Richmond star Dustin Martin avoids the clutches of the Blues during last year’s season-opener at the MCG. Photo: AFL MEDIA

RICHMOND v CARLTON (MCG, Thursday 7.25pm local time)
A ball hasn’t even been kicked in anger yet and we’ve already had more drama this season than you can poke a stick at! With less than 24 hours before the first game of 2020 was scheduled, this game was very much up in the air due to the coronavirus pandemic. An entire season, to be frank, will be in a constant state of uncertainty for the foreseeable future, but on the eve of the first game the AFL decided to press ahead, albeit with no fans in attendance, shortened quarters (to cater for quicker turnarounds), no state leagues until 31 May and the prospect of top-up players. Brave new world indeed! Make no mistake, this is the biggest challenge the game has faced since World War II. But it all kicks off on Thursday night with the traditional season opener between the Tigers and Blues. Richmond head into the contest without Bachar Houli (calf), but Carlton will have to make do minus a fair chunk of its forward line – Eddie Betts (calf), Charlie Curnow (knee) and Harry McKay (groin) – as well as defender Caleb Marchbank (knee). The Blues will, however, get to unveil new recruits Jack Martin and Jack Newnes. It’s been eight years since the Blues have won one of these games, and given the gulf in class and talent that still exists between these two teams, that drought should continue this year.
RONNY’S TIP: Richmond by 42 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Richmond by 30 points.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v COLLINGWOOD (Marvel Stadium, Friday 7.50pm local time)
What a cracking contest this promises to be. In one corner, a team expected to rise to contender status (Bulldogs) and in the other, an already-established flag threat (Collingwood). The Doggies will be missing Tom Liberatore (knee), Taylor Duryea (groin) and Will Hayes (suspended), but forwards Aaron Naughton (knee) and Tory Dickson (adductor) remain in the frame. Meanwhile, Adam Treloar (hamstring), Dayne Beams (mental health), Travis Varcoe (shoulder), Tom Langdon (knee), Lynden Dunn (knee) and Levi Greenwood (knee) will be absent for the Magpies, but Scott Pendlebury (illness), Taylor Adams (hand) and Jaidyn Stephenson (hand) are expected to line up. The Pies have won their last three against the Dogs, but Luke Beveridge’s men are due for a change in fortune and should get a season full of promise off to the ideal start.
RONNY’S TIP: Western Bulldogs by 9 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Western Bulldogs by 6 points.

ESSENDON v FREMANTLE (Marvel Stadium, Saturday 1.45pm local time)
After a bumpy start to the year, things are finally looking up for the Bombers. On the back of two practice match victories minus 8-9 of their best 22, Jake Stringer, Conor McKenna, Tom Bellchambers (knee) and David Zaharakis (thigh) are all available, but of course they’ll still be missing captain Dyson Heppell (foot), Joe Daniher (groin), Patrick Ambrose (knee) and Cale Hooker (hip). The Dockers head into 2020 with low external expectations and without David Mundy (leg), Alex Pearce (ankle), Nathan Wilson (toe), Jesse Hogan (mental health), Joel Hamling (ankle), Stephen Hill (quad), Blake Acres (hamstring) and Stefan Giro (knee), and potentially also James Aish (calf) and Luke Ryan (back). New coach Justin Longmuir could be headed for a baptism of fire.
RONNY’S TIP: Essendon by 33 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Essendon by 20 points.

ADELAIDE v SYDNEY (Adelaide Oval, Saturday 4.05pm local time)
Few experts are expecting much from the Crows or Swans this year, so based on those projections, this becomes a huge game for both teams with victories expected to be few and far between. Adelaide experienced an off-season of huge change, with its football department revamped, including the recruitment of new coach Matthew Nicks, and eight senior players departing. And the good news for the Crows is that only Tom Doedee (knee) and Riley Knight (achilles) are on the injury list as of this week. As for Sydney, key forwards Lance Franklin (knee) and Sam Reid (calf) will be missing, as will key defender Lewis Melican (hamstring). Adelaide will look very different to 2019, but should be able to get a new era off to a positive start.
RONNY’S TIP: Adelaide by 16 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Adelaide by 10 points.

GOLD COAST v PORT ADELAIDE (Metricon Stadium, Saturday 6.25pm local time)
The Suns lost their last 18 games last year, but have not put a foot wrong in the pre-season, with impressive wins over the Cats and Crows. The excitement at the club is set to continue with untried top picks Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson and Izak Rankine set to be unveiled. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Suns come out firing as they did last season, but the Power should be able to avoid an upset loss even without star midfielder Ollie Wines, who is nursing a shoulder injury.
RONNY’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 11 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 8 points.

GWS v GEELONG (Giants Stadium, Saturday 7.25pm local time)
One of the games of the round. Both teams still consider themselves premiership threats in 2020, although that is more accurate when talking about the Giants. In fact, GWS is a very big chance for the flag and the Giants will have no shortage of motivation after their humiliating showing in last year’s grand final against Richmond. No strangers to injuries, they’ll be without Callan Ward (knee) and Tim Taranto (shoulder) this week, but are hoping Zac Williams (achilles) will be fit. The Cats are hoping skipper Joel Selwood (hamstring) and Mitch Duncan (hip) will be available, but even if they do play, they’ll find it very hard to topple the mighty GWS.
RONNY’S TIP: GWS by 31 points.
ROCO’S TIP: GWS by 18 points.

NORTH MELBOURNE v ST KILDA (Marvel Stadium, Sunday 1.10pm local time)
On the back of a big recruiting spree and the installation of new coach Brett Ratten, the Saints head into 2020 full of optimism and confidence they can finally return to the finals after nine years. The Kangaroos also have a newish coach in Rhyce Shaw, so two new eras will officially begin on Sunday after both men assumed caretaker roles at their clubs last year. St Kilda is at full strength while North also has basically a full list from which to choose. There will be no excuses from either team come the final siren, but having won just two of its last 11 against the Roos, St Kilda should buck that trend.
RONNY’S TIP: St Kilda by 15 points.
ROCO’S TIP: St Kilda by 6 points.

HAWTHORN v BRISBANE (MCG, Sunday 3.20pm local time)
With coach Chris Fagan and now-retired champion Luke Hodge in the camp after lengthy stints at the Hawks in off-field and on-field roles respectively, the Lions have solved the Hawthorn puzzle in recent years, beating them four times in a row, including a pair of wins at the Hawks’ Launceston fortress. Fresh from their first finals series in 10 years, the Lions head into this game with no injuries. Conversely, Hawthorn will be missing excitement machine Jarman Impey (knee), Blake Hardwick (chest) and Dan Howe (foot), while Mitch Lewis (ankle) and Tim O’Brien (eye) are no guarantees, either. There’s more confidence Jack Gunston (ankle) will line up, though. It’s been 16 years since Brisbane has beaten Hawthorn in Melbourne (granted, the Lions don’t play the Hawks here that often), but this match represents a great opportunity for them to end that streak.
RONNY’S TIP: Brisbane by 12 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Brisbane by 12 points.

WEST COAST v MELBOURNE (Optus Stadium, Sunday 3.20pm local time)
If ever you want to play the Eagles in Perth, it’s in season 2020, without the rabid home crowd noise and the distinct umpire advantage that comes along with it! Melbourne will be the first visiting team to try out an empty Optus Stadium on Sunday, and surely the lack of fans will level the playing field to a degree. The Dees will be desperate to put a horror 2019 behind them, and have bolstered their stocks nicely with wingmen Ed Langdon and Adam Tomlinson. But the Eagles are one of the flag favourites for a reason and, with the addition of former Geelong superstar Tim Kelly, should be too good.
RONNY’S TIP: West Coast by 22 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Melbourne by 2 points.