THE GAMES YOU MUST NOT MISS NEXT SEASON
JAY CLARK rates the games you can’t miss in 2018
1 GEELONG v HAWTHORN MCG, ROUND 2 Monday, April 2, 3.20pm The Cats have won the past three matches between the pair, by two, 86 and three points, to get the Kennett Curse back on track. Now that the big guy has taken back the reins at Waverley, some extra spice will return for this one.
2 ADELAIDE v MELBOURNE Adelaide Oval, ROUND 19 Saturday, July 28, 7.40pm It seemed like all of Adelaide was filthy when Jake Lever left the Crows, but none more than big Tex. Keep your eyes peeled for any time Lever and Crows captain Walker are in the same aerial contest. Fireworks.
3 ADELAIDE v RICHMOND Adelaide Oval, ROUND 2 Thursday, March 29, 7.50pm The Crows were awful in the Grand Final and they know it. Adelaide has an early chance to get one back against the Tigers.
4 MELBOURNE v RICHMOND MCG, ROUND 5 Tuesday, April 24, 7.25pm Last year’s Anzac Day eve match was special. The prematch ceremony was a beauty and the game didn’t disappoint. The Tigers triumphed by 13 points in front of almost 86,000 fans. Could get 90,000 next year.
5 PORT ADELAIDE v ADELAIDE Adelaide Oval, ROUND 8 Saturday, May 12, 5.10pm Port Adelaide topped up with Jack Watts, Steve Motlop
and Tom Rockliff and the derby will be a beauty between two genuine premiership contenders.
6 COLLINGWOOD v ESSENDON MCG, ROUND 5 Wednesday, April 25, 3.20pm No matter where these teams are on the ladder, Anzac Day is always one of the biggest on the footy calendar. The Bombers are on the up after a successful trade period and Collingwood is desperate for a big year, after being handed a softer draw.
7 W BULLDOGS v ESSENDON Etihad Stadium, ROUND 3 Sunday, April 8, 3.20pm Stringer Cup. Yes, Jake had a poor year, but there are plenty of good judges who think he can become a top-20 player when he matures, physically and mentally. He’d love to kick a couple against his old mob.
8 MELBOURNE v GEELONG MCG, ROUND 1 Sunday, March 25, 3.20pm Remember the last time Jack Viney played on Gary Ablett? He gave the superstar’s sore shoulder a working over in Round 1, 2015 and there could be more in store here. The problem for Viney is
he will also have Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield to handle, as the Cats’ superstar midfield trio step out for the first time.
9 BRISBANE LIONS v HAWTHORN Gabba, ROUND 9 Sunday, May 20, 3.20pm Alastair Clarkson said it would rip his guts out seeing Luke Hodge in another club’s jumper. So imagine the sick feeling that would consume Hawthorn fans if Hodgey led the Lions to a win? The cameras will be on Clarko, back that in.
10 PORT ADELAIDE v MELBOURNE Adelaide Oval, ROUND 14 Friday, June 22, 7.50pm You could understand Jack Watts’ confusion. In his early years, No.1 draft pick Watts copped it from the Melbourne faithful for not being a dominant player. Now that he has been traded to the Power, Dees fans are filthy with the club for letting him go.