My picks for round three

ROUND THREE

CARLTON v COLLINGWOOD

Two of the games biggest rivals will
fight it out in front of 80,000+ on Friday night. The blues have been dominant
in their two games this year, while the Pies got their first win on the board

against the Tigers last week.

KEY MATCH UP

Pendlebury v Carrazzo

Carrazzo has started the year on
fire, tagging the oppositions key midfielder and getting plenty of the ball
himself. Will it be Brownlow favourite Pendlebury he has in his sights this

week?

TIP - Collingwood

RICHMOND v MELBOURNE

One team will register their first
win of the year. The Dees ran into a rampant West Coast last week while the

Tigers gave the ‘Pies a scare. 

KEY MATCH UP

Cotchin v MacKenzie

Cotchin has been touted as the next
captain at Tigerland, and his influence through the midfield will go a long way
to the result. MacKenzie is a tackling machine, and will have Cotchin in his

sights.

TIP - Richmond

PORT ADELAIDE v SYDNEY

As always, the Swans have been
underrated, and again look to be finals contenders. The Power have been very

good in the first two weeks and this one will be tight.

KEY MATCH UP

Shultz v Richards

With Butcher hurting his hamstring,
the Power will be relying on Shultz to kick them a big enough score. Richards

has started the season well, and will get first crack at the Power forward.

TIP - Sydney

FREMANTLE v BRISBANE

The Dockers will be disappointed
losing to the Swans last week and will love being back on their home deck. The
Lions were touched up by Carlton at home, and face a tough test, starting with

the longest plane flight in Australian football!

KEY MATCH UP

J.Brown v McPharlin

The Lions regain their skipper, and
although it’s a huge ask first up, they will need their captain to put on a

dominant display if they are to get the 4 points.

TIP - Fremantle

GOLD COAST v ESSENDON

The Suns were touched up by the
Saints and will be after a better display back at home. The Bombers have

started well at 2-0, and will be red hot favourites to remain unbeaten.

KEY MATCH UP

Lynch v Hurley

It was good to see Lynch sent to
centre half back on Nick Riewoldt last week and he would have learnt a lot.
This kid has a huge future, and learning from the best key forwards in the game

will help his development. it doesn’t get any easier - this time it’s Hurley!

TIP - Essendon

WESTERN BULLDOGS v ST KILDA

I’m looking forward to this one. The
Dogs are yet to win a game but have been very competitive against the Eagles in
round one, then pushing the Crows all the way last week. The Saints had a

confidence boosting win over the Suns last week. This game is a coin toss!

KEY MATCH UP

Jones v Boyd

Jones may go to Griffin, but given
he has only been back from injury 1 week, I’d go with Boyd. He is an out and
out star, who has added goal kicking to his resume. Keep him quiet, give

yourself every chance of winning.

TIP - St.Kilda

GWS v WEST COAST

This could get ugly. The Eagles have
kicked 46 goals in their first two games and against a developing Giants, could
be looking at 30 this week! We may see John Worsfold rest a few  in

preparation for the Hawks in round four.

KEY MATCH UP

Davis v Kennedy

Kennedy is an out an out star, while
Davis is one of the best young defenders around. Kennedy will get plenty of

opportunities  so it’ll be good to see how Davis goes.

TIP - West Coast

HAWTHORN v ADELAIDE 

This game should be a good one. The
Crows will need to be at their high pressure best if they are to topple the

Hawks, who are coming off a short break and a bruising game against the Cats.

KEY MATCH UP

Shoenmakers / Gibson v Walker /

Tippett

The Hawks defenders will have their
work cut out for them against the two Crows’ key forwards. They can take a

grab, but are both also dangerous at ground level.

TIP - Hawthorn

NORTH MELBOURNE v GEELONG

The ‘Roos showed no mercy against
the Giants last week while the Cats defeated the Hawks in a thriller. It was
the Cats’ midfield that got them over the line, so the North Melbourne mids

will need to be at their nest.

KEY MATCH UP

Midfield v Midfield

The Cats have had one of the best
midfields in the league for years with Bartel, Selwood, Chapman, Kelly and
Corey leading the way. The ‘Roos have a good young midfield led by their
skipper Swallow, and backed up by Bastinac, Anthony, Cunnington, Adams, Wells
and Brent Harvey. Brad Scott will need to win this area of the ground if he is

to defeat his twin brother Chris. 

TIP - Geelong