Round 19 doesn’t usually stick out on the calendar as an important one. But there’s plenty on the line this weekend and a number of intriguing match-ups.
There will be some thrilling and important clashes between contenders at the top of the table, while those at the bottom of the eight – or just out of contention – will be jostling for finals positions. And a former coach will come up against his old club for the first time. Here’s what to look out for this weekend.
Now that Harry McKay is absent, Charlie Curnow has the responsibility of being the Blues’ primary forward.Credit: Getty
Can the Blues extend their four-game winning streak?
Yes, and they need to for their own sake, for a shock loss to the listless West Coast at Marvel Stadium on Saturday would mean they don’t deserve to be in finals contention. This also needs to be a major percentage boost. Now in 10th spot (two points outside the top eight), the Blues have turned their season around, and have remarkably won their past four outings by at least 50 points.
The Power, admittedly, had made seven changes to their side last Saturday, but still, they were second on the ladder and had won 13 games straight. A deeper dive shows the Blues’ remarkable forward-half transformation since round 14 – they have since boasted the league’s most potent attack, averaging 113 points per game, having been 17th (67.9).
The absence of Coleman medallist Harry McKay for the remainder of the home-and-away season will hurt, but his absence was covered by Jack Silvagni last weekend. Silvagni may now have a chance to settle in a permanent role. Put simply, the Blues probably need to win at least four of their last six games to make the eight. The round 20 Friday night clash against Collingwood can’t come quickly enough.
High stakes at the bottom of the eight
Essendon’s clash with the Western Bulldogs shapes as a Friday night special, for both clubs have slipped over the past month. The Dogs have lost two on end and dropped to seventh, while the Bombers have lost three of their past four, have not beaten a top-eight side since round three and are now eighth in the ladder. Brad Scott’s men were whacked by Geelong in the blink of an eye last Saturday, and didn’t recover, while the Bulldogs, too often conceding five goals in a row, reinforced there is something not quite right with this side after they were beaten on the bell by the Swans in Sydney. However, victory at Marvel Stadium could find the winner as high as fifth should the Cats lose to the Brisbane Lions. For the loser, the pressure to remain in finals contention will be exacerbated.
Will the Pies finish the round as outright flag favourites?
Yes. The Magpies, who have lost just twice this season, are top of the table and hit the road for a Saturday night blockbuster against the second-placed Power, who had their 13-game winning streak cut by the Blues. The Magpies are approaching full selection strength, and have brilliant youngster Nick Daicos weaving his magic through the midfield.
Pies young gun Nick Daicos has had a stellar second season.Credit: Getty Images
The Power, thumped by 71 points when the two clubs met in round two at the MCG, need to make a statement. The Magpies know this will be a different Power unit.
“If we think we are going to play the same Port Adelaide that we did earlier in the season, we would be kidding ourselves,” Magpies defender Jeremy Howe said. “They are a hell of a side that have put together a really strong last three-and-a-half months. We feel like we are building as well. We are probably meeting them at a really good time. We will be confident, as they will be, because their footy stacks up.”
What else can we look forward to?
Plenty. In fixture order, the Tigers, 11th on the ladder, are only two points adrift of the top eight. They could, remarkably, be in the eight should they beat the Hawks at the MCG and other results go their way.
The fifth-placed Cats, now in season-best form, are still eying the double chance (only two teams since 1998 have won a flag from outside the top four), and will be a step closer to this should they beat the Lions at the Gabba. How the third-placed Lions respond to their final-quarter meltdown at the MCG against the Demons will be intriguing.
Round 19
All times AEST
Friday, July 21
- Essendon v Western Bulldogs, 7.50pm, Marvel Stadium
Saturday, July 22
- Richmond v Hawthorn, 1.45pm, MCG
- Carlton v West Coast, 2.10pm, Marvel Stadium
- Brisbane v Geelong, 4.35pm, Gabba
- Port Adelaide v Collingwood, 7.40pm, Adelaide Oval
- Fremantle v Sydney, 7.40pm, Optus Stadium
Sunday, July 23
- GWS v Gold Coast, 1.10pm, Manuka Oval
- Melbourne v Adelaide, 3.20pm, MCG
- St Kilda v North Melbourne, 4.40pm, Marvel Stadium
The 14th-placed Swans, six points outside the eight, must beat Fremantle in Perth, while the Giants and Suns have much riding on their contest at Manuka Oval. The Giants could also be as high as fifth should they win. The Suns, despite sacking coach Stuart Dew, are only a game outside the eight.
The Crows have dropped three of their past four, but remain in the finals hunt. However, should the fourth-placed Demons prevail at the MCG on Sunday afternoon, their season may be just about over.
Ratten v the Saints
Brett Ratten is too much of a nice guy to say this publicly, but his motivation levels will surely be at full brim when the now North Melbourne caretaker coach takes on the club that unceremoniously dumped him after a major review in October, just three months after re-signing him to a fresh contract.
The Kangaroos have been diabolical in the past fortnight, and have yet to win in eight games since Ratten stepped in for Alastair Clarkson, who took leave for mental health reasons. Could this finally be the day Ratten has reason to smile? Ratten and North could certainly put a spanner in the works of the Saints’ finals hopes with an upset.
The Saints are clinging to sixth spot, separated only on percentage from the Bulldogs, Bombers and Giants, and have slipped since enjoying an immediate bump under coach Ross Lyon earlier in the season. Lyon was critical of his side after last week’s loss to the Suns, and the spotlight intensifies by the week.
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