Afl Preview - Season 2008 Round 2

Newcastle Herald

Friday March 28, 2008

with Grant Sproule

TONIGHT

BRISBANE v COLLINGWOOD

7.40pm at the GABBA

TAB Sportsbet: Brisbane $1.75, Collingwood $2.00

The Lions lost a close one out west last weekend despite

skipper Jonathan Brown bagging six goals, and Collingwood

overran the Dockers. The Pies knocked off the Lions for

the first time at the Gabba last season, breaking a 12-year

hoodoo. A close game is on the cards, but Collingwood's young

legs should prove the difference. TIP: Collingwood

TOMORROW

MELBOURNE v BULLDOGS

2.10pm at the MCG

TAB Sportsbet: Melbourne $3.10, Bulldogs $1.33

Dean Bailey got a baptism of fire in his AFL coaching career

when the Demons were on the wrong end of 100-point

thumping by the Hawks. Melbourne conceded 23 goals and it

could?ve been greater if Hawthorn kicked more accurately. The

Doggies, meanwhile, were hauled over the line by skipper Brad

Johnson, playing his 300th AFL match. TIP: Bulldogs

ADELAIDE v WEST COAST

2.40pm at AAMI STADIUM

TAB Sportsbet: Adelaide $1.75, Eagles $2.00

The Crows went down in a nail-biter to the Dogs last week.

Tomorrow they face bogey team West Coast who haven't lost

to Adelaide since round 22, 2005. After starting well, West

Coast fell in a hole late against the Lions, and were lucky

to escape with the four points. The Eagles won't be able to

slacken off against the Crows. TIP: Adelaide

ST KILDA v CARLTON

7.10pm at Telstra Dome

TAB Sportsbet: St Kilda $1.20, Carlton $4.20

Both sides will be better for the run last week, but neither will

be impressed by their efforts. The Saints beat the Swans by

two points while the Blues were thumped by the Tigers. Carlton

are very vulnerable down back, which the Saints must exploit.

Blues skipper Chris Judd will get more game time this week,

but it won't be enough for Carlton to win. TIP: St Kilda

FREMANTLE v HAWTHORN

7.40pm at Subiaco

TAB Sportsbet: Dockers $1.78, Hawks $1.95

Fremantle, the oldest team in the league, take on the

youngest. The Dockers looked old and tired as the Pies

overran them last week. The Hawks have lost key defender

Trent Croad but will be bolstered by the return of Luke Hodge

and Campbell Brown. Matthew Pavlich and Chris Tarrant kicked

one goal between them last week and will need a much bigger

output. TIP: Hawthorn

SUNDAY

SYDNEY v PORT ADELAIDE

1.10pm at the SCG

TAB Sportsbet: Sydney $1.68, Port Adelaide $2.10

This week the ugly ducklings of the league return home to

Swan Lake, the SCG, and will be much more comfortable in

their own environment. The Power lost the grand final rematch

in a close one in Adelaide and will be keen to get four points

on the board. Both will be desperate to get an early advantage,

and this one will be won in the middle. TIP: Sydney

GEELONG v ESSENDON

2.10pm at Telstra Dome

TAB Sportsbet: Cats $1.25, Bombers $3.65

The Cats shut off the Power after a final-quarter surge last

week, while the Bombers blitzed the Kangaroos after half-time.

Geelong smashed the Dons in their previous encounter at this

venue, but the Bombers have some new wheels. TIP: Geelong

RICHMOND v KANGAROOS

4.40pm at the MCG

TAB Sportsbet: Tigers $2.15, Kangaroos $1.65

Richmond turned a few heads with an impressive first-up run,

trouncing the Blues. Tigers forward Matthew Richardson was

outstanding and received great service. The Kangaroos looked

like world-beaters in the opening stanza against the Bombers

before the Dons ran all over them after half-time. This one is a

toss of the coin. TIP: Kangaroos

gsproule@theherald.com.au

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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