Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd has given his tips for four crunch games in Round 15.
The fixture for the upcoming weekend presents an unusual anomity. The top eight sides will all play each other for just the fifth time in history, while there are also several big games for teams looking to jump into the finals mix.
Lloyd, speaking on Sportsday, handed down his tips for the four games which are set to define the premierships contenders in 2022.
See the tips below
Melbourne vs Brisbane – Thursday, 7.20pm, MCG
“I’m backing Melbourne to win on Thursday night,” Lloyd said.
“I think the week off could have come at a good time, they’ve been whacked over across the face. Internally, these losses have come at a time and even (they would be thinking), ‘are we getting ahead of ourselves, have we got complacent’?
“So I’m backing them to beat the Lions on a cold night at the MCG on Thursday night.
“Brisbane hasn’t won at the ‘G – they don’t play there a lot - for a long, long time.”
Geelong vs Richmond – Saturday, 4.35pm, MCG
“I’m really liking the Tigers. I see Robbie Tarrant has got his hand all strapped up, but I that’s not a bad thing, I don’t think Robbie’s going too well.
“No Noah Balta either, but I think the way they are moving the ball the Tigers, I think they might be too quick for Geelong.
“That’s going to be a great game, could go either way, but I’m tipping the Tigers in the form they’re in.”
Carlton vs Fremantle – Saturday, 1.45pm, Marvel Stadium
“The other one which I’m really torn on is Carlton and Fremantle because it’s at Marvel Stadium, it’s a tricky one.
“But I think they play Marvel pretty well the Dockers, they smashed the Bombers there and (Matt) Taberner kicked six or seven last time I saw them there, so I’m going to tip Fremantle to beat the Blues.
“Lobb’s in the best form I’ve seen him for a while and they could try to stretch the Carlton defence if they want to, but I like the Dockers, I think they get Carlton at the perfect time this weekend.”
Sydney vs St Kilda – Saturday, 7.25pm, SCG
“(I’m also tipping) Sydney to beat St Kilda.
“I’ve got no faith in either of them with the way they’re playing.
“If they (St Kilda) want to bomb away to Max King again this weekend, the McCartins (Tom and Paddy) and Dane Rampe will have a field day, so they’ve got to sort that out right now.”
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