It’s rounds like this where I wonder if the season IS too long. Yet again a glance at the fixture doesn’t engender much enthusiasm from an impartial point of view. So this week I thought I’d rank our games of interest based on you, our Big Footy family – or more precisely the preview threads.

Even though it won’t feature in this week’s story, I think we should start with an honourable mention for the GWS v Hawthorn game. According to the Bureau of Meterology, Canberra will have a maximum temperature of 8 degrees, a minimum of somewhere around -1, a 90% chance of rain, possible hail and snow in the surrounding hills. Put simply it’s going to be f&%$#in freezing. So good luck surviving that fellas!

Without further ado, let’s get to it. Remember this is based on your discussions on the forum. Highly scientific!

#1 – Bombers (7th) v Dogs (10th)

Chat about the Bombers/Dogs clash on the Match Day thread right now >>

The Bombers look like a lock for the finals but after last week’s little hiccup the Bomber army are suddenly a little nervous. The Dogs lost to the Lions, yes, but they remain just one game out of the eight and will be desperate for a win. If the first three posts in the forum are anything to go by it seems Bombers fans think they’re cooked. Vindicator says he thinks the Dogs will be too good. Citizen-erased thinks it’ll be the Dogs by 30+, while Great8 goes even further, expecting a 10 goal plus drubbing. Wow! Despite the Bombers injuries (yep, they now have the same number as the Pies – 15) this is yet another 8 point game for both clubs.

#2 – Demons (17th) v Pies (6th)

Can the Dees up set the Pies? Chat about it now >>

Yes, ladies and gentlemen it’s the huge clash between 17th place and 6th place. The Pies got their season back on track with a win over the bottom placed Suns. Despite the Demons lowly place on the ladder they were more than respectable against the Tigers. Both teams have huge injury lists so not expecting this to be a pretty game. Gonna be wet and cold. That’s going to help the skill level… NOT! On the forum general sentiment seems to be it could be a good game with both midfields relatively intact, but nah, we’re crap, nah we’re crapper! Confidence levels of both fans waaaay down.

#3 – Cats (1st) v Kangas (11th)

Will the Cats rule the roost? Or can the Kangas spring an upset? Let us know >>

A surprisingly high entry if you ask me. Being played down at GMHBAXYZABC Stadium makes this a much tougher assignment for the Kangas. Four of the last five clashes between these two have been at Marvel with the Kangas having not beaten the Cats since 2015. And boy if it’s going to be cold and wet at the G earlier in the day it will be positively hell down at the Cattery on Saturday night. Most on the forum expsting Cats to win but Kangas have been in good form, bar the West Coast game. As user Chinacats said “Premiership tilt on line for cats. Expect them to be ferocious. Kangaroos better form. More on the line for cats. Cats by 26.”. That pretty much sums up our thoughts too!

#4 – Eagles (3rd) v Crows (8th)

Eagle percentage booster or Crow shock? Chat now >>

The last game we’re going to include this week is the Eagles and Crows. A little bit of interest in this one on the forum. Perthboy86 has summed this game up well. If the Eagles are the real deal (and they certainly look like it) then they should win by plenty. Crows “should” be desperate given their spot in the finals is looking very very shaky indeed but have shown over previous weeks that they’re not really up to it. Oh and keeping an eye on the ladder…. Eagles well aware the Lions are playing the Suns. Everyone is expecting Lions to win by a landslide so concern over percentage is very real. And if Jpetro83 is right then the Eagles might get their own percentage boost. as said “This will get ugly… Crows arent a team to ever surprise us and win in a upset or claim a big scalp etc… they are the most predicatble side going around. 50-60 point loss coming up here. Such a disappointing team/club”. Ouch.

Now as for the rest of the games…. get talking people! You can’t be that bored of the season surely.

Giants v Hawks –
Preview thread here
Port v Swans –
Preview thread here
Tigers v Blues (not a single comment…. where are you Tigers and Blues fans?) –
Preview thread here
Lions v Suns –
Preview thread here
Saints v Dockers –
Preview thread here

ROUND 21
Friday, August 9
 GWS v Hawthorn, UNSW Canberra Oval, 7.50pm
Saturday, August 10
 Melbourne v Collingwood, MCG, 1.45pm
Port Adelaide v Sydney, Adelaide Oval, 2.10pm
Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast, Gabba, 4.35pm
Essendon v Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium, 7.25pm
Geelong v North Melbourne, GMHBA Stadium, 7.25pm
Sunday, August 11
 St Kilda v Fremantle, Marvel Stadium, 1.10pm
Richmond v Carlton, MCG, 3.20pm
West Coast v Adelaide, Optus Stadium, 4.40pm