St Kilda Saints vs Essendon Bombers @Etihad Stadium

Friday, 7:50pm

In their last game St Kilda came out and absolutely smashed Richmond 138-71. As for Essendon they had a relatively easy victory as well as they beat Collingwood 117-80. A win for St Kilda would be massive for their Top Four dreams. As for Essendon they need a win to stay in touch with the Top Eight.

St Kilda have won six of their past eight clashes against Essendon. The last game between these two sides was a 17.7.109 St Kilda victory vs 14.14.98.

St Kilda’s current injuries are David Armitage (Groin), Darren Minchington (Ankle), Hugh Goddard (Foot), Paddy McCartin (Concussion) and Nick Coughlan (Hamstring). While Essendon’s current injuries are Mitch Brown (Ankle) and Patrick Ambrose (Quad).

Paddy McCartin

Why St Kilda Saints will win: Last week in their ravaging of Richmond St Kilda led every statistical category bar Centre in which they were beaten by one and Marks in 50 in which they were beaten by one also. If they play anything like how they played against Richmond then Essendon have no chance of winning this.

Our Tip: St Kilda by 14.

Port Adelaide Power vs North Melbourne Kangaroos @Adelaide Oval

Saturday, 1:40pm

Last time out Port Adelaide stormed back against West Coast to win 120-88 and beat a Top Eight team for the first time this season. North Melbourne in their game lost a tight affair to Fremantle going down 86-82. A win for Port Adelaide helps them keep their Top Four spot safe while a win for North Melbourne would give them some breathing room with Brisbane for who finishes last.

Port Adelaide have won three of their past five clashes against North Melbourne. The last one was a 16.9.105 to 10.17.77 Port Adelaide win.

Port Adelaide currently have no injuries to deal with. On the other-hand North Melbourne’s injury list reads like this, Jarrad Waite (Calf), Jamie Macmillan (Finger), Ben Jacobs (Lower Leg), Marley Williams (Back), Kayne Turner (Knee), Paul Ahern (Knee), Ed Vickers-Willis (PCL), Oscar Junker (Broken Tibia).

Why Port Adelaide Power will win: These are two teams that are going in opposite directions this season. Port Adelaide are in the Top Four and have won four of their past six games. This while North Melbourne are struggling to avoid finishing last and have lost their past five games in a row.

Our Tip: Port Adelaide by 40.

Geelong Cats vs Hawthorn Hawks @Melbourne Cricket Ground

Saturday, 1:45pm

Geelong in their last game put on a training clinic as they pummelled Brisbane 163-78. Hawthorn in their game drew 97-97 with GWS. They needed to win it but a draw is better than no points at all. If Geelong win and other results go their way they could be sitting equal first by the end of the round. For Hawthorn they are currently eight points of a finals spot so anything less than win for them will be considered a disappointing result.

Patrick Dangerfield

The last six clashes between these two sides have been split with three wins a piece. The last game was in Round Four of this season, it was a Geelong 20.14.134 win vs 6.12.48. Hawthorn will be determined to change the result this time around.

For Geelong on their injured list is Scott Selwood (Hamstring), Josh Cowan (Achilles), Lincoln McCarthy (Groin), Darcy Lang (Shin), Cory Gregson (Foot), Tom Ruggles (Collarbone), Quinton Narkle (Knee) and Tom Stewart (Fractured Eye Socket). For Hawthorn it is Grant Birchall (Knee), Josh Gibson (Groin), James Frawley (Turf Toe), Paul Puopolo (Groin), Cryril Rioli (PCL), Ben Stratton (Knee), Jack Fitzpatrick (Concussion), Jonathon Ceglar (ACL), Jaeger O’Meara (Knee) and Johnathan O’Rourke (Hamstring).

Why Hawthorn will win: A loss for them could spell the end of their finals dreams and for arguably one of the best clubs of the past decade that would represent a massive fall from grace. They’ll be wanting to do everything in their power to avoid this happening.

Our Tip: Hawthorn by six.