Round 20 of the AFL is here already, with a few mouth watering encounters taking place this weekend. With only 4 rounds remaining in the regular season, every match is critical at the moment, so expect some big games as the top teams fight for those all important spots inside the top 8.
West Coast Eagles vs Geelong Cats kicks-off at 8.40pm Friday night, in what is the first match of the round. The Cats will go into this one with a lot of confidence, especially after last weeks win against the Hawks. In contrast, West Coast were not exactly on fire against Fremantle last week, and will be keen to turn the tide in front of their home crowd.
The St Kilda Saints take on the Melbourne Demons on Saturday at 1.45pm, with the Saints winning their last encounter back in round 5. While the Saints can still make the top 8 in theory, it looks incredibly unlikely at this stage after their loss to Collingwood last weekend. While the Demons’ win last week will see them avoid the wooden spoon, they are going to struggle in this one.
The Adelaide Crows play the Fremantle Dockers on Saturday at 2.10pm, with the Crows keen to cement their second place on the table and keep the Pies at bay. Fremantle will not be easy to beat however, having won their last 5 encounters and now sitting just outside the top 8. While Fremantle’s big win against the Eagles last weekend will give them momentum, they will have their work cut out for them against the in-form Crows.
Gold Coast Suns vs GWS Giants kicks-off on Saturday at 4.40pm, with this bottom of the table, wooden-spoon encounter perhaps more exciting than you would think. The Giants took the win the first time these teams met in round 7, but the Gary Ablett and the Suns will be looking to breath some life into the bottom of the table this time round.
The Sydney Swans take on the Collingwood Magpies on Saturday evening at 7.40pm, in what many people predict will be the match of the round. This game is 1 v 3 on the ladder, with the Swans a game clear of Adelaide in second position. The Swans will miss Jude Bolton for this match, although the Pies are also without star midfielder Dane Swan due to a 2 week suspension.
Carlton Blues vs Brisbane Lions kicks-off on Saturday at 7.40pm, with Carlton hanging on by the thinnest of ropes in 11th spot. However, at least they are doing better than the Lions, with 4 losses out of the last 5 matches and a season that pretty much ended a month ago. The Blues might not have a good record at Etihad Stadium, but they really do need this win.
The Hawthorn Hawks take on Port Adelaide Power on Sunday at 1.10pm, with the Hawks coming off a thriller loss last weekend. Port are also coming off a loss however, after being smashed by the Giants last weekend. With only 4 matches left however, the Hawks will be going all out to ensure a place within swinging distance of the top 2.
Richmond Tigers vs Western Bulldogs kicks-off on Sunday at 3.15pm, with the Tigers in better form despite no real chance of making the finals. In contrast, the Bulldogs have been a bit of a mess since round 10, and will have to be lucky to get any points from this one.
The last match of the round is between the Essendon Bombers and the North Melbourne Kangaroos, kicking off on Sunday afternoon at 4.40pm. This one has the potential to be match of the round, with both teams having everything to play for. Even though the Bombers have been struggling of late, both teams will want to cement their place in the top 8.
