Tempers fray the last time Essendon and Carlton played against each other in Round 7, 2021. Photo: GETTY IMAGES
RICHMOND v PORT ADELAIDE (MCG, Thursday 7.20pm local time)
The second week of the bye rounds kicks off with a good old-fashioned ‘eight-pointer’. The 6-5 Tigers take on the 5-6 Power with both teams trying to maintain a foothold in the finals race. If Richmond wins, it will re-enter the top eight and if Port is victorious, it will be just a game outside. But the ramifications are bigger for the Power because a loss will see them slip two games behind the Tigers, and the eight, if they lose, which would increase the pressure again on coach Ken Hinkley in his 10th year at the helm of the Power. Both teams have won four of their last five games, but Port has beaten stiffer opposition in St Kilda and the Bulldogs. And despite Port and Richmond heading into this game on the back of a win and a loss respectively, the Tigers were probably more impressive in their last outing in their thrilling loss to Sydney than the Power were in their scrappy win over lowly Essendon. Damen Hardwick’s side regains Noah Balta and Marlion Pickett and, while this does loom as a bit of a danger game, should be good enough to account for the Power.
RONNY’S TIP: Richmond by 13 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Richmond by 18 points.
ESSENDON v CARLTON (MCG, Friday 7.50pm local time)
There hasn’t been a lot to cheer about for the Bombers this year, but if anything might elicit an improved showing out of them, it could be their 150th anniversary match against arch rival Carlton. Essendon wasn’t that bad last game against Port Adelaide and is set to be bolstered by the inclusions of Jake Stringer and Matt Guelfi, but Andrew McGrath (groin) will need to pass a test. Meanwhile, Carlton should regain Matthew Kennedy (quad) and Caleb Marchbank (knee) will make his long-awaited AFL return after three years on the sidelines in what is the feelgood story of Round 13. Spearhead Harry McKay is believed to be close to an early return from a knee injury, however, the Blues suffered a massive blow down back with star defender Jacob Weitering injuring his shoulder and he is not expected to be available again for another five weeks. The Blues will probably gleefully play the role of party-poopers on Essendon’s big night, but the Bombers will go close to causing an upset.
RONNY’S TIP: Carlton by 10 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Carlton by 12 points.
FREMANTLE v HAWTHORN (Optus Stadium, Saturday 2.10pm local time)
The erratic Hawks’ season was encapsulated perfectly in two hours of footy last Sunday when they quickly fell 30 points behind the Magpies, fought back hard to lead by 10 in the final quarter, before ultimately losing by four. It was a rollercoaster ride that mirrored their 2022 campaign to a tee – plenty of bright spots that were outweighed by too many frustrating negatives. And next up they come up against a side that very rarely allows you to go unpunished for basic errors. The difference between Collingwood and Fremantle is that the latter is capable of maintaining an intense level of pressure on the opposition for longer periods of time, and with captain Nat Fyfe back in action for his first game of the year, as well as important forwards Matt Taberner and Sam Switkowski, it’s going to take a mighty effort from Sam Mitchell’s men to get close to the red-hot Dockers who have beaten fellow premiership fancies Melbourne and Brisbane in the last two weeks. The Hawks will regain Sam Frost from suspension and hope to bring back Jack Scrimshaw and Max Lynch from concussion protocols. But veteran sharpshooter Jack Gunston (ankle) looks to be in doubt.
RONNY’S TIP: Fremantle by 31 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Fremantle by 28 points.
PLEASE HELP US CONTINUE TO THRIVE BY BECOMING AN OFFICIAL FOOTYOLOGY PATRON. JUST CLICK THIS LINK.
BRISBANE v ST KILDA (Gabba, Saturday 7.25pm local time)
The clear-cut match of the round, and what a beauty it promises to be between two sides with legitimate top-four claims. In one corner we have the second-placed Lions (9-3), and in the other we have the fifth-placed Saints (8-3) who are quietly going about their business, almost under the radar, despite being so impressive in the first half of the year. A win for Brisbane could see it claim top spot by the end of the round, while a victory for St Kilda will ensure it re-enters the top four. There’s no doubt that the Lions have endured a rough three-game patch which has yielded just the one victory and seen them concede an average of 104 points in what has been a mediocre defensive effort. Conversely, the Saints are hitting this game with a full head of steam, having won their last three games, including a memorable victory over Geelong. But while Brisbane might be without defender Darcy Gardiner (ribs), star forward Joe Daniher will almost certainly return from a shoulder injury, in what will be a timely boost for the team. Meanwhile, the Saints should welcome back Jack Higgins (concussion/COVID) while Hunter Clark (COVID) could be in the running for his first game of 2022 after recovering from a shoulder injury. St Kilda will certainly test Brisbane, but will probably fall short up at the Gabba where the Lions have won their last 14 home-and-away games.
RONNY’S TIP: Brisbane by 9 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Brisbane by 6 points.
NORTH MELBOURNE v GWS (Marvel Stadium, Sunday 3.20pm local time)
The Giants have definitely experienced an uptick in output since former coach Leon Cameron’s departure, as so often happens in these situations. Under caretaker coach Mark McVeigh, they have thumped West Coast and pushed the Lions admirably at the Gabba. Therefore, playing against a side that has lost its last 10 games by an average of 10 goals should present few issues for a team that possesses as much talent (albeit unfulfilled) as GWS does. The Kangaroos’ 2022 season is like a cross between Groundhog Day and Nightmare On Elm Street. Their insipid performances are a direct result of huge issues both on and off the field. There’s no quick fixes for this struggling mob, and it’s hard to see North getting near the Giants even though they too are a bottom-four team. Lachie Whitfield (ankle) and Callan Ward (concussion) are good chances of returning for GWS, too.
RONNY’S TIP: GWS by 40 points.
ROCO’S TIP: GWS by 40 points.
COLLINGWOOD v MELBOURNE (MCG, Monday 3.20pm local time)
Well, well, well. Three weeks ago, nobody could see where Melbourne’s first loss was coming from. Now, not only have the reigning premiers lost their last two games, but they are also experiencing major off-field distractions which are directly affecting their on-field prospects. Star defender Steven May was due to return from concussion this week, but he will be missing again after copping a one-week club-imposed suspension after his wild altercation with teammate Jake Melksham outside a restaurant in the trendy Melbourne suburb of Prahran. Melksham punched May and required surgery on the hand involved, also ruling him out of the traditional Queen’s Birthday clash. All of a sudden, after looking so professional and united for so long, the Demons are unravelling to an extent. It’s certainly breathed new life into the premiership race, and their opponents can smell blood in the water, especially after Fremantle and Sydney showed how to bring Melbourne down with ferocious pressure. May’s continued absence cannot be overstated. The Demons have looked so vulnerable down back without him, and it will surely give the in-form Magpies some belief that they too can add to their loss tally. The potential loss of Harrison Petty (shoulder) would further stretch Melbourne down back, and the Magpies certainly have some attacking weapons that could exploit the situation in the form of Brodie Mihocek, Jamie Elliott, Jack Ginnivan, Jordan De Goey, Oliver Henry and Darcy Cameron who is capable of drifting forward. It’s been three years since Melbourne suffered three losses in a row in the same season, and while they do look as shaky as they have looked in the past two seasons, expect the Demons to overcome the Collingwood challenge and get their season back on track.
RONNY’S TIP: Melbourne by 14 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Melbourne by 2 points.
RONNY’S SEASON TOTAL: 72
ROCO’S SEASON TOTAL: 73
