AFL Round 19

[45HG 1,539]

Limited time this week will make the preview minimal, feel free to add!

AFL Round 19

North Melbourne v Geelong

Form: Good vs Exceptional

Head to head: Cats with 8 of the last 9 (North beat them last year, though, and lead by 40 points earlier this year)

Eye on the Roos: This could well be the game that makes up, somewhat, for so many near misses. Have been eying off a top-4 win all year and will love the home Friday night game.

Eye on the Cats: Predictably struck back with a vengeance last week, will need to be at their best.

Verdict: Cracker. This game should be close throughout. Cats seem to have a few too many goalkickers and a bit much class but I’m expecting North to be dogged throughout and, potentially, pinch the upset.

Tip: North by 1

GWS v Melbourne

Form: Plucky vs Pathetic

Head to head: Dees 3-0

Eye on the Giants: This’ll either be the eventual win that has been in the air for weeks or the massive letdown after two very good performances. Hard to predict.

Eye on the Demons: Disgraceful last week, disappointing the previous. This will either be the retaliation of lost pride for a fighting win or a capitulation against a plucky, youthful side looking for their first win.

Verdict: This could be anything. I could see either team winning by 50. I could also see it being close. Giants have the motivation, Dees have the greater experience. In my opinion, this is the hardest game to tip for some time. Toss a coin.

Tip: Draw

Hawthorn v Richmond

Form: Very good vs Inflated

Head to head: Hawks with 3 of the past 4 (Tigers with the last)

Eye on the Hawks: They know September so well and seem primed to partake in the festival deep into the month.

Eye on the Tigers: The anticipated reality check arrived last week for the Tigers, and I think the exclamation mark may just be made this week if they don’t tighten up their ball movement and stoppage work.

Verdict: Hawks will win. Richmond match up OK against them, but they were exposed last week and Hawthorn would love to wedge that open - especially after being rolled by this mob last year.

Tip: Hawks by 34

West Coast v Gold Coast

Form: Shocking vs OK

Head to head: Eagles 2-0

Eye on the Eagles: The pretenders have been pantsed and, if they don’t get some names back, could really struggle this week.They’ve hated home this year - going 2-7 (with one win by 2 points after the bell and their 6 worse losses all being recorded at home).

Eye on the Suns: They don’t particularly like to travel but they’ve been solid all year. Indeed, their worst loss was by a meagre 52 points at the Cattery - and that only came about because of one poor term. GC suffered their worst loss of 2012 out West but both teams a markedly different this time round.

Verdict: Hard to go against the home team for that simple reason. They are the home team. Having said that, their poor aggression, poor home record and use of the footy this year matched with Gold Coast’s improvement could spell trouble for the Weagles. Will be watching team sheets closely for this one.

Tip: Eagles by 21

Carlton v Freo

Form: Middling vs Tops

Head to head: Carlton with the last 2 - Freo with the previous 2

Eye on the Blues: They’ll need to be at their best. Haven’t really been smashed in any game this year (thanks, in part, to a good first term against the Pies) - they promise to keep this close but, ultimately, will find it hard to score enough to roll the Dockers. This game has reminders of the Swans clash and, oddly, a clash the Dees had with the Swans back in ’04 (for some bizarre reason).

Eye on the Dockers: Getting it done. Like the Eagles, I’ll be keeping a close eye on their team sheet but they should head in as favourites all things being equal.

Verdict: This should be a fascinating game. Both sides love the counter attack and don’t mind a tussle. Look for not many easy goals and a low-scoring game.

Tip: Dockers by 11

Brisbane vs St Kilda

Form: Good vs putrid

Head to head: Saints with the last 4

Eye on the Lions: Their chance of finals slipped with a goalless last term and a dodgy decision. They’ve been in reasonable form, however, and they’ll be looking to let loose on a weakened Saints on their home turf.

Eye on the Saints: It’s looking sad for the Saints. Very sad.

Verdict: Brisbane, if they’re up for it, will be too crisp, too sharp and too brutal.

Tip: Lions by 51

Western bulldogs vs Sydney

Form: Meh vs Tops

Head to head: Swans with the last 4

Eye on the Dogs: A feel good win last week, albeit against poor opposition. It’s hard to dislike the Dogs and they’ve got a couple coming through. They’ll come back to Earth with a thud this week, however, as they face the mighty Swans midfield. Will be great to watch Libba go toe-to-toe with them, nonetheless.

Eye on the Swans: Just like the Hawks, they are hitting top gear right at the right time.

Verdict: Too many goalkickers and too many mids, the Swans will get this done easily.

Tip: Swans by 43

Adelaide vs Port Adelaide

Form: Odd vs Up

Head to head: Crows with 3 of the past 4

Eye on the Crows: Their strange season rolls on and, with the return of the ‘Mouse, they’d love nothing more than to dent Port’s season...just a little!

Eye on the Power: Equally, but oppositely, strange has been Port’s season. Finals bound you’d think, the Power need to keep the momentum rolling into September.

Verdict: Port enter this match higher on the ladder, in better form, more to play for. Adelaide will win - it’s just how it works.

Tip: Crows by 23

Collingwood vs Essendon

Form: Meh vs Precarious

Head to head: Pies with 7 of the last 8 (Bombers with the last)

Eye on the Pies: Thrown under the bus by the enemy - if they’re not up for this game they never will be.

Eye on the Bombers: Last game? All on the line!

Verdict: This could be absolutely huge. Dust-ups/goals/marks/hits and a huge crowd should round the weekend out beautifully. This could be a corker - another toss of the coin job it will depend which Collingwood shows and how much fight Essendon have left in them.

Tip: All things equal - Bombers by 17. On the day - Pies by 5

Game of the Round: Bombers Pies and, potentially, Dockers Blues

Thrashing of the Round: Lions Saints

Upset of the Round: North

Closest tip last week: Missed the Power by 8

[45HG 1,539]

A great game of Friday night footy. Hats off to North.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,005]

There goes my perfect round...

[Ted Lasso 17,318]

North have really had the wood over Geelong this year, earlier on this year they were well and truely in a winning position and then Geelong came back, this time they held on