AFL Round 22 My Preview
Round 22 starts off with a cracking game between the Tigers and the Bombers! That is if the Bombers can continue their good form. The majority of games are between teams that are relatively evenly matched. The Blues and Bulldogs game is the exception as it should be an easy victory for the Bulldogs, while the clash between the Saints and Hawks looks like a one sided contest on paper, but hopefully it will be an exciting contest, because life and sport aren’t played on paper. The Cats need to keep their finals hopes alive, they can do this by beating the Dockers.
My choice of a definite winner for this Round: Bulldogs
Friday Night Game
Tigers v Bombers
The Tigers are the team to beat, while the Bombers are probably the best team outside of the top eight, as it stands.
Key matchup: Shane Edwards v Zach Merrett
Tigers Game Changer: Shaun Grigg
Bombers Game Changer: Devon Smith
My Prediction: Bombers
Saturday Games
Magpies v Power
The Magpies have all but cemented their place in September, while the Power need to win to assure that they play in the finals series.
Key matchup: Steele Sidebottom v Brad Ebert
Magpies Game Changer: Will Hoskin-Elliott
Power Game Changer: Robbie Gray
My Prediction: Magpies
Cats v Dockers
The Cats need a victory to be any chance of playing finals, while the Dockers need the four points for to take some confidence into the preseason.
Key matchup: Joel Selwood v Nat Fyfe
Cats Game Changer: Sam Menegola
Dockers Game Changer: Lachie Neale
My Prediction: Cats
Giants v Swans
The Giants and Swans should be an interesting contest. There is a top four spot on the line for the Giants.
Key matchup: Callan Ward v Kieran Jack
Giants Game Changer: Lachie Whitfield
Swans Game Changer: Lance Franklin
My Prediction: Swans
Saturday Night Games
Saints v Hawks
The Saints need to give their fans something to cheer about, while the Hawks have looked good of late.
Key matchup: Jack Steven v Jaeger O’Meara
Saints Game Changer: Jack Sinclair
Hawks Game Changer: Tom Mitchell
My Prediction: Saints
Suns v Lions
The Suns need a win to lift their morale, while the Lions are also playing for pride.
Key matchup: Jarrod Witts v Stefan Martin
Suns Game Changer: Michael Barlow
Lions Game Changer: Alex Witherden
My Prediction: Suns
Sunday Games
Blues v Bulldogs
The Blues capitulated against the Dockers last weekend, while the Bulldogs had an impressive upset victory over the Kangaroos. Expect this to be one sided.
Key matchup: Patrick Cripps v Jack Macrae
Blues Game Changer: Marc Murphy
Bulldogs Game Changer: Mitch Wallis
My Prediction: Bulldogs
Eagles v Demons
The Eagles are missing Andrew Gaff, who is a pivotal part of the Eagles midfield. The Demons have been in good form of late, without getting the four points.
Key matchup: Scott Lycett v Max Gawn
Eagles Game Changer: Jack Redden
Demons Game Changer: Clayton Oliver
My Prediction: Demons
Crows v Kangaroos
I think that this will be an intriguing clash, between two teams that will probably miss out on a position in the top eight and feature in the final series.
Key matchup: Sam Jacobs v Todd Goldstein
Crows Game Changer: Rory Sloane
Kangaroos Game Changer: Shaun Higgins
My Prediction: Kangaroos