydney - Another intriguing game. Are the Hawks the real deal (big ask after one decent win)? Are the Swans able to cover key injuries (Seaby, Bolton, Kennelly, Bradshaw)? If the Hawks bring their best like they showed against the Blues, they'll win. Sydney however has been a problem team in the not to distant past and their form isn't as bad as it seems with loses to Freo, Dogs and Cats. I suspect the injuries particularly to Bradshaw will hurt, and I think the Hawks will back up their effort from last week at home. Hawks by 30

Carlton v West Coast - The Blues will be hurting, the Eagles, well they just weren't good enough for a 4 quarter performance. Whilst the Blues lose some more players and that means their line up is a little unstable/unknown, the midfield should improve on their performance from last week and I can't see their forward line failing two weeks in a row and Waite is a HUGE inclusion. West Coast are just a little unreliable. Kennedy and Lecras need to have big games and for that to happen the midfield needs to stand up. Sadly for them I can't see it. If Carlton loses it will probably be due to depth issues and the caliber of ins (or more correctly the caliber of those out of the best 22). Blues by 30

Fremantle v North Melbourne - Freo was fantastic in Sydney. I didn't think they could handle the pressure but they did, and did it well. So I'm back on! I can't see North winning away. They've had the horrible week and are traveling this time but they haven't demonstrated that they are the caliber of a Freo (or Sydney for that matter). They lost a lot of respect too, so I expect a solid showing to try to regain some but it won't be enough to stop Freo at home. Freo by 35

3 comments:

  1. Tipping Richmond!!! That's a fair effort!!! Have we jumped back on the Hawks yet? You've been very harsh. They did beat Geelong 18 months ago (the greatest team going around) with essentially the same lineup they have now.

    They were always going to come good at some point it was just a matter of whether it was too late or not. Glad the Pies got them when they were down.

    More St Kilda bashing too!!! They deserve it. They bore me to snores as well. And I still hate them for sacking Blight!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yep. I'm a gun for tipping the Tigers :-)

    No not entirely back on the Hawks. They need a positive ledger first and have a bit to do yet.

    As for the same line up as 08, not really: Crawf, Croad, Campbell, Dew, Williams, Ladson all missing and they were all experienced and quality and/or structurally important (some more than others). Their replacements are Burgoyne (class), Skipper, Stratton, Murphy, Pederson, Hooper, Whitecross aren't really the same calibre of player

    ReplyDelete