Brisbane Lions vs Gold Coast Suns @The Gabba, Saturday 4:35pm

Stat Fact: This season these two sides have combined for an appalling 10 wins from 38 games. Brisbane sit in last place with the Gold Coast in 15th.

Big Talking Point: The Rocket has been launched off the Tourist Strip. Rodney Eade was fired during the week from his role as the Gold Coast’s head coach and has been replaced by Dean Solomon. During his time with the Gold Coast, Eade had to battle with a horrific injury toll and the team went 16–46–1 under his tutelage. Given all that happened during his time there, I believe he was unfairly fired and rightfully deserves another coaching shot with a different AFL team.

What Will Happen: As is so often the case, Gold Coast will come out and blitz Brisbane in their first game under their new coach. Then after that the questions such as why didn’t they perform that well under Eade will roll in. It’s a weird trait that seems to be quite common, expect the Gold Coast to display it.

What Won’t Happen: It’s a relative unknown given the poor nature of both of these sides but given that both teams this season have notoriously struggled to kick goals, you can guarantee that it’ll be a low scoring clash.

Our Tip: Gold Coast by 20.
 

Essendon Bombers vs Adelaide Crowes @Etihad Stadium, Saturday 7:25pm

Stat Fact: Joe Daniher leads the AFL goal-scoring charts this season with 56.

Big Talking Point: Jobe Watson announced he would be retiring at the end of the season. He has been a once club man his entire career and captained Essendon from 2010-2015. Watson was stripped of his 2012 Brownlow Medal due to the supplements saga that engulfed the Essendon football club. He had already handed it back though knowing this decision was going to happen. But among the highlights of his career so far are making the 2012 and 2013 All-Australian team. Despite the ups and downs of his career he has been a good leader for the club and will be missed.

What Will Happen: A high-scoring affair as both teams have scored double digit points this season in 13 games (Adelaide) and 10 games (Essendon). This, combined with some of the best goal scorers in the league being on the books of both teams in the likes of Daniher and Taylor Walker, means that no matter the score of this clash, it'll at least be a good game to watch.

What Won’t Happen: The script being followed. Ladder positions suggest that Adelaide are in for quite an easy win. But despite this you can never discount a team desperate to make finals footy, and what has been proved on many occasions this year is that the little team can always be up for playing the big team. A real shock could occur in this game.

Our Tip: Essendon by 12.
 

West Coast Eagles vs Carlton Blues @Domain Stadium, Saturday 5:40pm

Stat Fact: Sam Docherty leads the league in marks per game (9.2 and 175 in total for the season).

Big Talking Point: There are some reports swirling that in the off-season Carlton will have some cash to burn as they have been linked to the likes of Josh Kelley and Jacob Hopper. This in an off-season where they could also have the number one draft-pick. Both players would be awesome signings for the clubs and would seriously help Carlton speed up a bit their rebuilding process. This news must be music to Carlton fans' ears.

What Will Happen: In their loss to Essendon last round, Bryce Gibbs made an impressive eight tackles in a very good defensive display. Against a West Coast side that can be very fluent with the ball at times he’ll have to play like he did last week to give his team a chance. Look for him to play strong defensively again.

What Won’t Happen: Carlton going down quietly. Despite their lowly ladder position last week they pushed Essendon all the way before going down 84-76. Despite that obvious lack of talent in their squad they’ll continue to make some noise, but it won’t be enough against the finals desperate West Coast side.

Our Tip: West Coast by seven.