Round 3 AFL Preview

Thursday
Richmond vs Hawthorn @ The MCG - 19:40
While the Richmond team looked suitably flat after their draw with Collingwood last weekend, Hawthorn would have been made to 'feel the pain' by coach Clarkson after their disappointing efforts in the 10 goal loss to the Cats. The Tigers should be able to pick Caddy, after getting no injuries from their last match, while the Hawks will be looking forward to welcoming O'Meara's speed and grunt through the midfield. While most people are expecting a comfortable Richmond win in this one, I think it will be closer than expected.
Richmond by 8

Friday
W. Bulldogs vs GWS Giants @ Marvel Stadium - 19:50
After their very lacklustre performances last weekend, both the Bulldogs and the Giants will need to inject a large amount of enthusiasm into their efforts this week, if they are to do more than play out a "scrabble" version of Aussie rules. The Doggies will be looking forward to Easton Wood making his return ASAP, while the Giant’s list is only really missing the talented Taranto for this match. After they were both pretty ordinary last round, this match comes down to the much-anticipated coin toss. Heads it is...
Bulldogs by 12

Saturday
North Melbourne vs Sydney @ Marvel Stadium - 13:45
North Melbourne is coming off a win they weren't expected to have, and the Swans are heading to Melbourne after losing a game against the Bombers they were supposed to win... You've got to hand it to the boys in blue and white, even with a long injury list they put in a great effort last weekend to beat the Giants. For the Swans, Ronke is looking likely to return, but big question marks remain on Franklin. With Reid still weeks away, it will be left up to the Swan's smalls to get the goals. With Goldstein playing a big part in the middle, I think the Roos will have it.
North Melbourne by 17

Collingwood vs St. Kilda @ The MCG - 16:35
The Magpies ended up with an uninspiring draw against the Tigers last round, whereas the Saints were one of the better performing teams of Round 2. St Kilda got their win through energetic team play against the Bulldogs and will need to bring more of the same if they are to get a win against the better drilled Magpies at the MCG on Saturday. Unfortunately, for the Saints, their captain will miss this game due to a hamstring injury. For the Pies, they got through their last game without any extra injuries and are looking to get Cox back for this clash.
St. Kilda by 11

Geelong vs Carlton @ GMHBA Stadium - 19:40
Geelong gets their second straight game at home for Round 3 when they will take on Carlton, a team on the wrong side of a one point loss against the Demons last weekend. In some terrible news for the player and club, Nic Newman ruptured his patella and won't be sighted again for Season 2020. Who will ruck for the Blues now? Recruit Jack Steven has been cleared to play, but it is yet to be seen if he will be picked after the success last week's Cat's team had. It will be a tough team to break into!
Geelong by 32 points

Brisbane vs West Coast @ The Gabba - 19:40
Brisbane will need to keep a cautious eye out for a West Coast team looking to rebound from a terrible effort against the shining Suns last round and their captain Zorko will need to prove his fitness for this match. After their horror showing against the Suns last weekend, the Eagles need to worry as much about their attitudes as they do the fitness of the important Luke Shuey, who looked like he copped a corkie near the end of the Sun's match. The Eagles should be looking to hit back hard, but can they get past the home team?
Brisbane by 8

Sunday
Gold Coast vs Adelaide @ Metricon Stadium - 13:05
Gold Coast will be playing host to a travelling Adelaide outfit after the Crows were given a fairly large lesson on how to play a game of footy by Port Adelaide last weekend. Coming out of the other player's race will be a Suns team that should be full of confidence after putting in a commanding performance against a team most pundits had finishing up the pointy end of the ladder in Season 2020. Which will be the stronger motivator, coming off a stinging loss or a quality win? I guess we will find out precisely that by 3pm on Sunday.
Gold Coast by 11 points

Essendon vs Melbourne @ The MCG - 15:35
After a victorious venture north last round, the Bombers are back on the MCG to take on a Melbourne outfit who snuck home with a single-point win over the Blues in their corresponding fixture. The Bombers should head into this match without any new injury worries, and with the prospect of Fantasia being able to join his teammates. The Demons list is also looking pretty good, with both Preuss and Bennell getting closer to "selectionability". Going off last week's form, it is hard to go past the Bombers in this match, so I won't.
Essendon by 15 points

Fremantle vs Port Adelaide @ Metricon Stadium - 18:05
In the last match of the weekend, Fremantle will be playing host to the visiting Port Adelaide up in... ummm... Queensland. That's right, due to Covid-19 measures, this match will be played on the Gold Coast; at least the Power players will get to go to a great beach at some point! Fremantle's No1 ruck, Sean Darcy will be joining teammate Acres on the sidelines for this match, while the Power may lose Burton, but should get back Georgiades from a calf injury. I'm going with the Power to switch off the Dockers.
Port Adelaide by 23 points

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