Hawthorn Hawks vs Sydney Swans @Melbourne Cricket Ground, Friday 7:50pm

STAT FACT: Josh Kennedy will play his 200th AFL game against Hawthorn. But interestingly Kennedy was traded from Hawthorn to Sydney while his Grandfather also played for Hawthorn.

BIG TALKING POINT: Sydney captain Josh Kennedy will play his 200th game on Friday night against Hawthorn. He has always been a great player for Sydney and is a great role-model within the community. This is a great distinction for the proud player and he will no doubt have a game to remember against his former club.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN: Much has been made about Sydney’s current seven-game winning streak and the fact that they have won 10 of their past 11 games. Now they currently sit in 6th spot and are on track to make the finals despite no team having ever done so from the 0-6 position that they started their season in. This impressive streak will become 11 of 12.

WHAT WON'T HAPPEN: Sydney losing such an important game in the context of their season and for their captain. In each of the seasons he’s been at the club, Kennedy has finished around the top of Sydney’s Best & Fairest Award. For someone like him and so that they keep their finals spot safe they will not lose.

OUR TIP: Sydney by 24.

 

North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Melbourne Demons @Blundstone Arena, Saturday 1:45pm

STAT FACT: North Melbourne have not lost to Melbourne since 2006 and in the process they have won an incredible 16 games in a row against them.

BIG TALKING POINT: North Melbourne coach Brad Scott this week has been forced to address the idea that his team might be tanking. He described the concept as laughable and said that he and his team will be doing everything in their power to ensure they win their next five games. He would supposedly rather have a winning culture than a top draft pick.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN: The winning streak will be broken and despite what Scott believes in North Melbourne will be well on their way to obtaining a top-two pick in the draft.

WHAT WON'T HAPPEN: North Melbourne actually abide by what their coach is saying. They have been absolutely dreadful this year winning only four games which is the same as Brisbane. Despite their opponents' horrific injury toll North Melbourne will be lucky to keep this one close.

OUR TIP: Melbourne by 36.

 

Greater Western Sydney Giants vs Fremantle Dockers @Spotless Stadium, Saturday 2:10pm

STAT FACT: GWS have lost their past two games in a row while their two games before that were draws.

BIG TALKING POINT: A week after losing by 13 points to cross-town rivals Sydney, GWS lost by 19 to Richmond. After being a top two side for most of the season to many it now appears that the wheels are firmly falling of GWS’s title challenge. Are they able to arrest the slump or not is another question being asked of Leon Cameron’s side.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN: The slump will be arrested, if only because they’re playing a Fremantle side who are going through a well-publicised youth movement and have suffered a fair amount of injuries this season.

WHAT WON'T HAPPEN: Fremantle putting up a whole heap of points. Their kicking has been notoriously poor this season and they only have a 78.55% for goals. That’s good for second worst in the League.

OUR TIP: GWS by 20.