We preview every AFL match in Round 11 and take a look at what fans of all teams want to see
From returning stars to your team’s wishlist. We take a look at every match this weekend in our Round 11 previews — a week when more than one player is looking to make a statement.
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Another round of footy is here, and we’re delving into every match and asking what fans want to see from their teams — and also take a trip down memory lane.
Round 11 promises to be make or break for some clubs, while some players try to make amends, prove a point or just get a kick.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE FROM YOUR TEAM THIS WEEKEND? LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW
Can Gary Rohan make John Longmire wish he’d never let him go? Will Dane Rampe again have a late brain fade and can Tex hit back after Derm’s criticism?
We look at every match-up this weekend and also take a trip back to yesteryear to remember some memorable meetings between the clubs.
TEAMS: SEE THE ROUND 11 LINE-UPS AS THEY DROP
NORTH MELBOURNE v RICHMOND
What Kangas fans want to see: Their senior stars firing. Brad Scott’s departure signals a new era, and perhaps the acknowledgment that a rebuild is officially on at the club. This week Wayne Carey suggested the club could be best served looking to trade some stars, saying “I don’t think anyone’s untouchable”. While the Kangas will hope their stars are in for the long haul, some big performances will only up their value in the event of any trade activity later this year.
What Tigers fans want to see: Trent Cotchin. The Tigers are going beautifully and are heavily-fancied to get over the Kangas before facing ladder-leading Geelong in a Friday night blockbuster (before a trip to Adelaide). The kids are firing, but the more guns Damien Hardwick can get back in sooner, the better.
What we’d like to see: Goals — and lots of ‘em. Last week the Kangas were the only team to crack 100 points. On a Friday night under the roof, this is as good a chance as we’ll get this weekend to see a shootout. Let’s hope the coaches oblige by freeing up their troops to go on the attack.
Remember the time: In a strange coincidence it was Round 11 and a Friday night at Telstra Dome (now Marvel) that Jason McCartney made his emotional return to footy — against the Tigers. In one of footy’s best stories, the key-position star, having suffered burns to 60 per cent of his body in the tragic Bali bomb blasts of 2002, returned at the top level and then immediately retired straight after the Kangas win. This week he spoke to The SuperFooty Podcast about that night, the emotion of his comeback and how great mate Mick Martyn helped save his life.
Last time: Richmond 12.10 (82) def North Melbourne 11.6 (72) at Etihad Stadium.
Betting: Richmond $1.40, NM $3
(odds courtesy of TAB)
COLLINGWOOD v FREMANTLE
What Pies fans want to see: A clean sheet on the injury front. Collingwood has been finding a way to get it done despite their rehab room more crowded than what Bucks would like. But they can afford few more.
What Dockers fans want to see: Their boys mix it with a genuine power at the home of footy. Freo ventures to the MCG just twice in 2019, with those two meetings coming in the next three weeks. Beating last year’s grand finalist might be too steep a task but the Dockers need a solid effort before returning to face Melbourne in Round 14.
What we’d like to see: The Dockers midfield take it up to one of the best. Nat Fyfe is a bona fide superstar and David Mundy keeps going. But can the likes of Ed Langdon, Adam Cerra and Andrew Brayshaw really match the Pies’ all-star cast? This is a big test.
Remember the time: Freo pumped the Pies by 112 points? It was 2005 and despite Collingwood featuring names like Burns, Clement, Cloke, Didak, Licuria and Tarrant, the eighth-placed Dockers went to work on Mick Malthouse’s team with Matthew Pavlich (6 goals), Des Headland (5) and Luke McPharlin (5) all getting in on the act.
Last time: Collingwood 11.10 (76) def Fremantle 9.13 (67) at Perth Stadium.
Betting: Collingwood $1.16, Fremantle $5.20
(odds courtesy of TAB)
GWS v GOLD COAST
What Giants fans want to see: Brett Deledio get through — again. So wretched has Deledio’s run been with injury, the former Tiger had almost become a forgotten commodity at AFL level. But with successive matches under his belt, there’s optimism ‘Lids’ can remain a real factor for Leon Cameron’s team this year as it heads towards September.
What Suns fans want to see: Sam Day. Remember that guy taken with pick 3 in the 2010 draft. He’s managed 110 matches across an eight-year, often injury-interrupted career but few of those have been overly memorable.
What we’d like to see: The Suns ruffle some feathers. Stuart Dew’s team showed plenty of pluck against the Cats. As the odds suggest, no-one gives them any hope of causing a boilover this weekend. Pound for pound the Giants have talent to burn, so the Suns need to try something if they’re to cause the upset of the season.
Remember the time: GWS broke through for their first AFL win (pic below)? It was Round 7 of 2012 and the Giants, in their first season, faced a Gold Coast team in Canberra. After getting the jump on a Suns team featuring the likes of Gary Ablett, Tom Lynch, Charlie Dixon and Dion Prestia (Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau also both played on the day), GWS trailed at both half time and the last change. But with Jonathan Giles firing in the ruck, the home side booted five unanswered goals in the final term to create history.
Last time: GWS 20.14 (134) def Gold Coast 4.2 (26) at Spotless Stadium
Betting: GWS $1.05, Gold Coast $10
(odds courtesy of TAB)
GEELONG v SYDNEY SWANS
What Cats fans want to see: Patrick Dangerfield back — and fit. It’s a nice issue for the Cats that Danger, while solid as ever, hasn’t hit anywhere near the heights of his 2016/17 seasons. Less time in the middle has been a big factor, so too have been the “injuries” (yes, plural) referred to by Chris Scott this week. But the locals would like to see the Brownlow medallist stamp his authority with a big game — especially in the absence of Gary Ablett.
What Swans fans want to see: Their team finish like a train. The Swans have won just two final terms in 2019 — the fewest of any team in the comp. John Longmire’s team has a decent recent record at the Cattery, highlighted by last year’s stunning win when they booted seven goals to one in the final term to snatch a memorable 17-point win.
What we’d like to see: Dane Rampe v Gary Rohan. The Swan has had an interesting couple of weeks, with a post climb (v Essendon) and costly 50m penalty (v Collingwood) forgettable moments. Cats forward Rohan has booted 20 goals in 2019 after leaving the Swans with a bitter taste in his mouth. One will get a small sense of redemption on Saturday.
Remember the time: Nick Davis broke Geelong hearts? Of course you do. It was a semi-final at the SCG in 2005 and in a low-scoring affair, Mark Thompson’s men looked home. But from nowhere, Davis cut loose with four final-term goals. This journo was working at the match that night and can’t recall a louder noise at the footy than when Davis’s left-foot floater drifted through the sticks. As Anthony Hudson called, we saw it but we didn’t believe it.
Last time: Geelong 8.23 (71) def Sydney 9.5 (59) at the SCG.
Betting: Geelong $1.16, Sydney $5.20
(odds courtesy of TAB)
BRISBANE LIONS v HAWTHORN
What Lions fans want to see: A bounce-back. The Lions were very good against the Dockers but just failed to hold off the purple wall in the final minutes as the home side rode momentum to victory. The Lions had the wood on the Hawks twice last year, and if they’re a genuine top-eight team they need to win this weekend.
What Hawks fans want to see: The Hawks may be ninth and only percentage from seventh on the ladder but there’s a feeling it’s all about the future for Hawthorn (hence the Jarryd Roughead decision). With that in mind, there’s as much interest in the continued progress of players like James Cousins, Blake Hardwick and Harry Morrison as there is on ladder position.
What we’d like to see: The old men shine. Shaun Burgoyne, 36, and favourite Luke Hodge, who turns 35 in two weeks, have given fans of both teams plenty of joy over the years. As they head closer to retirement (hopefully not both this year), let’s hope both men play a big part at the Gabba on Saturday night.
Remember the time: Jonathan Brown ran back with the flight at the MCG? Brown’s mark, taken in Round 17 of 2002, was bravery gone over the top. Hawks defender Jade Rawlings was collected in the aftermath and left dazed, but later spoke of the iconic grab. “ … that mark just changed the whole course of the match. All of his teammates rallied, they just lifted. That was the greatness of Jonathan Brown.” The mark was judged mark of the year.
Last time: Brisbane 15.8 (98) def Hawthorn 9.11 (65) in Launceston.
Betting: Brisbane $1.68, Hawthorn $2.20
(odds courtesy of TAB)
MELBOURNE v ADELAIDE
What Demons fans want to see: A repeat of last year’s trip to the NT. It was just a year ago that the Dees absolutely pummelled the Crows by 91 points at Traeger Park, in the process announcing themselves as a legitimate threat. This time the two meet a touch further north at Darwin’s TIO Stadium with the Dees a shadow of that team.
What Crows fans want to see: Big Tex exert himself early. The Crows co-captain has fronted up this week, admitting an effort against West Coast last week looked “pretty ordinary”. And Dermott Brereton lashed the star forward in his weekly Herald Sun column. Expect a more-physical approach from the forward as he tries to set the tone for his side.
What we’d like to see: No moisture on the deck for the Saturday night clash. Things tend to get a little sticky at the top end and some past matches haven’t been pretty. Let’s hope the locals get a ball-handling clinic.
Remember the time: The Crows roared home at the MCG to kick the Dees out of September? It was a 2002 semi-final and after booting eight first-term goals, the Crows went to sleep in the third quarter as Melbourne snatched control. But in a seesawing game Adelaide responded to win a cracking shootout, 20.10 (130) to 17.16 (118).
Last time: Melbourne 13.12 (90) def Adelaide 10.17 (77) at Adelaide Oval.
Betting: Melbourne $2.25, Adelaide $1.65
(odds courtesy of TAB)
ST KILDA v PORT ADELAIDE
What Saints fans want to see: The key forwards step up. Josh Bruce has been good this year and Tim Membrey serviceable. If they can start clunking them in front, the Saints’ conversion issues will ease and the wins will follow.
What Power fans want to see: Robbie Gray hit the scoreboard. The forward/midfielder is Ken Hinkley’s most-talented player. he’s had some fitness issues this season but has seven goals from as many games. A haul would ensure another four points.
What we’d like to see: Fans crammed in like sardines at Jiangwan Stadium. The 25,000-fan venue in Shanghai shrinks to a max of 11,000 for AFL matches. Let’s hope the AFL can give away enough tickets on the ground this week so there’s not a spare seat in sight.
Remember the time: Fraser Gehrig booted his 100th goal for the year in the preliminary final? Then-Saints coach Grant Thomas later suggested the subsequent ground invasion cost his team a grand final berth as the Saints, on fire and with the ‘G-Train’ looming large, fell short by a goal. “ … it was unbelievably critical. We had 19 inside-50s to four in the first quarter ... all their goals came after the ground invasion. I am sure Port were happy with it, because we were unbelievable, we were playing as good a level of footy as we had played.”
Last time: Port Adelaide 12.14 (86) def St Kilda 7.8 (50) at Adelaide Oval.
Betting: St Kilda $2.55, Port Adelaide $1.52
(odds courtesy of TAB)
ESSENDON v CARLTON
What Bombers fans want to see: The next wave step up. It’s virtually an Essendon reserves line-up with Daniher, Fantasia, Smith, Stringer and Shiel all missing. Time to see what those around the fringe have to offer.
What Blues fans want to see: A little help for ‘Crippa’. Josh Deluca has been drafted in the hope he can provide a little extra muscle around the stoppages. He might be a week or two away yet, but after being worn closely by Matt de Boer and Jack Steele in recent weeks, we reckon the Blues co-captain wouldn’t mind a chop-out.
What we’d like to see: Another thrilling chapter to this epic rivalry. Sam Edmund this week revealed further layers to the stunning 1999 prelim and while there’s no grand final spot riding on this one, expect the contest — and atmosphere in the outer — to be just as fierce.
Remember the time: Blues champ Greg Williams copped a nine-match ban for pushing away a field umpire. It was a fiery opening round clash in 1997 when ‘Diesel’, furious with Bombers pest Sean Denham, gave field umpire Andrew Coates a shove. Williams was charged with unduly interfering with an umpire and found guilty.
Last time: Carlton 14.7 (91) def Essendon 10.18 (78) at the MCG.
Betting: Essendon $1.47, Carlton $2.70
(odds courtesy of TAB)
WEST COAST v WESTERN BULLDOGS
What Eagles fans want to see: A bag from either Jack Darling or Josh Kennedy. Neither have set the world on fire this year but their form looks on an upward spiral. Against a Dogs backline that has struggled to contain the big guns at times, this is their chance.
What Bulldogs fans want to see: A good start. The Bulldogs have led at quarter-time just once in 10 matches this year — the fewest of any club. If the Bulldogs are to be any chance, they need to get on top early and silence the Eagles faithful.
What we’d like to see: Ryan Gardner, the Doggies’ new kid on the block, take his chance. Drafted by Geelong and then ditched a couple of years later, Gardner can play at both ends and his height will be needed against the Eagles’ tall timber.
Remember the time: Danny Southern choked out Peter Sumich? It was one of the scarier things seen on a footy field (and one neither man is fond of recalling). Thankfully, after the terrifying boundary-line brawl in 1994, the pair finally buried the hatchet last year.
Last time: West Coast 14.16 (100) def WB 6.10 (46) at Perth Stadium.
Betting: West Coast $1.26, WB $3.90
(odds courtesy of TAB)
Originally published as We preview every AFL match in Round 11 and take a look at what fans of all teams want to see
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