Hawthorn Hawks vs Western Bulldogs @Etihad Stadium, Friday 7:50pm

Stat Fact: Hawthorn have won eight of their past nine clashes against the Western Bulldogs. However, the last game these two sides played back in Round 25 of last season was a 23-point victory to the Western Bulldogs.

Big Talking Point: Last weekend both teams had their finals hopes ended in brutal losses. For Hawthorn they were heavy favourites to beat Carlton but lost 77-70 to the Wooden Spoon contender. For the Western Bulldogs they lost by 17 points to Port Adelaide meaning they no longer have the chance to defend what they claimed as their own last season. For Alistair Clarkson’s men this result was semi-expected given the mini re-build they undertook at the end of last year. As for Luke Beveridge’s men, they fully expected to be playing finals footy this season and will recognise that their year on the whole has been very poor, especially after they took the AFL by storm last season.

What Will Happen: This game means absolutely nothing but there are still some reasons to watch it. One of these main reasons is to lookout for a bounce back performance from Hawthorn team-member James Sicily. The ex-2013 draft pick gave away seven free-kicks last week against Carlton in his sides tight loss. Expect him to play a bit differently this Friday night.

What Won’t Happen: A low scoring encounter. Despite both sides struggles this year, Hawthorn have still scored 100 or more points five times and have been in the 90-point range a further four times. As for the Western Bulldogs, in this statistic they have done it seven times collectively. If nothing else from this game you can look forward to a high-scoring clash.

Our Tip: Hawthorn by 12.
 

Collingwood Magpies vs Melbourne Demons @Melbourne Cricket Ground, Saturday, 1:45pm

Stat Fact: Collingwood’s top goal-scorer this year is Jamie Elliot with 31.15 while Melbourne’s is Jeff Garlett with 40.26.

Big Talking Point: Jake Spencer looks like he will be assessing his free-agency options at the end of this season. The 27-year-old was injured this season while filling in for Max Gawn. Gawn is posed to sign a long-term contract with Melbourne meaning Spencer might have to look elsewhere to secure his future and he has already been linked with several clubs. He would be a solid pick-up for any club looking to acquire him.

What Will Happen: History continuing for the finals playing Melbourne side. Melbourne have won their past four clashes against Collingwood and combined with their shocker of a season after Saturday afternoon is over it should be five off five. Melbourne are raring up to play finals footy and what better way to re-enter the fray with a big win. Melbourne will really showcase all they have to offer in this encounter.

What Won’t Happen: Hogan not getting a couple more up on the board. Last week Jesse Hogan returned from a broken collar-bone in his sides 13-point win over Brisbane. He bagged six and had a strong performance. As Melbourne enter September footy expect him to acclimatise himself to the game more by getting a couple more goals.

Our Tip: Melbourne by 35.
 

Brisbane Lions vs North Melbourne Kangaroos @The Gabba, Saturday 2:10pm

Stat Fact: Brisbane and North Melbourne this season have a combined 10 wins from 42 games and they sit in 18th and 17th place respectively.

Big Talking Point: If you lose this game you officially claim the Wooden Spoon, something that no team wants to have. For Brisbane a loss would mean that for the third consecutive season they’d be a bottom two team. A win is all they care about. While for North Melbourne they were playing finals footy last year so regardless of the outcome of this match for them it will be seen as an extremely disappointing season from their perspective. Nevertheless, they will still be trying hard to get a victory as well. To put it frankly both teams seasons have sucked this year, but a win for either side makes it a little easier to swallow.

What Will Happen: Brisbane have been involved in four games this season decided by 14 points or less while North Melbourne have participated in eight tight encounters. What this shows is, despite both teams respective ladder positions, on their day they are more than capable of pushing any team all the way to the edge. With the biggest game of their seasons and everything on the line, expect both teams to show up strongly for this one and contest a close game.

What Won’t Happen: Either team taking a step back. Despite the youth that resides over both teams rosters they will still care very much so about avoiding finishing last. Their will probably be a few ‘incidents’ in this game to go along with some hard-hits.

Our Tip: Brisbane by four.

Sydney Swans vs Carlton Blues @Sydney Cricket Ground, Saturday 4:35

Stat Fact: Sydney have become the first team in AFL history to start a season zero-six to make the finals.

Big Talking Point: Sydney are in the finals and ready to do some serious damage after their last-start win over first placed Adelaide. Everyone doubted Sydney but they came back strong and now they will be featuring in September footy and determined to go one better than last season. Who knows how far they could advance into the season given a first-round match up with Melbourne is what likely awaits them.

Meanwhile for Carlton there have been reports linking them to GWS star Josh Kelly. Given Kelly being 22 years of age and the player he is, combined with Carlton’s youth movement would make this a match made in heaven. If the reports prove to be true, then start salivating Carlton fans.

What Will Happen: Sydney’s stingy defence coming into play once again. On average Sydney’s defence only concedes 75 points per game, good for best in the league. Against a Carlton side that isn’t renowned for its attacking prowess expect it to be on full display once again this game. Carlton may very well score 30 or under in this clash.

What Won’t Happen: Carlton finishing their year off on a positive note. For the season they have only six wins and have gone two-eight in their last 10 games. A rampant Sydney is in store for this encounter.

Our Tip: Sydney by 70.

Geelong Cats vs Greater Western Sydney Giants @Simonds Stadium, Saturday 7:25pm

Stat Fact: The last time these two teams met it was a 68-all draw in Round 15 of this season. A closely contested clash should be expected this time around as well.

Big Talking Point: Geelong have re-signed Jake Kolodjashnij along with Wylie Buzza and Jordan Cunico. Kolodjashnij has played 32 games for Geelong since making his debut for them in 2015 and is a promising young talent. While playing in the VFL he finished fourth in Geelong’s best and fairest. Cunico is only 21 years of age but is only yet to play one game for Geelong. This while Buzza has played only two games for the Cats but has scored two goals. Another young talent that if given the proper opportunity, could perform well.

What Will Happen: Controversy reigning supreme with free kicks. Geelong are first in the league in this category receiving an average of 20.7 per game. Geelong are rightfully in 3rd spot of their own accord but if they end up winning the game and as a result 2nd spot because of a free kick then their will become a lot of people questioning Geelong’s legitimacy as a contender if they have to get the refs to win them the big games.

What Won’t Happen: A blowout score-line. Four of the last five games between these two sides have been decided by 13 points or less. Expect history to repeat itself in what should be a very tight clash.

Our Tip: GWS by seven.


Port Adelaide Power vs Gold Coast Suns @Adelaide Oval, Saturday 7:10pm

Stat Fact: The last clash contested between these two teams was in China and it was a monstrous 72-point win to Port Adelaide.

Big Talking Point: Gary Ablett will reportedly retire if he can’t get a trade to Geelong at the end of the season. Ablett is without a doubt a top player in his own right and will be remembered and watched by generations of fans to come. But if this report proves to be true then this is quite a low move. The Gold Coast have helped him with all his current injury problems and he was bought to the Gold Coast in the hope of being a leader and playing well for the club. This is not the type of move that a leader would do, abandon ship when things get tough and he hasn’t played a great deal for the Suns either to really be worth the investment. Time will tell if this move plays out or not and whether there is any truth to it or not.

What Will Happen: The Gold Coast (just like their NRL counterparts) have dealt badly with distractions all season and this one should prove no different. Port Adelaide should give them a fair walloping to top of what has been a miserable year for the side.

What Won’t Happen: The Gold Coast’s first ever win was in the AFL was against their opponents for this game, since then they have never beaten Port Adelaide. Nothing about that will change for this game.

Our Tip: Port Adelaide by 90.

Essendon Bombers vs Fremantle Dockers @Etihad Stadium, Sunday 1:10pm

Stat Fact: Zach Merrett is averaging 17.5 kicks per game (349) to be 6th on the AFL’s kickers chart.

Big Talking Point: Brett Stanton has announced his retirement. This will be his last season in the league and earlier this year celebrated his 250th game, a great milestone for anybody to reach. He said he has enjoyed leading the younger generation in the VFL this year and will look to pursue a career in coaching after the season is done and dusted. Stanton joins a long list of players retiring at the end of the season and will be sorely missed by Essendon.

What Will Happen: A win for Essendon and it’s safe to say they’ve secured a return to finals footy. This game is absolutely huge for Essendon and they should be able to take it with both hands and produce a stirring win over a lowly Fremantle side. But if Essendon lose then other results will dictate whether or not they’ll be playing in September. Essendon’s season is on the line here and boy will they respond.

What Won’t Happen: Fremantle have won their past four clashes against Essendon by 37, 79, 28 and 53 points respectively. It’s not going to be a fifth in a row. There’s a good chance that it’ll be Essendon out on top at the end of the game by 79 more then there is a chance of them dropping this all-important game.

Our Tip: Essendon by 45.

 

Richmond Tigers vs St Kilda Saints @Melbourne Cricket Ground, Saturday 3:20pm

Stat Fact: Richmond have scored 1870 points this season while St Kilda have scored only 36 less with 1844 points.

Big Talking Point: Dustin Martin. As talented as a player as he is and as much of a game changer that he is Richmond must finally accept the fact that he might not be with them next season as per several reports. If he chooses not to accept what is described as a monstrous offer then Richmond must start putting backup options into place. Richmond has other positions in its team as well that they could use Martin’s money to fill and fix should he choose to not accept their big offer. It’s not a waiting game until the end of the season to see what Dusty finally decides to do.

What Will Happen: A Richmond win given they need it if they are to have two lives in this years' finals series. Expect them to come out like a house on fire and put some early pressure on St Kilda who realistically can no longer make the finals. Richmond should have a strong first quarter leader which they’ll then be able to build on for the rest of the match.

What Won’t Happen: St Kilda featuring in September. They would need a massive win to be any chance of doing so. Against a desperate Richmond side that’s unfortunately not going to happen.

Our Tip: Richmond by 15.

 

West Coast Eagles vs Adelaide Crowes @Domain Stadium, Sunday 2:40pm

Stat Fact: Adelaide have won 15 of 21 games this season and barring an astronomically huge win from GWS will be this years AFL minor premiers.

Big Talking Point: West Coast, a side that regularly challenges for the Top Four, will this year need a win and other results to go their way just to be in with a shot of making the finals. Just saying that sounds so un-West Coast like but unfortunately it’s true. They have decreased their win total by five this year and currently sit on 44 points with 8th placed Essendon. But because Essendon have a better goal percentage, that is why West Coast sit in 9th position. West Coast need a win but who worse than to come up against in the form of this years' competition pace-setters Adelaide.

What Will Happen: A game for the ages. Despite Adelaide being first this year West Coast haven’t been bad by any account. Injuries are a major reason they’re looking inside the eight rather than actually being in it themselves. Adelaide may choose to rest some players given they’ve pretty much secured first place and with the finals starting the week after, they are also coming off a grueling loss to Sydney. Combined with West Coast’s desperation that may just be able to deliver them a much needed victory.

What Won’t Happen: Josh Kennedy going scoreless. Since his return from injury he has bagged a very impressive 30 goals from six appearances. The Coleman Medal is pretty much his but a few more and it’ll be set in stone for a record-equalling third consecutive season. He’ll get a few more this game to wrap it up.

Our Tip: West Coast by one.