Gotta be honest, when I looked at this week’s fixtures it didn’t get me excited. No real rivalries, only one clash that could directly impact the eight.
So let’s rank the matches from 1-9 in interest… and try to find a reason why!
1 Lions v Dogs
It was a toss up between this and the Bombers v Power game for interest. To be honest I couldn’t bring myself to put the Bombers at the top of the interest meter yet again! So let’s go with perhaps two of the more exciting teams in the competition in what’s shaping as a ripping clash. Last week’s big win by the Dogs has them on the edge of the top 8. They can’t be too upset at the blowtorch being applied to the Crows this week. Amazingly the Dogs have come from nowhere to be equal on points with the Crows so a win here would be a huge boost to their finals chances. Of course, the Gabbatoire – as it’s being called – has once again turned into a graveyard for visiting teams. We’re still tipping the Lions but fingers crossed this goes down to the wire.
2 Bombers v Power
The Bombers all but sewed up their first finals appearance since the dinosaurs last week with their last gasp win over the Suns. The Power, well, there’s talk the coach might be sacked and as we’ve mentioned many times they’ve been more up and down this season than a coca-cola yoyo. On paper it should be the Dons by plenty but you just never know when the Power will show up. Fantasia is back for the Bombers but countering that is the return of Charlie Dixon for the Power. The interest level in this one is really just to see what ridiculousness (in a good way) Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti can conjour up.
3 Crows v Saints
Is Don Pyke safe or will he be sacked on Monday? Is Brett Ratten the incumbent coach at the Saints? The Crows were insipid against the Blues the jungle drums are beating though many experts think Pyke’s job is safe. The Saints have been reborn since parting ways with Alan Richardson and Ratten openly put his hand up for the now vacant job. A win at Adelaide Oval, after wins over the Dogs and Demons, would go a long way to putting Ratten’s name front and centre with the Saints board. That’s why we’ve got this game at No.3
4 Giants v Swans
Ah, the Battle of the Bridge, the Sydney Derby, the … well whatever you want to call it. Sydney are done and dusted for this year so the interest in this one is whether they can be a thorn in their little brother’s side as the Giants head torwards the finals. The Giants got over the line – just – against the Power in Adelaide and while the Swans are now on a four game losing streak they have played some good football over that time.
5 Blues v Eagles
Actually, this match should probably be higher on the list… because it’s an intriguing match up. [Then put it at the top where the mighty Blues so obviously belong! – Chief]
The Eagles were back to their best in dismantling the Roos last week while the Blues notched up their third consecutive win – something they haven’t done since the industrial revolution. If this was in Perth interest would be vague at best but with the game to be played in Melbourne you have to think the Blues are half a shot. And of course…. will David Teague get the head coaching gig. If the Blues win this surely he’s a shoe in. Even an “honourable loss” might get the job done. Either way it’s a juicy clash. I’m too lazy to move it this week so just imagine I moved this one to #3 now that I’ve thought about it more!
6 Kangas v Hawks
The interest in this one is all about the Kangas appointment of Rhyce Shaw as their head coach for the next two years (at least). According to some he, himself said earlier this season he wasn’t ready for senior coaching. Others said their performance last week was back to the “bad old Kangas” we’d seen earlier this season. Either was his first test as the newly appointed coach is nothing other than Friday Night footy… at Marvel Stadium. The Hawks are a game and 10% out of the eight. We don’t think they’ll even go close to the finals this year but, yes, it’s mathematically possible. We shall see.
7 Pies v Suns
One for the Collingwood haters. Could the Suns snap their 300 game losing streak and beat the Pies on their home ground? With the Pies having to call on their Under 19’s to fill the team you’d have to think the Suns are a shot. Their last two performances have been huge improvements on the two weeks before that where they were beaten by 15 goals on consecutive weekends. Oh and the Pies have lost both one of their best top end players and their best young player to yet more injury.
8 Demons v Tigers
Could the Tigers get to 200 by half time. We said last week on the match preview that they were rampaging… and boy didn’t they rip the Pies to pieces last week – and in the wet. This season has been the annus horribilus for the Dees. Mad Monday or Wednesday or whatever they do at the Dees, can’t come quick enough. And quite frankly, neither can the end of this game.
9 Dockers v Cats
And No.9 on our list… the big (not) clash between the Freo Shockers and the high flying Cats. Of course Cats fans will hate me saying it but how far the Cats. The Dockers are back to being unwatchable according to the WA Media. Apparently players are falling out with Ross Lyon and goodness knows what else is going on in Docker land. The Cats weren’t dominant against the Swans last week but we’re tipping they’ll be back to their high scoring selves this week.
And that’s it. No matter who your team is best of luck. Next week I think we’ll do the Interestometer based on popularity of the Game Day preview threads so get in there and let us know your thoughts.
ROUND 20
Friday, August 2
North Melbourne v Hawthorn, Marvel Stadium, 7.50pm
Saturday, August 3
Essendon v Port Adelaide, Marvel Stadium, 1.45pm
GWS v Sydney, Sydney Showground Stadium, 2.10pm
Fremantle v Geelong, Optus Stadium, 4.35pm
Melbourne v Richmond, MCG, 7.25pm
Adelaide v St Kilda, Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm
Sunday, August 4
Collingwood v Gold Coast, MCG, 1.10pm
Carlton v West Coast, Marvel Stadium, 3.20pm
Brisbane Lions v Western Bulldogs, Gabba, 4.40pm
