Round 16 and we’re back to a full round of footy! Honestly, I’d like to see one week of no football, rather than three weeks of six games per round. The bye rounds are like slowly ripping off a band-aid. It’s painful! I vote for ripping off the band-aid hard and fast. Get it over with! No footy for one week. Go cold turkey. Then it’s back to full rounds of footy after all players, coaches, and fans, are well rested and refreshed.

This week, there’s a good chance that all the favourites will get the four points. It’s just a matter of getting the margins right. Look for our best bets at the end.

Now, let’s see what games are on offer for Round 16 aka Multi-cultural Round…

Port Adelaide vs. Hawthorn (Adelaide Oval)

Port Adelaide is hosting the reigning triple premiers on Thursday night. Port has to win to keep finals hopes alive. The Hawks have to win to maintain top spot. Only problem is, the Hawks have lost both recent away games to the Power at Adelaide Oval. In contrast, they’ve won both games at the same venue against the Crows. Hawthorn are going into this round a game ahead of the pack, but with the next six teams all just one game behind them, and with varying percentages determining their ladder positions, the Hawks really need to skip away with a two-game break to give them a first-place safety net. Cyril Rioli will be back after attending his grandfather’s funeral in the NT, and Hawthorn is coming off the bye. Port impressed last week at home with a solid win over the Tigers, and as previously noted, they do have the wood over the premiers in recent times. At the pointy end of the season, when it matters the most, the Hawks have the experience and the know-how to get the job done. The key to this match is who gets the jump early. A fast start is crucial, especially so for the opposition in what can be a hostile environment at Adelaide Oval. It’ll be a tough, physical contest. Perfect viewing for Pie Night! Hawthorn – 1-39

Geelong vs. Sydney (Simmonds Stadium)

Geelong at home is usually a no-brainer. However, which Geelong is going to show up this week? Will it be the meek kittens, or the clawing cats? A shock loss to St. Kilda pre-bye week means the Cats have been stewing in their own juices. That said, a shock home ground loss to the Bulldogs last week means the Swans have also been stewing in their own juices. How do we even attempt to make sense of that analogy and come out with a winner here? Aside from home ground advantage being a tipping point, there’s not much between these two sides. Securing a top four spot awaits the winner. On a side note: Best of luck to Sydney’s co-captain, Kieran Jack, on his 200th game. It’s a career milestone that should never have been overshadowed by an ugly family spat that needlessly went public this week…a very sad situation indeed. Geelong – 1-39.

GWS vs. Collingwood (Spotless Stadium)

GWS are hosting Collingwood at Spotless Stadium. It could get ugly. The Giants are coming off the bye. Collingwood won an election-night game against Carlton that was so shockingly bad, by both teams; it should be erased from the history books! Not even Bruce McAvaney can manage a stat worth repeating from that game! I’m still having night sweats about it! Anyway, the Giants will share the love at home, with multiple goal scorers, Stevie J doing his thing, Heath Shaw reminding his ex-teammates why he wears a different jumper by pointing at the scoreboard and laughing, and a percentage-boosting win that will well and truly ruin Collingwood’s finals dreams once and for all. Of course, we all know they’re already ruined, but the Pies are still sprouting the “we’re still a mathematical chance” mantra…until post-match, after this loss. Then we’ll hear all about how they’re “working toward next year” and how there are “a lot of positives to be taken from this season,” etc…will Collingwood fans buy it? GWS – 25+

Gold Coast vs. Brisbane (Metricon Stadium)

The Q-Clash at Metricon is the second time the two Queensland teams have met this season. Brisbane took the win last time. The Suns will level the score with ease this week. Cue the sarcasm: No doubt the loss will serve to further inflate the egos and monetary worth of the out-of-contract Brisbane players. How any of them can logically think they have bargaining power after one of the club’s worst seasons on record, well, it’s beyond comprehension! Gold Coast 40+

Western Bulldogs vs. Richmond (Etihad Stadium – night)

The Bulldogs have now proved their worth. They’re genuine contenders. Just when we think we need a bit more convincing as to how good they actually are, they come out and show us. On the flip side, Richmond is done. They can’t make the finals. A certain group of Tigers players are now playing out the season to prove why they should remain at the club next year. If they continue to play the way they have been, there’s only a handful that are worthy of staying. If they play for their lives, so to speak, it has to be asked, why not play that way when the finals are there to be had? I feel for Damian Hardwick. He’s a good coach and a good guy. Trouble is, he’s got a team split into three categories. One third are AFL worthy, one third “think” they’re AFL worthy…and the other third are unworthy. Until that’s fixed, Richmond will be in exactly the same position, year after year. It’s Groundhog Day at Punt Road. Western Bulldogs – 25+

Melbourne vs. Fremantle (TIO Stadium – night)

Melbourne host Fremantle…I’d like to say at “home,” but it’s one of those strange home games in the Northern Territory. Yeah, that! Then again, Port Adelaide will be hosting a home game in China next year, so I guess it’s not so bad after all! Anyway, the bye hasn’t done Freo any favours on the injury front. They’re still limited in who they can pick to put a team together. Matthew Pavlich is named in the side, but it’s doubtful he’ll travel. If he jumps on a plane to the top end, he’ll likely fall apart, so he’ll stay at home in his purple Dockers onesie, sipping a mug of hot chocolate. Melbourne took it up to Adelaide on Sunday. If they play that way, they’ll win, and win well. Again, it depends on how “on” they are on the day. Melbourne – 25+

Carlton vs. Adelaide (MCG)

Carlton were like firecrackers this season. They lit up and showed us something beautiful and exciting, but now, the lights have faded, it’s gone black and they’ve died out. Adelaide has finals on their mind, and they’re not going to let the Blues ruin their chances. With a second trip to the MCG on Sunday, they’ll take care of Carlton far earlier and far easier than they did with Melbourne last week. The only positive for Carlton fans is to sit tight and watch episode two of the Jack Silvagni show. Adelaide – 25+

West Coast vs. North Melbourne (Domain Stadium)

West Coast are winning and winning quite easily in the end, yet I’m still doubting them. It’s weird. You know, it’s like when your boyfriend or husband brings you home a bunch of unexpected flowers. Instead of seeing it as a sweet gesture, you wonder what he’s done and how long it’ll take you to find out about it! West Coast are winning games, and that’s all they need to do. However, I’m waiting for that crucial game where they crumble. Please, please don’t let it be the Grand Final! Been there, done that! I can’t quite pinpoint the problem with the Eagles, but there’s something wrong with them. Nic Nat being injured leaves a very big hole in their midfield being fed the ball efficiently. Their structure and game plan has to change to accommodate his absence. That said, Todd Goldstein might be the difference for North this week. Coming off a bye, the Roo boys could be rested and refreshed and get a much-needed win on the road. After an almost perfect start to the season, they have a hard run home, and a series of losses stacking up. North Melbourne needs a big scalp to boost their confidence, and it has to be soon. The Domain Stadium dominance isn’t as solid as it once was, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Roos’ take it right up to the Eagles. All things considered, on their home ground, and with the home crowd behind them, I’m still going for the Eagles to get the win. Even if it takes a last quarter burst like last week to do it! – WC – 1-39.

Essendon vs. St. Kilda (Etihad Stadium)

Last game of the round and the Saints are back at Etihad, which means they should actually be able to play, right? Essendon have been good all year, far better than we all expected. The Saints should easily take care of them, but only if they play the way they did when they upset Geelong a couple of weeks ago. Essendon come out with a confidence and enthusiasm that has to be applauded. They put in a half a game of solid footy and they play like they’ve got everything to play for. They just can’t do it for four quarters. St. Kilda – 40+

Best Bets

*Safe Multi Bet

Hawks -8.5/Geelong H2H/GC -15.5/WB -15.5/Adelaide -15.5 = $6.69

*Crazy 4+ Multi Treble

GWS/Adelaide/St. Kilda – all 40+ = $5.67

*“Last Quarter Line Only” Multi Bet

GC -8.5/WB -8.5/Melbourne -5.5/Adelaide -8.5/West Coast -4.5 = $23.46

(Note: This bet can be found in the Handicap Markets. It means the team quoted must score over that amount, hence win the quarter by that margin (or more) for that particular quarter. Eg: GC -8.5 > GC to beat Brisbane by “over 9 points” for the “last quarter only.” The odds are juicy. If those five teams can get the wins, and they should, I believe they’ll trounce their opposition in the final term and cover those lines by far more than the one-to-two goals on offer.

*Marcus Ashcroft Medal (Q-Clash)

Hedge your bet on both Gary Ablett ($6) and Tom Lynch ($7).

Good Luck!