Western Bulldogs vs Essendon Bombers @Etihad Stadium, Sunday 1:10pm

STAT FACT: This season both teams have the same number of disposals and clearances in 399 and 35 respectively.

BIG TALKING POINT: For most of this season the talk has been around a hangover of a Premiership defence for the Western Bulldogs. As it stands they’d be lucky to make the finals let lone actually do any damage trying to defend what they won last year.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN: Neither team is regarded as particularly entertaining and given both teams' well0documented inconsistences this year, if nothing else it will be a fairly bland game to watch. One other thing that will happen is that both teams fan bases will be out there in numbers given that a loss to either side basically spells the end of their season for them with how tight the competition ladder is.

WHAT WON'T HAPPEN: The Western Bulldogs defending their title. Essendon sit just inside of the top eight and will be desperate to win and keep on doing so in order to give them a birth in the finals. Due to the nature of this year's competition this ensuing loss will mean their players will be watching this years finals series from the couch and unable to defend what is theirs.

OUR TIP: Essendon by eight.


West Coast Eagles vs Brisbane Lions @Domain Stadium, Sunday 2:40pm

STAT FACT: West Coast won the last game between these two sides by a fairly hefty 49 points.

BIG TALKING POINT: Will or won’t West Coast make the finals? This is a major question heading into the final bit of the season as they sit preciously in ninth spot knowing a loss or two could all but spell the end of their season. They’ve been a dominant finals force recently but it could all come crashing down pretty quickly for the men from Perth.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN: Commitment and growth from a young Brisbane side. Despite the losses piling up this year, everyone around the league can see the commitment that the young guns are showing as well as the growth that they are displaying. However, this doesn’t always translate into wins.

WHAT WON'T HAPPEN: A massive upset. West Coast are too good, too experienced and too desperate to lose this one.

OUR TIP: West Coast by 31.
 

Collingwood Magpies vs Adelaide Crowes @Melbourne Cricket Ground, Sunday 3:20pm

STAT FACT: Collingwood have won seven of their ten games against Adelaide at the MCG.

BIG TALKING POINT: Collingwood CEO Gary Pert resigned during the week and Nathan Buckley could be following suit at the end of the season if Collingwood fail to make the finals. Collingwood have been on a bit of a hot streak as of late but it remains to be seen how their CEO’s resignation will affect the team's performances on the field.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN: Regardless of whether or not this affects Collingwood’s players they will still get pumped by an Adelaide side who are widely regarded as one of the favourites for this year's Premiership. It’ll be close but Adelaide are too good and too talented to let game slip.

WHAT WON'T HAPPEN: Collingwood overcome all the obstacles to win. First the coach and now this. Collingwood’s players have been fairly resilient as of late but even this might be too much for them to handle.

OUR TIP: Adelaide by nine.