Sport
AFL Round 18: ‘8 Pointers’ Galore!
As we get to the pointy end of the AFL Season, it is clear that Round 18 is full of what those in the business like to call ‘8 Pointers’.
Essentially, Round 18 is dotted with a few games that will be treated like ‘mini-finals’ with the potential ramifications for the top 8 many and varied.
The Round kicks off on Friday night with one such game. Etihad Stadium is the place to be with a critically out of form North Melbourne taking on a resurgent Collingwood. It is a home game for the Pies in name only; North Melbourne is far more comfortable and experienced at the venue than the Magpies, who have a shocking recent record at the roofed venue.
Regardless, Collingwood has shown vastly improved form over the past Rounds – at the same time the once-formidable North Melbourne has slid down the ladder. This is a must-win game for the Roos if they have any chance of holding onto their top 8 spot. Collingwood may be a statistical chance for finals, but even with a win this week, it would seem a long-shot at best. The Pies will be keen to continue their good form in the latter part of the AFL Season, so expect a tough, tight contest under the roof. If you want to be part of the Friday night action at Etihad Stadium, click here to buy your tickets for Collingwood v North Melbourne.
Elsewhere, the second-placed Adelaide Crows face one of the toughest road trips in the business, venturing to Simonds Stadium to play Geelong. The Cats are still considered a serious premiership threat, but they have lost two of their past three games – including an out-of-character loss in Geelong.
This game will certainly be one to keep an eye on, with Geelong desperate to climb back up the ladder. Adelaide though will be full of confidence having won their past eight matches. But – you guessed it – the Crows’ last loss was against the Cats. Will recent history repeat itself? Or will the Crows turn the tables with a big win in enemy territory? You’ll have to be there to find out. Click here to buy tickets for Geelong v Adelaide at Simonds Stadium on Saturday night.
Across town on Saturday night is another one of the exciting ‘8 pointers’ we keep going on about. St Kilda is knocking on the door of the top 8, but they need a few things to go in their favour to break in. Most importantly, they need to win their next match, which is against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.
The Doggies are sitting pretty in third position on the ladder, but the Saints would fancy themselves on the fast Etihad Stadium deck. While a win for St Kilda could see them in finals come September, it would also have ramifications for North Melbourne (whose finals position they are trying to take) as well as the Western Bulldogs, who would be desperate to earn the double chance with a top 4 finish.
This is one game you don’t want to miss! Click here to see the Dogs and the Saints do battle at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
If a change to the top 8 does come, the other team beating down the door to take the Kangaroos’ place is Port Adelaide. The Power will host flag fancies the GWS Giants on Sunday.
The West Coast Eagles are struggling to lose their ‘flat track bully’ title and Melbourne will be doing its best to make the Eagles’ flat track their own on Saturday. The Dees will head west to play the Eagles at Domain Stadium.
Both sides have suffered from up and down form in 2016. Melbourne wants respect and will be keen to take a big scalp, while Adam Simpson’s men will be aiming to secure their spot in the top 8 with a solid home victory. If you want to see the local side play Melbourne at Domain stadium, click here to buy your tickets.
At the other end of the ladder, Gold Coast and Fremantle will be searching for valuable wins when the Dockers head east for a clash with the SUNS at Metricon Stadium. Both clubs are well out of finals contention, but it is always good to get late-season wins to give fans and the club a positive run into pre-season and 2017. Get behind your boys at Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon; click here to buy tickets now.
And at the very bottom of the ladder, Essendon and the Brisbane Lions will play on Sunday at Etihad Stadium in a match that may just decide which club ‘wins’ the wooden spoon for 2016. The Bombers have been troubling a few sides over the past few Rounds, whereas the Lions continue to falter.
Will this be the week the Dons get their second victory, or will it be the Brisbane Lions who swoop in and take 4 points home? Either way, we have a feeling this one will be tight and tough. Click here to get your tickets for Essendon v Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium.
Rounding out Round 18, the Swans will host Carlton at home and ladder leaders Hawthorn will play Richmond on Sunday. On paper, these look to be easy wins for the higher ranked sides, but footy is a funny game and Richmond has a very handy track record over the Hawks. If either Sydney or Hawthorn falters in this Round, there could be massive consequences for the ladder and the upcoming finals.
As you can see, Round 18 promises to be full of action! There is nothing better than being there to see it live, so make sure you get your tickets now. Enjoy the action; we hope it is a good one for your team.
