Essendon were given a bit of a hiding by defending champs Geelong last week and they will want to show everybody that they are serious contenders for the 2012 flag by beating the competitions form side Hawthorn at Etihad on Friday night. Hawthorn are in impeccable touch though, which was summed up by their thumping of Collingwood in round 17. People said they couldn’t do it without Franklin but the goals were spread around and I think it will be tough for the Bombers to stop them in this form.
People had written Geelong off up until they tore Esendon a new one last week. There is still so much class in The Cats outfit that they can beat anybody on their day and could be in with a shock chance of another flag this year. Adelaide will be without Tippett and will lose this clash as most teams do at Simonds Stadium on what is looking like a wet Saturday afternoon.
The Demons really have been woeful all season and I simply can’t see it improving anytime soon. North Melbourne will win this clash comfortably and inflict more heart ache on their cross town rivals.
GWS are in for a long long afternoon against a Collingwood side that will be looking to get back to winning ways in Round 18. There is no doubt some good talent in the new Sydney franchise but will they be able to withstand the pressure of a hungry Tomas, Swan and Co. I seriously doubt it. In fact I am even expecting Travis Cloke to bag a few goals which will probably increase his current wage demands.
Carlton Vs Richmond is a tough game to call. Both teams have been as inconsistent as my mums cooking this year, as hot and tasty as anything else on offer one week, then weak watery and difficult to digest the next. Both teams played pretty well last week though but with Carlton still having so many outs I am predicting a Richmond win in this one.
Gold Coast are improving there is no doubt about it. They pushed Brisbane close last week and beat Richmond the week before but the Swannies are a different beast and will be too much for Ablett and Co to handle.
Fremantle are probably the most boring side in the competition and many people out there are hoping that Port Adelaide can get one over on them this week to stop the West Coast clubs march to the finals. At home The Power have a chance but I think that Freo have the wind in their sales after two big wins over The Demons and GWS respectively and will win this one to keep their top eight hopes alive.
The Bulldogs seem have given up the finals fight already and this will see them lose yet again against a Saints side looking to improve every week. Brendan Goddard has said that his form has struggled since 2010 but if he can click in to gear for this game the doggies could be in for a hiding.
West Coast have found themselves in something of a rut over the past few weeks and have struggled to find their game. But there is no better place to pick it up than at home against a team that is definitely beatable, The Brisbane Lions. The Gold Coast gave the Lions a real match last week and if The Eagles can get at them early it should be an easy win.
