Round 18 Preview - Facts, stats and tidbits | Thebigtip

Everything you need to know about this weekend's round 18 clashes is below.

Friday, 30th July

ESSENDON VS. ST KILDA – ETIHAD – 7:40PM. CHANNEL 7 

Last times they met:

Rd8 2010: (Ess) 14.9 – 93 def. (Stk) 11.15 – 81

Rd20 2009 (Ess) 16.14- 110 def. (Stk) 16.12 – 108

Current Rank: Essendon (12) St Kilda (3)

Interesting Facts:

1)    Essendon are the only team to have beaten St Kilda in both the 2009 and 2010 home and away seasons.

2)    St Kilda have only lost 4 of their last 20 games at Etihad stadium, 2 of which were to Essendon. 

Saturday, 31st July

COLLINGWOOD VS. CARLTON – MCG – 2:10PM. ONE HD

Last times they met:

Rd6 2010: (Coll) 24.11 – 155 def. (Carl) 16.6 – 102

Rd 17 2009: (Coll) 14.10 – 94 def. (Carl) 4.16 – 40

Current Rank: Collingwood (1) Carlton (7)

Interesting Facts:

1)    The last 3 times these teams have played the average winning margin has been 53 points.

2)    Collingwood’s longest winning streak over Carlton is 7 (1897-1899) and their longest losing streak to Carlton is 9 (1905-1909).

PORT ADELAIDE VS. HAWTHORN – AAMI STADIUM – 3:10PM. FOX SPORTS 

Last times they met:

Rd11 2010: (Haw) 10.14 – 74 def. (Port) 8.15 – 63

Rd18 2009: (Port) 18.13 – 121 def. (Haw) 14.19 – 103

Current Rank: Port Adelaide (13) Hawthorn (6)

Interesting Facts:

1)    Port Adelaide have won 7 out of 9 ‘home and away’ games against Hawthorn at home (Football Park).

2)    Hawthorn have won only 3 of the last 13 games these two teams have played.

SYDNEY VS. GEELONG – ANZ STADIUM – 7:10PM. ONE HD

Last times they met

Rd7 2010: (Geel) 19.12 – 126 def. (Syd) 9.5 – 59

Rd20 2009: (Geel) 13.14 -92 def. (Syd) 13.9 – 87

Current Rank: Sydney (8) Geelong (2)

Interesting Facts:

1)    Sydney hasn’t beaten Geelong at Kardinia Park (Skilled Stadium) since 1999

2)    Sydney has lost the last 7 in a row to Geelong

BRISBANE VS. MELBOURNE – GABBA – 7:10PM. FOX SPORTS

Last times they met:

Rd5 2010: (Melb) 15.13 – 103 def. (Bris) 7.12 – 54

Rd13 2009: (Bris) 16.15 – 111 def. (Melb) 8.8 – 56

Current Rank: Brisbane (14) Melbourne (11)

Interesting Facts:

1)    Melbourne hasn’t finished the season positioned on the ladder above Brisbane since 2006

2)    Melbourne hasn’t beaten Brisbane at the Gabba since 2006.

3)    Melbourne has only beaten Brisbane at the Gabba 3 times since 1998 despite playing there 11 times.

Sunday, 1st August

RICHMOND VS. ADELAIDE – MCG – 1:10PM. FOX SPORTS

Last times they met:

Rd7 2010: (Ade) 15.14 – 104 def. (Rich) 7.12 – 54

Rd14 2009: (Ade) 15.12 – 102 def. (Rich) 13.7 – 85

Current Rank: Richmond (15) Adelaide (10)

Interesting Facts:

1)    Richmond have lost the last 5 consecutively to Adelaide

2)    Richmond have lost 13 times in the last 14 meetings with Adelaide

3)    Richmond haven’t beaten Adelaide at the MCG since 1997

BULLDOGS VS. NORTH MELBOURNE – ETIHAD – 2:10PM. CHANNEL 7

Last times they met:

Rd9 2010: (WB) 20.7 – 127 def. (NM) 7.15 – 57

Rd13 2009: (WB) 17.6 – 108 def (NM) 12.14 – 86

Current Rank: Bulldogs (4) North Melbourne (9)

Interesting Facts:

1)    Bulldogs have won the last 3 in a row against the Kangaroos

2)    Bulldogs have only beaten the Kangaroos once at the Docklands since 2005.

FREMANTLE VS. WEST COAST – SUBIACO – 4:40PM. FOX SPORTS 

Last times they met:

Rd6 2010: (Fre) 17.9 – 111 def. (WC) 10.13 – 73

Rd17 2009: (Fre) 10.11 – 71 def. (WC) 8.18 – 66

Current Rank: Fremantle (5) West Coast (16)

Interesting Facts:

1)    Fremantle have won the past 6 games in a row against West Coast.

2)    Fremantle and West Coast have never played each other in a Final.

3)    Fremantle have only finished above West Coast on the ladder 3 times since they joined the AFL in 1995.