Robson quits as Bombers CEO

May 23, 2013 - 3:51 AM Preview of AFL Round 9 matches (all times AEST):

FRIDAY, May 24

Collingwood v Sydney at MCG 7.50pm

Head to Head: Magpies 138 Swans 80 drawn 1

Last clash: Finals Week 3 2012 - Swans 13.18 (96) bt Magpies 10.10 (70) at ANZ Stadium

Tab Sportsbet: Magpies $1.55 Swans $2.45

Sportingbet: Magpies $1.57 Swans $2.42

Collingwood's attack has a threatening look with Travis Cloke supported by crumbers Andrew Krakouer and Sam Dwyer. The eighth-placed Magpies are coming off an excellent win over Geelong and have the home-ground advantage against the fourth-placed Swans who could only manage a draw at the SCG against Fremantle. Sydney are chasing their first win over Collingwood at the MCG since 2000.

Key: Collingwood's onball division will be tested by Sydney's crack combination including Dan Hannebery, Josh Kennedy and Kieren Jack. The goalkicking power of midfielders Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan could be crucial for the Magpies.

Tip: Magpies by 16 points

SATURDAY, May 25

Port Adelaide v Geelong at AAMI Stadium 1.45pm

Head to Head: Power 8 Cats 15 drawn 1

Last clash: Round 14 2012 - Cats 14.15 (99) bt Power 8.13 (61) at Skilled Stadium

Tab Sportsbet: Power $5.75 Cats $1.14

Sportingbet: Power $5.75 Cats $1.14

Port's five-game winning streak at the start of the season has been replaced by a three-match losing run and taking on the second-placed Cats will be no picnic. The Cats are also smarting after last week's first loss of the season and the return of brilliant midfielder Steve Johnson is a further boost for Chris Scott's side. Port haven't beaten Geelong at AAMI Stadium since 2004.

Key: Geelong skipper Joel Selwood had a very quiet first half last week and Port will be have a tough task to match the tagging efforts of Collingwood's Brent Macaffer from last week.

Tip: Cats by 41 points

Greater Western Sydney Giants v West Coast at Skoda Stadium 2.10pm

Head to Head: Giants 0 Eagles 1

Last clash: Round 3 2012 - Eagles 23.12 (150) bt Giants 10.9 (69) at Blacktown Olympic Park

Tab Sportsbet: Giants $17.00 Eagles $1.01

Sportingbet: Giants $17.00 Eagles $1.01

Following the excitement of last week's post-siren win over North Melbourne, West Coast now face what's expected to be a light training run against the bottom side. GWS coach Kevin Sheedy's cheeky suggestion about trading an entire year of draft picks to snare ruckman Nic Naitanui has at least added some interest to the game following Naitanui's heroics last week.

Key: Young GWS forward Jeremy Cameron managed four goals in an 83-point loss to Hawthorn last week but a likely avalanche of possession going the other way will leave the Giants' key forwards starved of opportunities against the Eagles.

Tip: Eagles by 73 points

St Kilda v Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium 4.40pm

Head to Head: Saints 79 Bulldogs 70 drawn 3

Last clash: Round 18 2012 - Saints 16.22 (118) bt Bulldogs 6.6 (42) at Etihad Stadium

Tab Sportsbet: Saints $1.18 Bulldogs $4.90

Sportingbet: Saints $1.22 Bulldogs $4.30

St Kilda (15th) and Western Bulldogs (16th) boast only three wins between them this season but most observers would suggest there's a sizeable gap between the two sides. Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney says his men are closer than people might think to achieving some better results, which might provide some hope to fans who have suffered through 18 losses in the club's past 19 games. The Saints have won their past eight meetings with the Bulldogs and regain veteran onballer Lenny Hayes.

Key: The Bulldogs will struggle to contain St Kilda's star forward Nick Riewoldt.

Tip: Saints by 39 points

Brisbane v Carlton at Gabba 7.40pm

Head to Head: Lions 12 Blues 13

Last clash: Round 20 2012 - Blues 17.11 (113) bt Lions 10.17 (77) at Etihad Stadium

Tab Sportsbet: Lions $3.00 Blues $1.40

Sportingbet: Lions $2.65 Blues $1.47

Carlton have a 4-4 record and sit outside the eight and can't afford to be losing to lower-ranked opponents like Brisbane. However the Lions are in a good frame of mind after their upset win over Essendon last week. The return of Bryce Gibbs is a boost for the Blues.

Key: Defender Michael Jamison's stopping role on Brisbane's veteran big man Jonathan Brown will be a crucial battle between two of the game's elite players.

Tip: Blues by 18 points

Richmond v Essendon at MCG 7.45pm

Head to Head: Tigers 85 Bombers 102 drawn 4

Last clash: Round 22 2012 - Tigers 13.24 (102) bt Bombers 8.9 (57) at MCG

Tab Sportsbet: Tigers $2.05 Bombers $1.78

Sportingbet: Tigers $2.03 Bombers $1.78

Essendon's supplements saga has taken another twist with chief executive Ian Robson's resignation. The players admit the interview process as part of the supplements investigation has been draining and Essendon have gone on a two-match losing run after a 6-0 start to the season. A crowd of 80,000 is tipped for the Dreamtime clash and Richmond, with ruckman Ivan Maric back from injury, will need to lift to be competitive after their underwhelming win over Melbourne.

Key: Richmond's key forwards Jack Riewoldt and Ty Vickery copped a post-match blast from coach Damien Hardwick last week for poor goalkicking and improved finishing from both could swing an upset win for the Tigers.

Tip: Tigers by 10 points

SUNDAY, May 26

Hawthorn v Gold Coast Suns at MCG 1.10pm

Head to Head: Hawks 3 Suns 0

Last clash: Round 21 2012 - Hawks 19.15 (129) bt Suns 10.5 (65) at MCG

Tab Sportsbet: Hawks $1.01 Suns $17.00

Sportingbet: Hawks $1.01 Suns $17.00

Seeing Brownlow Medal favourite Gary Ablett go head-to-head in midfield against Hawthorn's own medal contender Sam Mitchell will be a highlight of this clash between the premiership favourites and the 12th-placed Gold Coast. While Ablett's side have won their past two matches, a hat-trick looks unlikely judging by the bookmakers' odds on this MCG clash. The Hawks have left out ruckman David Hale who has a sore ankle.

Key: Hawthorn's Lance Franklin says even though he's only kicked 20 goals this season, he's still contributing in other ways. Sunday's game is a chance for the four-time All-Australian to get a confidence-boosting big haul of goals.

Tip: Hawks by 44 points

North Melbourne v Adelaide at Etihad Stadium 3.20pm

Head to Head: Kangaroos 17 Crows 16

Last clash: Round 13 2012 - Kangaroos 17.19 (121) bt Crows 13.11 (89) at Etihad Stadium

Tab Sportsbet: Kangaroos $1.48 Crows $2.65

Sportingbet: Kangaroos $1.46 Crows $2.70

Last week's after-the-siren goal from West Coast's Nic Naitanui puts the Kangaroos in danger of dropping out of finals contention at 3-5. Adelaide are 4-4 and coming off two successive wins with a third victory in their sights in what is shaping as a tight contest between two sides striving to keep in touch with the eight. Scott Thompson, Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane lead a powerful midfield unit for the Crows while the Kangaroos need the pacy Daniel Wells to dominate proceedings.

Key: Adelaide's marking power up forward, featuring Josh Jenkins, Shaun McKernan and Tom Lynch, will stretch North's defence led by Scott Thompson and Nathan Grima.

Tip: Crows by 15 points

Fremantle v Melbourne at Subiaco 4.40pm

Head to Head: Dockers 16 Demons 13

Last clash: Round 23 2012 - Dockers 14.17 (101) bt Demons 5.10 (40) at Subiaco

Tab Sportsbet: Dockers $1.01 Demons $17.00

Sportingbet: Dockers $1.01 Demons $17.00

Melbourne showed a bit of ticker last week in their 34-point loss to Richmond but now face a trip to Subiaco where they've lost their past 13 matches. While Melbourne (1-7) are fending off criticism that some of their high-profile players may be seeking trades at the end of the season, fifth-placed Fremantle are making plans for finals football in September and look set for a percentage-boosting win.

Key: Fremantle's injury list is a concern for coach Ross Lyon but their depth will be too much for the Demons.

Tip: Dockers by 58 points

Source: AAP