From milestones to blockbuster clashes, Zero Hanger counts down the ten things to look at for this weekend.
After serving a eight-game suspension for his hit on Fremantle's Andrew Brayshaw in last years round 20 Derby, the All-Australian returns. And he does it against arguably the AFL's most hostile home crowd - the Pies at the MCG. Missing out on last years Grand Final will certainly spur the 26-year-old to score a little win over the team they were able to conquer in the last years big dance. Gaff's return is just a undercard event to the main event.
The Hawks veteran has certainly not only been an inspiration to his footy club but the whole AFL community, battling cancer in 2016 and returning to the field. The 32-year-old earns AFL life membership this weekend as he plays game 278 to go with 21 pre-season games and one international rules game, equalling a grand total of 300 games involved in the AFL. A true inspiration for all.
The rivalry between the Roos and the Hawks extends back into the early ages of AFL, but the term 'unsociable footy' was given to the match after their round five game in 2015. Jordan Lewis was given two weeks for a roundhouse hit to ruckman Todd Goldstein while Luke Hodge was sent straight to the tribunal and given three-weeks for his hit on Andrew Swallow. Although these veterans have all moved on, you can still feel the tension in the crows when these two sides meet.
Dom Sheed, the Kalgoorlie born and bred product, returns to the MCG for the first time since the 23-year-old kicked the game winner from the Punt Road end pocket to seal the Eagles' fourth premiership. Will the hype get to Sheed or will he be as composed as he was in the final two minutes of the last game of 2018.
It's been a long 15 years since the Power broke the Lions three-peat in 2004 to claim their first flag. This Saturday night, the two clubs that have been arguably the most impressive so far this season face off in a match to decide who is fair dinkum in 2019. The Power are set to welcome back co-captain Ollie Wines to bolster their midfield, while on the other hand, the Lions will feel no need to make any changes to their 2-0 side. Expect one of the bigger crowds at the Gabba then we've seen in recent times.
With premiership forward Jack Riewoldt going down just one week after All-Australian defender Alex Rance, this Tigers team now have a major question mark over their name. They come up against the Giants, who were embarrassed by reigning premiers last Saturday night. We will find out a lot about both sides on Saturday night.
After being the talk of the town at the end of round one with their impressive 90-point win over the Kangaroos, many thought Ross Lyon's men would easily conquer the Suns at Metricon Stadium. Well, we presumed wrong. The Suns ran out three-point victors in a thriller which saw delisted Docker Sam Collins take a magnificent mark to win the Suns first game of 2019. With Lyon coming up against his old side, the 52-year old's coaching career may hang in the balance if another defeat heads the Dockers way.
Since the Brownlow medallist moved to Moggs Creek at the end of 2016, Dangerfield has played his old side a total of five times, winning three and losing two. Neither team has had any real success so it's hard to see whether Dangerfield made the right choice, coming up against his old side for a sixth time this Thursday night.
If you looked at this match at the start of the season, you would of been struggling to keep the saliva in your mouth. As the first two rounds have panned out, the Demons and Bombers both seem to be struggling, being unable to record a win they both head into Friday night with concerns. Will we see an action packed thriller that turns into the classic we are hoping for? Or will it flop into a skill-less match suited for Benny Hill music.
It doesn't get much better then this, Saturday night footy at the MCG. And to make it even bigger, it's one of the biggest games of the year, the Grand Final replay. The 'American Pie' Mason Cox will be there after being cleared of engaging in rough conduct with Richmond's Dylan Grimes in the Pies' win over the Tigers last Thursday night. Andrew Gaff is set to return for the Eagles after serving his eight-match suspension for his hit on Fremantle's Andrew Brayshaw last year. Clear your plans for Saturday night, this is set for a big one.