Afl Preview - Season 2008 Round 6

Newcastle Herald

Friday April 25, 2008

with Grant Sproule

TODAY

COLLINGWOOD V ESSENDON

2.40pm at the MCG

TAB Sportsbet: Magpies $1.45, Bombers $2.55

A crowd of close to 100,000 is expected for the traditional Anzac

clash between the Pies and the Dons. The Magpies let another one

get away last Saturday night, blowing a 21-point lead midway through

the final term. Essendon, who were belted by the Saints last week,

have a poor record at the MCG, losing six of their past nine at the

home of football. The Magpies have been down but should bounce

back with a big win. TIP: Magpies

FREMANTLE V GEELONG

8.40pm at Subiaco

TAB Sportsbet: Dockers $4, Cats, $1.20

The Dockers host the reigning premiers tonight and will

be well aware of the Cats' impressive interstate record. Geelong

have won their past five matches away from home and have got the

four points in four of their past six at Subiaco. Fremantle are sitting

14th, with one win to their name, and it's hard to see them getting

anywhere near the ladder leaders here. TIP: Cats

TOMORROW

CARLTON V ADELAIDE

2.10pm at the MCG

TAB Sportsbet: Blues $2.10, Crows $1.65

The Crows travel to the MCG to face an in-form Carlton. The Blues

have won two on the trot and Brendan Fevola has been outstanding

booting 14 goals. Adelaide?s form against the Blues is impressive,

winning five of their past six, but they would be ill advised to

underestimate Carlton this week. Crows skipper Simon Goodwin has

been in career-best form since moving forward and will be a handful

for the Blues? backline. TIP Crows

WESTERN BULLDOGS V WEST COAST

7.10pm at Telstra Dome

TAB Sportsbet: Bulldogs $1.25, Eagles $3.50

The Doggies kicked three goals in as many minutes

to steal a draw with Richmond at the MCG last Sunday. The Bulldogs

looked gone for all money, but somehow managed to keep their

unbeaten record intact. West Coast on the other hand lost another

one, despite kicking seven goals in the final quarter. The Eagles

don't play too often at the Dome and home-ground advantage alone

should keep the Dogs undefeated. TIP: Bulldogs

PORT ADELAIDE V ST KILDA

7.40pm at AAMI Stadium

TAB Sportsbet: Power $1.65, Saints $2.10

Port got on the board last week with a win over the

Eagles on the road. For the second week in a row, the Power suffered

a fade-out, but they were able to hang on to get their first win. The

Saints belted the Bombers and looked much more potent up forward

without Fraser Gehrig. Port have a fantastic record over the Saints,

winning 10 of their past 11, and should be able to add to that form

with a win here. TIP: Power

SUNDAY

BRISBANE V MELBOURNE

1.10pm at the Gabba

TAB Sportsbet: Lions $1.10, Demons $5.85

Brisbane were the unlucky losers in a fantastic clash with the Hawks

last Saturday night. Daniel Bradshaw kicked seven for the Lions

while Lance Franklin booted eight at the other end for the Hawks.

The woeful Demons head to the Gabba having lost their past 10

interstate fixtures and are supremely unlikely to break their duck

here. Melbourne fans will be praying for torrential rain and muddy

conditions to keep this one close. TIP: Lions

NORTH MELBOURNE V SYDNEY

2.10pm at Telstra Dome

TAB Sportsbet: Kangaroos $2, Swans $1.72

Sydney's recent record at the Dome is hardly something

to brag about. In their past two games at the indoor venue they've

only managed a total of 17 goals. The Kangaroos are one of those

sides that are near impossible to put away. Just when you think they

are gone, they keep coming back. Last week they came back from

21 points down to win a thriller over the Pies. TIP: Kangaroos

HAWTHORN V RICHMOND

4.40pm at the MCG

TAB Sportsbet: Hawks $1.20, Tigers $4

Lance Franklin appears to be unstoppable. The

gangly Hawthorn forward has slotted 29 goals in five matches, eight

of them against the Lions last week. For the Tigers to be any chance

of knocking off the red-hot Hawks, they must find a way to keep

Franklin quiet. Matthew Richardson has been in outstanding form

for the Tigers and will be needed to provide another inspirational

performance to inspire his younger teammates. TIP: Hawks

gsproule@theherald.com.au

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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