How to tip for Round 14 - Part One
June 27th 2008 05:16
Hawthorn v West Coast at the MCG
The Hawks don't take defeat very well, and last time it led to a 8-and-a-half goal mauling of the Bombers the following week. The Eagles look more and more destined to rebuild, but they are making some good use of their current batch of youngsters. McNamara impressed last week and McKinley is showing signs of serious future talent. But the Hawks are recalling Croad and Crawford, and are starting to re-compile their imposing list after injuries thinned their ranks out a bit. The Eagles have already lost by triple-figure margins twice this year. This is a chance for their third.
Hawthorn by 44 points
Richmond v Carlton at the MCG
Two teams that are on the rise after lean patches, but the Tigers looked extra impressive last week. However, they will have their hands full stopping the raging Fevola, who sits just four goals behind Franklin in the race for the Coleman. Both midfields are prolific ball-winners, and the Tigers welcome back Kane Johnson. If the Tiger forwards can fire as they did last week, the Blues defence may let a winning score through. There will be a big, Richomnd-friendly crowd that should help.
Richomnd by nine points
North Melbourne v St Kilda at Gold Coast Stadium
North are fresh off reminding everyone why they made a preliminary final last year. St Kilda just knocked off the Dockers, in Melbourne. The Saints lose Hayes, which is big, and don't appear to have the numbers that the Kangaroos tend to have around the contests. Expect Riewoldt to have to run up the wings to get his touches, the Kangaroo defence is as tight as a pair of footy shorts these days. The inclusions of Dal Santo, Kosi and Milne won't be enough for the Saints.
North Melbourne by 28 points
Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide at TIO Stadium
Port failed at home yet again, having won just once at AAMI Staium all year. The Bulldogs were tested for the first time in weeks against the Magpies. The Power's depth will be more than tested this week, as they lose C. Cornes, Boak, P. Burgoyne and Salopek to injury, and Thomas to suspension. The omission of Lade suggests that the Power don't think they can win this game. Never tip a side that makes more than four changes, but that's not the only reason the Dogs will win. This could get ugly.
Western Bulldogs by 75 points
Melbourne v Brisbane Lions at the MCG
Fresh off a spirited and hard-earned win against the Crows, the Lions had better not underestimate the last-placed Dees. McDonald, the face of tackling and pressure, is a big loss for Melbourne, who have opted for fresh legs with the inclusion of Buckley, Morton, Valenti and first-gamer Stefan Martin. Brisbane include Johnstone, against his old side, and Bradshaw to reinstate the imposing forwardline we saw earlier this year. Leaving Jeff White on an extended bench seems to indicate that Melbourne intends to draw something other than four points from this game.
Brisbane Lions by 35 points
Fremantle v Essendon at Subiaco
That Fremantle's chief ballwinner remains a bloke who's in his first season is an indictment on the experienced heads in Freo's list. They need more contributors and less focus on Pavlich if they want to perform better. The Bombers were impressive last week, scoring freely and quickly, albeit with much of the scoring happening in junk time in the last quarter. Freo are ninth in terms of points conceded, while the Bombers are 15th, yet Essendon have managed four wins to Freo's two. Their attacking style and capable midfield will get them over the line here. Subiaco is not the House of Pain it used to be, with Freo winning just once there all year. Mark McVeigh for three votes.
Essendon by 21 points
The Hawks don't take defeat very well, and last time it led to a 8-and-a-half goal mauling of the Bombers the following week. The Eagles look more and more destined to rebuild, but they are making some good use of their current batch of youngsters. McNamara impressed last week and McKinley is showing signs of serious future talent. But the Hawks are recalling Croad and Crawford, and are starting to re-compile their imposing list after injuries thinned their ranks out a bit. The Eagles have already lost by triple-figure margins twice this year. This is a chance for their third.
Richmond v Carlton at the MCG
Two teams that are on the rise after lean patches, but the Tigers looked extra impressive last week. However, they will have their hands full stopping the raging Fevola, who sits just four goals behind Franklin in the race for the Coleman. Both midfields are prolific ball-winners, and the Tigers welcome back Kane Johnson. If the Tiger forwards can fire as they did last week, the Blues defence may let a winning score through. There will be a big, Richomnd-friendly crowd that should help.
Richomnd by nine points
North Melbourne v St Kilda at Gold Coast Stadium
North are fresh off reminding everyone why they made a preliminary final last year. St Kilda just knocked off the Dockers, in Melbourne. The Saints lose Hayes, which is big, and don't appear to have the numbers that the Kangaroos tend to have around the contests. Expect Riewoldt to have to run up the wings to get his touches, the Kangaroo defence is as tight as a pair of footy shorts these days. The inclusions of Dal Santo, Kosi and Milne won't be enough for the Saints.
Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide at TIO Stadium
Port failed at home yet again, having won just once at AAMI Staium all year. The Bulldogs were tested for the first time in weeks against the Magpies. The Power's depth will be more than tested this week, as they lose C. Cornes, Boak, P. Burgoyne and Salopek to injury, and Thomas to suspension. The omission of Lade suggests that the Power don't think they can win this game. Never tip a side that makes more than four changes, but that's not the only reason the Dogs will win. This could get ugly.
Western Bulldogs by 75 points
Melbourne v Brisbane Lions at the MCG
Fresh off a spirited and hard-earned win against the Crows, the Lions had better not underestimate the last-placed Dees. McDonald, the face of tackling and pressure, is a big loss for Melbourne, who have opted for fresh legs with the inclusion of Buckley, Morton, Valenti and first-gamer Stefan Martin. Brisbane include Johnstone, against his old side, and Bradshaw to reinstate the imposing forwardline we saw earlier this year. Leaving Jeff White on an extended bench seems to indicate that Melbourne intends to draw something other than four points from this game.
Brisbane Lions by 35 points
Fremantle v Essendon at Subiaco
That Fremantle's chief ballwinner remains a bloke who's in his first season is an indictment on the experienced heads in Freo's list. They need more contributors and less focus on Pavlich if they want to perform better. The Bombers were impressive last week, scoring freely and quickly, albeit with much of the scoring happening in junk time in the last quarter. Freo are ninth in terms of points conceded, while the Bombers are 15th, yet Essendon have managed four wins to Freo's two. Their attacking style and capable midfield will get them over the line here. Subiaco is not the House of Pain it used to be, with Freo winning just once there all year. Mark McVeigh for three votes.
Essendon by 21 points
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