ST KILDA v RICHMOND
ES , 7:50pm AEST Friday, July 20, 2018
- St Kilda are much improved from the start of the season, winning three of their last four games, but do they have what it takes to beat the ladder leaders?
- The MCG is clearly where the Tigers love to play but they’re no slouches at Docklands. They’ve won 4/6 games there in the last two season.
- Each side will be without their best rebounder, Webster out for Saints and Houli out for Richmond, will be interesting to see who can pick up the slack.
COLLINGWOOD v NORTH MELBOURNE
MCG , 1:45pm AEST Saturday, July 21, 2018
- Season defining game for both clubs. Finals and top four spots on the line for North and Collingwood respectively.
- Big Cox in. The towering Texan might force North tall Majak Daw back after four goals last week vs Sydney.
- Unchanged North Melbourne. Sure North came close last week but Brad Scott’s reluctance to change his side is statistically evident. With only 30 players used this year it’s the lowest in the competition.
SYDNEY SWANS v GOLD COAST SUNS
SCG , 2:10pm AEST Saturday, July 21, 2018
- This could get ugly. Swallow and Martin out for the Suns and Sydney needing percentage, it’s a recipe for disaster.
- This week coach Stuart Dew admitted that his captain, Tom Lynch, is most likely leaving the club. Looks like more hard times on the horizon for the Suns.
- Ruck debut. Sydney will look to back up Callum Sinclair with 204cm Darcy Cameron.
ESSENDON v FREMANTLE
ES , 4:35pm AEST Saturday, July 21, 2018
- Fremantle pulled off an upset against the highly rated Power last week. Can they do it again against a resurgent Essendon?
- Fantasia and Zaharakis are big ins for the Bombers. The duo will be a welcome addition of speed and skill.
- It has been an intriguing season and it’s crazy to say but it’s true: both of these teams can still make finals. Great to say that about 12th and 13th placed in round 18.
GEELONG CATS v MELBOURNE
GS , 7:25pm AEST Saturday, July 21, 2018
- This should be a cracker. Two clearly talented sides currently drifting out of top four and maybe even finals contention. Four wins out of the last ten games between them. Expect sparks to fly.
- Rhys Stanley has been great for Geelong in the last month using his athleticism as a point of difference against more traditional rucks. Let’s see how that goes against the behemoth Max Gawn who is looking to claim his second All Australian ruck title.
- Play the Cats at Kardinia is always a tough task. If this was anywhere else it would be a genuine 50/50 or even in Melbourne’s favour but expect this young Dees team to be giving the ball back to the Cats with plenty of kicks out on the full on the skinny ground.