AFL Round 9 My Preview
The 2019 AFL season has been an intriguing one; there are 5 teams currently sitting on 5 wins and 3 losses and 5 teams that have 4 wins and 4 losses. If Round 8 is anything to go by then Round 9 should be an entertaining one; there was just 3 out of 9 games that had a margin of over 20 points, hopefully there aren’t any one sided games in Round 9.
My choice of a definite winner for this Round: Hawks
Friday Night Game
Eagles v Demons
This should be an interesting game; the Demons need to prove that their performance in last season’s AFL Preliminary final was an aberration as they will be looking to make it 3 wins in a row.
Key matchup: Andrew Gaff v Clayton Oliver
Eagles Game Changer: Andrew Gaff
Demons Game Changer: Clayton Oliver
My Prediction: Demons
Saturday Afternoon Games
Magpies v Saints
The Saints need a win to stay in touch with the top 8, while the Magpies have only lost 2 games for the season.
Key matchup: Adam Treloar v Jack Sinclair
Magpies Game Changer: Adam Treloar
Saints Game Changer: Sebastian Ross
My Prediction: Saints
Lions v Crows
It’s 5th against 3rd in this one so this could be a key game in the race for a top 4 spot.
Key matchup: Jarryd Lyons v Rory Sloane
Lions Game Changer: Hugh McCluggage
Crows Game Changer: Brad Crouch
My Prediction: Crows
Cats v Bulldogs
The Cats sit 2nd on the ladder, while the Bulldogs have been in good form lately winning their last 2 games.
Key matchup: Rhys Stanley v Jackson Trengove
Cats Game Changer: Brandan Parfitt
Bulldogs Game Changer: Josh Dunkley
My Prediction: Bulldogs
Saturday Night Games
Bombers v Dockers
Both teams need to bounce back from the losses that they suffered in Round 8.
Key matchup: Zach Merrett v Nat Fyfe
Bombers Game Changer: Zach Merrett
Dockers Game Changer: Rory Lobb
My Prediction: Dockers
Kangaroos v Swans
The Kangaroos and Swans sit 17th and 16th on the ladder respectively so both teams are in need of a win.
Key matchup: Todd Goldstein v Callum Sinclair
Kangaroos Game Changer: Ben Cunnington
Swans Game Changer: Luke Parker
My Prediction: Swans
Sunday Afternoon Games
Power v Suns
The Power go into this game with many of their key players injured, so the Suns will see this game as a winnable one.
Key matchup: Jack Martin v Tom Rockliff
Power Game Changer: Justin Westhoff
Suns Game Changer: Anthony Miles
My Prediction: Suns
Tigers v Hawks
If these 2 teams Round 8 performance is anything to go by then this should be an entertaining contest.
Key matchup: Kane Lambert v James Worpel
Tigers Game Changer: Bachar Houli
Hawks Game Changer: James Worpel
My Prediction: Hawks
Giants v Blues
It’s 4th against last on the ladder in this one with both teams needing a win for different reasons; the Giants will be looking to further cement a place in the top 4, while the Blues will be looking to get off the bottom of the ladder.
Key matchup: Jacob Hopper v Sam Walsh
Giants Game Changer: Josh Kelly
Blues Game Changer: Sam Walsh
My Prediction: Blues