AFL Round 22 Preview

After 21 weeks of fantastic football, we’re finally on the brink of September.

It seems only yesterday that Nick Riewoldt was being jostled around by a pack of Lions up at the Gabba in round one, that Richmond were shaping as a finals threat and that pundits were pencilling in the Demons as genuine contenders.

We wrote off the Swans, too. They were ugly, slow, defensive and according to Andrew Demetriou, ‘not playing football’. Sometimes you’ve got to have a little more faith.

How times do change. Now it’s all on the line for the teams at the top end, and for those down the bottom, the battle for draft picks provides more than enough interest for the likes of Carlton, Hawthorn and Collingwood.

It’s bound to be another super weekend of football – catch it all here @ SportsAustralia.com!

Bet of the week: West Coast to defeat Adelaide - $1.50

The Eagles’ propensity to bounce back after a loss has been impressive this year, and you’d think they’d be keen to win after their dismal showing last week. $1.50 are good odds, and West Coast will reward the punters here.

FRIDAY NIGHT

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

Collingwood have nothing to gain from winning this match and everything to lose. Their feeble attempts in recent weeks give no indication that they will make worthy opposition for the Bulldogs, who should coast to an easy victory.

Western Bulldogs by 34 points.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

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

Despite Adelaide’s massive finish to the year, all the talk is of Sydney. The Swans are storming home toward the finals and look like a serious chance of winning the flag. Victory against Hawthorn is imperative; momentum is everything in September and Sydney need to keep their wagon rolling.

Sydney by 29 points.

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

The last round of the home and away season, and the two best teams are going to be slogging it out head to head. Could they be doing exactly that on neutral turf in a month’s time? Quite possibly. With top spot on the line, it’s framed to be the match of the year. At home, West Coast will show why they’re on top.

West Coast by 17 points.

SATURDAY NIGHT

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

The Saints don’t have to win this, but Brisbane must. You’d think that would be enough to sway the ledger in favour of the Lions, yet the Saints will still enter the game as warm favourites. Surely Fraser Gehrig and Matt Maguire won’t be risked if Sydney defeat Hawthorn – which is highly likely – thus condemning the Saints to fourth. However, Grant Thomas won’t have a bar of it. He’ll want the points.

St Kilda by 23 points.

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

With all the focus on so many different matches this weekend, this one might well be the most important. Both teams have the potential to be wrecking balls in the finals, and the winner here is assured of a top-eight birth. Despite the Dockers’ miracle late-season form, Port have shown a willingness in recent weeks to win the crunch games, especially at home.

Port Adelaide by 26 points.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Geelong vs Richmond
Skilled Stadium, Geelong
11:10am (WA), 12:40pm (SA), 1:10pm (EST)

Geelong is buzzing after last week’s victory over West Coast, but they’re still a team not capable of matching it with the cream of the competition on a regular basis. Fortunately, Richmond is nowhere near the elite of the league and the Cats will go into September with a small spring in their step.

Geelong by 36 points.

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

Carlton were so bad last week that they cannot be considered even the remotest of chances to claim victory here. On the other hand, The Kangaroos have everything to play for and will steamroll home in a demolition display, ending another hapless year for Denis Pagan’s men.

Kangaroos by 55 points.

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

What a match to finish the home and away season! Melbourne must win to play in the finals, while the Bombers have made a habit of wrecking the Demons when it matters most. Remember their epic final last year? Or the Grand Final in 2000? It’s time for Melbourne to get one back and win their third on the trot. If they can build up a head of steam, they could be the September wildcard.

Melbourne by 7 points.

Until next week, Happy punting!

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