 | | St Kilda will look to Frazer Gehrig to get them past the in-form Kangaroos |
by Libby Grounds
Melbourne vs. Geelong
Going into this round the Demons are unbeaten with two good wins under their belts. They are still suffering from the shock loss of Troy Broadbridge in the Tsunami and honouring his memory the best way they know – on the field. If they needed to add anything else to their list, their captain David Neitz is playing game 250 this weekend. It will be interesting to see how the Cats pull up after their trip away and short turn around time. They were trying to better their away statistics and will be bitterly disappointed in last week’s performance and trying to make amends. Prediction-Melbourne St Kilda vs. North Melbourne
The Saints certainly haven’t had an ideal start to the season after a round one loss and then only a narrow win over the Dockers. They are suffering a horror injury list including their captain who will be out for at least another three weeks. The Kangaroos are fairing much better and are so far undefeated. The Kangaroos have almost all hands on deck and are flying with confidence and their good form should get them over the line. Prediction-Kangaroos Carlton vs. Collingwood
The Magpies are one of three teams still to notch up a win and have so far been disappointing. They will be without some key big men due to injury with the biggest blow being their skipper, Nathan Buckley. The Pies on field problems are not confined to just one spot with holes needing to be filled all over the field. They will need to work hard in the ruck with Josh Fraser and Guy Richards sidelined. If the Blues ruck can dominate, their strong midfield and forwards will be able to exploit the Magpies lack of big men. Among many problems the Magpies are experiencing, there is none worse than the lack of good strong players to take the field. Prediction-Carlton Brisbane vs. Sydney
Both of these sides are suffering with injury lists not desired by any coach. The Swans are in a slightly better position with many of their players being available probably next week. The Lions still have Brown and Black on suspension with Charman now being added to that list. The Lions injury worries seem to be a continuing problem, but are to be expected when matched with the age of the players in the side. They have proved that they still have it in them after their amazing fight back last round against Port Adelaide. The major advantage this week for the Lions will be the home game and should just get them over the edge. Prediction-Lions. Fremantle vs. West Coast
This will be a difficult one to pick with both sides proving they are worthy. The Dockers have played two big sides in Saints and Power and have proved hard to contain. The Eagles also have been quietly ticking away and proving themselves to be an ever-improving side. The Dockers won the last two times these sides met, but they have just come from playing two big teams and a last round trip to Tasmania. Will they be able to find enough to outlast the Eagles? Prediction-West Coast Adelaide vs. Port Adelaide
Another hometown game will be featuring in Adelaide as these two sides face up at AAMI Stadium. The Power have suffered some shock losses to the Crows in the past and will be working at not repeating them. They are now the reigning premiers and have shown they can overcome the likes of the Lions even after a last term revival. The Crows are down on luck injury wise especially with their key defender watching from the sideline. Prediction-Port Adelaide Essendon vs. Hawthorn
It’ll be interesting to see what happens this time when these two sides come together. It wasn’t exactly all fun and games the last time with the on field brawl being watched by many in disbelief at the behaviour of these two sides. What will this year bring? Both sides are still waiting to register a win 2005 and dying to get the upper hand. The Bombers will need to be consistent and work hard for the full four terms, and the Hawks will need to improve on their kick for goal. Prediction-Essendon Western Bulldogs vs. Richmond
This will be an interesting one to watch with Dogs coach Terry Wallace facing up against his old team. Jade Rawlings has been a bit of a disappointment for the Dogs after transferring over from Hawks and hasn’t stepped up to the plate up forward. The Dogs form has been much more convincing so far this season and they should be able to get one over the Tigers. Prediction- Western Bulldogs E-mail the author
source: MasterTips
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