AFL Round 3 - Rivalry Round
Well AFL Football Round 3 is Rivalry Round and it all gets underway on Friday Night between St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs. I am not quite sure where the rivalry is here but anyway, maybe someone can enlighten me. The Saints are not really in great form by their standards but continue to get the 4 points. Which is actually a really good sign for St Kilda fans.
They started slowly last week but were good enough to get over the top of the Carlton Football Club. The big boys down in the forward line were getting in each other way last week and I am sure Ross Lyon has been trying to work out a strategy so they can all work together down there. The G-Train was the pick of the big fellas last week, but I am positive that Justin Koschitzke and Nick Riewoldt will not be outdone this week. Stephen Milne I think can smell a bit of competition now with Adam Schneider being brought into the team as another small crumbing forward and Milne might just have to keep lifting his standards and consistency if he is to remain in the side. He did just that last week with 4 goals and Schneider was hot on his tail with 2 majors. That is good news for the coaching staff and fans as that sort of competition could be good for the teams; performance. The St Kilda midfield of Montagna, X Clarke, Hayes, Ball were great last week and will face a more experienced group this week.
Well the Western Bulldogs smashed the Demons last week and it is hard to gauge that performance. Adam Cooney answered my calls to become more consistent and has started like a house on fire and will need to continue that this week against the Saints midfield. Scott Welsh is proving to be a great pick up and giving the Doggies another great target alongside The Smiling Assassin Brad Johnson. Youngster Josh Hill will be keen to backup his outstanding game last week with another polished display on the wing. Ben Hudson and Will Minson have the HUGE task this week of carrying the rucking duties against a formidable ruck duo of Steven Kings and Michael Gardiner. This duel will be a key to how the game will be shaped. Jason Akermanis struggled early last week and then found some touch late last week and cannot afford to start that way against the Saints if the Bulldogs want to win this game. Robert Murphy’s performance last week would have pleased everyone at Whitten Oval and will need another performance just like that this week.
If the Bulldogs are to win this game then their big guns all need to fire. Akermanis, West, Johnson, Cooney, Murphy, Croos, Boyd all need to win their positions and win them quite convincingly. An area of concern is the St Kidla forward line. Do the Doggies have the defenders to cover the 3 big fellas?
I think the Saints can only improve from last week and should run out convincing winners by 34 points undercover at the Dome.
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The rivalry comes from being the most under preformed clubs in the comp with just one premiership each
If Nick Riewoldt or Kozi plays back (CHB) the problem of them running into each other will be solved. I favour Riewoldt as he has more of an engine.
St Kilda should win and if they want to be top 4, they need to win games like this. However Bulldogs have a chance but St Kilda should win.