Something to Crow About
As far as statements go, it doesn’t really get much bigger than Friday night in the City of Churches. Wow, I never thought I’d say that. While Friday nights in Adelaide are better known for racing your ute down the Anzac Highway or stepping over drunks in Hindley Street, this time around there’s actually something to do - and it’s all happening at Adelaide Oval. The Crows are looking to maintain their recent hot streak and after taking down Port Adelaide at home, they’ll be aiming to repeat the dose against Hawthorn.
PREVIEW: Adelaide v Hawthorn
For Adelaide, win here and you make a statement to the comp that you’re a bona fide finals contender, coming home with a wet sail. Lose and it’s going to be mighty tough to make the eight as the Gazza-less Gold Coast have a soft run home and the Bombers are flying.
For the Hawks, it’s also a statement game. Hawthorn appeared to be flying as Alastair Clarkson booted Brendan Bolton out of the coach’s seat. But then everything went pear shaped in one week. First it was Cyril, potentially gone for the season. Then Brad Hill was a late out before last week’s clash with North. Brad Sewell was next to go as he pinged his hammy before Brian Lake decided to get a little too literal with showing everyone that North Melbourne are chokers! To top it all off, several big name Hawks had shockers and the club slumped to a 20-point loss to North. Yes, the same North that lost to last-placed Brisbane the week before. When things are going wrong in a hurry, the best reply is to have a win and a victory in hostile territory over the Crows will be one serious declaration the Hawks remain in the Premiership hunt. Lose and those niggly questions will keep on coming!
Great Barrier Grief
Statement Game 2 will occur in an unusual location this weekend, as the Bulldogs host Gold Coast at Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns. Wait a tic, didn’t Richmond throw away games to Gold Coast by playing matches in Cairns? Didn’t that cost them a finals spot in 2012? Doesn’t Damien Hardwick start looking like Terry Wallace at the very mention of Karmichael Hunt? Don’t you just love rhetorical questions?
PREVIEW: Gold Coast v Western Bulldogs
Yes, you heard it right, the Bulldogs clearly didn’t learn from Richmond’s experience – to be fair who would learn from the Tigers - and have opted to host a game in Cairns against a Gold Coast side that have a 2-1 record at the venue.
But in terms of statements, this isn’t about the Bulldogs. Instead, it’s all about Gold Coast and what the Suns can conjure without skipper Gary Ablett. Making matters worse, along with losing their best midfielder, the Suns have lost one of their best defenders in Trent McKenzie (hamstring) and possibly one of their best forwards in Charlie Dixon (calf) for this game.
A few weeks ago, the Suns punished the Doggies in the second half at Metricon Stadium and the Bulldogs will be looking to return the favour against an undermanned Gold Coast. But if the Suns get up, they’ll make a statement that they’re right up for the finals fight as Essendon and Adelaide challenge from below. Lose and questions will linger as to whether the young Suns can cut it without Gazza, especially as a defeat could see them drop out of the eight for the first time since Round 5.
Pie in the Sky
And completing a big weekend of statements, we come to Sunday afternoon at the MCG as Essendon look to maintain the rage against a Collingwood side that’s increasingly going from champs to chumps. With three losses in the last four matches, the Magpies are facing the real prospect of a battle just to make the eight, let alone worry about a top-four spot. While for Essendon, the mere mention of ASADA seems encourage their best form as they’ve been very good against Adelaide, Geelong and Port Adelaide in recent weeks despite all the court shenanigans.
PREVIEW: Essendon v Collingwood
It still hasn’t been a great week for the Bombers, though, especially after coach Mark Thompson’s ill-advised comments about Essendon players taking substances that would help to fight cancer. But at least the team itself is winning and coming away from the Portress with a two-point win over the Power will be a definite confidence boost for the team.
But Essendon now have to make another statement. They’ve shown they can win without Jobe Watson, now they have to do it without the suspended Brendon Goddard as well, against a Collingwood side keen to do some shouting themselves.
Having started the season with all guns blazing, Collingwood are dropping back to the pack after their recent run of dodgy form as injuries and suspensions have hit them hard. The Maggies look likely to regain the People’s Tuft Nick Maxwell and Luke Ball, while Alex ‘Fas Files’ Fasolo won’t be far away either. Maxwell is a big inclusion as recent events have shown that having a Brazilian marshal your defence is probably not the smartest move and Maxwell’s organisation will definitely help the Magpies youngsters down there.
But if Collingwood is to show they’re a fair dinkum contender this season, they have to put away the Bombers. The Magpies midfield – aside from Scott Pendlebury – has been down of late but Nathan Buckley’s men like nothing better than belting an opponent in red and black.
The Best of the Rest...
What else can we look out for in Round 17? Melbourne v Geelong will deliver a cold and wet old slog at the MCG as that game kicks off one of the worst Saturday’s of footy seen so far this year. Get a load of this knockout schedule. Melbourne v Geelong, North Melbourne v St Kilda, Western Bulldogs v Gold Coast, Sydney v Carlton and Brisbane v West Coast. With the exception of the Doggies and Suns, it’s hardly mouth-watering stuff. Things only improve a little on Sunday with Port v Richmond, but the final game of the day shouldn’t be something to set your IQ for as we can see Freo v GWS being the most professional of wins for Ross Lyon’s mob.