Round 4 tips

Essendon vs. Western Bulldogs

No Lloyd, no Lucas, no chance. If everything goes right for the Dons they might contain the likes of Johnson, Akermanis and Hahn in defence, and they might even win the midfield battle with their blinding speed. But they have literally no forward line. Who is going to kick their goals? Jason Laycock is currently lining up as full forward, not inspiring much confidence. I wrote earlier that the Bulldogs were too weak physically to contend for a top four spot, after last weeks sterling performance I take it back - for the time being. The Dogs were truly magnificent in the last three quarters on Friday night, they run unbelievably hard and they did all the small things. I expect this game will be played at a breakneck pace, so it should be one to check out. Bulldogs by 24.

North Melbourne vs. Melbourne

This week's 'nobody cares' game - aside of course from all the Kangaroos and Demons supporters, all 14 of them. The Kangaroos reiterated against Hawthorn that they are still a decent time, but also showed that they still don't have that additional gear to rise to the elite. A strong performance from Melbourne against the Cats, but they were given too much credit - the Cats were simply sloppy. The Kangaroos are the best in the league at beating bad teams (Geelong aside of course), and that's exactly what Melbourne is. Kangaroos by 36

St. Kilda vs. Geelong

Last Thursday this was looking like the match of the round. Not anymore, Hawthorn vs. Adelaide takes that mantle. The Saints desperately have to respond to the disgraceful loss to the Bulldogs. I don't really think the result matters for the Saints, this is going to be a statement game. If the Saints play hard and do the tough things then they'll be winners no matter what. Right now I can't see St. Kilda beating Geelong in any possible manner. But this could be a building block for St. Kilda for another contest in September. The Cats will also be looking to be respond from a miserable performance against Melbourne. Ultimately the Cats are simply too fast and too much of a team for the slow and mentally soft Saints. Geelong by 27

Sydney vs. West Coast

Seems pretty early to be writing off the Eagles doesn't it? Then again they've looked a shadow of the 2005-07 in recent weeks. Was this a two man team? (I'll discuss the impact of Judd and Cousins on the Eagles during the upcoming week) I think the Eagles will come out this week trying to prove that they're not. Props to management for cutting loose the slack Chad Fletcher and Mark Nicoski. Embley, Kerr, Priddis (out this week), Braun, Stenglein, Cox is still an excellent midfield, combine that with the strong defence of Darren Glass, Adam Hunter and Beau Waters and you have a team that should be playing finals. The Swans have looked fantastic early on, but don't warrant this extreme favouritism. Ultimately I think it will come down to West Coast missing Priddis, Wirrapanda and a healthy Dean Cox. Sydney by 5

Port Adelaide vs. Brisbane

Port Adelaide have been overrated for the last six months, but they're still a decent team. They've fought hard in two of their three losses, and haven't looked all that terrible. The problem is that they are too soft around the edges. You'd think a guy with as much agro as Chad Cornes would inspire a little passion. Brisbane are a decent team but they're too young and unpolished around the edges. Nobody inspires much confidence for Port matching up on one J. Brown, so he'll be the x-factor. I expect Brown to kick 5-6 but Port's crowd to carry them home. Port Adelaide by 16

Hawthorn vs. Adelaide

Two of the four form teams of the competition go at it on neutral ground. Adelaide in the past have been able to shut down Hawthorn and play the game on their terms. The Crows have changed their style to a more fast-paced game to adapt though, and it seems to be working. This is the game of the round, but I think Hawthorn simply have too much offensive firepower and I expect them to run over the top of the workmanlike Crows. Hawthorn by 35

Carlton vs. Collingwood

I told you Carlton v Essendon would be a 20+ goals each team kind of match. That's the way Carlton plays, and against inept defensive teams like Essendon it can work. Collingwood can't be sucked into a shootout, because those games can go either way. It's happened in the past against Carlton, but I suspect this time the Pies will be able to handle the Blues much like St. Kilda did. Collingwood are too disciplined, too well coached and too skilled to lose this match. The foot skills on display against Richmond were unreal. The Pies are playing their best footy since mid-2003, and the most skilled footy I've ever seen them play. Collingwood by 29

Fremantle vs. Richmond

Great game by the Dockers on Saturday, grabbing a crucial win over the arch rival. I know it's early, but a Dockers loss against West Coast and the season would have been all but over. The Dockers have now played two good games in a row, and Richmond should be nothing but pedestrian opposition. Considering Richmond's terrible defence, this will be a great chance for Chris Tarrant to find some form. The Dockers will especially want to win this one considering they fly to Adelaide to play the Crows and come home to play Geelong in the next fortnight. Fremantle by 40