Lance Franklin is back for Sydney to take on Port Adelaide on Saturday afternoon. Photo: AFL MEDIA

RICHMOND v CARLTON (MCG, Thursday 7.20pm local time)
The bye rounds have rightly copped criticism for the brakes they seemingly apply to the momentum of the season, but at least this weekend kicks off in the right fashion with two powerhouse Victorian rivals going head-to-head in a contest that has huge ramifications attached to it for both sides. The Blues are desperately trying to hang on to their top-four spot with a huge chasing pack breathing down their necks, while the Tigers are attempting to re-take their position in the top eight and draw within a game of the top four. Richmond regains big key forward Tom Lynch, who was in red-hot form prior to injuring himself, and Kane Lambert gets upgraded to the starting 22 as well, but superstar Dustin Martin makes way with illness. Meanwhile, Carlton keeps taking the hits, with Adam Cerra (hamstring) and Caleb Marchbank (knee) both ruled out with injury, forcing them to select mid-season recruit Sam Durdin to help out their decimated defence. Both teams head into this clash with identical form lines, having each won five of their last six matches. But the Blues have been less convincing in recent times, losing to Collingwood and failing to properly put away Essendon, which enjoyed more of the play in the second half. The Tigers appear to be building nicely and are capable of making the Blues pay if they suffer prolonged lapses again.
RONNY’S TIP: Richmond by 9 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Richmond by 10 points.

ST KILDA v ESSENDON (Marvel Stadium, Friday 7.50pm local time)
The Saints are starting to be tested in the personnel department, with Dan McKenzie and Mitch Owens the latest players injured, both suffering concussion against Brisbane last week, while Zak Jones (hamstring) is in serious doubt to face the Bombers. Mason Wood (ankle) also struggled to see out the game last week. And when you consider that inspirational captain Jack Steele (shoulder), Jarryn Geary (shoulder), Jack Bytel (foot), Nick Coffield (knee) and Jack Hayes (knee) are all unavailable as well, it starts to take its toll. As woeful as Essendon has been this year, one thing in its favour is that it is nearing full strength, with Andrew McGrath (groin) and Kyle Langford (hamstring) both nearing full fitness. Prime mover Darcy Parish (calf), though, is under a cloud. The Saints could regain Jack Billings and Hunter Clark, and despite their manpower issues, should still be far too good for the Bombers, whose skill execution and connection between midfield and forward line has been shocking.
RONNY’S TIP: St Kilda by 22 points.
ROCO’S TIP: St Kilda by 22 points.

PORT ADELAIDE v SYDNEY (Adelaide Oval, Saturday 1.15pm local time)
After recovering from their 0-5 start to win five of their next six games, the Power are right back under the pump again as they find themselves three games outside the top eight. If they lose this one, it’s as good as lights out for them (in finals terms) with nine rounds remaining. And they couldn’t have picked a more difficult opponent to face in their must-win clash. The Swans have been brilliant recently, with stirring back-to-back come-from-behind wins against Richmond and Melbourne. And they welcome back Lance Franklin from suspension this week as well. Some concerns have been raised by the impact Franklin’s presence has had on fellow key forwards Sam Reid and Logan McDonald, who both thrived without him against the Demons. But those worries are misplaced as McDonald and Reid both had an impact against Carlton and Richmond respectively with Franklin in the side. Besides, which team in its right mind wouldn’t want Franklin lining up? The Swans are a three-goal better side than the impotent Power on average per week, and that discrepancy should come to the fore this weekend as Port Adelaide slides out of finals calculations, further ramping up the heat on coach Ken Hinkley.
RONNY’S TIP: Sydney by 25 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Sydney by 6 points.

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

WEST COAST v GEELONG (Optus Stadium, Saturday 1.35pm local time)
It’s all starting to come together for the Cats, who could welcome back as many as four senior players this week with Jack Henry (foot), Sam Menegola (knee), Jake Kolodjashnij (COVID) and Shaun Higgins (soreness) all available. It’s a timely development given Brandan Parfitt has been ruled out for three games with a broken hand. Geelong was outstanding against the Western Bulldogs last time out, and Jeremy Cameron is in sparkling form. As is the Cats’ shooting star down back Sam De Koning, who is quickly becoming one of the best young players in the AFL. Chris Scott’s side historically has a terrible record coming off a bye, but should have few issues dispensing with the bottom team as it remains in hot pursuit of a top-four spot.
RONNY’S TIP: Geelong by 52 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Geelong by 42 points.

GWS v WESTERN BULLDOGS (Giants Stadium, Saturday 7.25pm local time)
There is no doubt that the Giants are experiencing that standard uptick in form following the departure of a senior coach, but their two wins under caretaker Mark McVeigh have been against the two worst teams in the competition, West Coast and North Melbourne. And while they did also push Brisbane to the line at the Gabba, their next opponent will provide a much sterner test than the Eagles or Kangaroos did. And don’t the Bulldogs need a win here. They sit two games outside the top eight and simply have to beat GWS to maintain their finals hopes. And whether they can perform with the distraction of the Bailey Smith drug scandal hovering over the club all week remains to be seen. The Giants could be significantly bolstered by the possible returns of Tim Taranto, Nick Haynes, Braydon Preuss and Phil Davis, but will go into battle without Matt De Boer (concussion) and Harry Perryman (ribs). Greater Western Sydney is undoubtedly gathering momentum heading into the second half of the year, and it won’t make things easy for its arch rival, which suffered badly from its forward inefficiency against the Cats in round 12.
RONNY’S TIP: Western Bulldogs by 10 points.
ROCO’S TIP: GWS by 2 points.

GOLD COAST v ADELAIDE (Metricon Stadium, Sunday 3.20pm local time)
And who would’ve thought the Suns would also be a team trying to stay in touch with the eight beyond the halfway mark of the season? Things appear to be finally clicking for the perennial strugglers, who have now won four of their last five games by an average of 45 points, in what has been their best month of footy since 2014. Two of those scalps were top-four contenders Fremantle and Sydney, further underscoring how impressive they’ve been. And they could welcome back defender Rory Thompson from a knee injury this week. It’s been a lean six weeks for the Crows, who lost five in a row before disposing of lowly West Coast in unconvincing fashion. And while they should regain young gun Josh Rachele (thigh), the gap in intensity and hunger levels between these two sides at the moment is sizeable, and the well-drilled professional Suns should be too good at home.
RONNY’S TIP: Gold Coast by 34 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Gold Coast by 28 points.

RONNY’S SEASON TOTAL: 77
ROCO’S SEASON TOTAL: 78