Adam Bailey
DeanoHarmoShow Us Your Tips - AFL, 29th June - 1st July
June 28th 2007 10:08
Category: No Category
Essendon v Melbourne
Telstra Dome, Friday 7:40pm
Neale Daniher says farewell to the Melbourne coaching job in this match, against the side he played his football with. It's been a disappointing season for the Demons, although much of Daniher's reign with the club has been succesful; including getting the club to the 2000 grand final. The Melbourne players will be determined to lift for the occasion and give their mentor a send-off to remember, but it's hard to see them doing enough to knock off an Essendon side who need a win to maintain their position in the 8. Bombers should get home here, but not by much.
Geelong v Sydney
Skilled Stadium, Saturday 2:10pm
The Cats have played electrifying football this season to find themselves top of the ladder, and will be refreshed after a week off. This week they return home to take on the inconsistent Sydney, who had an absolute shocker against Collingwood last week. Barry Hall is out, Schneider is out, and the Swans find themselves languishing outside the top 8. But the Swans are such an inconsistent side that it's not impossible they could lift to spring the upset here - but at home it's hard to justify tipping against Geelong.
Fremantle v Carlton
Subiaco Oval, Saturday 4:10pm
Both sides have had a week off to recover from disappointing losses in their last starts. The Dockers made the early front-running against the Bulldogs in Darwin but were unable to last the distance; while Carlton were thrashed by Hawthorn under the Docklands roof. The Dockers will relish their return to Subiaco and away from the distractions of the Darwin nightlife; and with the home ground advantage should have the edge here.
Brisbane v Port Adelaide
Gabba, Saturday 7:10pm
A season that promised the chance of lifting up the ladder has unravelled in recent weeks for the Lions, and the mid-season break has given the Queenslanders an opportunity to regroup. It's an opportunity the Lions will need, as they this week come up against a resurgent Port side that snapped their losing streak in style with a big win over Essendon in their last match. Particularly pleasing for the Power will be the form of Warren Tredrea, who had looked hopelessly out of sorts but rediscovered his touch in his 200th game for the club. It's always dangerous to tip against the Lions at the Gabba, but the Power have a chance to get back into the 8 here and should be too strong here.
St Kilda v Richmond
Telstra Dome, Saturday 7:10pm
St Kilda bounced back into form in style last week, celebrating Robert Harvey's 350th game with a sensational against-the-odds win against the Eagles at Subiaco. Particularly pleasing for the Saints was their strength of character when the Eagles were throwing everything at them in the last quarter to stand their ground and kick those vital goals at the end. This week they take on a Richmond side who scored their first win for the season last week, and will have a spring in their step for the first time in many weeks. Self-belief will be a key here, but both sides should show some after their last effort. But the Saints still have an outside shot at the finals and need this win more; and should get it.
Adelaide v West Coast
AAMI Stadium, Sunday 1:10pm
These sides have played in the last 2 prelim finals, and have had some memorable clashes in recent seasons. The Crows had last week off, after their last match saw them pull off a creditable win against the Kangaroos at the Gold Coast. Particularly pleasing for the Crows would be the return to form of Mark Riccuito. In contrast, the Eagles have lost 2 in a row and are in serious risk of crashing out of the top 4 should they go down again here. This match has all the makings of a classic and should go down to the wire, but the reigning premiers should have the edge to fall over the line - Eagles just.
Kangaroos v Western Bulldogs
MCG, Sunday 2:10pm
Much of the attention for this clash will be on the 300th game of Kangaroo Glen Archer. The 1996 Norm Smith Medallist has been a source of inspiration for the club, with his determination and shinboner spirit being a key part of their golden era in the 1990s and guiding them through the hard times early this decade. The Bulldogs have plenty to play for as well, after a strong win in Darwin before the break saw them return to the top 8; and stakes are high in the jockeying for position for finals berth. Under other circumstances the Bulldogs would have the edge, but the Kangaroos will be desperate to pull out something special for Archer. They did it for his 250th when they came from 40 points down to beat the Swans in the last quarter at the SCG; and should put in a special performance here. There won't be much in it, but the Kangaroos should just get home.
Collingwood v Hawthorn
Telstra Dome, Sunday 5:10pm
Both these clubs keep on keeping on, proving the critics wrong and rewarding the faith of their loyal supporters. The Magpies travelled to Sydney to take in the highly-fancied Swans, but shut the locals out of the game to pull off a sensational victory. The Hawks have had the week off, after an amazing 100-point demolition of Carlton in their last start. Both these sides are in an unlikely top-4 position, and this game is a sell-out; but only one will stay there. The Hawks have been marginally more impressive, and although there won't be much in it Hawthorn should just win here.
| 24 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
