The AFL season is hitting its final stretch, as sides like the Western Bulldogs and Essendon are desperate to arrest their slide. Sydney, St. Kilda and Richmond are among sides looking to keep up their momentum. Here is your full round 16 preview.
Adelaide Crows vs. Western Bulldogs (Friday at Adelaide Oval)
Struggling in terms of form, and missing players due to injury, including Bob Murphy, the Western Bulldogs are in crisis, and in serious danger of missing the top 8. Their forward line, and their backline has failed to produce in recent games, and now they face an Adelaide side that has every hope of finishing top 4 at the end of the year. Charlie Cameron, and Scott Thompson are back for the Crows, and if their forward line steps up, they’ll win, possibly by a big margin. Crows by 27
Hawthorn vs. GWS Giants (Saturday in Tasmania)
A must win game for Hawthorn, they face the tall task of trying to upset one of the best teams in the competition, the GWS Giants. The banged up Giants have still been great this season given the circumstances, while Hawthorn has been up and down. Their veterans rising and falling in terms of form. GWS will need to be less selfish in terms of their play to win this, but I don’t trust the Hawthorn forward line enough to pick the Hawks, GWS should steal one. Giants by 9
Collingwood vs. Essendon (Saturday at the MCG)
Both teams are on losing streaks, but Collingwood has arguably been worse in those losses, and the Bombers won this matchup earlier in the season. Essendon is frankly a better team, the Magpies have risen a few times this season, but it looks to be Essendon time to get a pivotal win and stay in the top 8 hunt. Bombers by 13
Sydney Swans vs. Gold Coast Suns (Saturday at the SCG)
The Suns are not a terrible side, but missing Gary Ablett, they should fall to a red-hot Sydney team that has been playing top 4 footy in recent weeks. Healthy and focused, the Swans won’t slip up at home. Swans by 36
Brisbane Lions vs. Geelong Cats (Saturday at the Gabba)
The Lions won last week and Dayne Beams returns, but Geelong is one of the best teams in the competition, and they get Joel Selwood back. The Lions are improving by a lot, but they are still one of the worst sides in the AFL, I’d expect the Cats to not let up in their top 4 hunt. Cats by 24
St. Kilda vs. Richmond (Saturday at Etihad Stadium)
Both sides have winning form, overcoming a bit of heartbreak this season to be genuine top 8 contenders, and in the case of Richmond, top 4 contenders. Jimmy Webster is out for the Saints, who are missing three this week, Richmond is at somewhat full strength. Look for Brownlow leader Dustin Martin to lead them to a pivotal victory. Tigers by 6
North Melbourne vs. Fremantle Dockers (Sunday at Etihad Stadium)
The two sides in the AFL that are in the worst form right now, North has been in a true free-fall, while the Dockers have slipped from finals contention thanks to their own string of losses. The Dockers nipped this game earlier in the season, North is missing two key forwards in Mason Wood and Jarrad Waite, thus Freo should edge this again. Dockers by 14
West Coast Eagles vs. Port Adelaide Power (Sunday at Domain Stadium)
West Coast is playing at home and won this matchup earlier in the season. The Power have struggled against sides in the top 8 and the Eagles are getting some players back this week. Port has struggled to score goals, and the Eagles should win on their home ground. Eagles by 19
Carlton vs. Melbourne (Sunday at the MCG)
My upset pick for the week, Carlton is lower in the ladder than the Dees, but these young Blues have improved a lot since losing to Melbourne earlier in the season. With Jack Viney, and Dom Tyson among outs for the Demons, and coming off a miserable performance last week, I don’t see them being able to overcome Bryce Gibbs, Sam Docherty and the rest of Carlton in the final game of the round. Blues by 14
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