AFL

RD 5 SUNDAY

Sydney @ Hawthorn
MARGIN - HAWKS 1-39 (x1) LOSS

Sydney will travel to Tassie today to play the Hawks in a home away from home game for them. Hawthorn has an incredible record down here winning their past 7 straight! Hawthorn have added their inspirational skipper Luke Hodge for his first match of the year which will give them a huge lift. Birchall, Breust and Puopolo are also back which gives the Hawks close to their best line up this week.
Sydney receive Goodes back from suspension this week but their big ruckman Mumford will miss again and has been ruled out for up to a month. Rohan is also out for the rest of the year after breaking his leg last week. While the Swans have been very good to start 2012, 4-0. Today is their biggest test. I feel they will close the game down as usual but Hawthorn have to much talent and play this ground very well. The Hawks who are also returning from Perth so I like the 1-39 margin here.
Hawks by 17.
(0.8u @ 2.25 @ Pinnacle)


West Coast @ Richmond
ATS - EAGLES -18.5 (x2) LOSS

Richmond host the undefeated Eagles today under the roof at Etihad. The Tigers have been good to start 2012 and have clearly improved. Last weeks gallant defeat against the cats down in geelong would  have taken its toll  on this young group and I suspect a letdown is coming.

West coast has won its only match in Melbourne this season here under the roof comfortably. I see this as a big miss match with the Eagles bigs. Cox and Nic Nat will run rings around Maric and Vickery, While Rising star nominee Grimes and improving youngster Rance will be way out of their depth against the Eagles forwards Kennedy, Lynch and Darling.
West Coast are a much  better side and will put on a show today in perfect conditions under the roof.
Eagles by 35.
(2.2 @ 1.91 @ Centrebet)