North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Fremantle Dockers @Etihad Stadium, Sunday 1:10pm

A clash between two struggling teams, with North Melbourne now in danger of taking the wooden spoon as Brisbane come up fast behind them. The Dockers battled hard last weekend, but still lost 89-80 against St Kilda for their fifth successive defeat.

Those on North Melbourne’s injured list are Sam Wright (ankle), Paul Ahern (knee), Ben McKay (groin/hip), Corey Wagner (ankle) and Oscar Junker (broken tibia). While the Fremantle injury list is a bit bigger and reads Hayden Ballantyne (hamstring), Stephen Hill (hamstring), Zac Clarke (knee), Harley Bennell (calf), Michael Apeness (knee), Alex Pearce (leg) and Matthew Uebergang (mamstring).

Match Fact: This season Fremantle and North Melbourne have played in a combined nine games decided by 10 points or less. Small margins, but big impacts on where the teams sit on the ladder.

Why Fremantle will win: Michael Walters was amazing last weekend for Fremantle as he kicked six goals, got away 21 kicks and had 11 handballs. If he plays anything like that against North Melbourne then the Dockers will be hard to beat.

Our Tip: Fremantle by 12.

Carlton Blues vs Melbourne Demons @Melbourne Cricket Ground, Sunday 3:20pm

Much more for Melbourne to play for in this one as they try to cement their place in the top eight. Carlton are languishing in 16th and know their hopes of reaching the finals have already gone, although they did give high-flying Adelaide a fright before going down 89-77 last weekend.

Melbourne had been on a great run before their 85-50 defeat against Sydney Swans, but will have to respond without injured Max Gawn, Pat McKenna (both Hamstring) and Joel Smith (shoulder). Carlton’s only current injury is with Ciaran Byrne (Knee).

Match Fact: The past six games between these teams have both Carlton and Melbourne with three wins apiece.

Why Melbourne will win: Before Melbourne’s loss last weekend they had won their previous four games in a row. These were a 35 point win over the Gold Coast, a win over Collingwood, a 57 point win over the Western Bulldogs and a win over West Coast.

Our Tip: Melbourne by 20.

West Coast Eagles vs Port Adelaide Power @Domain Stadium, Sunday 2:40pm

Possibly the toughest game of the round to predict with Port Adelaide in fifth and West Coast in seventh ahead of the weekend matches.

Most ominously for Power, last weekend’s 76-63 defeat against Richmond extended their poor run of results against other teams in the top eight. The Eagles, meanwhile, are on an upward trend after beating the Bulldogs 87-80 last time out.

Port Adelaide are at least boosted by having a totally healthy squad to choose from. That’s in contrast to West Coast who have a massive injury toll that reads Drew Petrie (hand), Nic Naitanui (knee), Scott Lycett (shoulder), Jamie Cripps (ankle), Simon Tunbridge (knee), Jackson Nelson (wrist), Kurt Mutimer (knee), Willie Rioli (hamstring), Jack Waterman (foot) and Francis Watson (ankle).

Match Fact: The last three times these teams have played each other the result has been by 10 points or less. Expect this trend to continue into this game.

Why Port Adelaide will win: West Coast are inconsistent and that was highlighted when Melbourne broke a long hoodoo with a victory in Perth. Another jinx could be broken this weekend, with Port Adelaide finally finding a way to beat a team in the top eight.

Our Tip: Port Adelaide by six.