AFL Round 17 Preview

It’s Round 17 folks and we’re now into the home straight.

The six games remaining will decide who’s in a position to challenge the might of West Coast for the flag and, at the other end, who will be in line for the ignominy of a wooden spoon – and a swag of draft picks.

Indeed, we might get a better idea of who’s after the priority picks on ‘Spoon Saturday’ – a far cry from last week’s four-pronged ‘Super Saturday’ – when the lowly Hawks and Blues face off at the MCG.

There’s plenty of juicy games which will shape the top eight as well, including a red-hot clash between the two ‘overachievers’, Adelaide and the Kangaroos.

As always, your premiership team is ready here @ SportsAustralia.com. Settle back and let Brett Collett, Nick Mockford, Chris Tremonti, Nick Smart and the rest of star-studded panel bring you all the very latest hits and misses from another big weekend of football.

Game on!

Bet of the week: Hawthorn to defeat Carlton @ $1.70.
Not that Hawthorn are actually any good, but Carlton are just plain rotten. A bad week just got progressively worse with the news of the Blues’ big tax debt, and the Hawks will sink another nail in the coffin here.

FRIDAY NIGHT

St Kilda vs Collingwood
Telstra Dome, Melbourne
5:40pm (WA), 7:10pm (SA), 7:40pm (EST)

The last time St Kilda fronted up on a Friday night, they were undercut by a hungrier Essendon outfit and left looking rather morose at 6-7. Since then, they’ve reeled off three straight wins and suddenly look ready to make the impact everyone thought they would. Collingwood don’t have the power or passion to hold the Saints here.

St Kilda by 47 points.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Hawthorn vs Carlton
Melbourne Cricket Ground
12:10pm (WA), 1:40pm (SA), 2:10pm (EST)

Avert your gaze, football purists. This redefines ugly. Watch for both teams to stick 18 men behind the footy and play something that resembles mid-1980s Italian soccer. 1-0 might be a winning score here, too. Hawthorn might somehow find their way to the line.

Hawthorn by 17 points.

Western Bulldogs vs Geelong
Telstra Dome, Melbourne
12:10pm (WA), 1:40pm (SA), 2:10pm (EST)

Before you insert the tick next to the away team, just pause for a second. There isn’t much between these two teams: lots of scrappers, a lack of key position talent, excellent midfields. One thing that might tilt the scales toward Geelong is their depth, but this could get very tight.

Geelong by 5 points.

SATURDAY NIGHT

Brisbane Lions vs Essendon
Gabba Ground, Brisbane
5:10pm (WA), 6:40pm (SA), 7:10pm (EST)

Brisbane’s gigantic run toward September took a momentary hit in Perth last week, but you can expect that they’ll get themselves back in shape for this clash with the Bombers. Memo to you, Sheeds – don’t play James Hird. Play some more kids; they’ll have to fill the skipper’s enormous shoes pretty soon.

Brisbane Lions by 56 points.

Port Adelaide vs Richmond
AAMI Stadium, Adelaide
5:40pm (WA), 7:10pm (SA), 7:40pm (EST)

Richmond’s season has been up and down like a yo-yo, and it looks to be heading into another downward spiral after getting smashed by the Saints last week. Port Adelaide will be seething after their loss to Geelong and will be out to extract some revenge on the Tigers.

Port Adelaide by 39 points.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Sydney Swans vs West Coast Eagles
Sydney Cricket Ground
11:10am (WA), 12:40pm (SA), 1:10pm (EST)

Sydney are firming with the bookies with every hour that passes – they started out as long $2.20 earlier in the week before tightening to reach favouritism with some punting outlets. Maybe it’s justified, but the Eagles are still the best team in the competition and deserve some respect.

West Coast by 26 points.

Kangaroos vs Adelaide
Telstra Dome, Melbourne
12:10pm (WA), 1:40pm (SA), 2:10pm (EST)

What a ripping clash this one is set to be. Adelaide can travel with the best of them and the Kangaroos are the grittiest team in the league, ensuring this will be a contender for match of the round. The Crows love playing at the Telstra Dome, but the Roos present a different, tougher, fitter challenge and can win this.

Kangaroos by 9 points.

Fremantle vs Melbourne
Subiaco Oval, Perth
2:40pm (WA), 4:10pm (SA), 4:40pm (EST)

Melbourne have been sinking slowly in past months, slipping out of Premiership contention and into a battle to make the eight. If they drop this one, the path back into the flag fight becomes almost impossible. Sadly for Dees’ fans, the Dockers have picked up two in a row and look primed to make it three.

Fremantle by 12 points.

Until next week, Happy punting!

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