AFL ROUND 18 MATCH PREVIEWS

Essendon v St Kilda – The Bombers recent record against the Saints is as good as any team in the competition. Essendon is the only team to have beaten the Saints in 2009 and 2010. However there can be no argument as to who is the better team. Now that Riewoldt has had a couple of games under his belt after injury the Saints should win comfortably.

Verdict – St Kilda 40+

Collingwood v Carlton – Back in round 6 of this year the Pies won this corresponding match by 53 points. Collingwood is just so solid right across the park right now it’s difficult to predict how the Blues can go with them for 4 quarters. Carlton’s midfield of Judd, Gibbs, Murphy and Simpson will have to be at their very best if the Blues are to be any hope of causing an upset.

Verdict – Collingwood by 40+

Port Adelaide v Hawthorn - The Hawks were desperately unlucky not to secure four competition points against the Saints last Friday night. Port on the other hand sent Josh Carr out a winner with a win over the Crows. Before that they had lost 9 straight. Despite Port’s 14-7 record against Hawthorn, the visitors should have too much class for them.

Verdict – Hawthorn by 40+

Sydney v Geelong – A trip to Sydney to tackle the Swans won’t concern the Cats given they have won 15 from their past 18 on the road. While Geelong has won their past 7 games against the Swans its interesting to note the Swans last win over the Cats came at ANZ Stadium the venue of this game.

Verdict – Geelong by 40+

Brisbane v Melbourne – The Lions were outclassed last week by the Cats while the Dees had a confidence boosting 73 point win over the Swans. The Gabba offers the struggling Lions a glimmer of hope but on form it’s difficult to go past Melbourne.

Verdict – Melbourne by 1-39 points

Richmond v Adelaide – Both of these teams lost last week with the Tigers fancying their chances of getting back into the winning list given the Crows poor away record this season.

Verdict – Adelaide by 1-39 points

Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne – The Dogs are building nicely and fresh off belting the Dockers should have too much ammunition for the plucky Roos.

Verdict – Western Bulldogs by 40+

Fremantle v West Coast – The Dockers hold a 6-0 advantage over West Coast in their last 6 clashes. Ruckmen Aaron Sandilands and Dean Cox shape as having a major influence on the outcome of WA Derby number 32.

Verdict – Fremantle by 1-39 points

TRI-NATIONS RUGBY – AUSTRLIA v NEW ZEALAND MATCH PREVIEW

If the Wallabies are to go on and win the Tri-Nations Series and Bledisloe Cup they must beat the All Blacks in Melbourne on Saturday night. After the Wallabies comprehensive win over the Springboks in Brisbane there is much anticipation that they can upset the All Blacks on the inconsistent Etihad Stadium surface.

The Wallabies have struggled to put back to back wins together at this level in recent years and have lost their last seven games against the All Blacks at all venues. The All Blacks have had their best start to a Tri-Nations Series since 2006 when they won their first five games. For the Wallabies to win they need to improve on their last half a dozen second half performances against the All Blacks. After leading at halftime in each of those matches they have struggled to maintain the intensity required to beat the All Blacks when it mattered most.

The loss of key playmaker Quade Cooper to suspension is significant blow to Australia’s chances of causing an upset. Verdict – All Blacks to win by 1-12 points

NRL ROUND 21 MATCH PREVIEWS

Game 1: Penrith might still be sitting second on the ladder but three defeats in a row is making their title hopes look rather shaky. Travis Burns at five-eighth and Luke Walsh at half back might help steady their ship against the Cowboys. The North Queenslanders were better in their golden point win over Newcastle but they haven’t put two wins together for over twelve months. Penrith at home should win.

Verdict: Penrith 1-12

Game 2: South Sydney has a dismal record against the Bulldogs having won only four of their last 22 clashes. Their task in this match is helped by the return from injury of Issac Luke but the loss of Dave Taylor for around six weeks with a collarbone fracture is a blow. The Dogs finals’ hopes are gone but they still have a good side which will test any team.

Verdict: Bulldogs 1-12

Game 3: The early Saturday clash should be a beauty with Parramatta starting their charge and the Roosters one of the competition’s form sides. The Eels are not a one man side but they are at their best when Jarryd Hayne is firing and no doubt the chooks will have well rehearsed plans to stop him. The Roosters win over Brisbane was full of merit and the return of Mitchell Pearce and Nate Myles is a bonus.

Verdict: Sydney Roosters 1-12

Game 4: The Tigers at Leichhardt Oval are formidable opponents and with Wade McKinnon, Beau Ryan and Gareth Ellis back in their side they should be far too good for the Sharks. Cronulla claims that this is the first real test for new coach Shane Flanagan who has had a full week to prepare the team. That might help but it won’t change the result.

Verdict: Wests Tigers 13+

Game 5: The Warriors have won four of their past five games at home and with both themselves and the Gold Coast on 24 points this is a crucial game. The Warriors have lost Kevin Locke to a hamstring injury while the Titans stick with the same side that downed competition leaders St George-Illawarra by a single point. The Titans have won their past four clashes with the Warriors but in Auckland the home team might just prevail.

Verdict: New Zealand Warriors 1-12

Game 6: Melbourne at home against the Raiders is almost a foregone conclusion if you go on the past record. The Storm has won 15 of the past 16 games against the Raiders and have not been beaten at home by the Green Machine for a decade. Dave Shillington is back to bolster Canberra while Jeff Lima returns for the Storm. The Raiders will be competitive but Melbourne should win comfortably.

Verdict: Melbourne Storm 13+

Game 7: The Broncos and Wayne Bennett’s Dragons at Suncorp will be a bell ringer. The visitors like playing at the ground having beaten Brisbane in five of their past six visits. The one point loss to the Titans will steel the Dragons and they will lift for a game that their coach loves to win. Brisbane’s defence was made look ordinary at times by the Roosters and the Dragons will make life just as difficult. The loss of Ben Te’o to injury is a blow for Brisbane.

Verdict: St George-Illawarra Dragons 13+

Game 8: Monday night football at Newcastle should be a comfortable two points for visitors Manly. Even though the Knights have won seven from the past eight against the Sea Eagles at home, recent form gives Manly a distinct advantage. Manly were impressive in downing the Wests Tigers while the Knights have been ordinary to say the least in recent outings.

Verdict: Manly Sea Eagles 13+