Preview for round 18

Ok this year is going waaaaaayyy too quick for me round 18 already! Who would have thought! Anyway to this week's games.

North Melbourne vs Carlton (Etihad) Friday Night.
This game has great potential on so many levels. For one thing, it's Adam Simpson's last Game for North Melbourne and the Roos will play for him that's for sure. Second of all Carlton were shocking last week and they would want to avenge that performance. Thirdly, North haven't won a game in a while, and came so close against Richmond a couple of week's ago. At first I didn't know who to go for in this game and I'm still not sure that I have made the right decision. In this case I think that the Blues will win and play much better than last week, although that won't be hard and they will win by 15 points.

Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle (Etihad) Saturday.
Well Brad Johnson breaks the club record, what a champion, he has done so much for the club and the dogs will win for him. I can't see the Dockers getting up, even though they had a very much needed win last week. It's the Dogs by 86 points.

Geelong vs Adelaide (Skilled Stadium) Saturday.
I like what Neil Craig has done for the Crows especially in the last say three months, beforehand they couldn't get their game plan into gear. Now they have some good young players that are standing up and being noticed. Geelong has had a mixed year with injuries and will be without Matthew Scarlett and Harry Taylor but welcome back their captain Tom Harley and Steve Johnson. This one should be a close encounter. The Crows have proven that they should do well in the finals and the Cats are already there, it's just a matter of whether their injuries can hold up for the remainder of the year. For me Geelong's home ground advantage and the fact that Darren Milburn (250 Games) and Jimmy (hero) Bartel (150 games) will both have milestones are the reason why I'm tipping them to win by 32 points.

Sydney vs St Kilda (SCG) Saturday Night.
This game will kind of test St Kilda. Sydney have a good record at the SCG and that will give them some sort of edge you would think, even though they lost to Essendon a couple of week's ago there. They would be wanting to make up for that performance that's for sure. St Kilda now would definately be the premiership favourites and rightfully so winning 17 straight in an unbelievable performance. Sydney will show something here but the Saints will be too strong and win by 45 points.

Collingwood vs Brisbane (MCG) Saturday Night.
Hmm interesting game. Collingwood have signed Malthouse and Buckley, Simon Black is playing his 250th game. What a prospect! Collingwood showed that they are right within contention for a top four finish. Brisbane I believe are doing the same thing. If Collingwood can stop the supply to Brown then they will have no problems but for me Brisbane will need to stop the midfield of Collingwood running away with it. Last time these two teams played at the G, it was the Lions that won by a massive 96 points. But in this case, Collingwood will win by 13 points.

Melbourne vs Richmond (MCG) Sunday.
Some weeks ago this would have been such a hard game to tip, I think now it's only marginally better. Richmond are playing better football and to an extent Melbourne is too without getting the results. To me both sides have similar game plans. I am however going for Melbourne in an upset to win by 6 points.

Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn (AAMI Stadium) Sunday.
Another game that's a toss of the coin. Port coming off a 70 point drumming from Adelaide, Hawthorn narrowly losing to Geelong by 1 point. Hawthorn didn't play too badly wheras Port did. If Hawthorn can get it out of the midfield quickly to Franklin and/or Roughead then Hawthorn will be in for a show. Port however need to win the ball themselves to have a chance of winning. For me Hawthorn will win and win by 14 points because they need to be in the finals.

West Coast vs Essendon (Subiaco) Sunday.
Another interesting game. West Coast have a fairly young side in which to me there is some exciting tallent which will assist the Eagles in the longrun. Essendon are without some of their stars but have some other tallent in. Both teams match up well but I believe that Essendon will have a little more firepower to win this game by 23 points.

That's my preview for Round 18, let's see how many winners I get.

Catch ya!