R16 - Port v Hawthorn/Carlton v Adelaide

Port are coming off a good win over Richmond and face a Hawthorn side they've had a good record over in recent times.

Adelaide got the job done against a plucky Melbourne outfit and face a Carlton side that have been plucky against the Crows in recent times.

Are both sides going to continue their winning ways this weekend?

No and yes. Can't see Port beating a Hawthorn team now the pointy end of the season is approaching.
Adelaide, assuming they can fix their turnover problem should beat Carlton comfortably.

Hawthorn. Still the team to beat?

I think so. We talk about them being beatable this season, but when the going get's tough they just find another gear. Impressive how they've been able to keep renewing their list and get contributors into their team. The youngsters come in and just know their role and play it beautifully.

Hawthorn were always going to win, but I have to say the umpires didn't do Port any favours, especially in the second half.

One umpire in particular.

Apart from that, I think Port have one or two players who play well when the team plays well and disappear when they don't.

Yep, nowhere near enough contributors.

Been chatting with a mate about the fact that Hawthorn have somehow built a 'hype' about them that seems to draw admiration and favouritism from all quarters, even umpires. I'm not suggesting that umpires deliberately give the Hawks favourable treatment - but I do think that they have been such a good side for so long that this has an impact on the mindset of those around them.

Hawks definitely got the benefit of some close decisions. I also think they got away with a few elbows and knees being driven into players under the guise of "contesting for a mark'.

UncleHuey wrote:Hawks definitely got the benefit of some close decisions. I also think they got away with a few elbows and knees being driven into players under the guise of "contesting for a mark'.

Why do I immediately think of Hodge???

Excellent, disciplined win again by Adelaide yesterday I thought.

Challenging conditions and some decent pressure in the first half from Carlton and they still ground out a ten goal win.

Nothing pretty about it, just went over there and got the job done.

Next!

They have a revitalised Collingwood, with good players back from injury, and they are "due" to drop a game. The slightest sign of complacency, and..........! Not to be pessimistic, just wary of Collingwood, and the good run Adelaide have had.

RODH2 wrote: They have a revitalised Collingwood, with good players back from injury, and they are "due" to drop a game. The slightest sign of complacency, and..........! Not to be pessimistic, just wary of Collingwood, and the good run Adelaide have had.

If it was in Melbourne I'd share your concern, but at the Adelaide over in front of 50 odd thousand on a Saturday night, I think they'll do okay.

I think some of the umpiring in the AFL games that I have seen is a joke couldn't believe some of the frees payed on Thursday night. Having said thought port played ok, still some things to work out like ruck and key defenders which may be fixed when injured and suspended players come back?

Was hilarious at the footy on Sunday.

Some Carlton turkey was harping on about how the umpires were gifting Eddie Betts goals. He went mysteriously quiet when Armfield got his third goal from an umpiring decision (a correct call IMO). Then when Silvagni got a free kick he was harping on about the umpires finally given Carlton a shot a goal from a free. He went quiet very quickly when I yelled out Carlton already got a goal from a free kick