ROUND TEN
We are ready to get into Sir Doug Nicholls Round and celebrate the contributions of Indigenous Australians to our great game. Who will make their mark on the competition? Will surprise teams keep climbing? Will those in a funk continue to slide, or, the Empire, will they strike back? There is still plenty to unfold in season 2024 and as we head into Round Ten, I’m the Prophet and these are my Predictions.
If you decide to base your multi off this, and it fails, I’ve warned you already that that is risky. I won’t be to blame. This is purely for fun, and to see how I go. Feel free to message the page or comment on the previous week’s version if you have any thoughts.
So, strap yourselves in for the Prophet’s Predictions for Round Ten.
The Guarantee
For the loser of the Ross Lyon/Heath Black Cup, the season is over. I know that that’s not an overly surprising or unique take, but these are two sides who many in the pre-season were expecting to play finals. And while the Dockers – Walyalup – are only two points outside the top eight, a loss here, with distance put on them by teams above them, will spell trouble. And for the Saints – Euro-Yroke – well, they just have to win.
With the umpires boss visiting the AFL’s best coach during the week, expect to see some greater urgency from the umpiring fraternity to pay holding-the-ball, for one week only. Just don’t expect the Cats to be shown any favours. The umpires don’t really like being called out and seldom take to that kindly.
The Ultimate Nightmare (Worst Case Scenario)
Essendon lose to North Melbourne. Yes, I just wrote those words and no, I don’t believe it will happen. However, it would be very Essendon-y to lose this game. In recent seasons, when the hype has started to build on the Bombers, they drop a game they should win and then self-implode their season. They almost dropped the game to the Eagles … and truth be told, the Eagles are a better side than North, but recent seasons say this is a danger game. It’d behoove Essendon to bury North, and their subsequent capitulation demons.
The Outsider (unexpected winner)
I don’t see many unexpected results this week, unless the above happens, or the Hawks roll Yartapuulti, or Narrm lose to Waalitj Marawar – all of which are unlikely.
However, with only one game at the MCG this weekend (and yes, there’s two games at Marvel, so, still three in Melbourne), the game is being taken all around the country this weekend – short of going to Tassie. The fans are the unexpected winners this week, with footy being truly national for once.
The Money Maker (Bold Call)
The AFL recently conducted a survey of it’s players through the AFLPA. The big questions is whether the AFL actually listens, or whether they just do what makes them more money … because we know how much the AFL honchos love money. My bold call is that the only thing they take on board is shifting the pre-finals bye to be between Prelim Final weekend and the Grand Final. You then can fit All-Australian, AFLPA awards, Brownlow, etc into a three or four day media coverage event, or, have it all be one-night, primetime, on the Sunday before the Grand Final.
Also, watch the Giants put the Dogs to the sword. The Giants have fresh injuries to important players, but they don’t like the Dogs, there is always spice and spite in this fixture. The Giants need to regain some momentum. It’s all setup for them to do a number on the Dogs … and keep Bevo in the pressure cooker.
Essential Result (Must Win)
I have my Cats in the gun. With a 7-0 start, they’ve dropped the last two. There’s been some controversy, resting players, and perhaps not being as sharp as they could be. They find themselves without one of Patrick Dangerfield, Tom Hawkins, and Mitch Duncan for the first time since 2016. Add in no Jeremy Cameron or Rhys Stanley, and it’s a young side, missing key cogs. This is a test for the Cats – does their depth stack up? It’s one thing to do it when the senior players are out there, but can this young crop take ownership of the side? This is an exciting game for Cats fans … and all the pressure is on the Suns. Will they rise or crumble under the heat?
The Suns are 5-0 in Darwin, with the Cats never having ventured here before. The Suns have given a reprieve in resting some players, but it’s a somewhat stacked deck against the Cats. Thursday Night Football should be fun!
Most at Stake (Vulnerable)
I could have put the Cats here, but Carlton, while securing a 1-point win over Naarm last week, they are in danger of falling out of the 8 if other results fall a certain way. They travel to the SCG to take on the ladder leading Swans on Friday night. It’s a tricky road trip, but the Blues do have recent form over the Swans.
Both sides are missing personnel, but the Blues really need to take a big scalp to set up their run to the bye, and then beyond. If they can go North and pinch four points, it’ll go a long way to showing the football world that the hype is real, and sustainable.
The Must Watch (match up or game)
In 2023, Collingwood and the Crom had two thrillers. While the Pies came out on top in both, the Crows were competitive and, probably, a little unlucky. Having regained some form in recent weeks, Kuwarna will be looking to avenge their last two results against the reigning Premier by launching a full throttle raid at the home of football, the Pies fortress, the MCG. Expect a competitive match and hope for a Crom upset!
The Unexpected (underdog performance)
While I don’t expect the giant killing Hawks to win again, Yartapuulti are known to relax a bit after good wins. And Geelong almost got them late last week. If Yartapuulti bring the same heat as last week, on their home deck on Sunday, then they should win well. However, we’ve seen something from these plucky Hawks in recent weeks, throwing chaos and curveballs into the mix and disrupting their opponents seasons. It’d be peak Power to drop this – much like the Bombers. I don’t expect a Hawthorn win, but don’t be surprised if they give Yartapuulti a legitimate scare.
The Don (player of the round)
Zach Merrett will continue doing Zach Merrett things and go large against North. While North have some strength and ability in the midfield, I expect the Bombers to be far too slick and to have too much running power for North to handle.
The Underboss (rookie of the round)
It’s time for the rise of Toby Conway. The young Cats ruckman has been solid in his two top level matches thus far in 2024. With Rhys Stanley severely out of form, the young Cat goes up against a fellow young ruck in Ned Moyle. This could be a chance for Conway to stamp his authority on season 2024 and make a late dash for Rising Star. (not really, but wouldn’t it be good to see someone come from left-field to win it)?
Individual Brilliance (predicting a stat accomplishment like x goals or marks)
Christian Petracca to have what is now starting to become a consistent outing for him: 25+ disposals, 3+ goals for Narrm as they account for Waalitj Marawar in Perth on Sunday. Trac is having a very good season, yet again.
The Winners (currently on 48)
Gold Coast
Sydney
Collingwood
GWS
Walyalup
Brisbane
Essendon
Yartapuulti
Narrm
These predictions were all made with only Thursday Night teams released. Drop us your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned over the coming weeks to see how the Prophet goes with his predictions.
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