Jeremy Finlayson celebrates a goal in the Giants’ elimination final demolition of the Bulldogs last year. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

RICHMOND v HAWTHORN (MCG, Thursday 7.40pm local time)
If the Tigers want to make up for their underwhelming performance against Collingwood last week, then they’ll have to do so without a familiar face. Dustin Martin has been ruled out due to rib soreness and has been replaced by premiership teammate Josh Caddy. Martin has only missed four games in the past seven seasons, and in a positive sign for his team, its record without him in that period is 3-1. The Hawks welcome back Jaeger O’Meara, but they’ll need a huge turnaround in the midfield if they plan on scoring an upset win. Hawthorn was smashed by Geelong in that area in particular last week, and it comes up against another elite on-ball brigade this week – even if it doesn’t feature Martin. Richmond at the MCG is arguably the toughest task in the game right now, and having won seven of its last 10 against the Hawks, including the last four, it’s hard to see the reigning premier being toppled.
RONNY’S TIP: Richmond by 31 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Richmond by 28 points.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v GWS (Marvel Stadium, Friday 7.50pm local time)
Both of these teams headed into 2020 tipped to be top-four contenders, but their double-chance ambitions have hit a snag early on with the Doggies now copping a third consecutive drubbing (including their final against GWS last year) and the Giants suffering one of the biggest upsets of the season so far last round in losing to North Melbourne at home. But for the Dogs, who are 0-2 and sit last on the ladder, their season is already at risk of slipping away irretrievably. Some of their defensive efforts against the Saints last round were laughable and must be remedied expeditiously. You would think the likes of Tom Liberatore, Toby McLean, Jackson Trengove and Josh Schache would be in line for recalls. They were beaten up and bullied into submission by GWS when they last met in their elimination final. Will the Dogs have it in them to atone for that debacle? It remains to be seen.
RONNY’S TIP: GWS by 19 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Western Bulldogs by 2 points.

NORTH MELBOURNE v SYDNEY (Marvel Stadium, Saturday 1.45pm local time)
The Kangaroos are fast becoming the surprise packet of 2020 and are now presented with a gilt-edged opportunity to go 3-0, which would put them in a great position to make the finals in a 17-game season. As the Giants found out last week, Rhyce Shaw’s team is one of the toughest to play against. Their pressure and the manner in which they set up defensively proved too much for GWS to handle. While the Swans have been far from disgraced in their opening two games, the Kangaroos, led by star ruckman Todd Goldstein, will be hard to beat.
RONNY’S TIP: North Melbourne by 25 points.
ROCO’S TIP: North Melbourne by 16 points.

COLLINGWOOD v ST KILDA (MCG, Saturday 4.35pm local time)
The Saints were very impressive last week in the manner in which they took apart the Bulldogs. Their pace and hunger for the ball overwhelmed their opponents and if they replicate that same style against the Magpies this week, we will have a game on our hands. Although they’ll have to do it without their skipper Jarryn Geary (hamstring). But a more open contest would probably suit Collingwood given they were suffocated for three quarters by the Tigers during their lacklustre draw almost a week ago. Give the Magpies’ dangerous ball users time and space and they can be lethal, as they showed against the Doggies in round one. Mason Cox (knee) would be a welcome return and Adam Treloar (calf) isn’t completely out of the question either for the Pies.
RONNY’S TIP: Collingwood by 21 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Collingwood by 22 points.

BRISBANE v WEST COAST (Gabba, Saturday 7.40pm local time)
The Eagles would have been embarrassed by their performance against the lowly Suns last round. Gold Coast, which hadn’t tasted victory in its previous 19 outings, totally bossed the more-fancied Eagles around, and the 2018 premiers just couldn’t handle the physicality of the spunky upstarts. The video edits would have made for tough viewing. Much has been made of the subconscious effect that “hub life” is having on the Eagles, but after that rude wake-up call at Metricon Stadium, surely West Coast coach Adam Simpson will lay down the law this week in an attempt to get his players focused on the job at hand. If they don’t put in a much better showing, all of a sudden their season is looking shaky. The Lions haven’t exactly set the world on fire this year and while the Eagles will be without the suspended Jeremy McGovern, you can expect them to come out breathing fire as they aim to right the wrongs of their uncharacteristic showing on the weekend.
RONNY’S TIP: West Coast by 13 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Brisbane by 6 points.

GEELONG v CARLTON (GMHBA Stadium, Saturday 7.40pm local time)
The Blues are definitely tracking in the right direction, albeit at a snail’s pace, with a pair of commendable performances against Richmond and Melbourne. The problem is that their first quarters this year have been horrendous – they’ve kicked a combined 2.1.13 while the opposition has helped itself to 12.4.76. That trend simply cannot continue this week, otherwise it’s going to be a long drive back home down the highway. If we’re honest, even if the Blues do smarten up the way they start the game, it’s still unlikely to get them the desired result. Geelong showed again last week that even without a crowd cheering it on, Kardinia Park continues to provide one of the strongest home ground advantages in the AFL. The Cats were superb against the Hawks and it looks as though another Carlton season will end barely before it began as it stares down the barrel of a seventh 0-3 start from its last eight campaigns.
RONNY’S TIP: Geelong by 44 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Geelong by 36 points.

GOLD COAST v ADELAIDE (Metricon Stadium, Sunday 1.05pm local time)
It’s not too often Gold Coast heads into a game as favourite, but that’s the case this week following its stunning victory over the Eagles. The Crows’ capitulation against Port Adelaide has no doubt also played a big part in the way the odds look, too. Adelaide was nothing short of insipid on the way to suffering its biggest ever Showdown defeat, and it limps into its first Queensland hub match with its tail between its legs. Conversely, the Suns, led by newfound star Matt Rowell, are brimming with confidence. For the first time in a long time, Stuart Dew’s men look like they’re enjoying their footy, and if they again bring that same attack on the footy and the man that they did against West Coast, Adelaide will be in big trouble and their odds for the wooden spoon will be slashed. The Crows are the last remaining team the Suns have not yet defeated, but after 13 failed attempts, it looks like Gold Coast will finally break through against its bogey team.
RONNY’S TIP: Gold Coast by 22 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Gold Coast by 10 points.

ESSENDON v MELBOURNE (MCG, Sunday 3.35pm local time)
Good luck attempting to correctly tip this game. It could literally go either way. In one corner, you’ve got the Bombers who have squeaked home twice by a goal after almost giving up 20-plus-point leads to Fremantle and Sydney respectively. In the other, you’ve got the Demons, who looked like world beaters against Carlton before scraping home by a point after squandering a seven-goal lead. The Bombers, aided by a sturdy backline, are probably the more consistent performers over four quarters and are yet to trail their opponents so far in 2020. The potential inclusions of Orazio Fantasia (quad) and Conor McKenna will be welcome, too. When both teams get a run-on, they’re exciting to watch, but Essendon seems to be a slightly more settled and mature outfit at this juncture, so it will like its chances of remaining undefeated in what promises to be yet another nailbiter for its fans.
RONNY’S TIP: Essendon by 7 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Essendon by 12 points.

FREMANTLE v PORT ADELAIDE (Metricon Stadium, Sunday 6.05pm local time)
The weekend’s Queensland footy fiesta rounds out with the first neutral match hosted at Metricon Stadium since Richmond played Adelaide there in 2009. It also marks the first VFL/AFL double-header staged at any ground for a very long time – this writer, at least, certainly can’t remember that ever happening! (Ed. I can, but I’m old! Was 1986). The Dockers have been very competitive so far without getting a win. On both occasions, they’ve started slowly and left their run too late, losing by a combined total of 18 points. On the other hand, Port Adelaide, led by young stars Connor Rozee, Xavier Duursma and Zak Butters, has blown away its opposition in prompt fashion, and if the Dockers plan on easing into their third game in a row, they certainly won’t have the opportunity to fight their way back into the contest based on the way the ladder-leading Power have been playing.
RONNY’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 20 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 26 points.

RONNY’S SEASON TOTAL: 10
ROCO’S SEASON TOTAL: 9