AFL TIPS Round Seven

The Kangaroos have had the wood on Essendon in recent times, having won their past five, and expect that trend to continue, with the Roos hard running, committed brand of football to be too much to bare for a Bombers side all too reliant on Scott Lucas. Roos by 16 points.

COLLINGWOOD v CARLTON - MCG, Saturday @ 2:10pm

This looms as a danger game for the Magpies, who will be without defender James Clement, while there are still doubts over the fitness of Simon Prestigiacomo.

If the likes of Betts, Whitnall, Fisher and co. can step up and provide some support for Fevola, who is playing virtually a lone hand up forward, then the Blues are a genuine chance to snap a three game losing streak.

But with the Magpies expected to dominate the ruck contests, Collingwood should get enough of the football to the likes of Rocca, Didak and co. to kick a winning score. Magpies by 22 points.

PORT ADELAIDE v RICHMOND – AAMI Stadium, Saturday @ 2:40pm

To say Richmond were disappointing against Geelong at the Dome last Sunday would be an understatement, while Port did just enough to get over the line over a gallant Melbourne side.

With Matthew Richardson, Graham Polak and youngster Adam Pattison expected to share the ruck duties against Dean Brogan and Brendon Lade, the Power's class in the middle should come to the fore as Port record a relatively comfortable win. Port by 37 points.

BRISBANE v ADELAIDE – Gabba, Saturday @ 7:15pm

Brisbane are arguably one of the suprise packets along with Port and Hawthorn so far this season, with a 4-2 win-loss record after the first six rounds, while Adelaide have stumbled with consecutive losses to Fremantle and Collingwood at AAMI.

The Crows haven't kicked more than nine goals in the past three weeks, and it's hard to see how they can match the Lions who have Brown and McGrath firing up forward. Lions by 26 points.

ST KILDA v SYDNEY – Telstra Dome, Saturday @ 7:15pm

The loss of Matthew Clarke is a major blow for the Saints, especially up against the dominant ruck duo in the competition.

Sydney rarely drop two in a row, and expect their dominance in the middle, and plethora of options up forward enough to get them over the line in a hard-fought contest. Swans by 16 points.

GEELONG v WEST COAST – Skilled Stadium, Sunday @ 1:10pm

Geelong, referred to by many as flat track bullies after their 157-point demolition of Richmond, face their first real test against the reigning premiers who have been challenged in recent weeks by Richmond and the Western Bulldogs.

The loss of Cox is a blow for the Eagles, but as he showed in round one, Mark Seaby is more than capable of filling the breach.

Perhaps a bigger loss if Paul Chapman for the Cats, and with the likes of Matthew Priddis, Matt Rosa and co. continuing to step up each week, West Coast should have a touch too much class in what should be an engrossing contest. Eagles by 13 points.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v MELBOURNE - Sunday, Telstra Dome @ 2:10pm

The Western Bulldogs were gallant in defeat against the reigning premiers, while the Demons were unlucky not to record their first win in '07, after going down to Port by five points.

Melbourne have won nine of their past 11 agains the Bulldogs, and how big of an impact the trip back from Perth will have on the Dogs runners remains to be seen. But expect the Dogs to have a touch too much class in what will be a closer contest than many pundits expect. Dogs by 19 points.

FREMANTLE v HAWTHORN - Sunday, Subiaco @ 2:40pm

Touted as one of the favourites for this year's flag at the start of the season, the Dockers find themselves in a tenous position after six rounds, with a 2-4 win-loss record.

Lose this one and they can all but kiss a top four berth goodbye.

With so much on the line for the Dockers, in front of their home crowd, they should secure the four points in a tight dour struggle. Dockers by 11 points.