Friday May 8
Collingwood v Geelong
MCG, 7.50pm (All times local time)
Collingwood has surprised many people this year, to be 4-1 after five rounds. Bucks has got them believing in his philosophy, after many experts questioned his ability to take the Pies back to the finals. Collingwood has won three of the past four against Geelong and they should continue their good form against the Cats, who have looked shaky this season. The Cats have some huge ins this week with Mitch Clark, Rhys Stanley, Nakia Cockatoo and Josh Cowan (playing his AFL first game in 1384 days due to a horrid run of injuries) all returning. These two sides have had some great battles over the past decade and let’s hope this one is just as entertaining.
Collingwood by 18
Saturday May 9
North Melbourne V Richmond
Blundstone Arena, 1.45pm
North Melbourne will be very keen to show coach Brad Scott that they really can ‘fly the flag’ for the club, by playing good football and winning important games. Richmond will welcome back Brett Deledio, who has missed the past four weeks with a calf strain. The Tigers will be over the moon to have their star midfielder back, winning only two of the eight games he has missed since 2007, both against Brisbane. Hugely important game for these sides, who are both 2-3. North should prevail though, but who knows with these two sides.
North Melbourne by 15
Western Bulldogs V St. Kilda
Etihad Stadium, 2.10pm
The Western Bulldogs have been incredible this season. They’re energetic young stars are playing with an excitement not seen at the Dogs for years. They recorded one of the best wins seen at the club in recent memory last week against the Swans and they don’t look like slowing down any time soon. They’ll be far too strong for the Saints on Saturday. However, St. Kilda was much improved last week, only narrowly losing to the Bombers, which will give them some confidence.
Western Bulldogs by 20
GWS V Hawthorn
Spotless Stadium, 4.35pm
Hawthorn once again showed how much they hate losing, as they put the Kangaroos to the sword last week after going down to the Power the week before. GWS was poor last week against the Eagles and it will only be harder for them this week. Hawthorn will be missing Jordan Lewis and Luke Hodge through suspension, but that won’t affect the result.
Hawthorn by 30
Gold Coast V Adelaide
Metricon Stadium, 5.10pm
Before two weeks ago, Adelaide had been playing inspired footy. Phil Walsh’s hard edge approach definitely won’t stand for a third loss in a row. The Gold Coast have made a whopping seven changes and only have 24 players to choose from for this week’s match, thanks to a horrid run of injuries, four club imposed suspensions due to drinking alcohol, and Steven May’s three week ban for his bump on Tom Rocliff. The Crows hold a 6-0 record against the Suns, with an average winning margin of 56 points.
Adelaide by 30
Melbourne V Sydney
MCG, 7.20PM
Melbourne showed some heart last week, before being overrun by a Freo side that will be there at the pointy end of the season. They will most likely face a similar fate this week against the Swans, who have won their past three games against the Dees. Melbourne welcomes back Chris Dawes, who will help their structure up forward, while the Swans have named Ben McGlynn, Sam Reid and Isaac Heeney.
Sydney by 27
Fremantle V Essendon
Domain Stadium, 6.10pm
Fremantle continue to go from strength to strength this season and don’t look like losing any time soon. Essendon was lucky to escape against the Saints but won’t be allowed to get away any mistakes against the Dockers. Fremantle was ruthless last week, recording 81% disposal efficiency against the Demons.
Fremantle by 23
Sunday May 10
Carlton V Brisbane
Etihad Stadium, 3.20pm
Tough one to call this one with both teams playing absolutely horrid football this season. Brisbane coach Justin Leppitsch even described his players as not caring after his side’s loss to the Gold Coast on the weekend, while the Blues could only manage six goals against the Pies in Mick’s record breaking 715th game as an AFL coach. Carlton has shown marginally more than the Lions and should just scrape home in what will be a scrappy contest.
Carlton by 19
Port Adelaide V West Coast
Adelaide Oval, 4.10pm
After a shaky start to the year, the Power have found their groove. Port Adelaide has won three in a row and the past two against the Eagles. West Coast was good last week, but their form is too inconsistent to pick. Schulz (five goal), Ryder (three goals), Boak (33 disposals) and Gray (31 disposals) are all in fine form and all dominated last week against the Crows.
Port Adelaide by 16