The jubilant Suns after defeating Sydney in a massive boilover last year. Surely they can’t do it again? Photo: AFL MEDIA

ESSENDON v GWS (Marvel Stadium, Thursday 7.20pm local time)
The Bombers were again found out against a premiership contender last week and if it wasn’t for West Coast’s horrible kicking for goal, it would’ve been a 15-goal margin. For the second year in a row, Essendon is evidently a mid-range team with an 0-4 record against the top four teams. That’s why it would be a stunning result if the Bombers defeated the Giants this week. GWS is a well-drilled machine like West Coast last week and has arguably the best midfield in the competition. Stephen Coniglio, Josh Kelly, Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper are all having career-best years, while Shane Mumford is once again one of the AFL’s dominant ruckmen. Essendon’s midfield got smashed by the Eagles last week and its sub-standard forward line will have its work cut out against a very good GWS back six which consists of Phil Davis, Nick Haynes, Zac Williams, Sam Taylor, Heath Shaw and Adam Tomlinson. It could end up being a comfortable win for the Giants.
RONNY’S TIP: GWS by 33 points.
ROCO’S TIP: GWS by 16 points.

GEELONG v ADELAIDE (Kardinia Park, Friday 7.50pm local time)
The Cats succumbed to their curse of the bye again last week, losing their first game immediately after their mid-season break for the eighth time in a row. However, Geelong fans should be heartened by the fact that their team has followed up each one of those losses over the previous seven seasons with a victory. So that’s bad news for Adelaide. The Crows have definitely turned things around since round four to win seven of their last nine games and be knocking on the door of the top four. But the Cats in Geelong is arguably the hardest assignment in football given only two sides have beaten them there in the last four years. In fact, it’s been 16 years since Adelaide triumphed there. The expected return of Esava Ratugolea will also serve as a boost for the top-of-the-table Cats.
RONNY’S TIP: Geelong by 25 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Geelong by 34 points.

HAWTHORN v WEST COAST (MCG, Saturday 1.45pm local time)
Will they or won’t they? That is the question being asked of the Eagles with regards to playing Nic Naitanui this week. And if coach Adam Simpson’s press conference earlier this week is any indication, the brilliant ruckman will make his long-awaited return from a second ACL injury against the Hawks. And won’t it be a sight for sore eyes for all footy lovers? The good news doesn’t stop there for the Eagles either, with Tom Barrass (foot) also in line for a return – a timely inclusion given Jeremy McGovern is out suspended. It appears as though the Hawks are a spent force in 2019 and the MCG factor which they were able to hang their hats on for their meeting with GWS earlier this year won’t cut it against West Coast, which has won its last four visits to the ground, including three against 2018 runners-up Collingwood. This one could get ugly.
RONNY’S TIP: West Coast by 40 points.
ROCO’S TIP: West Coast by 28 points.

SYDNEY v GOLD COAST (SCG, Saturday 4.35pm local time)
This corresponding fixture last season produced one of the all-time craziest results. The Suns headed into the round 18 clash against finals-bound Sydney with just three wins to their credit, having lost their previous 11 games, and were paying $101 to win at quarter-time when they trailed by 29 points. Yet somehow they fought back to win by four goals in one of the biggest boilovers in VFL/AFL history. Well, the scenario isn’t too dissimilar this year, with Stuart Dew’s men again only managing three wins so far and experiencing a lengthy active losing streak (nine games). But surely lightning won’t strike twice, even if Lance Franklin (hamstring) won’t be available for the Swans. Sydney has turned things around in the past six games, winning four, and the Swans seem to be revitalised by their big emerging crop of talented youngsters.
RONNY’S TIP: Sydney by 28 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Sydney by 40 points.

COLLINGWOOD v NORTH MELBOURNE (Marvel Stadium, Saturday 7.25pm local time)
North Melbourne enjoyed a nice little honeymoon period after Brad Scott announced his departure from the club, winning three games in a row. But the Roos’ bubble was burst by a genuine premiership contender in round 13, as GWS ultimately proved to have too much class and talent. The Roos have had a break and must now face off against another flag fancy in the form of Collingwood. The Magpies certainly aren’t in absolutely ominous form – coach Nathan Buckley described their last performance (a win against the Bulldogs) as one of their worst efforts for some time. However, what’s the old saying about playing poorly and still getting the job done? The Magpies are still sitting pretty in second spot on the ladder for a reason and that’s because they’re a damn good team.
RONNY’S TIP: Collingwood by 21 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Collingwood by 26 points.

PORT ADELAIDE v WESTERN BULLDOGS (Adelaide Oval, Saturday 7.10pm local time)
The Bulldogs were gallant last week, but with just one win from their last five outings, they find themselves in the bottom four with their finals hopes all but non-existent for the third year in a row after winning a premiership, a truly extraordinary situation. This week, they come up against a side who gave themselves a facelift with some big omissions at the selection table last week and came out the other side grinning with a victory against ladder leader Geelong. The changes seemed to rejuvenate the Power, and given the performance that ruckman Scott Lycett produced against the Cats, Bulldog youngster Tim English could be in for another torrid time after getting spanked by Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy last week. The Dogs return to a ground where they don’t have many fond memories. They’ve been held goalless in their last two first quarters at Adelaide Oval, were restricted to just two goals by the Crows in round nine there last year, and only have one three-point win from six attempts at the ground. It’s hard to see that trend being bucked this week.
RONNY’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 23 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 30 points.

ST KILDA v RICHMOND (Marvel Stadium, Sunday 1.10pm local time)
Richmond looks like it’s finally about to receive some good news on the injury front with Trent Cotchin (hamstring), Shane Edwards (hamstring), Kane Lambert (achilles), David Astbury (hamstring), Jayden Short (elbow) and Ivan Soldo (illness) all potentially returning this week as the Tigers attempt to stay in touch with the top eight. St Kilda’s last month suggests that the bottom might be about to fall out from underneath as the Saints scraped past lowly Carlton and Gold Coast while copping frightful smashings from Port Adelaide and Brisbane. If the Tigers do indeed recall the majority of the six aforementioned players, they should have few issues ending their three-game losing streak as Saints coach Alan Richardson fights to save his job.
RONNY’S TIP: Richmond by 31 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Richmond by 40 points.

BRISBANE v MELBOURNE (Gabba, Sunday 3.20pm local time)
The Demons might be on a high after knocking off Fremantle last week, but surely they won’t try and claim that they have home ground advantage in this fixture? Yes, we understand they played “home games” against the Lions at the Gabba for seven years earlier this millennium, but come on! That ended 12 years ago! However, there is a similarity between those games and this upcoming match, because the Lions look headed for the finals again in 2019. They were absolutely devastating against the hapless Saints last week and while Melbourne was impressive against an injury-hit Dockers, handing the Lions just their second loss of the year at the Gabba will be too much of an ask.
RONNY’S TIP: Brisbane by 29 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Brisbane by 22 points.

FREMANTLE v CARLTON (Optus stadium, Sunday 3.20pm local time)
What a difference a few weeks can make. Fremantle had begun generating some serious momentum with impressive wins against Brisbane, Collingwood and Port Adelaide, but injuries to several key players makes its spot in the top eight look vulnerable now. Adding to the Dockers’ woes are Jesse Hogan (foot) and Stephen Hill (hamstring), while Rory Lobb (foot), Alex Pearce (ankle), Aaron Sandilands (calf) and Matt Taberner (foot) all remain sidelined. Have they reached a tipping point yet? Maybe not, and they can probably get away with it while playing bottom-placed Carlton. However, the Blues are basically at full strength and after a week off to refresh and recharge, could catch Freo off guard and seriously test the home side.
RONNY’S TIP: Fremantle by 9 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Fremantle 24 points.

RONNY’S SEASON TOTAL: 70
ROCO’S SEASON TOTAL: 77