As promised here is the first of the round-by-round previews, starting with tonight's game between West Coast and Essendon. Usually these will go up all at once, but because for some reason round 14 is starting on a Thursday the rest will go up later.
Last Time: The last match-up between these two teams has to be close to the definition of irrelevant. It was round seven 2012 that the teams last met, and unless you're a Bombers supporter the video wont be of much interest. The Bomber steamrolled the previously unbeaten Eagles by 61 points to continue their flying start to the season, which coincidentally is exactly the same after fourteen rounds as it is this year (9 wins, 3 losses).
WEST COAST VS ESSENDON
WEST COAST VS ESSENDON
Last Time: The last match-up between these two teams has to be close to the definition of irrelevant. It was round seven 2012 that the teams last met, and unless you're a Bombers supporter the video wont be of much interest. The Bomber steamrolled the previously unbeaten Eagles by 61 points to continue their flying start to the season, which coincidentally is exactly the same after fourteen rounds as it is this year (9 wins, 3 losses).
Form: West Coast have, at best, been scratchy this season and their win/loss tally reflects that (6-6). Over the past few weeks they've had a fortuitous win over St Kilda and a much improved performance in a loss against Hawthorn with a bye week squashed in between. Essendon are coming off a bye which seems to have come at a welcome time for the Dons who have been playing in fits and bursts of late, evidenced by their comeback win over Carlton and their third quarter burst that put the Suns to the sword.
At selection: The Eagles always seem to have an injury list as long as your arm, and this week is no exception, with five changes being made with key players Shannon Hurn and Scott Selwood out. The one positive for neutral viewers from this is there will only being half as many players 'doing a Selwood' on the ground. Essendon have brought in no.1 ruckman Tom Bellchambers and runner Courtenay Dempsey, who are both good 'ins' for playing the Eagles at Subiaco.
Result: The much cliched 'it's been a big week for' again applies to Essendon. Although they have seemed untroubled by it so far could the latest incident in the saga change that? But in a purely football sense a few years ago you wouldn't have given them much chance in Perth but not so now. They won last time over and against an arguably better opponent in Fremantle. The Eagles on the other hand just have to win if they are to make a serious tilt at the top eight, and with the bye seemingly being more of a hindrance than a help to teams coming off it, i'm tentatively leaning towards them.
Gold Coast vs Adelaide
This is an intriguing clash between the AFL's incarnation of boy-band BoyzIIMen (Gold Coast) against the stuttering Crows. Both teams are a 5-7 and incredibly the Suns seem a better chance of snatching a finals spot, with a favourable draw. At the start of the season that sentence alone would cause sniggers, but not so now. The Crows start favourites, which is surprising given that they are away from home and a fry-cry from the team that pasted the Suns in their last meeting. Suns in a close one.
Port Adelaide vs Collingwood
Port breathed new life into their spluttering season with a win over defending premiers Sydney last week, shoring up their spot in the top eight. Their opponents, Collingwood, are coming off a bye following three wins, each less impressive than the last. Like the previous game the visitors are heavily backed having won the previous five encounters between the two, but away from home and with key players Ben Reid and Darren Jolly out Port are in with more than a chance.
Geelong vs Fremantle
One of the leagues best offensive teams come up against the competitions premier defence. Fremantle have been on fire of late, if that's an appropriate term to use for a team that wins by strangling the life out of opposing teams, while Geelong are smarting after losing to Brisbane in the eighth largest comeback in the game's history. These clashes have been spiteful of late and Geelong fired up and at their Cattery fortress will be hard to stop.
Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs
At the risk of belittling these two sides, what will occur before the bounce could be more exciting. The curtain raiser to this game will be the first AFL-sanctioned women's football match, featuring the top 50 female players from around the country. As to the main event, both sides would fancy their chances are stealing a rare victory, with both teams putting in more competitive efforts of late.
Hawthorn vs Brisbane
Despite knocking off the Cats in a major upset, Brisbane don't stand much of a chance against the Hawks in their adopted home Tasmania. The hawks have made a habit of of beating up on the Lions of late, and I don't see anything different happening here.
North Melbourne vs GWS
The Giants pushed North in their last encounter, but at Etihad Stadium doing the same again would be the best the Giants can hope for. They have alternated between plucky and uncompetitive, much like the Roos' who just simply have to win and win big to retain the slightest chance of a top eight finish.
Richmond vs St Kilda
There's plenty of noise and hope emanating out of Tigerland at the moment, and they'll eye this match as a good chance to boost their percentage. The Saints recorded just their third win of the season against lowly Melbourne in their last game, but if their match at the start of the season is any guide, the Tigers will be too good, but only after a real challenge from the Saints.
Gold Coast vs Adelaide
This is an intriguing clash between the AFL's incarnation of boy-band BoyzIIMen (Gold Coast) against the stuttering Crows. Both teams are a 5-7 and incredibly the Suns seem a better chance of snatching a finals spot, with a favourable draw. At the start of the season that sentence alone would cause sniggers, but not so now. The Crows start favourites, which is surprising given that they are away from home and a fry-cry from the team that pasted the Suns in their last meeting. Suns in a close one.
Port Adelaide vs Collingwood
Port breathed new life into their spluttering season with a win over defending premiers Sydney last week, shoring up their spot in the top eight. Their opponents, Collingwood, are coming off a bye following three wins, each less impressive than the last. Like the previous game the visitors are heavily backed having won the previous five encounters between the two, but away from home and with key players Ben Reid and Darren Jolly out Port are in with more than a chance.
Geelong vs Fremantle
One of the leagues best offensive teams come up against the competitions premier defence. Fremantle have been on fire of late, if that's an appropriate term to use for a team that wins by strangling the life out of opposing teams, while Geelong are smarting after losing to Brisbane in the eighth largest comeback in the game's history. These clashes have been spiteful of late and Geelong fired up and at their Cattery fortress will be hard to stop.
Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs
At the risk of belittling these two sides, what will occur before the bounce could be more exciting. The curtain raiser to this game will be the first AFL-sanctioned women's football match, featuring the top 50 female players from around the country. As to the main event, both sides would fancy their chances are stealing a rare victory, with both teams putting in more competitive efforts of late.
Hawthorn vs Brisbane
Despite knocking off the Cats in a major upset, Brisbane don't stand much of a chance against the Hawks in their adopted home Tasmania. The hawks have made a habit of of beating up on the Lions of late, and I don't see anything different happening here.
North Melbourne vs GWS
The Giants pushed North in their last encounter, but at Etihad Stadium doing the same again would be the best the Giants can hope for. They have alternated between plucky and uncompetitive, much like the Roos' who just simply have to win and win big to retain the slightest chance of a top eight finish.
Richmond vs St Kilda
There's plenty of noise and hope emanating out of Tigerland at the moment, and they'll eye this match as a good chance to boost their percentage. The Saints recorded just their third win of the season against lowly Melbourne in their last game, but if their match at the start of the season is any guide, the Tigers will be too good, but only after a real challenge from the Saints.
