Sport
7 August, 2026
Run up to season’s end
TIGERS versus Crocs, Saints take on Hawks, Cutters play Bulldogs.
Men’s round 16 preview
Tigers versus Crocs
ROUND 16 gets underway with a rematch of last year’s second preliminary final as the Tigers, still technically the reigning premiers, square off against Port Douglas.
Last year’s upset victory for the Tigers was one of the club’s greatest ever wins as they produced one of the most incredible finals runs to break their premiership drought.
Memories and conversations of that run will surely form the emphasis this week at Watson’s Oval as they look to spoil the Crocs own premiership run and a chance at a perfect season.
The Crocs, though, have won their two fixtures against the Tigers by a combined 275 points and will be looking to push that well into the 400s this weekend.
Kye Chapple is also back in the side and sits on a scarcely believable 961 goals for the Crocs as he continues his march to the magical 1000 goal mark.
He will undoubtedly have his eye on a big bag in what is shaping up to be a difficult afternoon for the Tigers defence.
Saints play Hawks
THE Saints return to Griffiths Park to host their closest neighbour, the Hawks, in an echo of last year’s AFLW clash (remember, the Hawks women are coming back on Friday 18 September vs North).
The Saints have a huge opportunity to jump into third spot and gain the inside track on hosting the elimination final against the Dogs.
Their last eight games read WLWLWWLL, so you could argue their form suggests they will be odds on for a win, as well as their two 100-point plus victories over their neighbours this season.
The Hawks, though, make the trip with their supporters, the Lions supporters and neutral supporters all hoping they can pull off an upset.
A Hawks win would go a long way to staving off a fifth consecutive wooden spoon, while a Saints defeat would keep the door ajar for the Lions to just about keep their season alive.
Cutters take on Bulldogs
ROUND 16 wraps up with this week’s game of the round, as the second-placed Cutters head up to Trinity Beach to be entertained by the third-placed Bulldogs.
The Cutters could mathematically catch the Crocs but remain two wins plus percentage behind the leaders.
For them, it will be about starting their tune up for September against a team with recent finals pedigree that they could very well face in week two or three of finals.
This is their first trip to the Kennel this season, after two very hard fought wins at Fretwell Park.
For the Dogs, it is an opportunity to claim a major scalp in what might be their sternest test before finals.
The Dogs’ ledger this season against the top two teams reads 0-5 with an average losing margin of 36.4 points.
As a reigning grand finalist, they will be feeling they can absolutely go one better this year, and should relish the opportunity this weekend.
