MORE: Footy Forum Ferals | West Coast v Carlton, Friday 8.10pm, Domain Stadium
Richmond v Western Bulldogs, Saturday 1:45pm, MCG
The Dogs should be relatively impressed with themselves. As predicted, they continued their run and gun kamikaze football, and they came off better in a shootout on Saturday night. Question is whether it holds up against a better quality of opposition. Unlikely they’ll get the points, but they should dare to dream anyway.
Tigers by 25.
Greater Western Sydney v Melbourne, Saturday 2:10pm, Spotless Oval
Confidence is a crazy thing. Jack Watts was clunking everything that came his way, Tom McDonald steamed out of defence without a care in the world. Even Lynden Dunn was snuffing out most Gold Coast attacks. Melbourne’s new mentality has done them a world of good, but they will have to be even better this week on the road.
Dees by 2.
Collingwood v Adelaide, Saturday 4:35pm, Etihad Stadium
Still not entirely convinced by Collingwood’s performance on Saturday night. Brisbane’s effort resembled a training drill, and losing Sidebottom for a couple of months is a huge blow. Adelaide’s training drill on Sunday against a woeful North Melbourne will have their confidence sky high, as two scalps of other finals hopefuls is a big way to start the year.
Crows by 27.
Gold Coast v St.Kilda, Saturday 7:20pm, Metricon Stadium
The facial expressions of Rodney Eade said it all really. The Suns devolved into lax showboating, torn apart by a Melbourne side that showed just way more effort when it counted. There will be a few high prized draft picks with targets on their backs, and another dismal performance may see them thrown back to the reserves if they can’t turn it around.
Suns by 40.
Port Adelaide v Sydney, Saturday 7:40pm, Adelaide Oval
Huge game for both clubs for different reasons. Port Adelaide were stifled by a Freo side that’s desperate to have one last run at flag contention, whilst the Swans fell over the line against an Essendon side that imploded. Considering Hawthorn are looking well oiled, every point counts with games like these deciding finals positions this early on.
Power by 2
Geelong v Fremantle, Sunday 1:10pm, Skilled Stadium
Fremantle gets a peak into the not too distant future on Sunday afternoon when it travels to Geelong. It gets to view an image of what happens to clubs when their peak is finished and the curtain comes down. Every win is more vital than the next for the Dockers. Keep aiming for top 4 and anything is possible.
Dockers by 9.
Essendon v Hawthorn, Sunday 3.20pm, MCG
North Melbourne v Brisbane Lions, Sunday 4:40, Etihad Stadium
There is no doubt that both these sides were the comprehensive losers out of round 1. Both spoke about improvement and opportunity, and there was very little shown in both games that suggested that either deserve what they’re looking for at seasons end. Go zero and two, and the heat will get turned up from here.
North by 23.
Preview: AFL Round 2
