AFL Round 9 Preview
Fremantle v St Kilda
The Tip: Fremantle by 44 points
Best-On-Ground Guess: Heath Black
Chance For An Upset: Fremantle have won the games that might have been coach-killers, against Melbourne and Hawthorn, so they should get the win here. The Saints have many players out, and might play a few who aren't at 100%, so an upset is unlikely.
Fremantle
They win if....they add some quicker players to the forward line to complement their marking forwards.
The Good News: This game is in Fremantle, the home ground advantage is something the Dockers need at the moment.
The Bad News: Time might be up for McManus, he was slow, frustrated and ineffective last week.
St Kilda
They win if....they kick the ball long, this isn't a new idea but it works if a team has Gehrig and Riewoldt.
The Good News: Baker is back to cause mayhem, Hayes probably is back too.
The Bad News: It’s 2007 and they still rely on Harvey too much.
Carlton v Adelaide
The Tip: Adelaide by 50 points
Best-On-Ground Guess: Ben Rutten
Chance For An Upset: It has been a while since Carlton won, but at least it is a home game so they do have a better chance than if this was played in Adelaide.
Carlton
They win if....Koutoufides can turn the clock back.
The Good News: Mr Kennedy is back in the team, now they just have to kick the ball to him.
The Bad News: Betts is out for a month.
Adelaide
They win if....their veteran midfield is too good for the Carlton youngsters.
The Good News: Johncock is back, and their back line becomes even more dangerous now.
The Bad News: Everyone was excited as news leaked out that Ricciuto would play, that will have to wait until next week.
Hawthorn v West Coast
The Tip: Hawthorn by 1 point
Best-On-Ground Guess: Grant Birchall
Chance For An Upset: The Eagles are always favourites. They are without Kerr, the game is in Tasmania, the Hawks could get the win.
Hawthorn
They win if....Lance Franklin has his kicking boots on this week.
The Good News: Their onballers might be better than who the Eagles have this round.
The Bad News: They did not play too well for three quarters last week.
West Coast
They win if....Fletcher can fill Kerr's spot in the midfield.
The Good News: They don't need Kerr or Cousins, as long as Chris Judd and Dean Cox are there they can win.
The Bad News: They don't have a defender who can stop Franklin.
Brisbane v Collingwood
The Tip: Brisbane by 21 points
Best-On-Ground Guess: Luke Power
Chance For An Upset: It is expected to be a close game, and Collingwood can win it. They were competitive in Perth, and won in Adelaide, so a trip to Brisbane does not worry them.
Brisbane
They win if....someone helps Brown and provides another option up forward, that might be Clark's role.
The Good News: Their lethal coach will have got the attention of his players as he dropped 5 of their teammates.
The Bad News: The AFL saw an effective way of stopping Brown last round, other teams will try to copy Essendon's defensive tactics.
Collingwood
They win if....O'Bree has a big game against Power and Black, all three of them were Lions' draft picks in 1997.
The Good News: Rocca is going to kick accurately.
The Bad News: Buckley has been training but isn't back yet.
Richmond v Essendon
The Tip: Essendon by 18 points
Best-On-Ground Guess: David Hille
Chance For An Upset: Essendon are the big favourites, but this could be a close game. A little wind, a lot of Deledio, and it might be tougher for the Bombers than it was last week under the roof.
Richmond
They win if....Riewoldt flies high, he doesn't want to compete with Michael in a physical contest so he needs to outrun and outjump him instead.
The Good News: Richardson says he can play.
The Bad News: If Richardson can't play, it's Kent Kingsley time at the MCG.
Essendon
They win if....Hille doesn't allow Pattison the space to play in that he had last week.
The Good News: Lucas and Lloyd are there, that is a winning combination.
The Bad News: Camporeale remains in the team, last week on the wing Camporeale was 10m from a Lion and Davey might have been 25m, it was Davey who put in the effort and made the tackle.
Western Bulldogs v Sydney
The Tip: Western Bulldogs by 10 points
Best-On-Ground Guess: Luke Darcy
Chance For An Upset: The game is a bit closer to Sydney, and Sydney are a bit ahead of the Bulldogs among people's predictions too. But the Bulldogs already have a win over the Swans there so they can do it again.
Western Bulldogs
They win if....Darcy and McDougall can mark the ball against the athletic, but short, Swans' back line.
The Good News: Akermanis is in September form.
The Bad News: Griffen and McMahon will be missed, they provide a lot of the run from the back half.
Sydney
They win if....Everitt and Jolly continue their great season, Everitt really stepped up last round.
The Good News: Kennelly didn't just return early from his injury, he returned in B-O-G form.
The Bad News: Sydney have looked a bit slow during some of their games, so this is a big test.
Melbourne v Kangaroos
The Tip: Kangaroos by 11 points
Best-On-Ground Guess: Jess Sinclair
Chance For An Upset: Forgetting last week, Melbourne have been close in several of their games. They have a big forward to trouble the Kangaroos, White can get the better of McIntosh, Robertson is back, the Demons are a chance.
Melbourne
They win if....their back line is tall enough. They did bring back Holland and are to debut Frawley, so they might have the marking ability to compete with Brown, Petrie, Edwards and Jones.
The Good News: Robertson was very good during his early season games, if he returns at that level it could get them the win.
The Bad News: Teams are said to struggle after playing in Perth the week before, not the best news for a team with 0 wins and 8 losses who are up against a team on a big win streak.
Kangaroos
They win if....Harvey, Grant and Simpson keep on keeping on, it is the veterans who are setting up the wins.
The Good News: Archer should be available to play.
The Bad News: Firrito has been unable to stop some of the stronger full forwards, Neitz might be too much for him.
Port Adelaide v Geelong
The Tip: Port Adelaide by 33 points
Best-On-Ground Guess: Chad Cornes
Chance For An Upset: The Cats are the underdog, despite their big wins over the last three rounds. It will all depend on which Cats' team plays, the Kardina Park version of the one that struggles on the road.
Port Adelaide
They win if....Tredrea and S Burgoyne have a good game.
The Good News: Chad Cornes was contained last week, it won't happen two weeks in a row.
The Bad News: They lost to Geelong last year, and during the NAB Cup this year too.
Geelong
They win if....Mooney kicks plenty of goals, they didn't need him last week but if he doesn't do a lot in this game it will be a Geelong loss.
The Good News: They keep winning.
The Bad News: This game is not at Geelong.
The Tip: Fremantle by 44 points
Best-On-Ground Guess: Heath Black
Chance For An Upset: Fremantle have won the games that might have been coach-killers, against Melbourne and Hawthorn, so they should get the win here. The Saints have many players out, and might play a few who aren't at 100%, so an upset is unlikely.
Fremantle
They win if....they add some quicker players to the forward line to complement their marking forwards.
The Good News: This game is in Fremantle, the home ground advantage is something the Dockers need at the moment.
The Bad News: Time might be up for McManus, he was slow, frustrated and ineffective last week.
St Kilda
They win if....they kick the ball long, this isn't a new idea but it works if a team has Gehrig and Riewoldt.
The Good News: Baker is back to cause mayhem, Hayes probably is back too.
The Bad News: It’s 2007 and they still rely on Harvey too much.
Carlton v Adelaide
The Tip: Adelaide by 50 points
Best-On-Ground Guess: Ben Rutten
Chance For An Upset: It has been a while since Carlton won, but at least it is a home game so they do have a better chance than if this was played in Adelaide.
Carlton
They win if....Koutoufides can turn the clock back.
The Good News: Mr Kennedy is back in the team, now they just have to kick the ball to him.
The Bad News: Betts is out for a month.
Adelaide
They win if....their veteran midfield is too good for the Carlton youngsters.
The Good News: Johncock is back, and their back line becomes even more dangerous now.
Hawthorn v West Coast
The Tip: Hawthorn by 1 point
Best-On-Ground Guess: Grant Birchall
Chance For An Upset: The Eagles are always favourites. They are without Kerr, the game is in Tasmania, the Hawks could get the win.
Hawthorn
They win if....Lance Franklin has his kicking boots on this week.
The Good News: Their onballers might be better than who the Eagles have this round.
The Bad News: They did not play too well for three quarters last week.
West Coast
They win if....Fletcher can fill Kerr's spot in the midfield.
The Good News: They don't need Kerr or Cousins, as long as Chris Judd and Dean Cox are there they can win.
The Bad News: They don't have a defender who can stop Franklin.
Brisbane v Collingwood
The Tip: Brisbane by 21 points
Best-On-Ground Guess: Luke Power
Chance For An Upset: It is expected to be a close game, and Collingwood can win it. They were competitive in Perth, and won in Adelaide, so a trip to Brisbane does not worry them.
Brisbane
They win if....someone helps Brown and provides another option up forward, that might be Clark's role.
The Good News: Their lethal coach will have got the attention of his players as he dropped 5 of their teammates.
The Bad News: The AFL saw an effective way of stopping Brown last round, other teams will try to copy Essendon's defensive tactics.
Collingwood
They win if....O'Bree has a big game against Power and Black, all three of them were Lions' draft picks in 1997.
The Good News: Rocca is going to kick accurately.
The Bad News: Buckley has been training but isn't back yet.
Richmond v Essendon
The Tip: Essendon by 18 points
Best-On-Ground Guess: David Hille
Chance For An Upset: Essendon are the big favourites, but this could be a close game. A little wind, a lot of Deledio, and it might be tougher for the Bombers than it was last week under the roof.
Richmond
They win if....Riewoldt flies high, he doesn't want to compete with Michael in a physical contest so he needs to outrun and outjump him instead.
The Good News: Richardson says he can play.
The Bad News: If Richardson can't play, it's Kent Kingsley time at the MCG.
Essendon
They win if....Hille doesn't allow Pattison the space to play in that he had last week.
The Good News: Lucas and Lloyd are there, that is a winning combination.
The Bad News: Camporeale remains in the team, last week on the wing Camporeale was 10m from a Lion and Davey might have been 25m, it was Davey who put in the effort and made the tackle.
Western Bulldogs v Sydney
The Tip: Western Bulldogs by 10 points
Best-On-Ground Guess: Luke Darcy
Chance For An Upset: The game is a bit closer to Sydney, and Sydney are a bit ahead of the Bulldogs among people's predictions too. But the Bulldogs already have a win over the Swans there so they can do it again.
Western Bulldogs
They win if....Darcy and McDougall can mark the ball against the athletic, but short, Swans' back line.
The Good News: Akermanis is in September form.
The Bad News: Griffen and McMahon will be missed, they provide a lot of the run from the back half.
Sydney
They win if....Everitt and Jolly continue their great season, Everitt really stepped up last round.
The Good News: Kennelly didn't just return early from his injury, he returned in B-O-G form.
The Bad News: Sydney have looked a bit slow during some of their games, so this is a big test.
Melbourne v Kangaroos
The Tip: Kangaroos by 11 points
Best-On-Ground Guess: Jess Sinclair
Chance For An Upset: Forgetting last week, Melbourne have been close in several of their games. They have a big forward to trouble the Kangaroos, White can get the better of McIntosh, Robertson is back, the Demons are a chance.
Melbourne
They win if....their back line is tall enough. They did bring back Holland and are to debut Frawley, so they might have the marking ability to compete with Brown, Petrie, Edwards and Jones.
The Good News: Robertson was very good during his early season games, if he returns at that level it could get them the win.
The Bad News: Teams are said to struggle after playing in Perth the week before, not the best news for a team with 0 wins and 8 losses who are up against a team on a big win streak.
Kangaroos
They win if....Harvey, Grant and Simpson keep on keeping on, it is the veterans who are setting up the wins.
The Good News: Archer should be available to play.
The Bad News: Firrito has been unable to stop some of the stronger full forwards, Neitz might be too much for him.
Port Adelaide v Geelong
The Tip: Port Adelaide by 33 points
Best-On-Ground Guess: Chad Cornes
Chance For An Upset: The Cats are the underdog, despite their big wins over the last three rounds. It will all depend on which Cats' team plays, the Kardina Park version of the one that struggles on the road.
Port Adelaide
They win if....Tredrea and S Burgoyne have a good game.
The Good News: Chad Cornes was contained last week, it won't happen two weeks in a row.
The Bad News: They lost to Geelong last year, and during the NAB Cup this year too.
Geelong
They win if....Mooney kicks plenty of goals, they didn't need him last week but if he doesn't do a lot in this game it will be a Geelong loss.
The Good News: They keep winning.
The Bad News: This game is not at Geelong.
