Geelong vs Sydney
Skilled Stadium, Geelong.
Saturday 19th of April. 2.10pm (local time)

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All the talk during the lead-up to this game has been of the seven match suspension to Sydney full forward Barry Hall. Hall received the longest suspension handed out by the tribunal for about 10-15 years after king hitting West Coast defender Brent Staker last week.

This is a huge blow for Sydney, with Hall being one of the best forwards in the league.

Last years premiers Geelong come into the match with better fortunes. Both Cameron Mooney and youngster Trent West escaped bans at the tribunal during the week.

Geelong is second on the table and undefeated. Sydney is fourth with their only blemish being a two point loss to St. Kilda in round one.

Geelong

The home team comes into this match undefeated form their first four games and have been solid so far without being exceptional.

They have made two changes with experienced player Andrew Mackie coming back into the squad along with Brent Prismall. Out goes youngsters Ryan Gamble and Harry Taylor.

Sydney

Nick Davis has been brought back into the side to replace Barry Hall. Davis is a very experienced forward and played in the premiership team of 2005 but is a completely different forward to hall. Hall is a big strong focal point that puts fear into opposition defenders.

Davis is more of a small roving forward. At his best he is mercurial player, but struggles with consistency. Sydney needs him to play well in the next seven weeks while Hall is absent.

Youngster Smith also gets a chance to impress, replacing Brennan in the selected side.

Head-to-Head

Both teams have won their respective home games against each other in the last few years, with scores generally being low.

2007: Geelong 87 def Sydney 69
2006: Geelong 90 def Sydney 63
2006: Sydney 107 def Geelong 85
2005: Sydney 56 def Geelong 53 (Qualifying Final)
2005: Sydney 105 def Geelong 51

The Verdict

Geelong is playing well enough to win each week and with a so many options in attack they should be able to win here.

The odds are small for Geelong but without Hall, I doubt Sydney will be able to kick a winning score.

The Pick :

Geelong to win by 24 points.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Geelong straight out in your multi bets.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Or take Geelong to win by Under 39.5 points as a single bet.