Western Bulldogs v Geelong - The notion of a danger game is well and truly developed among footy fans and the danger game detector has evolved to be a rather acute organ. This is a danger game for Geelong . They should win it. They’re short in the betting. But the Dogs are growing in system and in confidence and they can really have a crack here, as they did recently against Collingwood. The Cats will have too much strength and experience, but it won’t be easy. Geelong by 18 points
Richmond v Hawthorn - You just have to love the Richmond FC . What a tease! To fight back so strongly against the Bombers, and once they’d hit the front collapse like it all meant nothing. So how do you read this? The Tiges were tremendous against Sydney, and generally their form has been solid even though they’re not getting the points too often. Their improving key backs are OK, but they’ll be tested against Buddy. Roughie is an even bigger headache. The Hawks with too much firepower up forward, by 23 points
Gold Coast v Port Adelaide - This is pretty tricky with Port coming off a spirit-lifting victory against North at home. The Suns need this one. It’s one of the few they might win. It might even be their Grand Final. The Suns at home by 9 points
St Kilda v Sydney - The Saints aren’t the worst and Sydney aren’t the best, but they are in the top half dozen. The Saints will enjoy the homeground advantage. They won’t enjoy the Bloods’ tough nuts. This will be a real contest. The Saints with clean use of the footy and the big forwards to test the Swans key backmen. St Kilda by 8 points
GWS v Essendon - I love how old Shiraz Sheedy will squeeze every last drop of publicity out of this one – and so he should. Thank goodness it’s in Sydney else the carnage would have been ugly. The Giants to hang in there for about the first 15 minutes, and after that, look out. Remember how they dismembered the Suns last year. Essendon by 80 points.
Adelaide v Collingwood - This is the match of the round for anyone outside Perth. I haven’t heard a side spruiked like the Crows have been all week for a while. And here’s another nice test for them. They’ll handle it. A sound ruckman, in form in and under players such as Thompson, in form runners like, well, take your pick, and blokes who can do both such as the hot commodity P. Dangerfield. The Pies are a little wounded. They’ll travel nervously. Adelaide by 36 points
North Melbourne v Brisbane - I’d say the ears of the North players are still ringing after the blast they received in the Footy Park sheds on Saturday afternoon. For a side with finals aspirations that was a disaster. In the old days that would have meant a tough week on the track. These days it probably means grief counselling and maybe a game of ten-pin bowling or a movie. Whatever, the Roos should come out ready to go in this, and the Lions will be the victim. Roos by 44 points
Carlton v Melbourne - Another couple of sides strapped to the table with the bright light in their eyes. One awaits the hot pins poked under their finger nails. Everything points to that being Melbourne who were absolutely awful against the Swans. Carlton will have too much of everything in this. They were, after all, flag favourites a couple of weeks ago. Surely they’ll flog the wooden-spooners. Carlton by 54 points
West Coast v Fremantle - If you live in the West this is the biggest game in the universe this weekend. If you live elsewhere it’s still a cracking contest. Ross Lyon is starting to cop a little criticism (see G. Healy) for coaching the talent and flair out of the squad. However the new coach (who divides opinion in the way Collingwood does) can’t be criticised for pointing out to his charges that you can’t play like millionaires using credit. His message is getting through. I reckon Freo are a chance here against West Coast . They will play this like the Derby that it is, they have sound key defenders and they have a few ‘X’ Factors. This will be fought to the bitter end. If you like Freo the line is very good. I reckon they can even win it. The Dockers by 1 point
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