The Crows will be eager to maintain their momentum with a home game win after jumping into the top eight last weekend for the first time this season.
Adelaide regains onballer Scott Thompson for Saturday’s Adelaide Oval clash with West Coast, after the two-time club champion missed last week’s win over Collingwood because of hamstring tightness, while concussed ruckman Dean Cox is one of four players out of the West Coast side.
On Sunday, Port Adelaide will be trying to keep pace with the top four when they face the ninth-placed Magpies at the MCG.
Collingwood have one win from their past six matches, while the Power’s last-start victory over Melbourne snapped a three-game losing streak.
FRIDAY
Sydney v Essendon at SCG 7.50pm
Head to Head: Swans 83 Bombers 130 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 9 2014 – Swans 18.6 (114) bt Bombers 9.10 (64) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Swans $1.27 Bombers $3.75
Sportingbet: Swans $1.27 Bombers $3.85
Essendon need at least four wins from five games to reach the finals, according to gun midfielder Brendon Goddard. That equation could become a little harder after their SCG clash with Sydney, who are coming off their first defeat in 13 games. Lance Franklin has a history of kicking bags of goals against Essendon and the Swans are confident another of their tall forwards, Kurt Tippett, is coming into form after booting two goals in his comeback game from injury. The Swans have been beaten once in six games at the SCG this season.
Key: While Tippett and Franklin attract plenty of headlines, another Sydney star, Adam Goodes, is also looking dangerous after a four-goal game last week.
Tip: Swans by 10 points
SATURDAY
Adelaide v West Coast at Adelaide Oval 1.40pm
Head to Head: Crows 18 Eagles 21
Last clash: Round 23 2013 – Crows 19.15 (129) bt Eagles 5.13 (43) at Patersons Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Crows $1.20 Eagles $4.50
Sportingbet: Crows $1.20 Eagles $4.60
The Crows won’t want to lose momentum by dropping a home game against the Eagles. West Coast’s loss at home last week to fellow strugglers Richmond was another blow for new coach Adam Simpson. Dean Cox’s absence with concussion means the Eagles need a big game from Scott Lycett in tandem with Nic Naitanui against Adelaide’s ruckman Sam Jacobs.
Key: The inclusion of Scott Thompson after overcoming hamstring tightness adds to Adelaide’s midfield, which includes Rory Sloane and Patrick Dangerfield.
Tip: Crows by 16 points
Richmond v Greater Western Sydney at MCG 4.40pm
Head to Head: Tigers 3 Giants 0
Last clash: Round 10 2014 – Tigers 24.10 (154) bt Giants 5.11 (41) at Spotless Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Tigers $1.09 Giants $7.50
Sportingbet: Tigers $1.07 Giants $8.50
Richmond’s fourth consecutive win came at a cost as key forward Tyrone Vickery was suspended for four matches for striking West Coast’s Dean Cox. The return of Heath Shaw should provide some extra run out of the Giants’ defence, while the Tigers have added Ricky Petterd and Ben Griffiths for Vickery and Steven Morris (hand). Anything less than a comfortable win could have a knock-on effect for Richmond who can’t afford to let their form drop off with tough games against top-eight sides Essendon, Adelaide and Sydney in the closing rounds.
Key: In what shapes as a one-sided game, interest could turn to key forward Jack Riewoldt’s tally of goals after kicking 11 against the Giants in round 10.
Tip: Tigers by 24 points
Gold Coast v St Kilda at Metricon Stadium 7.40pm
Head to Head: Suns 2 Saints 4
Last clash: Round 9 2014 – Suns 19.11 (125) bt Saints 13.9 (87) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Suns $1.35 Saints $3.25
Sportingbet: Suns $1.35 Saints $3.15
Taking on bottom side St Kilda should be something of a training run for the Suns, although that might have been the problem for Fremantle, who suffered a shock loss to the Saints last round. If Gold Coast are worthy top-eight contenders, then surely this game presents no hurdle for coach Guy McKenna’s side, especially after their awful first-quarter performance in last week’s loss to Brisbane. Rhys Stanley’s ability to continue to provide a tall-forward option alongside Nick Riewoldt could give the Saints a winning chance.
Key: Look for spikes in the performances of Gold Coast players such as Harley Bennell and Jaeger O’Meara who will be keen to atone for their poor games against Brisbane.
Tip: Suns by 14 points
North Melbourne v Geelong at Etihad Stadium 7.40pm
Head to Head: Kangaroos 60 Cats 94 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 10 2014 – Cats 16.15 (111) bt Kangaroos 13.13 (91) at Simonds Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Kangaroos $2.35 Cats $1.60
Sportingbet: Kangaroos $2.30 Cats $1.62
North’s inconsistent season, including wins over the top sides and hiccups against others such as Carlton last round, makes them unpredictable and dangerous for a team like Geelong. As the Cats chase a top-two finish and North cling to a place in the eight, a finals-like atmosphere can be expected on Saturday night. The Cats regain athletic big man Mark Blicavs and premiership small forward Allen Christensen.
Key: Triple-premiership player James Kelly’s 250-game milestone adds to the sense of occasion for the Cats whose 13-4 record suggests they have too much class for North who are on 10-7.
Tip: Cats by 10 points
SUNDAY
Melbourne v Brisbane at Etihad Stadium 1.10pm
Head to Head: Demons 21 Lions 19
Last clash: Round 17 2013 – Lions 13.16 (94) bt Demons 11.9 (75) at TIO Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Demons $1.68 Lions $2.20
Sportingbet: Demons $1.72 Lions $2.12
The Demons were back to their dogged best in a three-point loss to Port Adelaide and will be refreshed after having last weekend off. There is little more than pride (and draft position) on the line here, although the hosts have a great chance to end their hoodoo at the venue. Melbourne have dropped their past 18 games at Etihad Stadium.
Key: Tom Rockliff’s career-best season reached new heights against Gold Coast when he had 47 disposals, 11 clearances and 10 tackles in a crushing 54-point upset. Daniel Cross is still out, so who will the Demons send to the in-form combative midfielder?
Tip: Lions by 17 points
Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs at Aurora Stadium 3.20pm
Head to Head: Hawks 78 Bulldogs 75 drawn 2
Last clash: Round 17 2013 – Hawks 13.17 (95) bt Bulldogs 11.10 (76) at Aurora Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Hawks $1.13 Bulldogs $6.00
Sportingbet: Hawks $1.12 Bulldogs $6.25
Hawthorn downed the premiership favourites last week. Now comes the potential banana peel. The win over Sydney will count for little if the Hawks are unable to get the job done against a much-improved Bulldogs outfit that tested Essendon in their most recent outing.
Key: The Bulldogs are the fifth-worst side in the league for points conceded this season. Jay Schulz and Jake Carlisle both kicked a bag of eight goals when they feasted on the Dogs’ undersized defence. Could Jarryd Roughead have another big day out at Aurora Stadium?
Tip: Hawks by 31 points
Collingwood v Port Adelaide at MCG 4.40pm
Head to Head: Magpies 13 Power 11
Last clash: Finals Week 1 2013 – Power 12.15 (87) bt Magpies 9.9 (63) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Magpies $2.20 Power $1.68
Sportingbet: Magpies $2.20 Power $1.68
Two sides considered premiership contenders earlier this year are fighting to prove they haven’t completely faded. For Port, it’s about keeping pace with the top four, while the ninth-placed Magpies risk slipping further down the ladder.
Collingwood have one win from their past six matches, while the Power’s last-start victory over Melbourne snapped a three-game losing streak.
