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.