Friday, Etihad Stadium 7:50pm, AEST
St Kilda are well placed to build on their thumping victory over Richmond when they face an Essendon side whose form can be best described as patchy.
St Kilda are quietly going about their business, having won four games on the trot. A win will go a long way to securing a finals spot for this young Saints side, but the there is plenty on the line for the Bombers, who risk missing finals entirely if they fail to win on Friday night.
This match will have significant implications for the make up of the ladder at the end of the season. Both teams are firmly in the mix for their first taste of September action in a few years. With the performance the Saints put up last week, it's hard to look past them.
Tip: St Kilda by 17
Saturday, MCG, 1.45pm AEST
The Cats are really beginning to hit their straps this season and with their run home, could easily steal top spot from either Adelaide or GWS. Fresh from a huge win over Brisbane and an 86-point thumping of the Hawks last time the two sides met in round four, the Cats will be full of confidence. It's also a hugely important game to keep in touch with the top two.
Hawthorn, on the other hand, have been on the improve. Sitting in 13th place on the ladder, with six wins, eight losses and a draw, they can still make a late finals push. But lose this week and things will most likely get too difficult.
The Hawks will be up for the game for Luke Hodge's 300th, but Geelong should be too strong and have plenty to play for.
The Cats have won their past three games against the Hawks.
Tip: Geelong by 36
Saturday, Adelaide Oval, 1.40pm ACST
Port Adelaide definitely bounced back with a vengeance this year, after missing the finals the past two seasons.
But the one big knock on Ken Hinkley's team this season is that they might in fact be flat track bullies. Up until last week, the Power had not yet beaten a side inside the top eight this season. However, that changed in Round 16, with a crucial win over West Coast at Domain Stadium catapulting them back inside the top four.
Back on their home deck this week and up against the struggling Kangaroos, the Power should consolidate their spot in the top four and record a comfortable win.
Interestingly, this is the first clash between the two sides at Adelaide Oval. However, North has lost all four games it has played against Adelaide at the venue.
Tip: Port Adelaide by 34
Saturday, Metricon Stadium, 4.35pm AEST
The Suns inconsistent season continued last week, with a 67-point loss to the Swans, while the Pies, were, well just the Pies. They tried hard, as they have done all season, but just didn't have the polish, eventually going down by 37 points to Essendon.
Both sides are more or less out of finals contention, but the Suns can still mathematically make it. It should be a tight contest between two fairly even teams.
The Suns are likely to regain Aaron Hall, Pearce Hanley and Michael Rischitelli, while Gary Ablett will face a fitness test.
Collingwood has a good record at Metricon, winning seven of nine games of the venue, including five against the Brisbane Bears when the venue was formerly know as Carrara. but the Suns should have a bit too much talent and pace across the ground.
Tip: Gold Coast by 19
Saturday, Spotless Stadium, 7.25 AEST
This promises to be an absolute classic. The Sydney derby rivalry has gone to another level in recent years, coming to a head last season, when the Giants beat the Swans to earn a place in the preliminary final.
This season, the Giants are second on the ladder, while the Swans, despite losing their first six matches, now sit eighth, after winning eight of their past nine matches and are the form team of the competition.
Both teams have plenty to play for, a top of the table spot and a finals spot, while there will also be plenty of pride on the line.
It will be interesting to see how the Giants respond after two consecutive draws. Is the side's depth finally being tested due to the huge injury list?
The Swans are full of confidence and will be primed to cause an upset.
Tip: Sydney by 12
Saturday, TIO Traeger Park, 7.10 ACST
Another huge game for Melbourne, who face a tough month of footy. The Dees are definitely good enough and have beaten the Crows already this season, but consistency has been a problem at times. If they can win here, it will keep them right in the hunt for a top four finish.
However, Adelaide look to have gotten their grove back and after winning the past two and now sit back on top of the ladder.
The Crows should be slightly too polished, particularly given Melbourne's injuries to key players, such as Viney, Jones, Watts and Tyson.
It will be interesting to see if Tom McDonald returns to the backline to help with Adelaide's key talls up forward.
Tip: Adelaide by 18
Sunday, Etihad Stadium, 1.10pm AEST
Richmond has won its past 10 matches against the Lions and 14 of the last 16. At Etihad Stadium this weekend, the Tigers should lengthen that streak to 11, despite a horrendous performance against St Kilda in Round 16.
The Tigers will be keen to make amends for last week's disastrous loss to St Kilda, in which they only managed one goal in the first half. Richmond shouldn't be too worried with one bad performance, but a positive performance and a big percentage boosting win against the bottom placed Lions will help to regain the confidence.
Brisbane have only had three wins this season, but have shown enough fight to suggest they are headed in the right direction. Chris Fagan will be looking for another performance full of effort and discipline.
Tip: Richmond by 33
Sunday, MCG, 3.20pm AEST
The Western Bulldogs are in a real spot of bother are look like missing out on the finals and becoming the first reigning premier to miss the finals the since Hawthorn in 2009.
The Dogs have won just one of their past five matches and don't look like certainties in any fixture such is their form of late.
But this week against the lowly Blues, surely they will prove too strong and will remain in touching distance of the top eight.
The game should remain relative close for most of the it though, with the Blues defending well and restricting their opponents' score in recent weeks.
The Dogs have won five of the past seven matches against Carlton.
Tip: Western Bulldogs by 24
Sunday, Domain Stadium, 2.40pm AWST
Western derby number 46 promises to be another classic. It is a massive game for both sides in the context of the season. Both teams sit just outside the top eight with the Eagles (ninth) 8-7 and the Dockers (12th) 7-8.
The Eagles are set to be bolstered by the return of spearhead Josh Kennedy, who has kicked 13 goals in the past two derbies and won the last two Ross Glendinning medals.
West Coast has won the past four derbies and hold the advantage 25-20. Freo won the previous six prior to that.
It's a tough one to pick and as always there will be plenty of feeling in the game, but West Coast should just get the points.
Tip: West Coast by 14