AFL Game Day - R16

[GVGjr]

Lets keep all the non Bulldog discussions of the round to this thread.
Some critical games for the round that could really start to shape the ladder.

Friday
Brisbane vs Melbourne

Saturday
Sydney vs Fremantle
Gold Coast vs Collingwood
Adelaide vs Greater Western Sydney
Geelong vs Essendon

Sunday
StKilda vs Port Adelaide
Richmond vs Carlton
West Coast vs Hawthorn

[Happy Days]

Me and my buddies have a slab bet on every year where we fantasy draft all of the coaches based on who we think is gonna be sacked first.

Fully expecting to have to buy a slab on Monday morning after that Port game.

[Axe Man]

Debutant for Melbourne Andy Moniz-Wakefield is possibly the most Melbourne sounding name ever. Surprisingly I found he is an NGA player from the NT.

[Eastdog]

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/06/27/who-will-win-and-why-the-tips-and-predictions-for-afl-round-16/


Brisbane v Melbourne
Friday - 7:40pm AEST ? Gabba

Brisbane has found its groove by winning three in a row, including last weekend?s 79-point crushing of Port Adelaide.

The Lions are crouching ominously outside the eight, primed to pounce on any underperforming opponents who get in their way.

Melbourne edged North Melbourne by three points in Round 15. The Demons sit in ninth spot, narrowly above the Lions by just two points which highlights the importance of this fixture.

The Demons will be thrilled to have Jake Lever back in the side after appearing a little less sturdy than usual in defence of late. His return comes at an opportune time given the recent form of Eric Hipwood and Joe Daniher.

The Brisbane duo were a handful for the Power defenders last week, combining for eight goals and 18 marks. Across the last three weeks they have combined for 23.12 and 64 marks so Lever and Steven May will have their work cut out for them.

Chris Fagan?s Lions have averaged 126 points over their past 5 matches. In that time, Simon Goodwin?s Dees have averaged just 68.

The Lions are on that run we?ve been expecting of them and they should pick this one up at the Gabba where they have won 17 of their last 20 including their past three (after dropping their first three at the venue this year).

Without Christian Petracca, it?s hard to see the Demons having enough firepower to win this but they?ll likely set up well defensively and make themselves hard to break down.

Tip: Brisbane by 18 points.

Andrew Slevison



Sydney v Fremantle
Saturday - 1:45pm AEST ? SCG

Fremantle are up against it as they fly to Sydney with the Swans gunning for their 11th straight win.

The Swans have been far too good for their opposition across that stretch with all of their wins coming by at least 14 points.

In terms of the ladder, Sydney is comfortably the best side in the opposition in terms of offence and defence, while the Dockers are the second-best defensive team in the competition in terms of points against.

If they?re to win here, they might need to try and turn this game into a low-scoring slog.

They?ll need more than luck trying to do that against this Sydney side without their skipper Alex Pearce, who holds up their defence as the key pillar.

Given that Sydney kicked 100 or more points in 10 of their 14 games so far this season, Fremantle will be seriously up against it to keep them to less than the 85 that they?ll probably need to do to win.

These teams also last faced off just seven weeks ago in Round 9, that time at Optus Stadium as the Swans proved victorious 39-87.

An upset would push the Dockers right into top four calculations, but they won?t go in as favourites in anyone?s book, even though they were victorious in their last trip to the SCG in 2023.

Tip: Sydney by 29 points.

Lachlan Geleit



Gold Coast v Collingwood
Saturday - 4:35pm AEST ? People First Stadium

It?s a Gold Coast home game, but don?t be surprised to see an atmosphere more resembling a Collingwood game.

The now-annual school holidays game has attracted great crowds in recent years with plenty of Magpies fans getting down, and get down they will for good reason again on Saturday evening.

Collingwood has won its last five games on the Gold Coast by an average of 41 points and hasn?t lost at the venue since 2014.

That fact contrasts the Suns? record at home this year. Damien Hardwick?s troops are shooting for a 6th straight win at People First Stadium in 2024 and also won both their home games in Darwin.

The Magpies are sitting pretty in the top four but could fall to as low but could fall to as low as 9th if results fall against them. A similar case faces the Suns, who are one of eight teams between 28 and 32 premiership points, meaning a loss puts them behind the chasing pack yet again.

It?s also a clash to keep an eye on the whole way through, given Collingwood came from 54 points down in the third term to knock off North Melbourne in their last outing, their second best comeback in club history.

Since Round 9, Collingwood has only beaten one club by more than three goals, so strap in for another thriller.

Tip: Collingwood by 12 points.

Seb Mottram



Adelaide v GWS Giants
Saturday - 7:30pm AEST ? Adelaide Oval

Adelaide is in a slump with three defeats on the trot and just one win since Round 8.

As a result the Crows are entrenched in the bottom four and in desperate need of a win.

The Giants are similarly in average form, losing two of their last three and five of their last seven.

Their position in the eight is at danger if this form continues.

But they?ll take some sort of solace in the fact that they have won their last four over the Crows by an average of 39 points. Three of those have been at Adelaide Oval.

GWS captain Toby Greene has been threatening to take control of a game over the last few weeks. His form against the Crows of late has been excellent, tallying 11 goals and 56 touches in his last three outings, including three Brownlow votes in last year?s meeting.

It?s a tricky affair to assess given the subpar form of both sides, but the Giants have the wood over the Crows.

Additionally, Adelaide has won just two of eight at home this year and the Giants have won four of their last five in South Australia.

Tip: GWS by 10 points.

Andrew Slevison



Geelong v Essendon
Saturday - 7:30pm AEST ? MCG

There are question marks everywhere when Geelong and Essendon clash at the ?G on Saturday night.

Was last Friday Geelong?s new normal? Does Essendon deserve to sit in the top four? What?s happened to Tom Stewart? There?s plenty on the line in Round 15 for both sides to prove themselves.

After losing six of their last seven, Geelong is teetering on falling out of the top eight. Just two months ago they were 7-0, with their current position a mockery of the Cats? start to the season.

And while it seems all doom and gloom after being pumped by 10 goals last week, a closer examination allows for more optimism. The Cats gave Sydney a real run for their money at the SCG and arguably should have beaten GWS either side of a five-goal win against Richmond.

If you?re willing to forgive last week, that previous form has Geelong right in this.

Meanwhile, Brad Scott has undoubtedly installed a winning edge into his Bombers, as seen in their 9-4 record.

But their percentage of 102.7 has them ranked 10th. History tells us that the percentage and win-loss record tend to marry up towards the end of the season, so Essendon is either going to start winning big or could lose a few.

Don't forget, the Bombers haven't beaten Geelong since 2018.

Saturday night could be a defining match for both clubs.

Tip: Geelong by eight points.

Seb Mottram



St Kilda v Port Adelaide
Sunday - 1:10pm AEST ? Marvel Stadium

The Saints will play host to an under-fire Port Adelaide on Sunday afternoon at Marvel Stadium in what looks a genuine 50-50 game.

No doubt Port Adelaide?s form means they head to Melbourne as the underdogs but to be honest both sides have been really disappointing this year.

On paper, Ken Hinkley?s Power has far more star power with the likes of Zak Butters, Connor Rozee, Dan Houston and Jason Horne Francis all top players in the competition and when you throw in their record over the Saints ? you can build quite the case.

Port have won 13 of the last 14 games against the Saints with two of those wins coming at Marvel Stadium.

When they met in Round 7 this year, it was Port Adelaide?s classy midfield that proved too much for the Saints and it appears that might be the case again on the weekend.

The Saints are no doubt playing better footy compared to what they were dishing up at the start of the year but there are still some glaring issues. The connection between their midfielders and forwards is something you can?t just fix overnight and it?s definitely something they?ve worked on, but it still isn?t cutting it.

They?ve kicked over 80 points just twice in six weeks and it means their defence has to play out of their skin to keep them in with any chance of winning and the loss of Dougal Howard a fortnight ago hasn?t helped their case.

St Kilda?s playing style doesn?t cut it against the best teams in the competition and on Port Adelaide?s day, they are up there with the best.

Expecting Butters, Rozee, Horne Francis and Ollie Wines to play for their coach this Sunday and have too much star power against the Saints.

Port Adelaide by 17 points.

Hugh Fitzpatrick



Richmond v Carlton
Sunday - 3:20pm AEST ? MCG

Weird things happen when these two teams meet. Despite significant gaps in talent (one way or the other), they tend to be tight affairs.

For the majority of the last decade, it has been Richmond who have owned this matchup, but the tide feels like it has shifted.

The Tigers are now without Tom Lynch again, Dylan Grimes is out for the season and this truly feels like a year from hell for coach Adem Yze.

Carlton meanwhile, for the first time in maybe two decades, feel legitimate. Beating Geelong, Essendon and Port Adelaide (away) in the last month has shown that they are a rung above the sides battling away for a top eight spot.

They?ve survived not only a brutal fixture run but also having as many as 15 players on their injury list. Now not only is the schedule opening up, but they?re getting healthy across the board too.

Carlton?s backline being at full strength for the last month has seen them concede scores of 73, 71, 70 and 75 ? it?s hard to imagine Richmond?s understrength forward 50 kicking a winning score without Shai Bolton ripping the game to shreds.

Will we regret fully trusting Carlton? We have before, but they?ve earned the league?s trust for now. They should win comfortably.

Tip: Carlton by 35 points

Nic Negrepontis


West Coast v Hawthorn
Sunday - 4:40pm AEST ? Optus Stadium

An interesting game at Optus Stadium wraps up Round 16 with West Coast hosting Hawthorn on Sunday afternoon.

While it?s a battle of 13th v 16th, both teams appear vastly improved over the last couple of months, with Hawthorn in particular winning seven of their last nine games.

In Perth, the Eagles haven?t been easybeats, with wins against Richmond, Fremantle and Melbourne since Round 6.

In that stretch though, they?ve also gone down to Essendon, St Kilda and North Melbourne by 14 or fewer points.

Clearly, they?re competitive at home against everyone, but when they?re not on, they?ll still get beaten.

It appears more likely that they won?t be at the top of their game given they?ve won just three of 14 games in 2024, so the pick is with Hawthorn.

That?s even with the likely return of Harley Reid and Tim Kelly who will no doubt give this side some much-needed class and firepower around the footy.

A smart pick would be Hawthorn in a game similar to those games that were won by the Dons, Saints and Roos over in Perth since Round 9.

Tip: Hawthorn by 13 points.

Lachlan Geleit

[GVGjr]

I see that Lawson Humphries is making his debut for the Cats this round. He's got a lot of admirers down at Geelong given his form at the VFL

[bornadog]

I think Brisbane will thrash Dees - 60 Plus

[Grantysghost]

Good game so far.

Lots of little flash fires going off.

Demons are giving it a fair crack.

Lions are cocky.

[bornadog]

5 goals in a row and Dees are 15 up

[Grantysghost]

Lions have never liked it when it becomes contested like this.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

This is actually impressive by Melbourne.

[bornadog]

Lions have never liked it when it becomes contested like this.

You have to put the pressure on them

[Grantysghost]

This is actually impressive by Melbourne.
It is. They were so cocky the Lions I'm happy they've been brought back to earth.

[mighty_west]

6 in a row now, great fightback, don't really like the Dees but love seeing the Lions lose especially at home, Go D.....Go De.....Go Dee....can't quite say it but you know what i mean.

[bornadog]

Kosi on fire with 4

[Dry Rot]

It is. They were so cocky the Lions I'm happy they've been brought back to earth.

Yes, I find myself in a strange, confusing and disturbing personal space barracking for the Demons tonight.

[jeemak]

That kick forward is why I don't mourn Dosh Junkley.

[The Underdog]

David King just said he reckons LDU could be the best player in the comp. He’s 25 years old and is he even top 20?

[jeemak]

David King just said he reckons LDU could be the best player in the comp. He’s 25 years old and is he even top 20?

I heard him say that and thought it was a bit much.

[The Underdog]

That Daniher goal might be the worst goal ever.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

David King just said he reckons LDU could be the best player in the comp. He?s 25 years old and is he even top 20?

He's been a slow burn but having watched him the last 2 weeks more closely, he's definitely rocketing up the ladder.

Not sure I'd say 'best player' but he should be aiming for top 10.

[chef]

LDU is a gun footballer, he'd be higher rated at a big club.

[The Underdog]

This game is a hot mess. Just non stop **** ups.

[The Underdog]

LDU is a gun footballer, he'd be higher rated at a big club.

Or if his team won ever.

[chef]

Or if his team won ever.

Not really his fault though.

[The Underdog]

Not really his fault though.

If he’s their best player and he’s that good, it’s at least a bit his fault.

[The Underdog]

Wow, the Dees shit the bed there.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Brisbane really irk me.

[bornadog]

What a dumb free kick to give the game away

[Sedat]

Probably the better result for us, so long as we can beat Melbourne when we play them.

Fair comeback by Brisbane. They started to win the midfield battle as the game wore on - they were getting smashed in there in the 1st half.

[jeemak]

Brisbane really irk me.

Mate it's really difficult to feel either satisfied or disappointed with this one. Both teams irk me, but hopefully at least one of them will miss finals this year.

[Happy Days]

That Alex Neal Bullen deliberate was so funny man I’m still giggling thinking about it.

[jeemak]

That Alex Neal Bullen deliberate was so funny man I?m still giggling thinking about it.

Those funny NRL whistles came to mind when he scored that try.

The closest field umpire, not in control, couldn't let his colleague not call that and gave the signal for deliberate. I wonder what might have been if he didn't do that.

[azabob]

That Alex Neal Bullen deliberate was so funny man I’m still giggling thinking about it.

Find a replay and watch Mcluggage and Daniher argue over who takes the kick. The whole passage is amusing.

[westdog54]

Find a replay and watch Mcluggage and Daniher argue over who takes the kick. The whole passage is amusing.

Definitely McCluggage's kick, but your right, it was amusing.

That whole last 10 minutes was one big cluster ****. Both teams seemed to be doing everything in their power to not win the game.

[bornadog]

Definitely McCluggage's kick, but your right, it was amusing.

That whole last 10 minutes was one big cluster ****. Both teams seemed to be doing everything in their power to not win the game.

The number of turnovers was incredible

[mighty_west]

Find a replay and watch Mcluggage and Daniher argue over who takes the kick. The whole passage is amusing.

Just shows how selfish Daniher is, Charlie Cameron must love playing with him.

[bornadog]

Just shows how selfish Daniher is, Charlie Cameron must love playing with him.
Daniher would have kicked that out on the full the other side of the goals

[westdog54]

The number of turnovers was incredible

And that Eric Hipwood handball as they ran into the open goal? God damn...

[Grantysghost]

And that Eric Hipwood handball as they ran into the open goal? God damn...
I lolzed big time with that one. It was like a kid who had never hand balled before and just rocketed it.

Can't believe he took us to the cleaners he's a mega spud. Actually I can believe it..... :cool:

[EasternWest]

I lolzed big time with that one. It was like a kid who had never hand balled before and just rocketed it.

Can't believe he took us to the cleaners he's a mega spud. Actually I can believe it..... :cool:

That's actually a job prerequisite for torching us.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

cmon swans do not cough this one up.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

cmon swans do not cough this one up.

Bloody Swans.

[jeemak]

I'm sick of being told by commentators how amazing northern state crowds are.

Not a spare seat in the house, last night, big crowd at Carrara stadium as well. A rare full house according to Dwayne, there's ****en seats everywhere!

Do they think they're commentating radio?

[bornadog]

A kick after the siren and Swans miss everything for a Freo win. Freo now third

[merantau]

A kick after the siren and Swans miss everything for a Freo win. Freo now third

That was a very ordinary kick. The game is played above the shoulders in those situations.

[ledge]

Wow Maynard just keeps the light on himself , gets a push in the chest and goes down holding his head . That had to be a fine at least.

[bornadog]

GC undefeated in Gold Coast games

[merantau]

Long is a very good player gor the Suns.

[EasternWest]

This Geelong Essendon game is like watching my two older brothers fight. It's good one of them is losing but it sucks that the other one is winning.

[angelopetraglia]

How fickle is the AFL media? People are now saying that Freo is a geniune Premiership contenter! Two rounds ago the Dogs kicked 23 goals against them and whacked them by 67 points.

[azabob]

Tom Campbell and Jordan Sweet playing today.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Cmon saints do us a favour.

[Go_Dogs]

How fickle is the AFL media? People are now saying that Freo is a geniune Premiership contenter! Two rounds ago the Dogs kicked 23 goals against them and whacked them by 67 points.

We must be locks to make the GF at least!

[ledge]

Tom Campbell and Jordan Sweet playing today.

Campbell subbed out . Thought he was doing okay.

[angelopetraglia]

Saints lose by two points. Can?t believe the Saints didn?t put them away in the last quarter with all that momentum.

Jack Higgins doesn?t make the distance from about 25m kicking around the corner from a set shot was just lazy and super costly.

[angelopetraglia]

Ken Hinkley almost crying after the game, super emotional.

[Sedat]

Max King legit deserves to be dropped. He plays with almost zero intensity and competitiveness. He made Zerk-Thatcher look like Matty Scarlett today.

[Grantysghost]

Ken Hinkley almost crying after the game, super emotional.
Because all that talent and they nearly lost? :cool:

[bulldogtragic]

Max King legit deserves to be dropped. He plays with almost zero intensity and competitiveness. He made Zerk-Thatcher look like Matty Scarlett today.

But his HTA numbers. :D

[Stevo]

Max King legit deserves to be dropped. He plays with almost zero intensity and competitiveness. He made Zerk-Thatcher look like Matty Scarlett today.

It's a bad look. I must ask my Saints mates thought on that tomorrow at work. Do key forwards ever get made accountable? :)

[azabob]

Max King legit deserves to be dropped. He plays with almost zero intensity and competitiveness. He made Zerk-Thatcher look like Matty Scarlett today.

Except… when he gave the downfield free very late when they were coming.

[GVGjr]

Max King legit deserves to be dropped. He plays with almost zero intensity and competitiveness. He made Zerk-Thatcher look like Matty Scarlett today.

I didn't see the game but messaged my former boss just now after reading this.
He thinks the issue over the season for King is actually further up the ground and a legacy of the way Lyon has them playing but he also said King deserved the Bronx cheers he got today and that the Saints supporters are frustrated with him.
They're in a bit of hurt at the moment and will be praying that Dalrymple and Silvagni nail the trades and draft this year.

[GVGjr]

I see Tom De Koning is missing this week. I wonder if his parents grounded him for the way he treated his little brother last week?

[GVGjr]

Just saw a snippet of Hinkley being interviewed after the game today and he appeared to choke back some tears and have a lump in his throat. I need to have a look at it again but the pressure must be mounting.

[DOG GOD]

Just saw a snippet of Hinkley being interviewed after the game today and he appeared to choke back some tears and have a lump in his throat. I need to have a look at it again but the pressure must be mounting.

Carr is almost a given to be coaching them next year.