Carlton Blues vs Adelaide Crows at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Saturday, 2:10pm

Adelaide will be aiming to bounce back from a shock defeat at home to Hawthorn and remain in the top two and should fancy their chances against a Carlton side that went down to Richmond by 26 points last time out.

Carlton’s only concern is with Ciaran Byrne who has a knee injury.  As for Adelaide their injury list is a little worse with the likes of Kyle Cheney and Alex Keath battling hamstring injuries.

Why Adelaide will win: There is too much incentive for them to slip up again. The Crows have shown all season that they can smash opponents - including wins by 65 against Essendon, by 67 against Gold Coast, by 76 against Richmond, by 80 against Brisbane, by 100 against Fremantle and by 57 against St Kilda. This shouldn’t and won’t be close.

Our Tip: Adelaide by 25.

 

Gold Coast Suns vs North Melbourne Kangaroos at Metricon Stadium, Saturday, 4:35pm

Suns star Gary Ablett is expected to play his 300th game this weekend and recent history suggests this could be a tight one, with Gold Coast and the Kangaroos sharing three wins apiece in their last six clashes. And they are both languishing near the foot of the ladder with finals football unlikely.

Gold Coast are coming off a 103-72 defeat against St Kilda, while North Melbourne will at least be buoyed by a valiant effort against Western Bulldogs last time out – even though they ultimately went down 107-106.

Gold Coast’s injury list includes Michael Rischitelli (knee injury) and Callum Ah Chee (back injury). Whilst for North Melbourne it features Sam Wright (ankle injury) and Ben McKay (groin/hip problems).

Why Gold Coast will win: Defence will most likely win this game as both teams regularly struggle to put points on the board. Players like Garry Ablett lead the way for Gold Coast in this regard averaging six tackles per game. As long as the Gold Coast’s defence can be stingy enough to not allow too many goals, then they should get the win.

Our Tip: Gold Coast by three.

 

Port Adelaide Power vs Richmond Tigers at Adelaide Oval, Saturday, 7:10pm

Fourth versus sixth on the ladder means this is a massive clash for both sides. Port Adelaide will be hoping to keep up the pressure on the three sides above them, while Richmond are desperate for a win to maintain some breathing space to the clubs below chasing a place in the top eight.

Last round Port Adelaide won with relative ease beating Collingwood by 31. Richmond go into this one on the back of a 26-point win over Carlton. The past five games between these two clubs have resulted in three wins to Port Adelaide and two to Richmond.

Port Adelaide will be boosted by the fact they have no major injury worries, but Richmond have Nick Vlastuin and Nathan Broad currently battling shoulder injuries, while Shaun Hampson is out with a back problem.

Why Richmond will win: Dustin Martin. Not a lot separates these two teams and that’s why it comes down to game winners, someone who will win it for you and know what has to be done.

Our Tip: Richmond by six.