Check out our tips and previews for each game for round 20!
Last week: 7
Season total: 112
Friday August 14
Sydney V Collingwood
SCG, 7.50pm (All times local)
The Swans are in a bad patch of form, losing three of their past four matches. Must win game this week if they want to finish in the top four, but it will be extra difficult to curb their recent form without spearhead Lance Franklin. Collingwood will be just as hungry as a loss would go close to ending their finals hopes, with Richmond and Geelong to come in the next two weeks. Sydney should just get the win at the SCG.
Sydney by 15
Saturday August 15
Essendon V Adelaide
Etihad Stadium, 1.45pm
Adelaide will be full of confidence after a brilliant win over Richmond last weekend. Essendon was better in the first half last week, but fell away in the second half. The Crows' next two games are hugely important and must win matches, with a tough final two weeks. Adelaide will be hungrier and should comfortably beat the Bombers.
Adelaide by 39
North Melbourne V St. Kilda
Blundstone Arena, 2.10pm
Since an upset loss to the Gold Coast shocked the Roos into gear, they have won five games in a row. They will account for St. Kilda and make it six in a row down in Tassie on Saturday. Goldtsein received the three Brownlow votes in round 14 last year when these two side last met and he could be in for a similar day out this week. North have averaged 113 points over the past five games and conceded an average of just 66.
North Melbourne by 22
Port Adelaide V GWS
Adelaide Oval, 4.05pm
The Power's slim finals hopes were finally dashed last week after being thumped by the Bulldogs. The Giants now have more to play for and are still in with a very real shot of playing finals. Port are favourties with the bookmakers playing at home, but I think GWS can get over the line, with Jeremy Cameron the difference.
GWS by 12
Geelong V Hawthorn
MCG, 7.20pm
Since breaking the Kennett curse in the 2013 Preliminary Final, Hawthorn has won four of the past five clashes with Geelong. The Hawks should get the job done again here and are clearly a far superior side than their opponents this season, but it will be tight, with the Cats firing at the right time of the year, having won four on the trot, including a hugely important win over Sydney last week. Geelong will be keen to put in a good performance for 250 game champion Steve Johnson.
Hawthorn by 18
Brisbane V Carlton
Gabba, 7.20pm
It's the battle for the wooden spoon in Brisbane on Saturday night and it could go either way. Both sides have been slightly more competitive the past two weeks as they try to give their fans some hope heading into 2016. But this game will be an eyesore. It will be an error riddled game, not to mentioned the Lions will be lucky if 10,000 fans show up. Brisbane have won the past encounters against Carlton and should get the points at home.
Brisbane by 19
Sunday August 16
Richmond V Gold Coast
MCG, 1.1opm
It's amazing that two weeks ago the Tigers were being talked up as top four contenders and now if they don't win this week, they could drop out of the eight, such is the closeness of the competition. Richmond have amazingly only beaten the Suns once in four meetings. But that will surely change this week, with Richmond playing far more consistent footy this season. Expect it to be tight, with the Suns improving over the past month, but Richmond will get the four points and remain in the eight. It is the first time the sides have met at the MCG.
Richmond by 28
Western Bulldogs V Melbourne
Etihad Stadium, 3.20pm
Melbourne upset the Dogs in round eight this season, but with the Bulldogs currently in the top four, they will do all they can try to stay there. The Western Bulldogs have scored a combined 53 goals against their opposition over the past three weeks, compared to just to just 27 goals conceded. Melbourne are ranked No.1 in the league for contested marks, averaging 2.8 per game, thanks largely to Max Gawn and Jesse Hogan. It may be close early, but the Bulldogs will pull away in the second half.
Western Bulldogs by 32
Fremantle V West Coast
Domain Stadium, 2.40pm
This is one of the most anticipated derbies in history, with the two teams sitting one and two on the ladder and a chance to play each other in a final for the first time. West Coast have been hit hard by injuries, while Nic Nat will miss a second week for personal reasons and the Eagles will struggle as a result. Fremantle welcome back superstar Nat Fyfe into the side in a big boost for their chances.
Fremantle by 13
