The Melbourne Demons have had a mixed pre-season campaign with a couple of good wins but was also disappointing in the last couple of weeks as the unfortunate incident with Liam Jarrah unfolded, compounding against the bigger picture of losing a Demon legend in Jim Stynes. Jonathan Brown the Lion’s best player will still be missing following his third operation for a facial injury suffered in a practice match a few weeks ago. His loss will be severely felt within the team and their long travel from Brisbane to the MCG for the game will ultimately be telling.
Melbourne goes into this game against the Brisbane Lions with a lot of emotion after farewelling the great Jim Stynes and will have an adrenalin charged mission to win this match for the spirit of ‘Jim’.
The Gold Coast Suns host the Adelaide Crows at Metricon Stadium in Carara. The long trip to the Gold Coast will not phase the Adelaide side which a couple of weeks ago won the NAB Cup against the West Coast Eagles in a clinically devastating performance. The Crows have this year picked up speed and bulk as with playing most of their offence down the centre corridor making them very difficult to handle defensively. In simple terms, the Suns don’t stand a chance!
Saturday’s match between the Dockers and Cats in Perth will provide for an interesting if not entertaining game. Fremantle goes into this almost injury free while last year’s premier’s Geelong have many of their good players unavailable through injury in the likes of Nathan Vardy, Dawson Simpson, David Wojcinski, Josh Hunt and with Ottens and Ling retired, will find it difficult to beat the Dockers at home. Dockers to just get over the line.
Essendon will have defenders Courtenay Dempsey and Jason Winderlich sidelined for another week.
Following last year’s injuries, Dempsey is recovering faster than Winderlich and both their inclusion in the team will give the Bombers much need run out of defence, but it may not happen in time for tonight’s Etihad Stadium game with the Kangaroos. North Melbourne has had a quiet , but productive pre-season build-up and would welcome the opportunity to take one over the Bombers. Kangaroos to win by a couple of goals.
Sunday and the Western Bulldogs entertain the West Coast Eagles at Etihad Stadium.
The Bulldogs will play with an almost full strength side while the Eagles will be missing the long term injured up front in Le Crass and Nicoski. The journey from Perth to Melbourne so early in the season may be the telling factor at the end of the day. The Bulldogs to prevail in a see-sawing contest.
Port Adelaide play the last game of the opening round against St. Kilda in Adelaide. St. Kilda with a new coach and re-newed vigour will be out to have a better start this year than last season. Port Adelaide’s captain Domenic Cassisi signed a new contract extension which will see him remain at Port Adelaide and finish his AFL career a single club player – This should inspire the young Port players to play a little beyond their experience, especially in front of a parochially vociferous crowd. Although this game will not be pretty to watch, it will never-the-less be a tough and rugged affair- Port Power to cause the upset of the round at AAMI Stadium.
