Preview for round 19

Well Friday comes around pretty quickly, just wish the weekend could slow down sometimes. But anyway here are my tips for round 19.

Carlton vs Geelong (MCG) Friday night.
Friday night games for me are always interesting, I have had an interesting mix of hit and misses when it comes to the tipping side of things. I think that tonights game has a lot of potential to be a close game. You look at the players that are both in and out for both clubs and who has the potential to take the game on. You just don't know with these two sides. To me Carlton have lifted this year whilst Geelong are not quite the side that they have been the last two years. Having said that previous form means didly squat, it's what happens on the day that counts. The midfield battle is going to be a beauty, it's going to be won there. And the stars that are in for both teams, ah my mouth is watering at the prospect! After careful consideration I still think the Cats will win by 12 points but a good arm wrestle.

Western Bulldogs vs West Coast (Etihad) Saturday.
This is the one I call the battle of the West's (ha ha geddit?). Western Bulldogs had a good but a not quite there win against Fremantle and would be looking at getting some much needed momentum leading into the finals. On the otherhand West Coast who people were acussing of tanking are coming off a much needed win and will be looking at gaining some confidence leading into 2010. In this case though the home town advantage would give the Dogs the edge and they will win by 23 points.

Hawthorn vs St Kilda (Aurora Stadium) Saturday.
Hmm I have been looking forward to this game for weeks, I really have. St Kilda who are undefeated have some big names missing from their lineup the likes of Riewoldt, Hayes, Montagna, Baker and Goddard which will depleat their lineup. The Hawks on the otherhand will have some handy inclusions. Hawthorn, they haven't been playing the best and St Kilda are on the top of the ladder. Who do you go for? Believe you me this was one of the toughest games of the round to pick and it almost gave me a headache before I said to myself "Common girlie just pick a side" and I'm hoping I made the right decision, but really is there anyway of knowing, that is unless you can see into the future! After much deliberating and careful consideration I have decided to pick a depleated St Kilda side based upon form to win by 2 points. They will do enough to win and even if they don't it would be better for them then if they go through the year with at least one loss.

Essendon vs Brisbane (MCG) Saturday night.
Yet another hard choice. Brisbane welcome back Bradshaw and others while Essendon have some big names out. Essendon had a big chance to win last week while Brisbane do need to win to keep in contention with the top four. The matchups just like in all games are going to be crutial and it would be interesting to see who goes to Brown and Bradshaw and if these two are contained then Essendon could be in for a big showing. But a lot of people are confident in the fact that Brisbane have the upper hand, I don't necessarily think so. I believe that the backs up against the wall Essendon will come out and have the will to win this game and win by 7 points.

Adelaide vs Collingwood (AAMI Stadium) Saturday Night.
Man another had game to pick. Collingwood have a really good record at AAMI Stadium against Adelaide including one last September. Adelaide are one of the in form sides of the year and came within a wisker of the Cats last week and could beat a lot of sides with persistence. Collingwood too have had a good year. When you do look at the ins and outs things are matched up well. To me though Adelaide will be fired up to win this game after just losing last week and will win by 18 points.

North Melbourne vs Melbourne (Etihad Stadium) Sunday.
Hmm another intesting game. North's kicking kicked them out of the game against the Blues last Friday Night. On the otherhand Melbourne should have won against Richmond in a game everyone (but me) has said that Melbourne tanked. If this game was at the G then I would say that Melbourne had a really good chance of winning the game, however North play Etihad better and will win by 33 points.

Richmond vs Sydney (MCG) Sunday.
This game is Michael O'Lauchlin's 300th Game. What a champion of the game! His service to the game is unbelieveable and he has won a premiership which a lot of champions of the game miss out on. What a career! Is that going to be enough to spur the Swans onward to victory? Or will the Richmond winning (yes I did say winning) ways continue? Sydney's interstate record of late hasn't been the best that is a major question in itself but another question is whether Richmond will sustain this momentum. This will be a good game I reckon. I am going to pick the Swans to win for Micky O by 11 points.

Fremantle vs Port Adelaide (Subiaco) Sunday.
You never know which way this game's going to go. Which teams will come out to play for both clubs? A good Fremantle will beat anyone at home, a bad one will let any side run all over them. Port on the otherhand had a much needed win against Hawthorn and like Freo can be really bad as well as really good. TO me though, Port will win this game by 8 points.

Well that's my tips for the week. Let's see how I go.
Catch ya!