St Kilda celebrates a famous win last time it met the Western Bulldogs, in last year’s elimination final. Photo: AFL MEDIA

BRISBANE v RICHMOND (Gabba, Friday 7.50pm local time)
On paper this is a blockbuster encounter, but upon closer inspection of Richmond’s absentees, it really should be a game that the Lions win. Yes, the Tigers managed to pull a victory out of the fire last week against GWS in memorable scenes at Marvel Stadium, but Brisbane at the Gabba is a different proposition. Richmond has an incredible record in Queensland, however the Lions finally cracked the code against the reigning premier in last year’s qualifying final and, to borrow a quote from the movie Independence Day, they “know how to take them out.” Now whether or not Brisbane coach Chris Fagan owns a Morse code telegraph to “spread the word” remains to be seen, but since that meeting the Lions have become stronger with the addition of Joe Daniher. Lachie Neale (ankle) obviously remains a significant out, and the recent double blow of defenders Darcy Gardiner (shoulder) and Ryan Lester (hamstring) is less than ideal, but the Tigers are still missing Shai Bolton (wrist), Trent Cotchin (hamstring), Shane Edwards (ankle), Kane Lambert (calf) and Dion Prestia (calf). Against a top side like Brisbane in supreme form, it’s hard to see Richmond overcoming those obstacles again.
RONNY’S TIP: Brisbane by 24 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Richmond by 6 points.

CARLTON v HAWTHORN (MCG, Saturday 1.45pm local time)
To say D-Day has arrived for the Blues would be an understatement. They’ve failed every test against top-eight teams so far this year, proving beyond doubt that they are a mid-table side. Making the finals will be extremely tough from a 3-6 starting point, but if they are to squeak into the top eight, they’ve got absolutely no choice but to beat the sides around and below them – starting with Hawthorn this week. The Hawks are the coldest team in the league right now having suffered the ignominy of handing North Melbourne its first win of the year last week. In fact, Hawthorn’s only two wins of the year have been by a combined total of just four points after fighting back from large deficits in both games. There are simply no excuses for Carlton this week and if it somehow fails this seemingly easy test, you can bet your bottom dollar that the pressure will start being ramped up considerably on coach David Teague.
RONNY’S TIP: Carlton by 32 points.
ROCO’S TIP:Carlton by 8 points.

GEELONG v GOLD COAST (Kardinia Park, Saturday 2.10pm local time)
After three weeks of very competitive football, as it has done for the majority of its 10 years of existence, Gold Coast went back to square one in horrific fashion last week with a 73-point annihilation at the hands of the Lions. Brisbane kicked 14 goals in a row at one stage in what was a dramatic return to the bad old days for the Suns. And if they thought the going was tough last week, well then, they’re about to get a very rude wake-up call this week, because if they’re not switched on against the Cats down at Geelong, the margin could easily nudge triple figures by the end of the game.
RONNY’S TIP: Geelong by 77 points.
ROCO’S TIP:Geelong by 70 points.

ADELAIDE v MELBOURNE (Adelaide Oval, Saturday 4.05pm local time)
The footy world is running out of superlatives for the Demons, which in itself is an incredible statement of fact given the kind of footy they’ve served up for the best part of 15 years. Simon Goodwin and co. have got their team humming along brilliantly to remain the only unbeaten side in the competition. Melbourne has made its best start to a year since 1956 and it would take a brave punter to suggest the Crows are going to get in the way of its perfect 10 this week. The Demons have star players on every line performing at their optimum levels and if they keep producing performances like they have been for majority of 2021, Adelaide stands no hope of clinching an unlikely victory.
RONNY’S TIP: Melbourne by 23 points.
ROCO’S TIP:Melbourne by 42 points.

PLEASE HELP US CONTINUE TO THRIVE BY BECOMING AN OFFICIAL FOOTYOLOGY PATRON. JUST CLICK THIS LINK.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v ST KILDA (Marvel Stadium, Saturday 7.25pm local time)
Just when the Saints looked like they were getting their act together, their finals hopes suffered another massive blow with influential big man Rowan Marshall set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines due to his troublesome foot. They’re a different team with Marshall and Paddy Ryder playing together and after stringing a couple of wins together, they were giving Geelong a real run for their money last week, before being undone by horrendous goalkicking and the gaping hole left by Marshall. It could be a result St Kilda looks back on at the end of the year and really regrets, especially if it marginally misses out on a finals berth. Highlighting how important it was to get the job done against the Cats is the fact that the Saints must now prepare for one of the toughest tasks in football – the Bulldogs. Luke Beveridge’s team is in absolutely sparkling form, having just lost one game for the year and fresh from a superb victory over the Power at Adelaide Oval. The Dogs have arguably the best midfield unit in the competition up and running and are probably the most skilful side in the AFL. And with Lachie Hunter added to the mix after making a quick recovery from a broken hand, they’ll surely prove too big a challenge for the mid-table Saints.
RONNY’S TIP: Western Bulldogs by 35 points.
ROCO’S TIP:Western Bulldogs by 24 points.

FREMANTLE v SYDNEY (Optus Stadium, Saturday 5.40pm local time)
After starting the season 4-2 and looking like a finals smoky, it’s all come crashing down pretty quickly for Fremantle which has lost its last three games in a row to sit precariously in 10th spot on the ladder. The Dockers are undoubtedly a tougher proposition at home, but they remain badly injury-hit with Andrew Brayshaw (calf), Alex Pearce (knee), Joel Hamling (ankle), Hayden Young (hamstring), Stephen Hill (hamstring), Ethan Hughes (shoulder), Sam Sturt (knee), Michael Frederick (ankle) and Bailey Banfield (ankle) all still unavailable. Justin Longmuir’s side might have taken care of GWS, Hawthorn and North Melbourne at home this year, but a strong Sydney line-up pushing for a top-four spot is a different proposition. Fremantle is ranked 16th in the competition for conceded marks per game to the opposition in defensive 50 (13.7) while Sydney comes in at No.3 (9.7).
RONNY’S TIP: Sydney by 13 points.
ROCO’S TIP:Sydney by 2 points.

GWS v WEST COAST (Giants Stadium, Sunday 1.10pm local time)
The Giants are a lot like the Saints – just as it looked like they were turning their season around, they copped a devastating one-two punch last week courtesy of a heartbreaking loss to Richmond and a shoulder injury to their best player Toby Greene which could sideline him for a month. As it stands, GWS is now 4-5 in ninth spot and trying to stay afloat. But Greene joins a massive injury list which already contained Stephen Coniglio (ankle), Brent Daniels (hamstring), Phil Davis (calf), Matt De Boer (hamstring), Lachie Keeffe (knee), Adam Kennedy (shoulder), Braydon Preuss (shoulder) and now features Harry Perryman (hamstring), too. It puts into perspective how impressive the Giants have been since starting the year 0-3. The Eagles have also been smashed by injuries this year, and lose Jeremy McGovern (knee) yet again this week, but they are set to regain Liam Ryan and Shannon Hurn. However, GWS has named key cogs Jeremy Finlayson, Nick Haynes, Shane Mumford and Sam Reid in what looms as a pivotal boost.
RONNY’S TIP: GWS by 2 points.
ROCO’S TIP:West Coast by 10 points.

COLLINGWOOD v PORT ADELAIDE (MCG, Sunday 3.20pm local time)
The Power might have been found wanting against premiership contenders this year, most recently in their clash with the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval, but struggling bottom-10 sides are their forte. Five such teams have lost to Port Adelaide by an average margin of eight goals so far in 2021, and it’s hard to see that trend not continuing against the Magpies, especially with Ken Hinkley’s side on the rebound. Collingwood looked OK for a quarter last week against Sydney, but managed just one goal after quarter-time in what was yet another spiritless display befitting its standing as the third-worst team in the competition. This promises to be another long afternoon for the Magpie faithful.
RONNY’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 47 points.
ROCO’S TIP:Port Adelaide by 22 points.

ESSENDON v NORTH MELBOURNE (Marvel Stadium, Sunday 4.40pm local time)
Predictably, all the chatter about the Kangaroos going through a season winless has proven to be a load of hogwash with David Noble’s men finally breaking their duck last week against Hawthorn, sparking fantastic scenes down in Launceston. North has definitely been playing some decent footy in the last six weeks so the Bombers had better be careful if they want to prevent the Roos from scoring back-to-back wins. Essendon is in somewhat of a rebuild/development phase as well, but it finds itself in a stronger position than the Kangas at the moment and is probably a tad unlucky to be 3-6 considering three of those losses have been by a combined total of just six points. On the back of a month of encouraging performances, the Bombers should be able to account for bottom-placed North Melbourne.
RONNY’S TIP: Essendon by 19 points.
ROCO’S TIP:Essendon by 16 points.

RONNY’S SEASON TOTAL: 52
ROCO’S SEASON TOTAL: 57