Western Bulldogs vs Gold Coast Suns @ Cazaly’s Stadium, Saturday 4:35pm

For the Western Bulldogs this season has been nothing but bitter disappointment. They have won only eight of 16 games, sit in 11th place and their finals hopes look bleak. They did beat Carlton 82-62 last week but that will have done little to lift the moodin their camp heading into this season-defining game. As for the Gold Coast they’ve done as well as they can with their massive injury list, sitting in 15th position. Last round they went down to Collingwood 103-88.

Seven of the past nine games between the Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast Suns have resulted in victories to last years Premiership winners. Up in Cairns with both teams relatively even this season it’s tough to see who could come out the winner here.

For the Western Bulldogs out for them, among others, are Robert Murphy (Hamstring) and Tom Boyd (Mental Illness), as well as both Lin Jong and Roarke Smith with season-ending injuries. For the Gold Coast, Gary Ablett (Hamstring) headlines their injured list.

Why the Gold Coast will win: The Western Bulldogs as previously mentioned have been poor this season winning only two of their past six games. While the Gold Coast haven’t been that much better there have been some highlights for them fairly recently, including a win over West Coast. With most of their players back on board the Gold Coast should slowly start to gather some momentum.

Our Tip: Gold Coast by five.

Fremantle Dockers vs Hawthorn Hawks @Domain Stadium, Saturday 5:40pm

Last round Fremantle lost 74-44 to West Coast in a disappointing result. Hawthorn’s game was a lot closer but just like Fremantle they still lost, going down 88-85. These two sides sit 12th and 13th on the ladder respectively and are no longer playing for finals but more pride and respect. Extremely worrying for both teams given where many tipped them to be at the start of the season.

Nine of the past ten clashes between these two sides have been won by Alistair Clarkson’s men. The last time these two teams suited up against each other, Hawthorn won with ease 17.14.116 to 11.9.75. A win here for Hawthorn would do little to fix their disaster of a season, at least Fremantle can use the ‘youth’ excuse.

Among Fremantle’s injured are Aaron Sandilands, who is out for the season with a hamstring injury, and Michael Apeness, who is also out for the year with a knee injury. For Hawthorn ten players are currently on their injured list. That is headlined by Cyril Rioli (PCL) and Jonathan O’Rourke (Hamstring).

Why Hawthorn will win: Nine out of ten is massive for any club. That history and pure dominance should be enough to get them the win in what will be a pretty ordinary game.

Our Tip: Hawthorn by 11.

Sydney Swans vs St Kilda Saints @Sydney Cricket Ground, Saturday 7:25pm

Last round Sydney continued their charge up the ladder with a well-deserved 13-point victory over Greater Western Sydney. As for St Kilda, a week after teaching Richmond how to play, they were given a strong lesson by Essendon, going down by 61. Sydney sit in 6th place while St Kilda 9th. Both sides have nine wins and it’s all set up to be a very tight game.

Sydney has won their past eight games in a row against St Kilda. Combined with this the last game they played, Sydney romped St Kilda by 50 in a simply dominating performance. St Kilda should be able to show more mettle and resolve this time around.

Sydney’s current injuries are with Kurt Tippett (Ankle), Harry Cunningham (Foot), Will Hayward (Foot) and Dary Cameron (Shoulder). While St Kilda’s current injuries are with David Armitage (Groin), Darren Minchington (Ankle), Hugh Goddard (Foot), Paddy McCartin (Concussion) and Nick Coughlan (Hamstring).

Why Sydney will win: Everything points to a Sydney win here. Whether it be ladder position or attacking options. Defensively for the latter part of the season Sydney have been pretty sound as well. The most important factor however is form as Sydney has won nine of their past ten games. When this game is over it will be ten of eleven.

Our Tip: Sydney by seven.