Essendon could turn to veteran Dustin Fletcher in an attempt to stop Lance Franklin doing his regular demolition job on the Bombers when they host Sydney at Etihad Stadium tonight.
In his last 10 matches against Essendon for former club Hawthorn, Franklin helped himself to 50 goals.
Bombers coach Mark Thompson says he’s still working out the best way to curtail Sydney’s star-studded, four-pronged attack of Franklin, Kurt Tippett, Sam Reid and Adam Goodes.
The pick of the other games to finish the split round looks like the Geelong/Fremantle clash at Patersons Stadium.
FRIDAY
Essendon v Sydney at Etihad Stadium 7.50pm
Head to Head: Bombers 130 Swans 82 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 10 2013 – Swans 17.13 (115) bt Bombers 10.11 (71) at SCG
Tab Sportsbet: Bombers $3.25 Swans $1.34
Sportingbet: Bombers $3.20 Swans $1.36
Forget the fact that Essendon have won their last two games – they’re in trouble and Sydney are well placed to lay bare their problems. After a strong start to the season, the Bombers have become very scratchy. D-Day is fast approaching on the ASADA investigation and no-one would be surprised if that’s affecting the Essendon players. The Swans, by contrast, have won their last four games and most recently claimed the big scalp of Hawthorn. And Sydney’s big-name forward line is finally up and running.
Key: Lance Franklin – a name guaranteed to provoke feelings of dread in any Essendon defender. He made a habit of dining out on the Bombers while playing for Hawthorn and the change of guernsey is unlikely to change his appetite.
Tip: Swans by 30 points
SATURDAY
Richmond v Melbourne at MCG 1.40pm
Head to Head: Tigers 103 Demons 79 drawn 2
Last clash: Round 8 2013 – Tigers 15.16 (106) bt Demons 11.6 (72) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Tigers $1.16 Demons $5.25
Sportingbet: Tigers $1.22 Demons $4.40
Tigerland will demand a win to honour club immortal Tom Hafey, who died on Monday. Richmond should be strong enough to take care of the improving Demons, but the Tigers’ inconsistency is a big worry. After a slow start in round seven, Richmond nearly staged a massive upset against Geelong. So once again, they are showing they are capable without nailing the result. There’s a lot to like about Melbourne’s improved defensive effort, but this is a red-letter day for the Tigers.
Key: Richmond key forward Jack Riewoldt and Melbourne’s James Frawley have almost been joined at the hip since they were taken with consecutive first-round picks in the 2006 draft. The Demons are playing Frawley forward to great effect this season – which is far from bad news for Riewoldt, who has often struggled to impose himself against Frawley in previous meetings.
Tip: Tigers by 20 points
North Melbourne v Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium 4.40pm
Head to Head: Kangaroos 25 Lions 19 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 16 2013 – Lions 18.9 (117) bt Kangaroos 17.3 (105) at Gabba
Tab Sportsbet: Kangaroos $1.05 Lions $10.00
Sportingbet: Kangaroos $1.07 Lions $8.50
Here’s a nightmare scenario for Kangaroos fans – North are rusty coming off the bye and the Lions have momentum following last Saturday’s near-miss against Essendon. Brisbane manage to keep pace through the first three quarters and the inconsistency that has plagued North so far this season re-emerges. The final term is a dog fight and the last-placed Lions win to plunge the `Roos into fresh crisis. It couldn’t happen, right?
Key: Ablett and co. outworked North’s midfielders a fortnight ago in Gold Coast’s big away win. Kangaroos captain Andrew Swallow is back, but he’ll need a few weeks to regain form. It’s up to players such as Jack Ziebell and Ben Cunnington to spark the `Roos in the middle and take the game away from Brisbane.
Tip: Kangaroos by 30 points
Fremantle v Geelong at Patersons Stadium 7.40pm
Head to Head: Dockers 10 Cats 21
Last clash: Finals Week 1 2013 – Dockers 12.15 (87) bt Cats 9.18 (72) at Simonds Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Dockers $1.90 Cats $1.90
Sportingbet: Dockers $2.00 Cats $1.82
There’s a fair bit of feeling in the growing rivalry between these top-four contenders. Their last clash was Fremantle’s memorable and bruising qualifying final upset of the Cats at Simonds Stadium. Now the Dockers are at home and desperately needing a big win to put their spluttering season back on track. The side that everyone thought would go on from last year’s grand final loss is treading water at 4-4, while Geelong keep defying AFL convention with their ability to re-generate and are flying at 7-1. Jed Bews, the son of former Cats captain Andrew Bews, will make his senior debut.
Key: Fremantle’s much-admired skipper Matthew Pavlich plays his 300th game and has a strong record against the Cats in the last couple of seasons. If Pav fires, the Dockers are a big chance.
Tip: Cats by 10 points
SUNDAY
St Kilda v Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium 4.40pm
Head to Head: Saints 4 Suns 1
Last clash: Round 22 2013 – Saints 17.14 (116) bt Suns 10.10 (70) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Saints $4.00 Suns $1.25
Sportingbet: Saints $4.10 Suns $1.24
Welcome to the AFL’s new era, where the Suns are tipped to win routinely. The outstanding round-seven away success against North confirmed Gold Coast are legitimate top-eight contenders. After an encouraging start to the season, the Saints are coming off three straight losses, including a record smashing from Hawthorn. For all their ongoing development, it’s hard to see the Suns letting this one slip.
Key: Saints midfielder Tom Curren will earn his money this weekend. He’s the man most likely to run with Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett, who somehow just keeps improving. After eight rounds, Ablett is on track for his third Brownlow Medal.
Tip: Suns by 30 points
