AFL Round 18 Preview

Five rounds to go and time is quickly running out for the contenders to stake their claim for September action.

Last week was one of the most fascinating in recent memory; West Coast’s invincibility was undermined by a more determined Sydney, Geelong’s weaknesses were heinously exposed by the Bulldogs, Adelaide confirmed their spot as a contender after seeing off the Roos, and for the first time since the start of the year, the Saints quietly slipped into the top four – yet still found a way to cop some big injuries.

Round 18 provides no exceptions to the time honoured cliché – When the going gets tough, the tough get going. After losing last week, let’s see what the Eagles, Cats, Demons and Tigers have to offer in the way of toughness. The latter three still have some big question marks hanging over them.

SportsAustralia.com is naturally the first stop for your essential weekend footy fix, because – as always - we’ve got all the latest hits and misses right here.

Bet of the week: Geelong by over 15.5 points @ $1.90
Whatever you do, try to avoid giving Essendon any respect in the betting. They’re nowhere near as good as Geelong if the two teams play to their potential, and you’d have to think the Cats can win by at least four or five goals.

FRIDAY NIGHT

Essendon vs Geelong
Telstra Dome, Melbourne
5:40pm (WA), 7:10pm (SA), 7:40pm (EST)

The Bombers finally showed some fight against their nemesis up in Brisbane, but it wasn’t enough to claim victory while the Cats barely gave a whimper against their domesticated rivals. Despite that loss, Geelong need to show they are worthy of a top four berth, or they might fall out of contention altogether.

Geelong by 29 points.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

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

Neale Daniher is known for being a religious man with somewhat priest-like qualities in the way he can address an audience. Maybe it’s with good reason, for if Grant Thomas’s Saints can exorcise the Demons at football’s holy temple, then Daniher might be preaching the last rites to his own team on Saturday evening. Take Jared Rivers out of an already under strength back line, and the Dees will need more than divine intervention to challenge here.

St Kilda by 35 points.

West Coast vs Hawthorn
Subiaco Oval, Perth
2:10pm (WA), 3:40pm (SA), 4:10pm (EST)

A few rounds ago we warned you to avert your gaze to avoid the massacre of Carlton in the west; Hawk fans are best advised to do the same on Saturday. There’s too much run, class and finesse in West Coast for Hawthorn to be even remotely challenging, despite the Eagles being exposed for toughness last week.

West Coast by 68 points.

SATURDAY NIGHT

Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane Lions
Telstra Dome, Melbourne
5:10pm (WA), 6:40pm (SA), 7:10pm (EST)

Both these teams got back on the winners list last week, but finals are realistically only on Brisbane’s radar at the moment. The Lions need to pick up every win possible to starve off the threat of Port Adelaide and Richmond, and while the Bulldogs showed plenty of dash against the Cats last week, Brisbane knows how to turn it on at the Dome when they need too.

Brisbane Lions by 20 points.

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

We all know Adelaide’s drinking water isn’t the best, but it must contain something at the moment – could there be any other plausible explanation for the Crows’ brilliant form? Sydney have been equally as impressive over the past few months and will fancy themselves as a real chance to burst the Adelaide bubble. While they might have done it to the Eagles last week, this one might be a bit tough.

Adelaide by 9 points.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Kangaroos vs Port Adelaide
Manuka Oval, Canberra
11:10am (WA), 12:40pm (SA), 1:10pm (EST)

The Kangaroos slipped out of the top four last week after a fighting loss to the Crows, but they could get it back if they can claim the scalp of the reigning premier. At Manuka Oval, the Kangaroos have finally sculptured the boutique venue into something of a ‘home’. Add that to Port’s woeful travelling record, and the Roos look set to add another win to the tally.

Kangaroos by 7 points.

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

They’re cutting Whitnall’s salary, Lappin wants an extra year, ditto Camporeale. Looks like nobody’s happy at Carlton, especially with last week’s loss all but securing the wooden spoon. Richmond have lost their way in recent weeks, but might try to use this game as a platform for re-building their season.

Richmond by 38 points.

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

Collingwood fans preparing for a season of success have once again been eternally disappointed, likewise Fremantle. The problem is that while the Magpies lack raw talent, Fremantle simply can’t co-ordinate their masses of brilliance. It’s frustrating to tip the Dockers at the best of times, but have some faith that they might continue their good recent run of form.

Fremantle by 26 points.

Until next week, Happy punting!

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!