Easter is upon us again, and there will be lots of AFL football over the four day break. With the Blues and Lions playing last Thursday evening in Brisbane and no game scheduled on Good Friday, the major part of Round 2 starts today and ends with a battle royal between the Cats and the Hawks on Monday afternoon at the ‘G.
Saturday afternoon the Bombers, fresh from their two-point victory over the Roos, will play the Port Adelaide side (who also had a close win over the Saints last Sunday). Both teams showed great courage and tenacity in beating their opponents. Essendon’s Etihad Stadium advantage and their running mid-field players should get them over the line in what promises to be a tight contest.
Top-of-the-ladder leaders Sydney play host to the Fremantle Dockers at the SGC. In their last game the Swans easily beat GWS, while the Dockers did it tough against the Cats. Sydney played two weeks ago allowing for the greater recovery time and with the Dockers having only six days between games in – addition to the two week suspension of Hayden Ballantyne and a long flight from Perth – the ‘purple haze’ will be tested. The Swans playing on their home ground should claim victory.
Saturday’s twilight game comes from Perth between the West Coast Eagles and Melbourne. After the Demons poor showing against the Lions seven days ago … No way! The Eagles to do it easily with a healthy percentage boost.
Collingwood and Richmond should attract a large crowd of around 70,000 supporters tonight at the ‘G. The Magpies showed good momentum against the Hawks and if it wasn’t for their early inaccuracy in front of goal could of won the game. Richmond’s form against Carlton left much to be desired and although the Tigers have shown improvement of late: when the chips were down last week they didn’t step up. They went back into their shells and once again let their tortured fans down. The Magpies by at least six goals.
The Adelaide Crows at home Saturday night will easily account for the Western Bulldogs. On Sunday afternoon, in the first ever AFL premiership game at Blundstone Arena in Hobart, the North Melbourne Kangaroos should easily defeat the GWS Giants. And the Saints at home in the Docklands should account for the Gold Coast Suns who travel to Melbourne.
On Easter Monday at the MCG in front of a potentially massive crowd, the Cats take on the Hawks in what could be described as a possible preview to this year’s grand final. In recent times the Cats have stuttered, going down to the Tigers in pre-season and losing to Freo last Sunday. Hawthorn meanwhile did an adequate job in beating Collingwood, who didn’t kick straight for half of the game. Hawthorn has the ability to outscore Geelong, especially when ‘Buddy’ Franklin, Rioli, Sewel, Gibson, Lewis and Luke Hodge are playing at their best. Despite the three week suspension doled out to Matthew Scarlett, Geelong will regroup and give the Hawks a run for their money. Geelong to win a thriller at the ‘G.