THERE are no real blockbuster games this weekend but I'm intrigued by Carlton's clash with West Coast at Docklands tonight.
Carlton is struggling at the minute and Brett Ratten must be feeling some pressure going into this game, especially after their pitiful first half against the Crows last week. Where is the confidence they exuded in the first few rounds?
It's no secret that Brendan Fevola needs to lift but, to be fair on Fev, the Blues' midfield has to improve the delivery to him and the other forwards.
When you see Chris Judd shanking kicks to leading forwards as he did last week you can almost see the confidence draining from those around him.
If this game was played four weeks ago I would’ve been ultra-confident in tipping the Blues, but now I look at their team and I’m not so sure.
Their backline looks very suspect with the injury to Jarrad Waite. All of a sudden the raw defensive unit – including unheralded names such as Michael Jamison, Dennis Armfield, Paul Bower and Mark Austin – looks a bit suspect up against the likes of Quinten Lynch, Adam Hunter, Mark LeCras and Josh Kennedy, players capable of high quality footy.
The Blues will be hoping their midfield can awake from their slumber and restrict the number of times the ball enters the West Coast forward 50.
This game will go down to the wire but, purely because of the home ground advantage, I’m going with the Blues with no confidence at all.
Saturday: Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans
If you are real student of the game this is the one that should fascinate you the most. It's always interesting to watch games involving teams with polar opposite playing styles.
The Bulldogs will want a free-flowing, uncontested style of game so they can use their pace and skill while the Swans want a contested, hold-it-up-at-all-cost type of match-up.
Manuka Oval will be a giant chessboard with each coach trying to exert his influence over the contest by numerous moves to get the game on his side’s terms.
I can see the match being tight early but the Bulldogs are starting to play some consistent football and will take a lot of confidence out of last week's narrow loss to the best team in the competition.
If Rodney 'Rocket' Eade can get the game on their terms for more than two quarters, they will win.
Sunday: Essendon v Geelong
I'm really looking forward to watching the young Bombers take on the Cats on Sunday. Not for a minute am I going to suggest that Essendon will win but it won’t be as one-sided as some people might think.
If there is one chink in Geelong's armour it’s a lack of pace, while the Bombers have it in spades. Andrew Lovett, Jason Winderlich, Bachar Houli, Alwyn Davey … the list goes on.
If the Cats give them a sniff early the Bombers could cause them some trouble. They showed last week (albeit against lowly Richmond) that when they get their confidence up they can score heavily and quickly.
They don’t seem to get overawed by the gun teams in the competition, as the win over Hawthorn and the great showing against the Saints demonstrates. The confidence coming out of those performances can be worth five goals to a young outfit.
The Cats will win but you can bet the punters will be entertained.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
