Round 9 Preview

After a slow start to the season, the Melbourne Demons have really picked up their game in recent weeks and are coming off a great winning performance against the Geelong Cats.

One of the main fixtures of the Melbourne Demons’ success is ruckman Max Gawn. Gawn is undeniably one of the premium rucks of the competition and somehow manages to easily rack up possessions in the midfield and in the forward 50.

Currently goalless for the longest period of his career, Tom Hawkins has struggled with form over the past month and will be looking to finally put his name back on the scoreboard this week and help fellow teammate Jeremy Cameron in the forward 50.

After losing their first game of the season last week to the Melbourne Demons, Geelong will be attempting to get back onto the winners’ table this round. However, while the Cats are the easy favourites, Port Adelaide is expected to put up a fight and won’t lose by more than 39 points.

One of the main reasons for the Swans’ success is ruck Brodie Grundy. Grundy is coming off his arguably best performance in the Bloods gurnsey and will be looking to help out his fellow teammates by gathering up the possessions in the midfield along with helping with the hit-outs.

Now on top of the AFL table after a dominant showing against the GWS Giants, the Swans are paying a great price this week against the Dockers despite being favourites and the favourites to emerge victorious.

A great victory over the Western Bulldogs last week, has rekindled the form of Sam Mitchell’s men. Although considered outsiders, they are in much better form than their opposition.

While the Hawks will be looking to pull off another upset, this time against the Saints, they are likely to leave it late to the last quarter.

The club’s inaugural captain, veteran midfielder Callan Ward will play his 300th AFL game this weekend – 60 for the Bulldogs and 239 for the Giants. In his milestone game, Ward will be eager to produce a great effort as he celebrates with his teammates.

Despite a disappointing defeat to inner-state rivals Sydney Swans last weekend in the Sydney Derby, the Giants will be looking for vengeance and take it to the Bombers.

The two teams have unfortunately struggled in recent weeks and the winner is a flip of the coin depending on if both teams decide to show up and play their best football. While the Bulldogs are considered favourites, the Richmond Tigers could produce an upset on Saturday.

Since entering the team, the 26-year-old has scored nine goals in six appearances. One of their go-to players in the forward 50, Lefau is averaging 1.5 goals per game and an accuracy of 69.2

While the Gold Coast Suns are all but certain to walk away with the four points, the North Melbourne Kangaroos will attempt to push them in the opening quarter and the Suns have recently struggled in front of goal.

The Gold Coast Suns will be attempting to improve on last week’s loss to the Brisbane Lions and have been able to cover the line in several recent matches.

The West Coast Eagles have an unfortunate habit of playing well over the opening three quarters before struggling in the final 20 minutes. With the same expected this round, the Magpies should have an easy final 20 minutes and will be looking to accumulate as many goals as possible.

The Collingwood Magpies showed last week that they are back to their best after a good defeat over the Carlton Blues. Hitting their form from last season, the reigning premiers can be expected to walk away with a comfortable victory this week.

In what will be an entertaining clash between two evenly matched teams, the Adelaide Crows are the favourite and rightly so due to the home crowd advantage and winning their past two of three matches.

Recently resurrecting his career, Dayne Zorko has been in terrific form for the Brisbane Lions and has been playing all over the field – mainly in the midfield and backline.