Carlton’s Blake Acres (top) and Jack Scrimshaw fight for the ball in Round 22 last year. Photo: AFL MEDIA

CARLTON v HAWTHORN (MCG, Thursday 7:30pm)
The good news for the Blues is that it couldn’t possibly get worse than last week … could it? Michael Voss’ men kicked of 2025 in nightmarish fashion by giving up a 41-point lead and losing to reigning wooden spooner Richmond, who many tipped would go winless this season. It was an upset result for the ages, and whether it sets the tone for Carlton’s year, or elicits a fierce response from the Blues, is a question that will probably be answered over the next month or so. Unfortunately for them, though, their bid to instantly rebound this week is going be extremely tough as they take on early premiership favourite Hawthorn. The Hawks didn’t get out of second gear as they cruised past the Bombers in Round 1 and don’t appear to have many weak links across the board. Champion spearhead Charlie Curnow is back for the Blues, and the last time he played was during Hawthorn’s 74-point annihilation of Carlton six games ago in Round 22 last year. It’s hard to see how Voss’ team will turn that result around.
RONNY’S TIP: Hawthorn by 23 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Hawthorn by 22 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Hawthorn by 21 points.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v COLLINGWOOD (MCG, Friday 7:40pm)
This promises to be a memorable occasion for the Bulldogs who have chosen this game to celebrate the 100th anniversary of their entry into the VFL/AFL. The club’s all-time home-and-away crowd record of 68,447, which has stood for 51 years, is a very good chance of being broken with the Magpie Army full of voice again after the bounce-back demolition of Port Adelaide last week. The Bulldogs take some decent momentum into the match as well after overcoming a massive injury list to hold off North Melbourne. But unfortunately for Luke Beveridge’s side, it’s not getting any reinforcements back with Marcus Bontempelli (calf), Adam Treloar (calf), Cody Weightman (knee), Liam Jones (hamstring), Jason Johannisen (hamstring), Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and now Luke Cleary (concussion) all unavailable. But they rate James O’Donnell a chance to line up despite undergoing jaw surgery. Conversely, the Magpies are basically full strength and look set to welcome back star midfielder Jordan De Goey. It looks like Collingwood will play the role of party pooper.
RONNY’S TIP: Collingwood by 20 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Collingwood by 6 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Collingwood by 25 points.

ESSENDON v ADELAIDE (MCG, Saturday 1:20pm)
The Bombers didn’t disgrace themselves last week, and after giving up a six-goal head start, they actually outscored the Hawks, all while fielding the youngest team by any club for the round. However, two key bookends in Kyle Langford (hamstring) and Jordan Ridley (concussion) are out. With Peter Wright (ankle) still unavailable, that means the load on young key forward Nate Caddy is going to be even more pronounced. It’s no wonder that pre-season pick-up Tom Edwards is making his debut. The Bombers take on a full-strength Adelaide side that is fresh from a demolition job of St Kilda last week. After being so disappointing last year, there appears to be a freshness about the Crows early this season. Granted, it might be a small sample size against an undermanned Saints at home, but they’re looking very impressive and are going to take some beating this week.
RONNY’S TIP: Adelaide by 17 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Adelaide by 2 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Adelaide by 15 points.

PORT ADELAIDE v RICHMOND (Adelaide Oval, Saturday 3:45pm)
It’s a clash between the biggest winner and biggest loser from Round 1. Richmond fans are still probably on cloud nine after their team producing what many are describing as its best win of the last decade outside of the three premierships. It truly was a performance for the ages, and one that will go down in footy folklore. But can Adem Yze’s young Tiger cubs back it up? Well, if they were going to pick any team to do it against, it would probably be the Power. Ken Hinkley’s men were absolutely pathetic in their season opener against the Magpies. They barely gave a yelp, and their effort and hunger levels were basically non-existent. It was alarming to see that so early in the season, let alone from a 2024 preliminary finalist. Is the controversial coaching succession plan from Hinkley to Josh Carr already adversely affecting the players? If so, this could end up being a train wreck of a season before it even gets going. Port should still be good enough to take care of Richmond, especially with its star forward Tom Lynch out suspended, but if it doesn’t, expect all hell to break loose in the City of Churches.
RONNY’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 24 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 24 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 29 points.

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ST KILDA v GEELONG (Marvel Stadium, Saturday 7:35pm)
The Saints actually have a decent recent record against the Cats, winning three of their last five encounters, all of which were at this weekend’s venue Marvel Stadium, and including a Round 23 upset result last year just before the Cats made their run to another preliminary final. But with Max King (knee), Dan Butler (Achilles), Dougal Howard (shoulder), Cooper Sharman (thumb), Mattaes Phillipou (leg) and Paddy Dow (knee) all still unavailable, it’s going to be a really tough task for them to maintain the wood over Geelong. The Saints were as bad last week as the Cats were scarily good. Geelong essentially beat Fremantle by 10 goals twice in the same game, and with star recruit Bailey Smith slotting in seamlessly to its line-up, it’s once again looking like a premiership threat.
RONNY’S TIP: Geelong by 30 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Geelong by 30 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Geelong by 37 points.

BRISBANE v WEST COAST (Gabba, Sunday 12:10pm)
This one could get very ugly. Whatever hopes there were that the Eagles would turn over a new leaf under new coach Andrew McQualter went up in smoke in two hours last week as Gold Coast registered its biggest ever win in its 15-year history against them. In fact, the Suns’ two biggest away wins have now been achieved against the Eagles. When one pairs up West Coast’s insipid showing with the incredible grit and determination Brisbane displayed last week to pip the Swans at the SCG, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the reigning premier rack up a triple-digit win on Sunday.
RONNY’S TIP: Brisbane by 88 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Brisbane by 102 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Brisbane by 83 points.

NORTH MELBOURNE v MELBOURNE (Marvel Stadium, Sunday 3:20pm)
Unfortunately for the Kangaroos it was a familiar story last week. They won the clearances and contested possessions, and had the advantage in forward entries for large portions, but just could not land the killer blow and get the win against the Bulldogs. The fact that the Dogs were missing so many star players made it even more frustrating for North. It really was one that got away for the Kangas. And their backline could take a big hit with Griffin Logue (hamstring) unavailable and Charlie Comben (foot), who was one of their best players, in doubt. The Demons will still be smarting following their last-gasp loss to the Giants after being in front for a big chunk of the contest. After coming so close to victory last week, Melbourne should be able to extend its winning streak against North to seven games, which is something it hasn’t done in 60 years.
RONNY’S TIP: Melbourne by 22 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Melbourne by 18 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Melbourne by 27 points.

FREMANTLE v SYDNEY (Optus Stadium, Sunday 3:10pm)
If it wasn’t for Port Adelaide’s wretched performance, the Dockers would’ve copped the brunt of the criticism following Round 1. Outside of a fantastic third-quarter burst, inspired by debutant Murphy Reid, who kicked four goals in six minutes, there was little to get enthused about from a Fremantle perspective. Justin Longmuir’s men just refused to get their hands dirty for majority of the match and that is a recipe for disaster at a place like Kardinia Park. The end result was a 13-goal spanking. The Dockers might be back at home this week, but they certainly won’t be guaranteed the four points. Although the Swans are 0-2, but they’ve put up admirable fight against two sides, Hawthorn and Brisbane, who are expected to be right in flag contention this year. Sydney will be without key players Lewis Melican (adductor) and Justin McInerney (suspension), and is still missing Errol Gulden (ankle), Callum Mills (foot), Harry Cunningham (foot), Logan McDonald (ankle), Robbie Fox (calf) and Taylor Adams (hamstring). Meanwhile, Fremantle will be hoping to unveil Shai Bolton (leg) after Sam Switkowski (groin) hurt himself against Geelong. Sean Darcy (knee/ankle), Hayden Young (hamstring), Michael Walters (knee) and Sam Sturt (knee) are all absent for the hosts as well. This is going to be a tight one.
RONNY’S TIP: Fremantle by 3 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Fremantle by 16 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Fremantle by 11 points.

SEASON TOTALS
ROCO 8
ROCKET 8
RONNY 6

*all times are local