Sunday footy brings us something new in round 8 as the Power and Suns head to china to battle it out for premiership points, it’s a big step after previously only playing games in New Zealand for points but it opens up a lot of advertising markets for clubs.The other two games give us two sides fighting for a top 8 spot with Richmond and Freemantle and the final game of the round will either leave us asking more questions about Sydney and North or we will see that they are both back on track this season.
Richmond v Freemantle
Big game for both of these teams, Freo have found some form and have won 4 of their last 5 games while the Tigers have dropped their last 2 games after started the season with 5 wins in a row and have made 3 changes to the side to try to stop the slide.
Richmond are one of the top contested possession sides in the AFL while the Dockers are one of the worst, Despite a couple early blowouts the Dockers defence is starting to hold up well and the Tigers have been one of the best at keeping their opposition to low scores. With how some other results have gone this game becomes very important for both, the Tigers can jump back into the top 4 and the Dockers can move as high as 8th but in desperate need of percentage. The Tigers are one of the top tackling sides and with their superior contested possession ball winners they will have enough to shut down some of the Dockers free flowing midfield and do enough to get the points.
Predict Tigers win 17 points
Port Adelaide v Gold Coast
So much hype around this game, it has been promoted all over the place so much so that it’s become more about promoting AFL that who is actually playing, this game itself should be a real spectacle and not just because it is in China but because we have the Power one of the more exciting teams to watch in the AFL and the Suns who are in the midst of a mini revival this season and are knocking on the door of the top 8. A win for the Power can see them jump as high as fourth today with their incredible percentage. The teams both match up well in most statistical categories but the Suns have the big X factor in Gary Ablett, Port have plenty of X factor them selves and would love to see Ablett go 1 on 1 with either Wingard or Boak and play no defence just run and gun against each other it would be exciting to watch.
The Power have an edge up forward they have plenty of scoring options compared to the Suns and think this is where they will get the points if their midfield can break even the forwards will win it.
Predict Power by 19 points
North Melbourne v Sydney
Can the Kangaroos repeat the dose the dealt to the crows or was it a one week wonder, same with the Swans after a horrid first 6 games they got a win against the lowly Lions but still have a long way to go before they get respect back this season. You have not been able to fault the Kangaroos endeavour they could quite easily have won over half of their games so far, as for the Swans their has been a big lack of spirit that we have been used too. There is a part in all our brains that keep telling us the Swans are good one of the best and it’s hard to silence that, but the numbers don’t lie they have struggled in a lot of areas this year and one good win does not hid the fact that they are second rate. The Roo’s on the other hand and on the improve in many areas and last week showed just what they are capable of. The loss of Waite again hurts them and the return to form of Buddy Franklin lifted all the Swans spirits. The game will be very intriguing so hard to pick the winner.
Predict Kangaroos win 1 point
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