It’s an interesting ladder after two rounds of AFL action in the 2017 season. Traditional powers such as the Sydney Swans are still seeking their first win while undefeated Richmond and West Coast will battle in Perth. The biggest contest of the weekend is the Showdown at the Adelaide Oval between the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power. Our footy coverage at LWOS begins with a preview of round 3 action.
Collingwood vs. Sydney Swans (Friday at the SCG)
The round starts off with a clash between the winless Magpies and winless Swans in Sydney. More was expected of the Swans this season, and they have won their last two outings against Collingwood, that said, as long as Collingwood has it’s engine room midfield they should be able to hang around in matchups against better teams. The Swans are bringing in more young talent, with half forward Jack Dawson joining their list, a list that already saw Nic Newman in the backline, Will Hayward, and Robbie Fox come on last week in the defeat at the hands of the Western Bulldogs. Swans star Buddy Franklin is playing his 250th game and looking for another massive week up front, as the Swans have an edge everywhere but in the midfield, where this matchup is a bit closer.
Nathan Buckley has been under fire all week for Collingwood, and they badly need this win, poor stretches of play defensively against the Bulldogs, and with goal kicking against Richmond resulted in narrow defeats through their first two contests, and pressure is mounting to put together a complete performance. Travis Varcoe returns for the Pies, and they are looking for better performances up front, while also hoping Will Hoskin-Elliot remains a revelation at forward.
Given this game is at the SCG, the edge is clearly with the Swans, as long as their midfield improves in terms of performance, they should be able to put together a more complete showing and prevail. Swans by 23
North Melbourne vs. GWS (Saturday in Tasmania)
This contest is a taking place at a relatively neutral venue in Tasmania, and both of these sides could also use a win. The GWS Giants come off a shellacking of the hapless Gold Coast Suns last week to move to 1-1, while North Melbourne suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Geelong, leading through three quarters plus, but succumbing to fatigue and the Cats pressure in the end. GWS is bluntly the better side in this one, but they will need to focus in and be up for this game all the same. Josh Kelly will be a player to watch, after it was leaked that North had offered him a massive contract to move away from Western Sydney at the end of the season. GWS fans will also be watching whether young gun Tim Taranto can find form after he hasn’t been able to match his performances from the JLT Series after two games.
For North, Brad Scott is hoping his young side can continue to grow in experience, and earn a first win this season. The Kangas have played well for at least the first half of both their contests this season, but fallen short in the second half, complete games from the likes of Ben Brown and Shaun Higgins could give North an upset win, as Ruckman Todd Goldstein returns after an injury kept him out last week.
GWS has more depth, and North hasn’t demonstrated the stamina or ability to get forward enough yet to pull this off, the Giants should prevail. Giants by 22
West Coast Eagles vs. Richmond (Saturday at MCG)
Dusty Martin will play as a spirited Tigers side, boosted by the likes of Dion Prestia, Daniel Rioli, and Dan Butler, look to move to 3-0 and upset the West Coast Eagles, who have been setting the standard for WA football in recent years. A healthy Eagles side sneaked past St. Kilda last week, and their midfield looks to get back in motion, led by veteran Sam Mitchell along with Andrew Gaff and Luke Shuey. Despite not having lacking their best ruckmen, the Eagles continued to be led by Josh Kennedy, one of the AFL’s best goalkickers, and likely have a more talented side.
Richmond will need to be at their best, but they were lucky to win last week, and should suffer their first defeat of the season. Eagles by 11
Geelong vs. Melbourne (Saturday at Etihad Stadium)
Both sides are undefeated, but Melbourne suffered a huge blow during the week when major goalkicker Jesse Hogan and veteran midfielder Jordan Lewis were both suspended due to aggressive conduct off the ball last week against Carlton. The Cats were sloppy and at times listless under defensive pressure against North last week but won anyway, and deserve credit for a tremendous fight back over the final quarter and a half. Geelong is mostly healthy, and they still have Patrick Dangerfield, so things are looking up for their side.
Melbourne has had great performances from the likes of Alex Neal-Bullen, Dom Tyson, and Clayton Oliver over the past couple of weeks, and they still have Max Gawn among others to provide leadership. That said, the undefeated Dees struggled with a poor Carlton side through three quarters last week, and Geelong should win this one. Geelong by 27
Port Adelaide vs. Adelaide (Saturday at the Adelaide Oval)
The Adelaide Showdown has favored the Crows over the last four meetings, and this is the biggest one of the group, along with being the match of the round, this is a huge form test for Port, as to how good the Power actually are, while for the Crows, it could be a key victory on their road to finishing top of the ladder at season’s end. Port has great wins over Sydney and Fremantle, while the Crows beat GWS and Hawthorn, who were both top 8 last season.
The only notable absence is the Crows Josh Jenkins, who was injured last week. Both sides are mostly at full strength, with the three Rory’s Laird, Atkins, and Sloane key for the Crows, along with Taylor Walker, Matt Crouch, Charlie Cameron, and Eddie Betts. Port’s young star in the making Sam Powell-Pepper will be key, while Charlie Dixon looks to have another good week. The Crows will need to be defensively sound to win, but this side has been fantastic at keeping the footy towards forward 50 and kicking goals. I’m still not sold Port can match their derby rivals. Adelaide by 14
Western Bulldogs vs. Fremantle (Saturday at Domain Stadium)
Ross Lyon is on the chopping block, but a fresh look Fremantle side do get home field advantage against the reigning premiers, and they’ll need it as the Bulldogs have been efficient and clicking, a complete opposite of the slow, pedestrian Dockers this season. The Dockers dropped six from their list this week, bringing in the likes of Harley Balic and Griffin Logue. They aren’t completely devoid of talent, but the likes of Nat Fyfe, Cam McCarthy, and Bradley Hill will need much improved performances to even hang with the Bulldogs.
Look for Bulldogs maestro Liam Picken to have another good week, and we’ll see if Travis Cloke can continue his career resurgence in game three. The premiers should stretch the ground in this one. Bulldogs by 57
Brisbane Lions vs. St. Kilda (Sunday at Etihad Stadium)
The Lions have shown a lot of heart through two games, nearly defeating both Essendon and Gold Coast. St. Kilda is 0-2, but after playing it close against West Coast last week, they should have an edge against the Lions, who are still facing low expectations. Forward Nick Riewoldt returns, softening the blow for the Saints, as they are missing Jack Steven, meaning the likes of Jack Steele and Leigh Montagna will need to step up.
The Lions have seen solid performances from Dayne Beams, Stefan Martin, Eric Hipwood, and Tom Rockliff among others this season to help lift them up, and they are playing a lot harder under Chris Fagan. We’ll also see the AFL debut of rookie Hugh McCluggage, who had a great JLT Series. St. Kilda could blow this, but I’ll back the Saints as they are the stronger side. Saints by 11
Carlton vs. Essendon (Sunday at the MCG)
Carlton would love for the turnaround the Bombers have had through two games, but these two traditional sides are on opposite sides of the spectrum right now, with the Bombers positioned to push for top 8, while Carlton is hoping to avoid a wooden spoon. Unless Carlton suddenly finds more ways to kick goals and get inside forward 50, the Bombers, led by Dyson Heppell, should win, backed by goals from the likes of Orazio Fantasia. Bomber fans will only feel more excited after this week I’d imagine. Essendon by 31
Hawthorn vs. Gold Coast Suns (Saturday at Metricon Stadium)
The hapless Gold Coast are likely to be playing in front of empty stands against Hawthorn, who is also 0-2, but at least seems to be sticking together. The Hawks are simply not the team they have been in the past, but the Suns are beyond abysmal, and a lot of their veteran players, particularly Gary Ablett, frankly seem not to care about the side they are playing for. Rodney Eade has not been able to motivate this Suns side, while Alistair Clarkson at least looks able to will his best 22 to push on through adversity. The Hawks experience and quality should be enough to prevail, as Jaeger O’Meara returns to face a side he’ll be glad he left. Hawthorn by 43
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