Round 11: Previews and predictions

Port Adelaide vs. Hawthorn Thursday, Adelaide Oval 7:50pm, AEST Another edition of Thursday night football this week, with Port Adelaide and Hawthorn going head-to-head. Across their past five match-ups against the Hawks, the Power hold a record of 3-2. Which is impressive considering Hawthorn's dominance over the past couple of years. Port put up a strong fight last weekend and arguably should have beaten Geelong. Considering the fashion that in which they lost, there is no doubt they will be eager to get back out on the park. The Hawks surprised some with a six-point victory over the Swans. It wasn't the marquee clash of years past, but still provided an entertaining contest. The Power will be back at home for the first time in almost a month and will no doubt revel in the opportunity to play in front of their loyal supporters. Tip: Power by 27 Geelong vs. Adelaide Friday, Simonds Stadium 7:50pm, AEST One of the games we have all been waiting for sees the Cats host the ladder leading Crows. It will be the third game in a row that Geelong will play at Simonds Stadium. This will be a big game for Chris Scott's side, with questions still being raised about their legitimacy as a genuine premiership contender. Having only beaten three teams currently inside the top eight, they still have much to prove. Adelaide embarrassed Fremantle last week and their only real fault this season came against North Melbourne. Playing the Cats in Geelong is always a difficult task and the Crows have lost nine games in a row at Simonds Stadium. Their last win at the ground came in 2003. However, if they can win the ball in the middle, their forward line should be too strong and they may finally break that drought. Tip: Crows by 16 Gold Coast vs. West Coast Saturday, Metricon Stadium 1:45pm, AEST Which Gold Coast is going to turn up in this game? History and past games say it is not one that will take it up to the Eagles. However, football fans will be hoping that's not true. This game provides a great opportunity for the Suns to take a scalp. So far this season, West Coast has been labelled as a side that cannot play away from home. They will be hungry to remove this tag, however, their currently seems to be some truth behind what's being said. West Coast should be too strong across the ground, however, with no Josh Kennedy, it would appear they are somewhat vulnerable. Tough to pick against the Eagles, but the Suns could be the dark horses of the round. Tip: Eagles by 21 GWS vs. Essendon Saturday, Spotless Stadium 4:35pm, AEST The Giants have a rung of players injured, however, still managed to get over the line against West Coast at Domain Stadium. They showed real toughness against the Eagles, and will look to bring that in to this match-up. Essendon have shown some real promise, with Joe Daniher beginning to prove himself as a real match-winner. However, facing GWS at Spotless is always a difficult task. If the Giants can limit Daniher, and force the likes of Cale Hooker and James Stewart to be the main goalscorers, they will go a long way to winning this game. Expect GWS to get over the line and make it three straight wins against the Bombers. Tip: Giants by 31 North Melbourne vs. Richmond Saturday, Etihad Stadium 7:25pm, AEST This game has all the makings of an absolute cracker. Richmond finally got back on the winners' list last weekend, however, will have to face their 'bogey' team in round 11. Dating back to 2002, North Melbourne has a record of 14 wins, four losses and a draw against the Tigers. It doesn't quite match their streak against the Demons, however, they still clearly have the wood over the men in yellow and black. This game should give us a gauge on just where both teams are at. Is North Melbourne a finals contender? And is Richmond a genuine top four threat? A tough game to pick, however, going on the Tigers' record in 2017, they should take the four points. Tip: Tigers by 9 Fremantle vs. Collingwood Sunday, Domain Stadium 4:40pm, AEST Another intriguing contest rounds out this weekend's football. Fremantle and Collingwood will do battle on Sunday afternoon, in what is a crucial game for both sides. The Dockers produced an insipid performance against the Crows last weekend and are now having serious questions raised about their chances at playing finals. The Magpies on the other hand have strung together two wins in a row and are bouncing back from a poor start to the year. The only thing that may split these two, is that Fremantle are playing on their home deck. Tip: Dockers by 11 BYE: St. Kilda, Western Bulldogs, Sydney, Brisbane, Carlton, Melbourne

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	COLL	17	14	3	56	136.1
2	BL	17	12	4	50	116.8
3	ADEL	17	12	5	48	136.1
4	GEEL	17	11	6	44	127.6
5	GC	16	11	5	44	121.8
6	HAW	17	11	6	44	116.8
7	GWS	17	11	6	44	113.1
8	FRE	17	11	6	44	109.3

Round 11: Previews and predictions

GWS vs. Essendon

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