The AFL’s tenth round opens with a rare Friday night fixture from Geelong’s Simonds Stadium and closes with the Crows away game against the struggling Carlton at the MCG.
Port Adelaide has the chance to secure top spot and build its credibility as a premiership prospect. Who would have thought 18 months ago that Port would go into this match as the hot favourite to beat Hawthorn?
It’s a Saturday night fixture and the Power’s administration has pulled every move possible to attract a crowd of 50,000 – and who would have believed that a couple of years ago?
Can Port keep the dream alive?
FRIDAY
Geelong v North Melbourne at Simonds Stadium 7.20pm
Head to Head: Cats 93 Kangaroos 60 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 19 2013 – Kangaroos 15.6 (96) bt Cats 13.8 (86) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Cats $1.45 Kangaroos $2.80
Sportingbet: Cats $1.46 Kangaroos $2.70
The Scott twins compete in the coaching box with the ledger at two wins apiece. Chris’ Geelong side have had better weeks, dealing with a dismantling by Fremantle and the loss of star Steve Johnson to suspension. On the other hand, Brad at Arden Street enjoyed having skipper Andrew Swallow back from a long break as they destroyed Brisbane by 87 points. There’s some distance between the Kangaroos’ best (wins at Sydney and Fremantle) and worst (home loss to Gold Coast) so it could depend on which side shows up.
Key: With just two losses at Simonds Stadium in their past 47 games, Geelong will enjoy their first hosting of Friday night footy in Victoria’s second city.
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Tip: Cats by 15 points
SATURDAY
Greater Western Sydney v Richmond at Spotless Stadium 1.10pm
Head to Head: Giants 0 Tigers 2
Last clash: Round 22 2013 – Tigers 25.13 (163) bt Giants 6.6 (42) at Spotless Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Giants $3.30 Tigers $1.34
Sportingbet: Giants $2.95 Tigers $1.40
The crisis-hit Tigers have one of the best fixtures to rebound from a poor loss to Melbourne last week with a trip to Greater Western Sydney. But the Giants look much better for the inclusions of Shane Mumford, Jeremy Cameron and Adam Treloar – arguably three of their best five players. But one Giant who won’t be there is midfielder Toby Greene, who’s serving the first game of a five-match suspension imposed by the club.
Key: Less than 10,000 fans in western Sydney is a very different environment to a packed MCG. Can Damien Hardwick motivate his Tigers to success after his side failed to show the intensity merited by a testimonial to Tom Hafey?
Tip: Tigers by 14 points
Collingwood v West Coast at MCG 4.10pm
Head to Head: Magpies 21 Eagles 21 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 22 2013 – Magpies 15.11 (101) bt Eagles 5.9 (39) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Magpies $1.29 Eagles $3.60
Sportingbet: Magpies $1.30 Eagles $3.50
Nathan Buckley will be keen to bounce back to winning ways after a surprise loss in Adelaide last Thursday night. His side were out-tackled and out-hustled at Adelaide Oval but boast four straight wins at the MCG. West Coast have barely broken into a sweat in two weeks – a 111-point thumping of GWS was followed by the bye – and could be in for a wake-up call at the MCG. The Eagles will be without Mark Le Cras after his head-high bump earnt a one-week ban, while Buckley has recalled Nathan Brown and Alex Fasolo.
Key: Travis Cloke is due a decent showing and has been told as much by his coach. He will be key to helping the Magpies kick a winning score.
Tip: Magpies by 36 points
Port Adelaide v Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval 7.10pm
Head to Head: Power 15 Hawks 12
Last clash: Round 16 2013 – Hawks 19.10 (124) bt Power 12.7 (79) at AAMI Stadium
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Tab Sportsbet: Power $1.42 Hawks $2.90
Sportingbet: Power $1.43 Hawks $2.85
The undisputed game of the round pits the table-topping Power against reigning premiers Hawthorn. The undermanned Hawks start behind in the betting for the first time in more than a season but coach Alastair Clarkson will demand the same from his young fill-ins as the established names who will be missing. But could even his best 22 stop the Power? Ken Hinkley’s brand of hard-running football has many admirers and could take their biggest scalp yet on Saturday night. Clarkson has recalled Luke Hodge, Brad Sewell and Liam Shiels after injuries, while Hinkley has traded Brent Renouf for Matthew Lobbe.
Key: Can the younger Hawks like Bradley Hill, Mitch Hallahan and Billy Hartung match it with Ollie Wines, Jared Polec and Chad Wingard?
Tip: Power by 11 points
SUNDAY
Gold Coast v Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium 2.50pm
Head to Head: Suns 1 Bulldogs 3
Last clash: Round 8 2013 – Suns 13.15 (93) bt Bulldogs 8.13 (61) at Metricon Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Suns $1.23 Bulldogs $4.20
Sportingbet: Suns $1.24 Bulldogs $4.00
Gold Coast have taken the competition by storm this season, with victories over all-comers bar the two 2013 grand finalists. Most have already given them this match against the unloved Bulldogs but their last-out win over Melbourne showed strong signs of improvement. The Dogs will need to be at their best to stop a white-hot midfield but have the ability to put the clamps on the Suns across the field. Brendan McCarthy has made seven changes for the clash, recalling Jordan Roughead, Mitch Wallis and Koby Stevens.
Key: If anyone can stop Gary Ablett, it’s Liam Picken. If he can tame the hot Brownlow favourite, the Bulldogs could be the upset winners of round 10.
Tip: Bulldogs by 7 points
Carlton v Adelaide at MCG 4.10pm
Head to Head: Blues 17 Crows 15
Last clash: Round 5 2013 – Blues 17.13 (115) bt Crows 12.11 (83) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Blues $2.25 Crows $1.65
Sportingbet: Blues $2.20 Crows $1.68
Adelaide were at their season-best last time out against Collingwood to even their season record at 4-4, while Carlton sit one game behind them at 3-5. The Blues under Mick Malthouse look a team struggling to adapt to a new game plan and struggling for confidence but three wins in their past four have them on the improve. If Adelaide can re-produce an ounce of their tackling intensity from last week’s win, they should be too strong.
Key: On their last trip to Etihad Stadium, the Crows were simply brilliant against St Kilda and should power past Carlton with the confidence from that win and their victory over Collingwood.
Tip: Crows by 13 points
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