Richmond vs Hawthorn
Thursday June 18, MCG, 7:40pm AEST
Team News: Both sides enter Round three starved of a victory, with The Tigers leaving the MCG last Thursday following their drawn clash with Collingwood, while the Hawks failed to impress against Geelong.
For Richmond it's another week with no injury concerns on the way out, with Josh Caddy's fitness the only likely change for one of Damian Hardwick's starters from Round Two.
Liam Baker has flown to Western Australia following a family-elated matter, with Jack Ross the best suitor for his position.
Caddy missed the Magpies clash with a calf complaint and will be eyeing a return against Hawthorn if he is able to get through training midweek.
Hawthorn will welcome back Jaeger O'Meara, who missed the Geelong loss with a facial fracture while Jarmen Impey will remain on the sidelines until July.
Star midfielder Tom Mitchell is unlikely to miss despite the gun Hawk battling a shoulder issue.
Prediction: Tigers too strong at the 'G. Richmond by 18.
Western Bulldogs vs Greater Western Sydney
Friday June 19, Marvel Stadium, 7:50pm AEST
Team News: Questionable performances between both sides could see a number of changes come their way despite no suspected injuries from the weekend.
The Bulldogs will remain without Captain Easton Wood and Taylor Duryea for another month as the pair battle with quad complaints. Ben Cavarra will miss 2-3 weeks after enduring surgery on his hand after it was stepped on.
Luke Beveridge could make several changes to his side again this week after a disappointing run against the Saints on Sunday. Ryan Gardner may be the name on the way out, with Zaine Cordy perhaps earning his spot back in the Bulldogs defence.
The Giants only injury concerns continue to surround Tim Taranto and Adam Kennedy. Taranto remains four weeks away from a return with a shoulder injure while Kennedy is likely to miss another week as the Giants remain wary of his hamstring.
While Leon Cameron's list looks to be nearing full health, their performance against North Melbourne could warrant a change or two to the lineup as a number of players looked primed for an inclusion.
Prediction: Two sides that will be desperate to bounce back. GWS by 21.
North Melbourne vs Sydney
Saturday June 20, Marvel Stadium, 1:45pm AEST
Team News: Rhyce Shaw will be delighted to enter Round three with a 2-0 record after a strong return while the Swans look forward after their narrow defeat to Essendon.
North remain to have number of key names sidelined, with Nick Larkey (foot), Majak Daw (chest), Kayne Turner (foot) and Ed Vickers-Willis (Toe) all set to return in the next month.
Taylor Garner will remain sidelined for the next 5 weeks with a hamstring issue while the return dates for Luke Davies-Uniacke (groin) and Ben Jacobs (head/neck) remain clouded.
Marley Williams will be available for selection after serving his two game suspension but it will remain with Shaw if any player is to make way for the defender following the sides impressive win over the Giants.
Sydney have given contrasting verdicts for the return of ruckman Sam Naismith, but his hamstring is believed to have him sidelined for anther week. Naismith's absence will mean Callum Sinclair will hold down the ruck duties again, having the tough job on in-form ruckman Todd Goldstein.
Ben Ronke will be available for selection after running out 80 minutes during a practice match while fellow forwards Lance Franklin (hamstring) and Sam Reid (calf) will be occupying the sidelines for some time to come.
Defender Jackson Thurlow will have to wait another week as he looks to mend his calf injury.
Prediction: Kangaroos far too convincing last weekend. North Melbourne by 13.
Collingwood vs St Kilda
Saturday June 27, MCG, 4:35pm AEST
Team News: The Magpies should take a number of positives from Thursday's draw despite giving up a healthy lead early, while they welcome back big-man Mason Cox.
Cox is set to return from a knee injury after being named emergency last week. Darcey Cameron showed to be a promising addition to Nathan Buckley's side and could add relief for Cox both in the ruck and forward. It will just be matter of who makes way for the American.
Adam Treloar is the big question for Collingwood, but looks likely to spend another week on the sidelines to nurture his calf injury.
Ben Reid (calf) and Levi Greenwood (Knee) look 2-3 weeks away from a return while Tom Langdon's timeline isn't as clear.
Jaidyn Stephenson could make his awaited return this weekend if Nathan Buckley can find the right magnets to move.
The Saints are coming off a hot display against the Doggies, with Brett Ratten looking to have a strong hold of the steering wheel at St Kilda.
It will be hard for a number of players eyeing a return, with skipper Jarryn Geary the only confirmed withdrawal following a hamstring injury in Sunday.
Geary is set to miss up to two weeks following his latest setback while Darragh Joyce and youngster Oscar Clavarino both look to have recovered from hamstring complaints, but will need a strong week on the training track to make the cut.
Prediction: Saints look the goods but Magpies a level above. Collingwood by 24.
Brisbane vs West Coast
Saturday June 20, GABBA, 7:40pm AEST
Team News: Two sides with very different round two results. The Lions collected four points by the skin of their teeth against Fremantle while the Eagles suffered a shock 44-point loss to the Suns.
All eyes will be on Dayne Zorko for the Lions, with their star midfielder pulling up from Saturday's win with achilles soreness. The Lions skipper will be touch and go as he will need to prove his fitness by selection time.
The only other player on Brisbane's injury list is defender Marcus Adams, who will be sidelined for 2-3 weeks following foot surgery.
Matters only got worse for the Eagles following Saturday nights events, with Jeremy McGovern's appeal for his strike on Alex Sexton denied, holding him to a one-week suspension.
Luke Shuey was put on ice late into the Eagles match on the weekend and limited to training on Monday but is yet to be ruled out of Round three.
Mark Hutchings and Jarrod Cameron will remain sidelined for Adam Simpson, who may make more than one change following his sides poor performance.
Prediction: Eagles to bounce back and get back on track. West Coast by 8.
Geelong vs Carlton
Saturday June 20, GMHBA Stadium, 7:40pm AEST
Team News: The Cats. At home. Against Carlton. We'd like to think this game is already over but who knows this season.
The Cats can welcome Jack Steven to make his club debut after the St Kilda recruit was cleared to play, it will just remain to be seen who makes way for the speedster.
Fellow recruit Josh Jenkins is also gunning to pull on the hoops for the first time but will be need to prove his fitness midweek. Jake Kolodjashnij is also in contention for a return, adding to the selection headaches Chris Scott will have to deal with come Thursday.
Gary Rohan is the only name from last Fridays victory that could have a reason to make way after twisting his knee against the Hawks.
For the Blues, Jack Silvagni will come into the side after missing the Demons loss with gastro while midfield dup Paddy Dow (knee) and Zac Fisher (ankle) will remain sidelined.
Nic Newman will miss the remainder of the 2020 season after suffering a ruptured patella and fellow defender Caleb Marchbank could be another month from a return.
Tom De Koning has been cleared to play but may find it difficult to get past Marc Pittonet after the Hawthorn recruit impressed against Max Gawn.
Prediction: An easy one for the Cats at Kardinia Park. Geelong by 46.
Gold Coast vs Adelaide
Sunday June 21, Metricon, 1:05pm AEST
Team News: Two sides sitting at separate ends of the form spectrum following their return to football. The Suns rallied to arguably the greatest win in their existence while the Crows failed to show up against Port Adelaide in the Showdown.
The Suns will welcome back co-skipper David Swallow from suspension and new recruit Brandon Ellis from a calf injury, meaning two Suns from Saturday's win will be without luck come selection.
The club remains cautious with Izak Rankine, with their prized youngster likely to remain sidelined for another week.
Sam Day suffered a knee to the back against the Eagles but has been cleared of any injury.
The Crows seem to have problems growing each week, with captain Rory Sloane in a race to get back to fitness after copping a corked thigh against Port.
Jake Kelly was another key member to suffer a setback in the Showdown and will have to undergo concussion tests to be cleared to play on Sunday.
Prediction: Suns shining one again. Gold Coast by 22.
Essendon vs Melbourne
Sunday June 21, MCG, 3:35pm AEST
Team News: The Bombers midfield looks set to impress in 2020 but will come up against Max Gawn's first hand polish on Sunday as both clubs have much to prove.
Orazio Fantasia will be battling fitness in hopes of returning from a quad injury setback sustained a couple of weeks ago. The goal sneak will be in a tight race to make selection back into the side that beat Sydney in Round one.
Pacey Defender Connor McKenna is also in line to join Fantasia in a return to John Worsfold's side.
Joe Daniher looks to be closer to a return after taking part in club training, but a return date remains to be a grey area.
Tall defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher could come back into the side after serving a one-match suspension for breaching COVID-19 restrictions.
Melbourne duo Kade Kolodjashnij (concussion) and Harry Petty (hip/groin) remain to be listed as having indefinite returns while Marty Hore (toe) and Brayden Preuss (achilles) remain a few weeks away from a return.
Young forward Kysaiah Pickett is another name to come back into their respective side after copping a COVID-19 related suspension.
Prediction: One to come down to the wire. Melbourne by 4.
Fremantle vs Port Adelaide
Sunday June 21, Metricon Stadium, 6:05pm AEST
Team News: The Dockers remain without a win in 2020 while Port sit at the mantel of the ladder following two wins from two.
The Dockers will likely be without ruckman Sean Darcy after their big man suffered a soft tissue injury to his knee on the weekend.
Blake Acres will be sidelined against the Power after suffering a calf strain against the Lions while defender Nathan Wilson will return to the side after being a late withdrawal in Round two with a back complaint.
Key spearhead Jesse Hogan looks primed to play in purple this weekend after impressing on the training track after batting mental health.
Ryan Burton looks to be the main concern for Ken Hinkley's side, with the youngster sustaining a sprained knee on Saturday and missing the end of the match.
Burton will be touch and go while promising forward Mitch Georgiades looks set for a return from a calf injury.
Port will also welcome back Ollie Wines following a one game suspension following a breach of COVID-19 restrictions.
Prediction: Power in a close one. Port Adelaide by 6.
