Afl Preview - Season 2008 Round 5

Newcastle Herald

Friday April 18, 2008

with Grant Sproule

TONIGHT

ST KILDA V ESSENDON

7.40pm at Telstra Dome

TAB Sportsbet: Saints $1.33, Bombers $3.15

Last Saturday night's loss to the Cats was a reality check for the

Saints. Essendon ran out of legs when they were overrun by the

Bulldogs, but will be bolstered this week by the return of skipper

Matthew Lloyd. St Kilda must win this one to stay in touch with

the eight. TIP: Saints

TOMORROW

GEELONG V SYDNEY

2.10pm at Skilled Stadium

TAB Sportsbet: Cats, $1.18, Swans $4.50

These two teams had differing fortunes at the tribunal this week

- Swans spearhead Barry Hall was outed for seven weeks for his

Staker-shaker, while Cats key forward Cameron Mooney escaped

penalty for his trip. Hall's brain explosion has robbed Sydney of

its main avenue to goal and he will be sorely missed. TIP: Cats

ADELAIDE V FREMANTLE

3.10pm at AAMI Stadium

TAB Sportsbet: Crows $1.33, Dockers $3.15

Only a brave man or a one-eyed Dockers supporter would give

Freo any chance of knocking off the Crows in Adelaide this week.

The Dockers were dreadful last week, belted by the Tigers to the

tune of 64 points. Adelaide flew to Tassie and were thumped by

the Hawks. TIP: Crows

BRISBANE V HAWTHORN

7.10pm at the Gabba

TAB Sportsbet: Lions $2.15, Hawks $1.65

The Lions were down by 47 points midway through the third

quarter last Saturday night, but in an amazing turnaround, they

rallied and beat the Power. Hawthorn, on the other hand, had it

all their own way when they clashed with the Crows. The Hawks

were very impressive and should continue their unbeaten run.

TIP: Hawks

COLLINGWOOD V NORTH MELBOURNE

7.10pm at the MCG

TAB Sportsbet: Magpies $1.60, Kangaroos $2.25

The Magpies helped the Blues break their 14-match losing

streak last Sunday, losing to the old enemy by 23 points.

Collingwood looked flat and lethargic from the opening bounce.

The Kangaroos were too good for the Demons at the MCG and

with their tails up, they won't be better placed to beat the Pies.

TIP: Kangaroos

SUNDAY

MELBOURNE V CARLTON

1.10pm at the MCG

TAB Sportsbet: Demons $3.05, Blues $1.35

Up until last week, this was billed as the battle for the wooden

spoon. But the Blues upstaged the Magpies and will go into

Sunday's clash full of confidence. There's no light at the end of

the tunnel for the Dees, and they will remain shackled to the

bottom of the heap. TIP: Blues

WESTERN BULLDOGS V RICHMOND

2.10pm at Telstra Dome

TAB Sportsbet: Bulldogs $1.33, Tigers $3.15

Sitting third on the ladder and one of only three undefeated

teams, the Bulldogs couldn't have asked for a better start to the

season. Matthew Richardson was outstanding last week and will

cause the Dogs' defensive structures some real headaches this

week. TIP: Bulldogs

WEST COAST V PORT ADELAIDE

4.40pm at Subiaco

TAB Sportsbet: Eagles $2, Power $1.75

The Eagles are the lowest scoring side in the league and have

been consistently belted at the other end. Both sides are

desperate for a win but Port will want to win for Brendan Lade in

his 200th match. TIP: Power

gsproule@theherald.com.au

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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