Preview of AFL Round 19 matches (all times AEST):
FRIDAY, Aug 2
North Melbourne v Geelong at Etihad Stadium 7.50pm
Head to Head: Kangaroos 59 Cats 93 Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 2, 2013 – Cats 16.16 (112) bt Kangaroos 17.6 (108) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Kangaroos $3.55 Cats $1.30
Sportingbet: Kangaroos $3.50 Cats $1.31
North Melbourne will be frothing for revenge in this one. Not only have the Kangaroos lost eight of their past nine games against Geelong, but their 2013 season of heartbreak got on a roll with their round-two loss to the Cats. A controversial 50m penalty to Jimmy Bartel in the final minute allowed the Cats midfielder sealed a terrific comeback from 41 points down. Geelong will be without suspended forward James Podsiadly, and coach Chris Scott will no doubt unleash a furious tirade if any of his other players get suspended at such a crucial point in the season. The return of Bartel from suspension is a big plus for the Cats.
Key: How the Kangaroos cope without inspirational skipper Andrew Swallow (Achilles).
Tip: Geelong by 28
SATURDAY, Aug 3
Greater Western Sydney v Melbourne at Skoda Stadium 1.45pm
Head to Head: Giants 0 Demons 1
Last clash: Round 4, 2013 – Demons 22.12 (144) bt Giants 15.13 (103)
Tab Sportsbet: Giants $1.80 Demons $2.00
Sportingbet: Giants $1.83 Demons $2.00
If the Giants are to win a game this year, this is their best chance. In round four, they led Melbourne by 19 points at the final change before the Demons stole the win with an emphatic 10-goal final quarter. Melbourne have been a rabble this year, but they’ve at least managed to cobble together two wins. Kevin Sheedy’s Giants have a knack of fading late in games which has cost them any chance of victory to date. The Giants welcome back rising star Stephen Coniglio, while the Demons lose spearhead Chris Dawes to a calf injury.
Key: How will the Giants handle the favourites tag?
Tip: Giants by 19
Hawthorn v Richmond at the MCG 2.10pm
Head to Head: Hawks 67 Tigers 83
Last clash: Round 9, 2012 – Tigers 21.11 (137) bt Hawks 10.15 (75) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Hawks $1.20 Tigers $4.60
Sportingbet: Hawks $1.22 Tigers $4.30
Hawthorn don’t want to be on the receiving end of another “Jack Attack” in this match. Jack Riewoldt booted six goals in Richmond’s shock 62-point win over Hawthorn last year. The Hawks are overwhelming favourites to win this year’s flag, but the Tigers’ superb work at the clearances means another boilover could be on the cards. Richmond had their colours lowered by Sydney last week. But as crazy as it sounds, Richmond will probably fare better against a free-wheeling side like Hawthorn rather than the ultra-disciplined Swans. The return of Shaun Burgoyne adds extra class to the Hawks’ line-up.
Key: The clearance battle will prove crucial in this one. Both teams possess line-breaking players capable of inflicting mass damage. And with Buddy Franklin and Jack Riewoldt looming at either end, don’t be surprised if a big bag of goals is kicked.
Tip: Hawthorn by 19
West Coast v Gold Coast at Patersons Stadium, 4.40pm
Head to Head: Eagles 2 Suns 0
Last clash: Rd 14, 2012 – Eagles 25.16 (166) bt Suns 5.10 (40).
Tab Sportsbet: Eagles $1.42 Suns $2.90
Sportingbet: Eagles $1.42 Suns $2.90
When these teams last met, Gold Coast were pantsed, given a chance to regroup at half-time, and then promptly pantsed again by a ruthless West Coast outfit. Don’t expect a repeat result this weekend. Gold Coast have come on in leaps and bounds since that flogging, and are a good chance to push for a finals berth next year. In contrast, West Coast have taken a major step backwards this season, with injuries to a host of key players leaving them three wins adrift of eighth spot. The Eagles welcome back skipper Darren Glass and veteran Andrew Embley, while David Swallow returns for the Suns.
Key: West Coast’s forward line has the potential to wreak havoc. But if the Suns, led by Gary Ablett, can win the midfield battle, then this game could go down to the wire.
Tip: West Coast by 32
Carlton v Fremantle at Etihad Stadium 7.40pm
Head to Head: Blues 12 Dockers 14
Last clash: Round 5, 2012 – Blues 10.5 (65) bt Dockers 7.15 (57) at Patersons Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Blues $1.70 Dockers $2.15
Sportingbet: Blues $1.82 Dockers $2.00
It’s time for Carlton to make a statement under new coach Mick Malthouse, and this match represents the perfect time to do it. The Blues’ finals hopes hang in the balance with just five rounds remaining, and they should be bracing themselves for a dog of a battle against a Fremantle outfit fighting tooth and nail for a top-four berth. The Dockers are the best defensive outfit in the league, but Carlton possess the speed at ground level to be able to find a way through Fremantle’s renowned ‘squeeze’. The return from injury of Hayden Ballantyne gives the Dockers extra zip up forward, but 211cm ruckman Aaron Sandilands could provide Fremantle’s best avenue towards goal.
Tip: Carlton’s fleet-footed forward line need to unleash their magic in order to inspire their team to victory. If Chris Yarran, Jeff Garlett and Eddie Betts can get off the leash, then it bodes well for the Blues.
Tip: Fremantle by 12 points
Brisbane v St Kilda at Etihad Stadium 7.40pm
Head to Head: Brisbane Lions 14 St Kilda 11
Last clash: Round 16, 2012 – Saints 16.9 (105) bt Lions 14.8 (92) at Gabba
Tab Sportsbet: Lions $1.20 Saints $4.60
Sportingbet: Lions $1.20 Saints $4.60
A bad year for St Kilda got even worse this week when it was announced that fringe forward Ahmed Saad is under investigation for the alleged use of a banned substance. The news was delivered just five days after their 101-point loss to Geelong. St Kilda have managed just three wins this year, and look like they might spend a few more years in the wilderness before even thinking about finals action again. Brisbane coach Michael Voss is fighting for his future. The Lions have been good in the second half of the season, but a loss to St Kilda would severely dent Voss’ chances of earning a new deal.
Key: Brisbane ruckman Matt Leuenberger has been in hot form since returning from an Achilles tendon injury this year. If the Saints can’t curb his influence, then expect Brisbane to get the points.
Tip: Brisbane by 29
SUNDAY, Aug 4
Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium 1.10pm
Head to Head: Bulldogs 77 Swans/South Melbourne 74 Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 21, 2012 – Swans 26.11 (167) bt Bulldogs 13.7 (85) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Bulldogs $8.00 Swans $1.08
Sportingbet: Bulldogs $8.00 Swans $1.08
The Bulldogs claimed their biggest scalp of the year with a win over injury-hit West Coast last week. But they are in for a long day against Sydney, who are recapturing their best form despite still missing a host of their best players through injury. It’s hard to find a genuine weakness in Sydney’s line-up. Bulldogs midfielder Matthew Boyd will miss due to a calf injury.
Key: The Bulldogs may be light on for experience up forward and in defence, but their midfield boasts a glut of quality players. If they can beat Sydney in this area, they’ll stand a chance, albeit a slim one.
Tip: Sydney by 39
Adelaide v Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium 3.20pm
Head to Head: Adelaide 16 Port Adelaide 18
Last meeting: Round 3, 2013 – Power 17.16 (118) bt Adelaide 16.13 (109) at AAMI Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Crows $1.95 Power $1.85
Sportingbet: Crows $2.05 Power $1.78
Port Adelaide are shaping up to be the Cinderella story of 2013. Under new coach Ken Hinkley, the Power have transformed themselves from the AFL’s basket case to a genuine finals contender. A win over Adelaide will go a long way towards securing Port Adelaide finals action, while Adelaide are already preparing for next year after injuries and poor form cruelled their season. The Crows will be without forward Josh Jenkins (ankle) and star midfielder Rory Sloane (eye), but welcome back Patrick Dangerfield and Ben Rutten.
Tip: Travis Boak has embraced the Power captaincy this year. The star midfielder tallied 30 possessions and three goals in the round-three showdown win over Adelaide. The Crows can’t afford to let him off the leash again.
Tip: Power by 11 points.
Collingwood vs Essendon at the MCG 4.40pm
Head to Head: Magpies 124 Bombers 99 Drawn 4
Last clash: Round 5, 2013 – Bombers 18.13 (121) bt Collingwood 10.15 (75) at the MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Magpies $1.75 Bombers $2.10
Sportingbet: Magpies $1.80 Bombers $2.02
If recent history is anything to go by, then chalk down a win to the Bombers. Essendon have coped magnificently with the supplements crisis this season. It seems the darker the off-field stuff gets, the better they perform on the field. Things seem to be at their lowest point right now following the sensational allegations levelled at Bombers coach James Hird by the club’s former high performance manager Dean Robinson. Hird is under huge pressure to stand down, but the players are desperate for their leader to stay on. Key Bombers veterans Jobe Watson and Dustin Fletcher have been named in an extended squad, while the ‘Pies could welcome back Quinten Lynch and Luke Ball.
Key: Will the Bombers finally crack? Surely the off-field drama will get to them at some point. Collingwood were also dragged into the mess this week and will be eager to put in a solid on-field performance.
Tip: Bombers by 11
