Round 22 preview

Ok this is officially scary! We are at round 22! And to my tips this week.

West Coast vs Richmond (Subiaco) Friday Night.
Really this game has no bearing on finals or anything but rather pride. Both teams will want to show something to give to supporters going into 2010. Will any of these teams be massive improvers for 2010 or will it be same old same old for both clubs? After the season has been done and dusted then I will look into 2010 for these two teams. In this game though I will say that West Coast will win by 25 points.

Geelong vs Fremantle (Skilled Stadium) Saturday.
To me this is a game that will indicate whether Geelong are at all serious about their prospects going into the finals. The Cats have a massive task when it comes to September and the likelihood of going far for me doesn't appear to be great. For Fremantle it would be for pride. Their record in Victoria has been shithouse and would need to play out of their skins like last week to have a chance. On the otherhand their list has got some potential and will be something to consider going into the 2010 season. In this game though the interstate horrors will continue for the Dockers and the Cats will win by 47 points.

Hawthorn vs Essendon (MCG) Saturday.
This game is a mini elimination final! The finals have come early, not just in this game but in other games in round 22! There are some question marks in this game that will be answered no doubt in due course. First of all. Will Lance Franklin's absence mean the difference between the two sides or will Hawthorn step up to the plate and win? Will Essendon be all guns blazing after a disappointing game last week in the west? Who will the the X factor in this game? It was a tough one to tip but after much deciding I am going to tip Essendon by 13 points.

Carlton vs Adelaide (Etihad) Saturday.
Another mini final. Both teams are sitting 5th and 6th on the ladder and the winner will have a home final. A lot to play for in this game! Both teams are matched good and have players that have the potential to bust the game apart. Take Murphy, Fevola and Gibbs for Carlton all players have done well this year and have complimented Chris Judd in that midfield. On the otherhand there is Knights who to me has been a massive improver this year as well as Kurt Tippett, then there are the younger players like Otten and Dangerfield. There are exciting times ahead for both teams. In this case Carlton will win by 5 points and deserve fifth spot.

Sydney vs Brisbane (SCG) Saturday Night.
I didn't know who to tip in this case as there were so many factors that could lead either way. First of all there are three greats for Sydney who are hanging up the boots and deserve a great send off. Brisbane will be looking at being a threat come September and have a lot to play for there. Being at the SCG has given the Swans a bit of an advantage. And Sydney have had the wool over the eyes of Brisbane since 2004 only losing one of those games which I find staggering. Will this hoodoo be broken? I think it will, I am going for Brisbane to win by 14 points.

Port Adelaide vs North Melbourne (AAMI Stadium) Saturday Night.
Port have a slimmer of hope of getting into the 8 but need to beat North Melbourne by over 100 points which I find highly unlikely. North Melbourne will be looking at backing up the upset of the year over St Kilda to finish off the year strong. Regardless of making the eight, Port will want to do the same. I think Port will win for retirees Peter Burgoyne and Brendan Lade by 35 points.

Melbourne vs St Kilda (MCG) Sunday.
I nearly wrote in their Etihad Stadium as St Kilda have played a lot of games there and this is the first at the MCG this year. They are playing Melbourne and they will win but it would be interesting to see how they play and occupy the space of the MCG. They have done well on bigger grounds interstate so I don't think that they will have a problem. As someone said to me, in their premiership year, Geelong only played a couple of games before finals at the MCG, so maybe the same will happen for the Saints. Anyway if Melbourne gets within 40 points I think they will be doing good and St Kilda will win this game by 48 points.

Collingwood vs Western Bulldogs (Etihad Stadium) Sunday.
Hmm another I'm not sure about. Cast back to earlier on and the Pies held on to win by 1 point. Recent form has Collingwood ahead in this one but the Dogs will have some real confidence after beating Geelong by 14 points last week. If the Dogs get their running game happening then they are in with a real shot here, on the other hand if Collingwood dominate in the midfield then they will win. Hard choice but I am tipping Collingwood based upon form to win by 29 points.