PREVIEW OF ROUND 22 MATCHES (all times AEST)
FRIDAY, Aug 16
Melbourne v Sydney at the MCG, 7.50pm
Head to head: Demons 93 Swans 113 Drawn 2
Last clash: Round 4, 2019 – Demons 15.10 (100) bt Swans 11.12 (78) at SCG
The round four win over the Swans was Melbourne’s first for the season but things have gone pear-shaped since and a loss to fellow strugglers Sydney at the MCG would cap a dismal year for long-suffering Demons fans.
Key: The coach who can best cobble together some semblance of an attacking structure will be the winner of what shapes as a defensive grind.
Tip: Demons by 7 points
SATURDAY, Aug 17
Carlton v St Kilda at the MCG, 1.45pm
Head to head: Blues 162 Saints 56 Drawn 2
Last clash: Round 10, 2019 – Blues 8.7 (55) bt by Saints 9.14 (68) at Marvel Stadium
This was to be the clash of the interim coaches but David Teague was tabbed as Carlton’s permanent replacement for Brendon Bolton mid-week. The Saints have looked a more cohesive unit under Brett Ratten, who would love to get a win over the club that sacked him in 2012.
Key: Can Dan Hannebery and Jack Steven keep the magic going? The pair played together for the first time in last week’s win over Fremantle and starred.
Tip: Saints by 13 points
Brisbane v Geelong at the Gabba, 2.10pm
Head to head: Lions 14 Cats 19 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 19, 2018 – Lions 11.12 (78) bt by Cats 18.12 (120) at GMHBA Stadium
The ladder-leading Cats have been in patchy form of late, while the upstart Lions can claim top spot if they make it nine wins in a row.
Key: The Cats haven’t won back-to-back games since rounds 11 and 12 so Chris Scott’s men must regain their consistent early-season form in this tricky away clash.
Tip: Cats by 14 points
Adelaide v Collingwood at Adelaide Oval, 4.35pm
Head to head: Crows 15 Magpies 26 Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 4, 2018 – Crows 9.4 (58) bt by Magpies 16.10 (106) at Adelaide Oval
The ninth-placed Crows need a win to boost their finals chances, while the Pies need the victory to stay in touch with the top four. Adelaide looked to have found a bit of touch in an honourable loss to West Coast, while the Pies have recorded wins over also-rans Gold Coast and Melbourne.
Key: Darcy Fogarty showed he is the future for Adelaide in attack with five goals last week but he needs help from veterans Taylor Walker and Eddie Betts.
Tip: Crows by 11 points
North Melbourne v Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium, 7.25pm
Head to head: Kangaroos 21 Power 13 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 6, 2019 – Kangaroos 11.6 (72) bt by Power 12.16 (88) at Adelaide Oval
The Roos kicked a solitary goal in their lowest-ever score of 1.8 in a loss to Geelong, while the Power look to be hitting their straps with big wins over Essendon and Sydney moving them into the eight; North look vulnerable.
Key: Todd Goldstein’s clash with Paddy Ryder in the ruck will be pivotal.
Tip: Power by 22 points
Fremantle v Essendon at Optus Stadium, 8.10pm
Head to head: Dockers 14 Bombers 21 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 9, 2019 – Dockers 7.11 (53) bt by Bombers 8.12 (60) at Marvel Stadium
The seventh-placed Bombers are still right in the mix despite a pair of disastrous losses, but must find a way to hit the scoreboard more efficiently with a forward line that has been hit hard by injuries.
Key: This is a line in the sand game for Essendon after they conceded 21 goals in a row in a horrendous loss to the Bulldogs.
Tip: Dockers by 8 points
SUNDAY, Aug 18
Richmond v West Coast at the MCG, 1.10pm
Head to head: Tigers 17 Eagles 26 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 9, 2018 – Tigers 12.11 (83) bt by Eagles 20.10 (130) at Optus Stadium
This could well be a grand final preview given the excellent form of the third-placed Eagles and fourth-placed Richmond, who will be boosted by the return of midfield bull Dustin Martin.
Key: Which high-powered attacking duo will seize the day? Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch are building chemistry by the week and Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy are a proven combination capable of turning a match.
Tip: Tigers by 5 points
GWS v Western Bulldogs at Giants Stadium, 3.20pm
Head to head: Giants 5 Bulldogs 5 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 1, 2018 – Giants 20.13 (133) bt Bulldogs 7.9 (51) at Manuka Oval
The Bulldogs will be right in the finals hunt with a win over the Giants who were poor in a loss to Hawthorn. As a pure talent proposition, GWS should be too strong but the Dogs have got their tails up at the right time.
Key: Can the Dogs replicate their ballistic form from a big win over Essendon? Luke Beveridge’s side has struggled in attack at times this year, but clicked into gear for 21 straight goals at Marvel Stadium.
Tip: Bulldogs by 11 points
Hawthorn v Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium, 4.40pm
Head to head: Hawks 9 Suns 2 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 14, 2018 – Hawks 13.18 (96) bt Suns 5.13 (53) at York Park
The Suns will be trying to avoid a 17th loss in a row in what has been a dismal season but it’s hard to see how they will with Hawthorn coming off a good win over finals-bound GWS in the Canberra snow.
Key: Emotions will be running high with Hawks fan favourite Jarryd Roughead in for what could be his last AFL game. Can the Suns match the intensity of what will surely be a ferocious effort by Hawthorn to send off the four-time premiership champion in style?
Tip: Hawks by 29 points
