Round 17

Friday Night: North Melbourne vs. Carlton Blues.

Carlton comes off a comfortable win against the Saints while North blew a huge lead to lose the Lions last week. That in itself makes it an interesting match. To add to the pressure of this game North to win to keep any chance of playing finals alive while the Blues to win to stand a chance of over-taking the Power in 8^th place being a similar position to the Eagles. Brad Scott’s coaching position could under threat if North don’t make a solid attempt at the eight from here but a loss would be season ending. So North need the win more than the Blues who will have one more shot if they lose to North.

My tip: North by 5 points.

Saturday Afternoon: Hawthorn Hawks vs. Western Bulldogs.

This is a training drill for the Hawks who continue to battle with Geelong for 1^st place. Bulldogs have no chance.

My tip: Hawks by 45 points.

Saturday Afternoon: GWS Giants vs. Essendon Bombers.

As much I hate Essendon, it’s ridiculous to think that the Giants stand a chance. I personally think that the Bulldogs have a better chance of beating Hawthorn.

My tip: Bombers by 60 points.

Saturday Afternoon: Gold Coast Suns vs. Collingwood Magpies.

Queensland must feel special now. Collingwood visits them twice in one season! Usually it’s twice (if that) in one decade. Unfortuately, Collingwood made a mockery of the Lions earlier in the season and despite the massive improvement from the Suns, I can’t see Collingwood losing.

My tip: Magpies by 41 points.

Saturday Night: Melbourne Demons vs. Brisbane Lions.

The Northern Territory always provides challenging conditions, purely because it’s hot and humid. Both teams don’t have a lot of experience in hot and wet conditions but the Lions probably have a slight advantage on form, but the Demons have a rare chance to take another win this season.

My tip: Lions by 10 points.

Saturday Night: Saint Kilda Saints vs. Port Adelaide Power.

With star goal-scoring duo in Nick Reiwoldt and Stephen Milne back in the side the Saints look a little bit dangerous. The Ladder position doesn’t truly reflect how well the Saints have played this season. They just lost to West Coast and they put up a good fight against the Cats and the Swans. They were dominated by the Hawks but so were Port although the scoreboard didn’t really reflect that. The Power also beat the Swans and as much as I want the Saints to win because it’d help the Eagles, I don’t see it happening.

My tip: Power by 6 points.

Sunday Afternoon:  Richmond Tigers vs. Fremantle Dockers.

The last time these two teams played, the Dockers won by a point under some controversial circumstances and the Tigers probably deserved to win. It’s in Tigerland this time and the Tigers have been a force to be reckoned with over there and I think they might have the measure of the Dockers this time. The loss of their captain for three weeks won’t make much of a difference.

My tip: Tigers by 4 points.

Sunday Afternoon: West Coast Eagles vs. Sydney Swans.

It’s a do-or-die match for the Eagles. Lose and we will likely be two games out of the Eight, but win and we set up a good assault for the eight when we play the Bulldogs and then the Suns. Sydney are playing to make the top four but if Fremantle lose which, as a West Coast supporter, I hope happens, then a win becomes irrelevant as Sydney will still hold fourth place. Despite being the underdogs, I can’t tip against the Eagles. Hopefully this is the upset of the round.

My tip: Eagles by 7 points.

Sunday Afternoon: Adelaide Crows vs. Geelong Cats.

The Cats are closing the percentage gap between themselves and Hawthorn and need a huge win to close it even more. The Crows are a perfect opportunity to do that as their season is over. Unfortunately, I don’t think the Crows are going to lie down and let the Cats beat them easily.

My tip: Cats by 25 points.