Round 17 in the AFL is looking like it could be a massive week in deciding who will finish in the top eight with many of the top contenders facing off against each other and it all kicks off tonight with defending champions Geelong taking on Essendon.
A lot of the talk in recent weeks has been of a Cats team in decline but there is no doubt that they still have a ton of class in their ranks and if it clicks they could go on another run that sees them retain the flag. But under James Hird Essendon have continued to improve. They are super fit and battle hard right to the end so with Stewart Cameri returning alongside Angus Monfries I am not looking past the bombers in this one.
Collingwood Vs Hawthorn is promising to be one of the games of the season and if the bookies are right then we could see them meet again at the MCG later in the year. Hawthorn will be without Buddy Franklin for the clash but if they can spread the goal kicking duties around and keep the pressure on the pies for a full four quarters then they could be in with a sniff repeating Carlton’s shock win over Nathan Buckley’s troops just two weeks ago.
West Coast have been one of the dominant teams this season thanks in no small part to Cox and Naitinui but the Eagles don’t seem to travel too well and heading to Adelaide to face an in form crows outfit could prove to be too much. Of course it doesn’t help that they have been hit with a few injuries but if they want to be there at the end of the season they have to show that there is strength in depth to battle the best.
It is a derby and anything can happen with pride on the line but even with their shock after the siren win against Richmond last week you have to think that winning games on the bounce is still beyond The Gold Coast Suns. Brisbane will be on the ball and with Daniel Merrett doing his impersonation of Houdini at the tribunal midweek it has to be a Lions win for me.
Carlton, Carlton, Carlton where did it all go wrong? They were tipped as contenders at the start of the year but will now be lucky to make the eight. Judd is of course missing for his KFC brain snap while Waite, Simpson and Hampson are all injured. I still think they will beat the Bulldogs though who simply can’t score points at the moment.
Melbourne Vs Port Adelaide could be decided by a toss of a coin as far as I am concerned. Both teams have been pretty poor so far this season and both failed to kick a goal in the final term of their respective ties last week despite leading late in the third quarter.
St Kilda have been playing some good positive stuff this season and they will not be put off by heading to the SCG to take on the Swannies. Brendan Goddard and Jack Steven will return to the side which will give Adam Goodes and Co something to think about. But even with these inclusions and the no fear football played by the new look Saints you have to think that Sydney at home will be a step too far.
Richmond were embarrassed last week after they threw away an eight point lead in the dying seconds against bottom of the ladder The Gold Coast Suns. This match is all about how they respond and with Dustin Martin back in the team to stamp some authority then they could just get back to winning ways on the hallowed turf of the MCG against North Melbourne.
You have to think that Fremantle against GWS is simply a matter of picking the winning margin. Will it be 80, 100 or even a 120 point victory for the dockers? But then again this is a side managed by Ross Lyon so expect them to grind it out, slow the play down and win by a last ditch Pavlich goal.
