How to tip for Round 17
July 25th 2008 05:12
Hawthorn v Geelong at the MCG
A massive contest, both on the field and in the race for the top four. The Hawks will not want to concede four more points to the teams at its heels, but the Cats really are unstoppable. The best tackling team taking on the team that concedes more holding-the-balls that any other. The margin will not reflect the contest.
[Refer to my previous post for more detail.]
Geelong by 30 points
Essendon v Collingwood at the MCG
Teams lift against Collingwood and so, despite the Bombers' ordinary season, they will put up a good fight here. They gain a defender in Fletcher, while the Pies gain a forward in Davis. The Bombers play mostly for the joy of beating their rivals, but the Pies have their finals credentials on the line, and that should be inspiration enough to get them comfortably over the line.
Collingwood by 38 points
West Coast Eagles v St Kilda at Subiaco Oval
The Eagles' injury list just won't let up - Captain Glass and Kennedy the newest additions. St Kilda, on the other hand, are building up steam on their way to September action. West Coast have struggled to post a healthy score with limited firepower recently and now they face a quality defence.
St Kilda by 41 points
Richmond v Brisbane Lions at Telstra Dome
Brisbane were fairly convincing against the Eagles last week, whereas the Tigers got over the Bombers on the back of some creative thinking by Joel Bowden. Both teams have firing midfields, but the Lions' defence is a bit more accomplished and their Brown-Bradshaw combination should pose too many problems for the Tigers. Watch out for Simon Black.
Brisbane Lions by 22 points
Sydney Swans v Adelaide at the SCG
Sydney were scared by the Blues last week, whereas Adelaide bombed out of the eight with a shock loss to their cross-town rivals. Both teams are being tested by injuries, but the Swans have the better depth to account for that. The Crows are taking a huge gamble in dropping Johncock but recall the hugely underrated Porplyzia. On paper, a fairly even match, but the Swans won't want to give any ground on their fourth spot and usually use their home ground advantage very effectively.
Sydney by 24 points
Port Adelaide v Fremantle at AAMI Stadium
Fremantle can play very well when they want to, or when their opposition allows. The Power appear to have waited until the grudge match against the Crows to call their season over. The concession of Chad Cornes for the season and omission of Lade appear to reflect Port's acceptance that 2008 is over. Freo should be able to take advantage of that. Pavlich will run all over Chaplin, and Sandilands will collect three votes.
Fremantle by 9 points
Melbourne v North Melbourne at the MCG
Looking to consolidate their spot in the eight, North shouldn't struggle too much against 16th placed Melbourne. However, the Dees will realise that a win, or at least a stronger showing that the Eagles, will raise them off the bottom of the ladder. North will get up, but it won't be without a fight.
North Melbourne by 16 points
Western Bulldogs v Carlton at Telstra Dome
The Blues have exceeded most people's expectations this year, but the genuine title hopefuls will prove just how far they have to go to be true contenders. The Dogs will be hurting after falling away against the Cats last week, which will be inspiration to put in four solid quarters in itself. If Lake can mute Fevola effectively it could get ugly.
Western Bulldogs by 45 points
A massive contest, both on the field and in the race for the top four. The Hawks will not want to concede four more points to the teams at its heels, but the Cats really are unstoppable. The best tackling team taking on the team that concedes more holding-the-balls that any other. The margin will not reflect the contest.
[Refer to my previous post for more detail.]
Geelong by 30 points
Essendon v Collingwood at the MCG
Teams lift against Collingwood and so, despite the Bombers' ordinary season, they will put up a good fight here. They gain a defender in Fletcher, while the Pies gain a forward in Davis. The Bombers play mostly for the joy of beating their rivals, but the Pies have their finals credentials on the line, and that should be inspiration enough to get them comfortably over the line.
West Coast Eagles v St Kilda at Subiaco Oval
The Eagles' injury list just won't let up - Captain Glass and Kennedy the newest additions. St Kilda, on the other hand, are building up steam on their way to September action. West Coast have struggled to post a healthy score with limited firepower recently and now they face a quality defence.
St Kilda by 41 points
Richmond v Brisbane Lions at Telstra Dome
Brisbane were fairly convincing against the Eagles last week, whereas the Tigers got over the Bombers on the back of some creative thinking by Joel Bowden. Both teams have firing midfields, but the Lions' defence is a bit more accomplished and their Brown-Bradshaw combination should pose too many problems for the Tigers. Watch out for Simon Black.
Brisbane Lions by 22 points
Sydney Swans v Adelaide at the SCG
Sydney were scared by the Blues last week, whereas Adelaide bombed out of the eight with a shock loss to their cross-town rivals. Both teams are being tested by injuries, but the Swans have the better depth to account for that. The Crows are taking a huge gamble in dropping Johncock but recall the hugely underrated Porplyzia. On paper, a fairly even match, but the Swans won't want to give any ground on their fourth spot and usually use their home ground advantage very effectively.
Sydney by 24 points
Port Adelaide v Fremantle at AAMI Stadium
Fremantle can play very well when they want to, or when their opposition allows. The Power appear to have waited until the grudge match against the Crows to call their season over. The concession of Chad Cornes for the season and omission of Lade appear to reflect Port's acceptance that 2008 is over. Freo should be able to take advantage of that. Pavlich will run all over Chaplin, and Sandilands will collect three votes.
Fremantle by 9 points
Melbourne v North Melbourne at the MCG
Looking to consolidate their spot in the eight, North shouldn't struggle too much against 16th placed Melbourne. However, the Dees will realise that a win, or at least a stronger showing that the Eagles, will raise them off the bottom of the ladder. North will get up, but it won't be without a fight.
North Melbourne by 16 points
Western Bulldogs v Carlton at Telstra Dome
The Blues have exceeded most people's expectations this year, but the genuine title hopefuls will prove just how far they have to go to be true contenders. The Dogs will be hurting after falling away against the Cats last week, which will be inspiration to put in four solid quarters in itself. If Lake can mute Fevola effectively it could get ugly.
Western Bulldogs by 45 points
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