45HG

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

Equally as important would be the MFC opposing any possible push for an Australian Republic...

Since Etihad has come in: At Etihad: North 7 - 0 Melbourne Anywhere Else: North 7 - 7 Melbourne

I think we're a very, very good chance today - for one reason alone. There's no doubting North will have a handy lead late...and we all know what happens then!

I think that's why it'll be 83.

Article about Fitz on the AFL website here.

Essendon v Hawthorn Form: Impressive v Very good Head to Head: Hawks with the last 3 (average of 58 points) Eye on the Bombers: Essendon continue to dispel the doubters and continued on their winning way, again beating the Giants by 39 points. However, they now face a troubling patch of matches that could (coinciding with the findings from the ASADA investigation) destroy their season. The Hawks have been a bogie team of late for Essendon and they then face Collingwood, West Coast, North, Carlton and Richmond. Worryingly for the Bombers, they have looked meek out of the middle in the past few weeks since Watson went down and may finally pay for it this week. Midfielders like Stanton and Heppell will need to play out of their skin and they’ll be desparate for Carlisle to continue this AA form (especially if Buddy returns). Eye on the Hawks: The Hawks will be licking their lips for this game. Of course, the Hawks have only lost to the Cats this year, but their form hasn’t been as intimidating as last year’s. I think that the Hawks are looking for a good team to front up against and they’ll enjoy the opportunity to go toe to toe with another top 4 side. They’ve enjoyed playing Essendon of late and should be too strong across the field. If they get their aggression right, they’ll be a shoe-in. Hawthorn have won their 15 matches comfortably - by an avaerage of 39.9 points. Verdict: I see this only going one way. The manner could vary - Essendon could come out hard and go close through the first two quarters while Hawthorn ease away toward the end or Hawthorn could come out and blitz the Bombers. They have so much speed and hardness through the middle that it’ll be hard for the Bombers to match. Without Watson they’ll be chasing tail from the start and the Hawks will enjoy Etihad after having a couple of Friday night practices of late. Tip: Hawks by 42 Gold Coast v Carlton Form: Irrepressible v Not great Head to head: The Suns ruined Carlton’s (and Ratten’s) year in this fixture 2012. Split 1-1. Eye on the Suns: Wow. What can be said? This team screams impressive. They’re tough, fun, flairy and well lead. You can’t keep them out of the clearances with all of their dominant ruckmen and you certainly can’t keep their skipper out of the action. Just when it seemed their season was petering out (albeit with some plucky performances) they produced their best win in their short history. And oh boy, they’d love to go back to back. Indeed, winning this could lead into a soft finale for the Coasters with 4 winnable games at the back-end and an even ledger at the end of the year. I can’t be bothered with a finals predictor but it doesn’t really matter, this team is going to be huge. Eye on the Blues: The Dees have been trash and the Lions have been deceptive, but is this mob this biggest disappointment of the season? 8-8 is not where many picked this mob - especially considering that they should be 7-9 after last week’s suicidal display by the Roos (shock horror!). While they’ve pushed every team they’ve played, they’ve never really looked on the money. They’ve only won 4 games by over 5 goals - against the hapless Dees and Giants, fallen Saints and a Walkerless, and otherwise undermanned, Crows. In all honesty, Carlton have only had one good win this year and that came 14 rounds ago against the Eagles. This isn’t the sort of game you would rule them out of, but it’s also the exact game you expect them to lose. Not only did they lose it last year, but they’re facing a disciplined team on the road who are hard at the footy. A tough run in to the finals means that this is an absolute must-win for the Bluebaggers. Verdict: I think I’m still stuck in 2011-12 where it’s laughable to tip the Suns. But I’ve come around. They were a little lucky last week (though they made a lot of their own luck, I think) but Collingwood are a better side than the Blues. Gold Coast are playing with absolute confidence and will be itching to back up their big win. Gold Coast may live to regret a few disappointing performances this year as 5 more wins may see them just miss out on finals. All that said, Carlton are certainly not without a shot. Their speedy outsiders and dangerous goalscorers liken them to Adelaide in my mind, a team that accounted for Gold Coast comfortably only 4 weeks ago. Instinct says Gold Coast, brain says Carlton, heart says Gold Coast. Tip: Gold Coast by 5 Melbourne v North Melbourne Form: Better than it’s been vs staggering, mind-numblingly yet heart-breakingly staggering Head to head: North have dominated, winning the last 10 (and they’re 6-0 against the Dees at the Dome) Eye on the Dees: The ladder isn’t showing it, but the Dees are a much better team than they were under Neeld - though they’re still lightyears behind the competition. They’re getting more footy, tackling better and generally attacking better. Aside from a Geelong battering, the Dees have been in all games they’ve played under Craig. They hate this fixture, however, and will be fuming at the 6 day break (essentially) they get after a sapping match in Darwin while North sit on an 8 day break and back-to-back games at the Dome (not to mention that Melbourne are playing their home game at another team’s ground - not for the first time!). Eye on the Roos: Crikey. What a shambles. 5 games by less than a kick to teams positioned 1st, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 11th sees North sitting 13th! They’d be good to watch if they weren’t so disgusting. Make no mistake, they will be playing full of fire this weekend and looking to make any side pay, not least a poor bottom two outfit. Aside from their 10 point win, North have won 5 matches by 54, 62, 63, 68 and 86 points at an everage of 66.6 points (all at the Dome). Verdict: This will be a shellacking. The Dees are improved but no where near North’s league, not on this ground, not after the Darwin affair. If the Dees can’t roll a mediocre outfit in a big game on their calendar, they won’t get close to a well-drilled outfit on their home turf smarting from a wasted season and still, somehow, a faint whiff of September action in the air. North will be too hard, too skilled, too slick for the Dees. Tip: Roos by 83 Collingwood v GWS Form: Revealed vs Terrible Head to head: Pies won the only contest by 120 points...away. Eye on the Pies: Fuming. That’s how they’ll feel. A potential finals lead-in turned nightmare last week when Collingwood fell to the vibrant Suns. Suddenly, even finals look a long way away for a side exposed. They’ll love the safety of the G and obliterated the Giants in their only match to date. Eye on the Giants: They were better last week in their second 39 point loss of the season to the Bombers but it’s really not enough. 17 losses this year by 67.9 points on average it wouldn’t surprise me if they had more of an eye to the following fixture against the Dees than this one. Verdict: Uh oh. A fired up Magpies team should take the Giants to school on their home turf. They’ve only thrashed one “team” this year - but I think this’ll be the second. Cloke will have a field day I feel and guys like Sidebottom and Beams will revel in the extra space. Tip: Pies by 96 Geelong v St Kilda Form: Very good vs Very bad Head to head: Cats with the last 3 Eye on the Cats: Two poor quarters out of the past 32 have cost them. Depending on what happens with Essendon (and a reasonably tame lead-in to the finals) it may not cost them on the ladder, but it may cost them a little respect. An impeccable side, no doubt, an air of doubt lingers after capitulations to Brisbane and Adelaide. It should be noted, however, that both of these occurred outside Victoria. Geelong’s 3 losses have each been by under a kick and the week after this losses the Cats have won by 48 (away to Port Adelaide) and 41 (home to Fremantle). St Kilda are not as good as either of these sides and the Cats will be ready to play - Johnson back for Bartel is reasonably handy! Eye on the Saints: A predictably plucky performance fell short - and it shouldn’t be forgotten that the Saints were lamentable for the most. Without Riewoldt, this mob would be absolutely pathetic this year. Jack Steven will be an elite player of the comp but there hasn’t been much else to write home about for the boys from Seaford. Verdict: Riewoldt has indeed been immense but, unfortunately for them, he’s exactly the player the Cats will shut out of the game. With too many mids going missing when the running goes against them and the Cats grumpy after a poor showing, look for Geelong to hit hard and often against a declining Saints team. They’ll revert to their defensive lockdown which could be the only thing to keep the margin in check. Tip: Cats by 60 Fremantle vs Adelaide Form: Good vs Surprising Head to head: Adelaide with 3 of the last 4 Eye on the Dockers: Cruelled by injury (and a brainfade), all eyes will be on their ins this weekend. With Mcpharlin, Ballantyne, Pavlich and Sandilands out, it was always going to be too much for them on Sunday. Any side without their best ruck, back, forward and small forward will struggle. The Dockers are better than the sum of the parts but are still fallible to so many injuries. It really is the biggest issue in this match, in my opinion. Eye on the Crows: What a win. In fact, their past month has been good. A gutsy win against the Suns, pushing West Coast and Collingwood all the way have given back some respect for the Crows. They’ll face a tough assessment against the Dockers but this fixture has thrown up surprises before. Verdict: Without key players, the Dockers should still be too good but it will certainly level things out, especially against a Crows side who have been surprisingly good in the past month. My gut says the Dockers will be too good, especially defensively, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Crows push them all the way. This game could turn out very similarly to the last time these sides met. Tip: Dockers by 9 Port Adelaide vs Brisbane Form: OK-good vs Hard to read Head to head: Lions with the last 4 (the away team has won 6 of the last 9 in this fixture) Eye on the Power: What to make of this mob? Brilliant against the Pies and Swans, poor against the Bombers and Hawks and equal parts each against the Saints - the Power can be anything on any given day. Fiesty midfielders who love to get on a roll have hurt most sides this year but those same players lose the plot when it goes the other way. So much so that Power games are reduced to swings of momentum. Something the Lions don’t mind, either. 5-3 at home this year, those three losses have also been their biggest of the year. Eye on the Lions: As hard to read as the Power, the loss of Black, Brown, Moloney and Golby showed last week. They’ve beaten 2nd and 3rd, North, Melbourne and the Gold Coast. That shows that they have really only beaten 1-2 sides around their ability - they have won 4 of their last 6 outings. Verdict: This could be a sneaky for game of the round if both teams are near their mark. At their best they play risky, attacking football and both can score quickly. Brisbane have the wood over the Power so that could negate their home field advantage and superior ladder position. Brisbane will need some players back and Port will need more of their first half from last week than their second. 3 of their best wins have come at home, 3 of their worst have come at home. One of Brisbane’s best wins has come interstate (against the Bombers) but so has their worst loss - in my opinion - (against the Swans). This game could be anything but I’m backing it in to be a good one. Tip: Power by 1 Western Bulldogs vs West Coast Form: Not great vs disappointing Head to head: Eagles with the last 4 Eye on the Dogs: To be brutal, I’m tired of writing the same things about this mob. At least, statistically, they’ve been better in the last 3 games. Plucky showings against the Hawks and Dons and a win against the Giants would leave their supporters feeling better - but the reality is that they’re in all-mighty trouble. Eye on the Eagles: They’ve lost 4 of their past 5 - admittedly to 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th. In fact, that sums up where they’re at I reckon. Better than most of the rest but no where near the cream. The things they do do, however, is [censored] rubbish team. The Giants, Dees and Dogs have felt their wrath - each by over 70 points. Verdict: West Coast have beaten teams below them fairly regularly this year and, despite a few recent losses, that trend will continue. NN out could spur D. Cox into action but it’s really about time a few of their outside runners pull their finger out and play in a bit of a harder, more damaging fashion. They’ll win this one, regardless. Tip: Eagles by 41 Sydney v Richmond Form: Building vs September-bound Head to head: Tigers with the last 2 and 3 out of the last 4 (Sydney with the previous 8) Eye on the Swans: You get the feeling they are building nicely toward September. The Swans have beaten all comers save for 1st and 2nd * and a blip against the Power. Lots of goal kickers through the middle, ball-winners who use it well and a potent full forward whose only problem is that he couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat. Sydney look likely. Eye on the Tigers: Finally. After all the pain and anguish, Richmond will be playing in September. How the players respond will be fascinating. I don’t think they’d have gotten up last week without the three big Dockers’ outs and it’ll either be a Richmond side raring to prove their worth or a lazy Richmond side resting on its laurels. Either seems equally likely. They’ve won 6 of their last 7 and their last two against the Swans and a close loss up there in their only loss to Sydney in the last 4. Verdict: It’s more up to Richmond than Sydney. Whilst Sydney’s goal-kicking accuracy can be flippant, the rest of their game is rock solid. Richmond’s problem is that they really still haven’t beaten a top team. West Coast away was probably their best win this year, but even they’re not a very good team this season. The next two weeks will show Richmond for what they are. I think it’ll show them to be hard-triers but ultimately short of the front-pack. Tip: Swans by 33 Game of the Round: Power/Lions by gut, Bombers/Hawks by ladder position, Swans/Tigers on potential Thrashing of the Round: Magpies/Roos Upset of the round: Gold Coast and potentially Crows/Lions Closest tip last week: Missed Lions by 4

I disagree with both of you - I'd call them boths snaps.

I think they should've kicked both of those goals regardless of the technique employed and too many AFL footballers are sub par from set shots. As far as I'm aware, Kyle Cheney tried a drop punt from 5 out dead on front... Poor execution is poor execution. What I would be interested in finding out is whether or not HT knew how long was left. You'd hate to play on in that instance and have the siren go!

Yep. It's Clarke's fault that the other guys are knobs, Watson refuses to fix technical flaws and we have no other decent batsmen in the country.

Watson - what a hack.

Crazy round of footy. North Carlton with an insane finish. Suns roll the Pies. Saints come flying home but fall short against Port. Tigers make finals. Taylor and Bartel miss sitters in the dying seconds to lose a 30 point lead against the Crows.

When subbing him off, we should've claimed the concussion sub. Kent comes on for 20 minutes and, barring injury, stays on. Sneaky, I know, but just a little bending of the rules!

And Ablett Jnr. was pretty well regarded as a soft, lazy footballer in his first 100 games... IMO Trengove is far more of a concern than Toumpas at the moment, and the rest of our midfield is an even bigger worry again.

He had a shocker, to be sure, but it can be a funny old game. If Fitz doesn't get that free kick, Jimmy has a kick and, potentially, goal 40 seconds in. Needs a run in the seconds.

I like it. You wouldn't be able to do an inside 50s differential stat would you? I'd expect it to match up even more closely.

Thanks team.

Is this the match no one wants to win? I can't stand Lindsay Thomas. How was his running at the guy kicking out of fullback because he was pre-empting the play on call - forgetting of course that you can pretty much do whatever you like in the goal square within the time limit.

The pointy end North Melbourne v Carlton Form: Strange v Below the mark Head to head: North with 8 of the last 10 (the last 4 have been split) Roos' favour: Who knows? They love this ground, they love this night and they set themselves for the Blues especially. When up, they can trouble any side, but getting ahead isn't exactly North's problem. Blues' favour: Likewise. Enough good players to be troubling, not enough form or consistency to be damaging. Still so much depends on Waite. Verdict: North really do set themselves for this game and there'll be no stepping of the pedal on Friday night. That said, Carlton have been a handful for every side they've faced this year. Evenly matched in the middle, North may hold the aces up forward. Much will depend on the form and presence of Henderson and Waite. Overall, North should have too much desire, hardness and class for the Blues but it won't be all one-way traffic (unless Petrie does what he did last year). Keep a close eye on North's team list, however, as a few important players appear on their injury list. Tip: North by 15 Hawthorn v Bulldogs Form: Great away from the Cattery v A better recent 9 quarters Head to head: Hawks with the last 4 Hawks' favour: They're not playing Geelong. Dogs' favour: Showed last week that they can put in a reasonably plucky performance. Verdict: This could be anything...over 40 points for the Hawks. The Dogs have a few handy goal-kickers but this poster is tired of labelling the keys to the Dogs side that pretty much gets proven week after week (with the recent addition of Libba). Should the Hawks be bothered, this could be 100 - but I wouldn't tip it. Tip: Hawks by 57 GWS v Essendon Form: Disgusting v Flying high Head to head: Bombers 2-0 Eye on the Giants: It was this fixture where GWS put in one of their better showings of the year early on in 2013. At home and with enough distraction around the Bombers, they might be able to spring a mild surprise. Unfortunately, their players seem disinterested. Their good players aren't playing well and their young players seem to be having the "second year blues." Eye on the Bombers: They're getting the job done. Interestingly, of their 12 wins only 1 has been by over 46 points. The form of their guns is impressive and it'll be a similar story to the early fixture - how much they're interested. Verdict: I don't feel that the Bombers will be particularly interested. I also don't think it will matter. Some people adore stats, some people hate them. I'm a fan. Especially when they look like this. GWS have played at Skoda 10 times. They have 1 win and 9 losses. That's not a surprise. This might be. They've lost their last 4 by 369 points. At 92.25. All up they've lost their 9 by 714 points. An average of 79.33. In 10 games they've lost at their home ground by over 100 points 4 times. The Bombers turned up completely disinterested last time, trailing by 5 goals early in the third. They won by 40, winning less than a half by 70. Tip: Bombers by 93 Gold Coast v Collingwood Form: Falling v Rising Head to head: Collingwood 2-0 Eye on the Suns: An impressive season looks to be falling apart at the seams. After sitting at 5-6 at the halfway mark of the season, the Suns have lost their past four. It must be noted, however, that they have been close to the mark in each of those matches (a big difference to the other sides linked with the Suns toward the bottom of the ladder). Gary Ablett must play for the Suns to have a chance - not only for his ball-winning abilities but also his ever-improving goal-scoring prowess. Eye on the Pies: They're coming. After a much less than impressive season, the past few weeks have highlighted Collingwood's ability to win and (all going their way) finish high on the ladder. Whilst they've never played 4 full quarter this whole season, they've done enough in patches to show that they can be handy. Putting those full matches together is vital but they'll have a couple of weeks which they'll view as percentage-boosting opportunities. A dangerous thought. Verdict: Collingwood would like to think they're flying. I'm not convinced. They have generally beaten the teams below them unconvincingly and lose to the teams above them. Gold Coast are below them and the Pies have too much to play for, but it won't be all one way traffic (unless Pendlebury and Swan can continue their re-emergance). I think this will be an intriguing match but Collingwood will have too much firepower. If they play 4 quarters, it could be disaster for the Coasters. Tip: Collingwood by 27 St Kilda v Port Adelaide Form: Unimpressive v Tough to Read Head to head: Last 4 split 2-2 Eye on the Saints: They haven't really been blown away this year but they've been regularly beaten by pretty much every side they've come up against. Their losses haven't been embarrassing but they've had an air of inevitability about them. Added to that is that two of their three wins have been agains the Dees and the Giants and it adds up to a depressing season for Saints fans. Having said that - they're the sort of team you know has one last yelp and an at-times flaky Port at their home ground could be a perfect opportunity. Eye on the Power: They're a better side than the Saints, have the world to play for and an important in in Justin Westhoff. It's exactly the type of script that ends in a Power loss. After winning their first 5, they inexplicably lost their next 5. 3 wins in a row have been followed by disappointing efforts the last two weeks. If they're on, they'll be tough to beat - especially as they don't mind the ground. However, if they're slightly off, expect the Saints to come at them hard and continuously. Verdict: Flip of a coin. Earlier in the week I thought that Port were outrageous value. The more I think about it, the more I see this as a plucky Saints outing that captures an out of sorts Port Adelaide. Whether they can do enough to get the points, however, is another matter. It'll be close. Tip: Saints by 8 Melbourne v Brisbane Form: Trash v Decent Head to head: Lions with the past 3 - Dees with the previous 3 Eye on the Demons: Honestly, what to make of this mob? Every time they threaten to improve or show some intensity and skill that seems AFL standard they turn around and kick you in the face. Even in their most recent win, they were inches away from giving away an impossibly lead. Having said that, I'm not sure how much can be read into last week's game. Geelong at Geelong in the howling win and rain is easily the toughest gig in footy. The three weeks before that they were OK. Viney for Nicholson is handy. Eye on the Lions: Likewise, what to make of the Lions? They've beaten two of the best teams in the comp. They've been thumped by one of the worst. That said, their formline for the most, since a slow start, has gone to script (save for a ridiculous 20 minutes of footy). I can't get a read on the Lions. Verdict: This could be a strange, strange game. The Lions only beat the Dees by 28 points earlier on - but it should have been much, much more. That said, Melbourne are an improved side since that day and they set themselves for this match. Improved possession count will be advantageous up North and it'll be interesting to see if the Dees' pressure and intensity at the ball-carrier can continue. Overall, the Lions should have too much class through the middle and should see it tick over on the scoreboard. If the Dees can generate some ball out of the middle, they could be tricky to handle. Tip: Lions by 23 Richmond v Fremantle Form: Very good aside from the blip v Very good Head to head: Dockers with the last 2, Tigers with the previous 3 Eye on the Tigers: Back on the winners list after a poor outing, this is the biggest test of Richmond's season to date. A win here puts them right amongst the big boys and they got as close as you can without taking home points last time these sides met. Without Ballantyne and Pavlich, Richmond will enter the game confident that Freo's miserly defence may be negated by their own inability to score - keeping the potent Tigers in the match the whole way. Eye on the Dockers: They've entered a mode where they are just getting the points. The last two weeks have seen them struggle for 3 before powering away. Ballantyne kept them in the game a fortnight ago and Pavlich sealed the win last week - neither will play this weekend. Freo have not played at the G all year - but this was the case last year when they rolled the Tigers as underdogs. Verdict: Both teams will be primed for this. A loss leaves the Tigers out of home finals contention but a win would have them in touch with the top 4. A win for Freo almost guarantees a top 4 finish. This game is hard to read. Freo should be too well-drilled for Richmond but it's hard to go against the Tigers at the G (though they haven't been as good as usual there) with their mighty army behind them. Whilst they've looked good for most of the season, the Tigers haven't beaten a really good side (indeed at times looked inept). Toss a coin and then probably pick the opposite - this could be anything but it'll be great to watch. Tip: Dockers by 5 Adelaide v Geelong Form: Irrelevant v Irreverent Head to head: 3-3 over the last 6 Eye on the Crows: I think they've been deceptively OK. They've pushed the Hawks at home all the way and were very competitive last weekend only to be hard done by on the scoreboard. No Dangerfield is massive. So massive it makes the rest of their review just as irrelevant as they are this season. Eye on the Cats: What can you say about this mob? They just get better and better. For every weakness they find, they spend a fortnight (or less) turning it into a strength. Their defence is the latest evidence of this. Big ins for the Cats also strike fear into Crows' hearts. Verdict: The Cats are simply too good at football. Adelaide have too much pride for an absolute shellacking, but you never know with Geelong. Adelaide gave the Cats a spanking last year - it will not be repeated. Tip: Cats by 43 West Coast v Sydney Form: OK v Building Head to head: The one time massive rivalry has seemingly ended - Swans with the past 6 Eye on the Eagles: West Coast appear a team in an adjustment phase. Whether that includes adjusting between coaches is yet to be seen but, whatever the case, they are not the team they were. Basically, they've beaten up on trash and, on the other hand, have an 0-7 record against top 8 sides. Strangely, their previous fortress has turned to rubble. At Patersons, West Coast have a 2-6 record. Similar to St Kilda, in a way, in that I feel they have one left giant-killing display in them. Too many good players not to knock off a good side. Eye on the Swans: Looking ominous, the Swans flexed their muscle last week against their hapless neighbours. Aside from their losses to the league's best two teams, the Swans' only loss has come against a frenetic Port Adelaide comeback. Their tough midfield is a joy to watch and Tippett, if he can get his kicking right, looks ominous. Verdict: Whilst I feel the Eagles have a lot of talent and some handy ins, Sydney seem to have the wood over them, too much grunt, a solid gameplan and a hell of a lot to play for. Nonetheless, it's alway hard to discredit West Coast at home and they still have a finals chance. Tip: Sydney by 19 Game of the Round: Some handy matches but I think I'll have to go with 5 versus 6 Richmond Freo. Thrashing of the Round: Bombers Upset of the Round: Tough! Saints? Eagles? Dockers? Dees??? Closest tip last week: Missed the Hawks by 2.

Great captaincy from Clarke to put Watson on. Ball coming on well and the shorter man gets the LB. Root tough to see if it's pad first or bat or both at the same time. No way it's conclusive evidence - should be out. Is out.

Dave Warner - too big for his boots and I, for one, wouldn't be sad if I never saw him in the baggy green ever again.

You can research my posts if you desperately desire but you needn't worry, I'll put it straight from the start that I have said this (possibly many times) before. That has got to be the worst piece of writing I've seen in a "respected" paper. How journalists get away with writing trash like that is so far beyond me I couldn't reach it if I lay Max Gawn out flat in front of me. Compare it, say, to this article. I shudder to think what Tanya Aldred would do after reading the article linked above. That said, it's pretty true.

Sorry to bump (this'll be the last one!) - I've received another email from the club about sending a loyalty certificate and team photo. I've PM'd you with details and what you need to do.

How Mcglynn can get more weeks than Mckernan is beyond me - the MRP is a disgrace and needs to be over-hauled.

Is it true that the hotspot missed Jonathon Trott's edge onto his pad in the second innings because they were showing a replay of an earlier hotspot?