Richmond’s Liam Baker is tackled by Errol Gulden during the Tigers’ loss to Sydney at Adelaide Oval in Gather Round earlier this year. Photo: AFL MEDIA

RICHMOND v SYDNEY (MCG, Thursday 7:20pm local time)
On the face of it, it might seem odd to describe a clash between 15th and 13th as a virtual elimination final, but such is the tightness of the competition this year, incredibly these two sides find themselves just six points outside of the top eight. A loss for either side would almost certainly serve as a death knell for their finals hopes. And to mark enormity of the occasion, both teams have brought back the big guns. The Tigers have named Dustin Martin, Dion Prestia and Maurice Rioli while the Swans have injected Lance Franklin and Tom McCartin into their line-up to stiffen up both ends of the ground. The Swans came close to taking a scalp of note last week, but had to settle for a draw with the Cats after a horrifying goalkicking display (6.18). And while the Tigers were just poleaxed by Brisbane, which registered the biggest ever win by a Lions, Bears or Fitzroy team against Richmond, they had shown some very positive signs in the early stages of Andrew McQualter’s stint in charge. And the continued absence of young star Chad Warner (calf) will make life tough for the Swans. Back at the MCG, Richmond should come out on top in what looms as a tight affair.
RONNY’S TIP: Richmond by 7 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Richmond by 6 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Sydney by 7 points.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v COLLINGWOOD (Marvel Stadium, Friday 7:50pm local time)
This promises to be a cracking contest, too, as the Bulldogs continue to press their claims for a top-four spot against the ladder-leading premiership favourite Magpies. The Dogs head into this game off the back of a 29-point takedown of Fremantle, which was probably their best performance in six weeks. But the Pies also head into this contest fresh from arguably their most complete display of the season courtesy of a 78-point shellacking of the Suns up on the Gold Coast. The Bulldogs’ decimated backline could receive a much-needed boost in the form of Ed Richards, who has made a quicker-than-expected recovery from his hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Collingwood has suffered a double blow at either end of the ground with Brayden Maynard (shoulder) and Brody Mihocek (hamstring) both ruled out this week. Luke Beveridge’s team was impressive in the way it blew Freo out of the water in the final quarter last week, but overcoming the rampaging Magpies at the peak of their powers, in front of what is anticipated to be yet another packed house for a Collingwood match, is a task that is probably beyond them.
RONNY’S TIP: Collingwood by 25 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Collingwood by 10 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Collingwood by 15 points.

BRISBANE v WEST COAST (Gabba, Saturday 1:45pm local time)
Congratulations to the Eagles for finally producing a competitive effort at AFL level. But their eight-point loss to St Kilda was further proof that they had basically given up in the previous couple of months and that they didn’t care about their on-field performances at all. That’s as inexcusable as the rubbish that they had been serving up week after week. Well, this week, they would want to show that they give a stuff again, because they come up against a snarling Brisbane team that is clamouring for a top-two spot, and the all important two home finals, and will do everything it can to improve its chances of achieving that goal – including giving its percentage a massive boost. To that end, the Lions couldn’t have asked to play a better team than the Eagles who have earned an unwanted reputation for helping teams dramatically increase their percentage this year. With one of the most formidable home-ground advantages in the AFL, there’s no reason why Brisbane won’t join the massive conga line of teams who have ruthlessly filled their boots against the hapless West Coast.
RONNY’S TIP: Brisbane by 89 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Brisbane by 48 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Brisbane by 65 points.

GWS v HAWTHORN (Giants Stadium, Saturday 4:35pm local time)
Life for the Hawks without James Sicily has been extraordinarily tough. In the last three games they’ve gone into battle without their brilliant captain, they’ve lost by an average of 10 goals. And the bad news for them is that Sicily still has one more week of his suspension to serve. This week they take on a side that has shot into finals calculations out of the blue. Five weeks ago GWS was wallowing near the foot of the ladder with a 3-7 record, but since then they have won four of their last five games, including the scalps of Geelong and Melbourne. Their only loss in that period was to Richmond which kicked the winning goal right at the end. Adam Kingsley’s men are just a game outside the top eight now and have it all to play for. And it’ll take more than a bottom-four team to stop their considerable momentum this week, even if Hawthorn regains Jarman Impey (back) and Changkuoth Jiath (calf/Achilles). Further boosting the Giants’ hopes of victory is the return of suspended star Lachie Whitfield while they also remain hopeful of regaining gun small forward Brent Daniels (hamstring).
RONNY’S TIP: GWS by 32 points.
ROCO’S TIP: GWS by 32 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: GWS by 39 points.

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ST KILDA v MELBOURNE (Marvel Stadium, Saturday 7:25pm local time)
This is a strong nomination for match of the round with the reward for the winner a spot in the top four at the end of the weekend. The Demons are currently inside the top four, but they’re now only there purely because of percentage, having lost four of their last six matches. The fifth-placed Saints might’ve avoided one of the most humiliating losses in their history by the skin of their teeth last week, but the main thing is they banked the four points against the Eagles, and find themselves banging on the door of the top four. And they have got to be a chance in this match, especially when you consider how woeful Melbourne has been in front of goal in recent times. In their past four games, they are averaging less than six goals, having only managed a diabolical 23.61 at an insipid 27 per cent accuracy in that period. As if matters couldn’t get worse for the Demons on that front, they will now be without their most reliable shot for goal Bayley Fritsch (foot) for the next two months while superstar midfielder Clayton Oliver (hamstring) is no guarantee to return either. But the Saints are also in the wars with Josh Battle (concussion) ruled out, while Brad Hill (knee) and Seb Ross (knee) are in doubt. However, they could regain Hunter Clark (knee). Things seem to be getting desperate for Melbourne as a repeat of its dramatic 2022 fallaway appears to be occurring. The Demons should probably be just too good in the end, but it won’t be a straightforward assignment.
RONNY’S TIP: Melbourne by 7 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Melbourne by 2 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Melbourne by 11 points.

PORT ADELAIDE v GOLD COAST (Adelaide Oval, Saturday 7:10pm local time)
The Suns had their big chance to prove that they could at least mix it with the big boys last week, and failed spectacularly against the magnificent Magpies who piled on 14 of the first 15 goals. So what hope do they have of stopping Port Adelaide’s club record 12-game winning streak at Adelaide Oval? Next to none. The Power are riding one of the more remarkable waves of momentum, which has now been bookended by favourable after-the-siren shots on goal against Sydney and Essendon, and will have few issues in dispensing of the Suns, even if the inspirational Touk Miller returns from his knee injury.
RONNY’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 44 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 36 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 21 points.

GEELONG v NORTH MELBOURNE (Kardinia Park, Sunday 1:10pm local time)
And this match is in a similar bucket to the Power-Suns clash. The hapless Kangaroos head down the highway on the back of 13 consecutive losses and appear to be the proverbial lambs to the slaughter. There’s only one team in the AFL that enjoys a stronger home ground advantage than Brisbane, and that’s Geelong. The Cats are virtually unbeatable down at their Kardinia Park fortress, having now won 110 of their last 125 matches there. Granted, they haven’t exactly been in sparkling form recently, with just two wins from their last seven matches, but it’s virtually impossible to imagine a scenario in which the lowly Roos topple them on their own dung heap.
RONNY’S TIP: Geelong by 52 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Geelong by 40 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Geelong by 59 points.

ESSENDON v ADELAIDE (Marvel Stadium, Sunday 3:20pm local time)
The stakes are massive in this match as the Bombers (eighth) host the Crows (seventh) with only percentage separating the two teams. The winner could climb as high as fifth on the ladder, while the loser will almost certainly drop out of the eight with seven rounds to play. As good as the Crows have been this year, their road record is a dismal 1-5, despite their impressive showing against Collingwood at the MCG two weekends ago. They come up against an Essendon team which has proven itself to be one of the more consistent performers of the season. Each week you know exactly what you’re going to get from the Bombers, and their never-give-in attitude saw them get within a miracle of kick of taking the massive scalp of Port Adelaide last round. Adelaide will have to make do without Jordon Butts (concussion) which could open the door for Peter Wright to have an influential game after a quiet fortnight up forward for the Dons. This clash has all the makings of a nailbiter and while the Crows have the ability to score freely and heavily, the Bombers’ plucky backline has shown on numerous occasions that it is up to such challenges.
RONNY’S TIP: Essendon by 3 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Essendon by 2 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Adelaide by 15 points.

FREMANTLE v CARLTON (Optus Stadium, Sunday 2:40pm local time)
Are the Blues really back? The answer to that question will be revealed at approximately 7:15pm eastern standard time on Sunday. In its last two games, Carlton has wound the clock back to early 2022, kicking more goals against the Suns and Hawks combined (35) than they did in their previous five matches all together (33). However, their last two wins have come against Gold Coast and Hawthorn. The former has won just four matches at the MCG while the latter is destined for a bottom-four finish. It shouldn’t be forgotten too quickly that Michael Voss’ side lost eight of its previous nine games to freefall to the bottom four itself. But the Blues do come up against an incredibly unpredictable team in Fremantle this week. It’s anyone’s guess as to which Dockers outfit will rock up from game to game. They’ve now lost three of their last four matches and they’re only going at just better than 50 per cent (4-3) at their Optus Stadium haven this year. Fremantle will be without Nat Fyfe (foot), who has been struggling to have an impact, but Carlton could again be without a recognised ruckman as Tom De Koning (knee) and Marc Pittonet (knee) battle to prove their fitness. That scenario could easily play into the hands of the Dockers’ dangerous ruck tandem of Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson. In some good news for the Blues, exciting youngster Ollie Hollands (collarbone) should be free to play. The Dockers aren’t exactly a reliable proposition, but Carlton will need to produce a few more impressive performances before being taken seriously again.
RONNY’S TIP: Fremantle by 13 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Carlton by 4 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Fremantle by 13 points.

SEASON TOTALS
RONNY 91
ROCO 87
ROCKET 85