Round 11 AFL Preview

Saturday
Port Adelaide vs Richmond @ Adelaide Oval - 16:35
A battle between two teams that have been performing better than most sees the Power hosting the Tigers at Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon. Besides their loss to St Kilda, the Power have been taking all before them in their march back to the top of the ladder; they would have been very happy with Richmond beating Brisbane last weekend to give them a bit of breathing space in 1st spot! While the Tigers looked ordinary in their last loss, against the Giants three rounds ago, they have been playing a much better, high-pressure, brand of footy across the past few rounds. If both teams stay true to recent form, this will be a good match to watch!
Port Adelaide by 13 points

Brisbane vs W. Bulldogs @ The Gabba - 19:40
The second-placed Lions come up against the eight-placed Bulldogs at the Gabba on Saturday night. After Richmond doubled their score last round, the Lions will have only had a short period of time to work on what went wrong before having to get back out on the field again. The Bulldogs were looking in good form, even with some key injuries, but have lost three of their past five matches. These included losses to the Blues, Tigers and Power, so two of them were against two teams in the top four. The Lion's midfield will have their work cut out for them, while the Bulldogs will need to get a reliable way to the goals happening if they are to have a chance.
Brisbane by 21 points

Sunday
West Coast vs Carlton @ Optus Stadium - 15:35
The hot-streaking Eagles will look to continue on their winning ways as they come up against a Carlton team that has a losing record across the past five matches, with the Blue's last match being a 31-point loss to the Hawks. While Mitch McGovern is looking likely to be available for the Blues this round, which will be a big plus for a Carlton team that struggled without his height and marking ability up forward, it will be the Eagles who enter the contest full of confidence, especially after their big fourth-quarter burst to get past the Cats last round. As much as Carlton has improved, it is hard to see them getting past an Eagles team in great form.
West Coast by 32 points

Melbourne vs North Melbourne @ Adelaide Oval - 18:10
With their injury list having grown to include key forward Ben Brown, despite their recent dominance of the Demons across their last five matches, it is hard to see the Kangaroos being able to continue that run in this match on Saturday night at Adelaide Oval. The Demons had a big 51-point win over the hapless Adelaide Crows last round, running away with the game in the last quarter, with seven goals to one. While North Melbourne managed a few good players out of the team for last round, which they now get back, the Melbourne mids are starting to get their act together and should continue their good form in this one.
Melbourne by 28 points

Monday
St. Kilda vs Geelong @ The Gabba - 18:10
In this match between two teams only separated by a few percentage points, we have the fifth-placed Geelong taking on the fourth-placed St Kilda at the Gabba on Monday night. While Geelong managed to run away from the Kangaroos in their last match, the Saints had a big 53-point win over the Swans. Across their past five meetings, it is the Cats who have held sway, but that could be changed by a reinvigorated St Kilda outfit which has taken the scalps of the Tigers, the Bulldogs and even Port Adelaide. At this neutral venue, I am going to stick my neck out (a bit) and back the up-coming St Kilda to get the win.
St Kilda by 14 points

Fremantle vs Hawthorn @ Optus Stadium - 20:40
At Optus Stadium on Monday night we have the Fremantle Dockers coming up against a team they have not being able to beat in their past five meetings, that is Hawthorn. Just to rub things in further, the Hawks have won 28 of these two teams 36 matches. After having lost four games in a row, the Hawks bounced back last week with a resounding 31-point win over the Blues. Not only did the Hawks get the win, they were back to playing much better football than seen recently. In the same round, the Dockers had a big win over the Magpies! The Dockers bucked the "we prefer to kick points thanks" trend often seen this season, to kick a brilliant 10 goals 1 point. Can they do it again?
Hawthorn by 17 points

Tuesday
Adelaide vs Collingwood @ Adelaide Oval - 18:35
On Tuesday night at Adelaide Oval, the Magpies have a chance to rectify their losing ways, as they come up against the only team in the AFL not to have won a single game in 2020. Or, in what has been a dismal season for the club and its players, could this be the match the Crows get their mojo back and come away with a memorable win? With Grundy providing a good amount of ball to players who are shorter than him, the Collingwood forwards should have enough supply to kick a winning score in this one. It is often tempting to try and pull out a surprise win by going with a huge underdog. Fortunately, I can resist the call for this match.
Collingwood by 38 points

Wednesday
Gold Coast vs Essendon @ Metricon Stadium - 19:10
In a match the has a feel of being a pretty even looking contest, we find Gold Coast playing hosts to the Bombers at Metricon Stadium on Wednesday night. With both teams coming off a loss last round, the Sun's and Bomber's players will have something to prove against an opposition that is close to them on the ladder. In some extra motivation for the Essendon players, if they lose this one, the Suns will jump above them on the ladder. While Essendon has had the wood on the Suns over their last five meetings, winning four of five, I think Gold Coast just may get over the top this time around.
Gold Coast by 11 points

Byes: GWS Giants, Sydney