Woz's Footy Preview: Round 22 Edition

Welcome to the AFL Preview for round 22. I will list changes to each side, a key player, a teams form and a short summary and prediction. (This is not giving betting tips or odds, this will likely be in the sports tips section of this site by game day https://www.thesportingmaniac.com/blog) Make sure to subscribe to the site to get unparalleled coverage of tips and sports blog posts on NFL, NBA, AFL and Cricket. Lets Begin

SYDNEY V COLLINGWOOD

SYDNEY:

Ins: D.Rampe, J.Amartey, B.Campbell, C.Cleary

Outs: A.Francis (omitted), S.Wicks (omitted), P.Ladhams (omitted), Co.Warner (omitted)

COLLINGWOOD:

Ins: J.Richards

Outs: J.De Goey (hamstring)

KEY PLAYERS:

Sydney: Luke Parker (veteran to stand up for stumbling swans)

Collingwood: Nick Daicos (needs to be on point and get the ball)

FORM:

Swans: LWLLL

Pies: LLLWW

This is a critical game for both sides. The Swans need to win to secure the minor premiership and a top 2 slot (as well as to get their season back on track) and the Pies need this win to continue contending for finals (their hopes would be severely reduced should they lose. This shapes as a real battle of the midfields with young guns and veterans on both teams needing to step up. Hard one to predict considering a faltering Sydney and a falling Collingwood.

PREDICTION: Swans by 19 Points

BRISBANE V GWS

BRISBANE:

Ins: D.Joyce

Outs: B.Reville (fibula)

GWS:

Ins: L.Keeffe, J.Kelly

Outs: K.Briggs (managed), J.Fonti (omitted)

KEY PLAYERS:

Brisbane: Harris Andrews (Mission: Stop Jesse Hogan)

GWS: Sam Taylor (Mission: Stop Daniher and Hipwood)

FORM:

Lions: WWWWW

Giants: WWWWW

Two of the most in form teams in the competition I am mad this is not a prime time game. Both teams midfields are very good and in form so I cannot really pick a key player from either just match-ups to win, clearances should be quite even. I have it as a battle of the forwards and defenders. Two of the competitions best defenders in Andrews and Taylor and 3 of the most dangerous tall forwards in Daniher, Hipwood and Hogan. Add Toby Greene and Cam Rayner running around and you may have yourself a shoot out. Lions get the home advantage.

PREDICTION: Lions by 7

NORTH MELBOURNE V WEST COAST

NORTH MELBOURNE:

Ins: L.Shiels, M.Bergman

Outs: D.Stephens (ankle), J.Stephenson (hand)

WEST COAST:

Ins: A.Gaff

Outs: H.Edwards (concussion)

KEY PLAYERS:

NORTH: George Wardlaw

WEST COAST: Harley Reid

(Battle of the young midfielders, very exciting)

FORM:

Roos: WLLLW

Eagles: LLLLW

This game could be a nice look into the future with young guns running around everywhere. Both teams with a win in their last game so the winner of this game has a nice little 2 game streak. Good opportunity for Jarryd Schofield to show his possible worth as a permanent senior coach and for Clarkson to get some more improvement out of this season after a positive fortnight with a win and some key resignings.

PREDICTION: Roos by 11

FREMANTLE V GEELONG:

FREMANTLE:

Ins: M.Johnson, N.Fyfe, K.Worner, P.Voss

Outs: J.Treacy (knee), J.Aish (omitted), T.Emmett (suspension), N.Erasmus (omitted)

GEELONG:

Ins: M.Duncan, G.Rohan

Outs: S.De Koning (knee), J.Bews (omitted)

KEY PLAYERS:

Fremantle: Luke Jackson/Sean Darcy (both are better then Geelong's rucks)

Geelong: Jack Henry (if De Koning does not get up he becomes crucial)

FORM:

Dockers: WLWWL

Cats: WWLWW

This is another important game in shaping the top 8 as both of these teams have eyes on a top 4 spot and a potential second chance come finals time. Jackson and Darcy could have a real advantage of getting the ball to Brayshaw and Serong while Holmes and Dangerfield must find a way to beat this freo midfield who will be looking to bounce back after a 1 point loss to Essendon. Freo have the home ground advantage and have looked very good over there.

PREDICTION: Freo by 10

ESSENDON V GOLD COAST

ESSENDON:

Ins: B.Hobbs

Outs: X.Duursma (hamstring)

GOLD COAST:

Ins: J.Walter, A.Davies, J.Rogers, C.Budarick

Outs: J.Lukosius (omitted), M.Rosas (omitted), B.Fiorini (omitted), J.Jeffrey (omitted)

KEY PLAYERS:

ESSENDON: Zack Merrett (must fire to win)

GOLD COAST: Noah Anderson (continue some good form)

FORM:

Bombers: WLLLW

Suns: LWLLL Although Gold Coast may already have already had the sun set on their finals hopes this season, they can end Essendon's with a win here and have a decent 40 points on the Ladder. Essendon must win all of their games to make finals and it starts here in a crunch game with a team that had top 8 aspirations. The midfields and speed will be the key to this one as both sides like to use uncontested ball and run and carry. It is in Melbourne so based on this seasons results Essendon should have the upper hand here.

PREDICTION: Bombers by 32

MELBOURNE V PORT ADELAIDE:

MELBOURNE:

Ins: A.Tomlinson, C.Salem, M.Hore

Outs: S.May (ribs), A.Moniz-Wakefield (omitted), B.Howes (omitted)

PORT ADELAIDE:

Ins: T.Marshall Outs: M.Georgiades (quad)

Key Players:

Melbourne: Trent Rivers (good opportunity to match up against some very good midfielders)

Port Adelaide: Soldo/Sweet (stop Gawn, and easy win)

FORM:

Dees: WWLLL Power: WLWWW

Fresh after completely shocking the AFL world the Power have a very huge upper-hand against my demons who are now just looking to next year with a possible top 5-7 draft pick coming our way. Port should handle this one easily and continue their good form. Dees just need to keep giving the kids experience and to begin a rebuild on the run Geelong or Sydney style.

Prediction: Power by 55

CARLTON V HAWTHORN

CARLTON:

Ins: L.Cowan, J.Binns, Z.Williams, J.Carroll, Le.Young

Outs: A.Cerra (hamstring), M.Cottrell (shoulder)

HAWTHORN:

Ins: H.Morrison, F.Maginness, C.Mackenzie, J.Serong

Outs: J.Ward (omitted)

Key Players:

Carlton: Patrick Cripps (big game, big player)

Hawthorn: Lloyd Meek (no TDK, could have a big game)

Form:

Blues: LLWLL

Hawks: LWWWL

A massive massive game. Finals at stake for both teams it seems like. Both teams must win this game after both falling to small margins last weekend. Could be a close one based on contests and grit. Charlie Curnow must be better after last weeks showing. May have a field day due to the hawks key defensive stocks. That's all I have to say. Bring it on.

PREDICTION: Carlton by 5

RICHMOND V ST KILDA:

RICHMOND:

Ins: S.Ryan, J.Bauer, N.Cumberland, J.Blight, K.Smith, M.Coulthard, T.Dow

Outs: L.Baker (concussion), S.Green (ankle/toe), D.Martin (retired) :(, T.Brown (ankle/shoulder)

ST KILDA: Ins: R.Byrnes, H.Clark, B.Paton, T.Campbell

Outs: R.Bonner (omitted)

Key Players:

Richmond: Daniel Rioli, LIam Baker, Shai Bolton (mostly just a watch on whether they stay or go)

St Kilda: Josh Battle (see aforementioned statement)

FORM:

Tigers: LLLLL

Saints: WLWWL

This is a dead rubber game. Saints are probably better to win as they likely don't move up on the ladder and their points go up a little to salvage something from this season. I'm not saying the Tigers should tank but, they should lose this one. Pick 1 is exactly what they need, and they must get as many first rounders as possible.

PREDICTION: Saints by 67

ADELAIDE V WESTERN BULLDOGS:

ADELAIDE:

Ins: I.Rankine, B.Cook, C.Burgess, J.Borlase

Outs: B.Dowling (omitted)

WESTERN BULLDOGS:

Ins: O.Baker, J.Freijah, R.Sanders

Outs: Nil

Key Players:

Adelaide: Sam Berry (seems like a player, one that Adelaide would want to wrap up.)

Western Bulldogs: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (must straighten up his kicking for dogs to win finals)

Form:

Crows: LWWLL

Bulldogs: LWWWW

The bulldogs have a great opportunity to make it 5 wins in a row when they play the crows. But the crows are gonna go out swinging as they are unable to make finals this year, they still have a chance to impact the finals race with a win here. But with big wins over Sydney and Melbourne the dogs should have this covered.

Prediction: Dogs by 32