Sport
AFL Multicultural Round is packed with big games
The race to September will heat up in Round 16 with many big games that could have major ramifications for the AFL ladder and the finals aspirations of some of the league’s best teams.
On top of the highly-anticipated matches, Round 16 will also be a chance for AFL fans to celebrate the enormous role multiculturalism plays in the game. This weekend has been designated Multicultural Round and it is a reminder that AFL has the incredible power to unite people from varied backgrounds.
Perhaps the biggest game of the Round will come on Friday night when the second-placed Cats take on the fourth-placed Sydney Swans at Simonds Stadium.
Geelong is coming off the bye and a disappointing Round 14 loss to St Kilda so the Cats will be very keen to make their home ground a fortress against the Swans this weekend. Sydney was tracking along very nicely, but a last-gasp loss to the Western Bulldogs was the difference between John Longmire’s men sitting on top of the ladder versus fourth, where they are currently.
The Cats have been unstoppable against top 8 sides in 2016, losing just one match out of seven against the current crop. But the side has stumbled three times against sides it should have comfortably accounted for in Collingwood, Carlton and St Kilda.
Which team will get the points on Friday night is anyone’s guess, but one this we can tell you for sure; this game is going to be a ripper! If you want to be there to see one of the games of the Round, click here to get your tickets now.
Elsewhere, two more top 8 teams will be in action in Round 16 with West Coast taking on the faltering North Melbourne at Domain Stadium on Sunday. Click here to buy tickets.
While the season started amazingly for North Melbourne, the Kangaroos have now lost four of their past five matches and have slipped out of the top 4.
The West Coast Eagles have come back down to earth after a Grand Final appearance in 2015. The side is struggling to win away from home and has a poor record against the best teams in the league. A season lowlight occurred in Round 12 when the normally reliable expanse of Domain Stadium was not enough to get the Eagles across the line against Adelaide.
This is a crunch game for both clubs; a loss at home for West Coast would spell disaster and yet North Melbourne can ill-afford to lose many more matches to the sides sitting alongside them in the top 8.
This match will have major ramifications for the ladder and the fortunes of the teams involved so we will be watching this one with interest.
Despite the modest ladder positions of both teams, the Q Clash between the Gold Coast SUNS and Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium is guaranteed to be a big game. The rivalry between these two sides ensures the return bout of the Q Clash will be worth watching.
The Brisbane Lions took the points on the first occasion, registering a 13-point win over the SUNS at the Gabba. But since then, the cupboard has been bare. The Lions will be desperate to win their second game of the season on Saturday against their cross-state rivals and the SUNS will be hoping to get two on the trot after a big win over St Kilda in Round 15. If you want to be at Metricon Stadium for the Q Clash, click here to buy tickets.
At the other end of the ladder, top 8 teams will be looking to cement their spots, notably the GWS Giants who will host Collingwood at Spotless Stadium on Saturday night. Not only have the Giants not lost a game at that venue in 2016, they have an average winning margin at the ground of 59 points.
GWS has beaten all comers – including Hawthorn, the Western Bulldogs, Carlton, Sydney Swans and Gold Coast SUNS – at Spotless Stadium. It is hard to see the Pies getting a win up there but stranger things have happened. Either way, you can expect the local crowd to provide an amazing atmosphere at this match. To be there, purchase tickets now by clicking here.
The Doggies will take on Richmond at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night and they will be looking to improve their standing on the ladder as we head to the pointy end of the season. The Dogs pulled off a remarkable victory against Sydney in Round 15 and they will be desperate to keep the momentum rolling.
The Tigers have been disappointing in 2016, but surely no one is brave enough to write them off, even though the match will be played in Bulldogs territory at Etihad Stadium. To cheer on your team at Etihad Stadium, click here and secure tickets now.
St Kilda and Essendon fans can escape the cold during the Sunday twilight match, with the two sides meeting under the roof at Etihad Stadium to conclude Multicultural Round. Despite a poor showing against the SUNS, the Saints are favourites leading into this match. Essendon has enjoyed improved performances of late; could an upset be on the cards? You’ll have to go along to find out. Click here to get your tickets now.
Melbourne will host Fremantle from where we would all rather be… Darwin! The Dees will escape the Melbourne cold and venture north to play the Dockers, who suffered an embarrassing loss to Collingwood in Round 14 and sat out with a bye in Round 15.
Round 16 will open on Thursday night with Port Adelaide hosting Hawthorn. While there is a huge discrepancy in ladder position, you can never write off Port Adelaide at home, which makes this game an important one for the rampaging Hawks. The Power is knocking on the door of the top 8 so this clash will have added incentive for them.
And lastly, Carlton will host former Blues star, Eddie Betts as his Crows head east for a Sunday game. Adelaide has been the surprise packet of the 2016 AFL season and is currently well-entrenched in the top 8. The Blues were poor against Collingwood, but they have enjoyed improved performances in 2016 and will be looking for a big scalp in Round 16.
Of course, being at the games is the best way to see your favourite teams. There is nothing better than being in the stands to see all the action, even if it is cold and miserable. So get your tickets for AFL’s Round 16 now and cheer you team to victory.
Click here to purchase tickets for matches at Etihad Stadium, Metricon Stadium, Spotless Stadium, Simonds Stadium and Domain Stadium as part of the AFL’s Multicultural Round.
