Melbourne enjoy a goal during last year’s narrow win over Essendon at the MCG. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

WESTERN BULLDOGS v SYDNEY (Marvel Stadium, Thursday 7.20pm local time)
What a blockbuster to kick off round three. The winless Bulldogs up against the undefeated Swans, and a result which could have massive consequences for the top eight, specifically the top four. While both teams should make the finals this year, if the Bulldogs suffer another loss this week, their margin for error to earn a double chance becomes minuscule – they would essentially need to win 16 of their last 19 games. And while they have shown in recent years they have no qualms with making the grand final from outside the top four, there’s no doubt the preference would be to grab a double chance. The Dogs certainly have their issues, most notably getting smashed in contested possessions, and their key position stocks taking a hit, which has led to a dysfunctional forward line heavily reliant on Aaron Naughton. The young star forward has been named this week, but he has been battling a severely corked calf. If he fails to get up, then the Bulldogs really will be up against it. They face an ominous Sydney outfit, which has started the season in blistering form with fantastic wins over GWS and Geelong. The Swans are riding a massive wave of momentum, they’re settled, they’re playing great footy, and having beaten the Dogs twice in their last three encounters at Docklands, including their last meeting in 2021. They will make life very tough for Luke Beveridge’s men.
RONNY’S TIP: Sydney by 15 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Sydney by 16 points.

MELBOURNE v ESSENDON (MCG, Friday 7.20pm local time)
The Bombers put in a better showing last week than their Round 1 debacle against Geelong (not exactly a high bar), but ultimately came up short against a rampaging Brisbane team that is already making a habit of coming back from sizeable deficits this season. And it’s fair to say Essendon will be facing even stiffer opposition this week in the form of the reigning premier. Making matters worse for the Dons is the loss of their best midfielder Zach Merrett (ankle), while youngster Nik Cox (ankle) has also been ruled out. On the flip side, Ben Rutten’s team will be hopeful of regaining Dylan Shiel (side strain) and Will Snelling (calf), while first-round surprise packet Nic Martin (COVID) should be available to play as well. But it’s all academic, anyway. The Demons are just in cruise control at the moment, and even if they remain in second gear this week, their best will still be too good for the Dons.
RONNY’S TIP: Melbourne by 31 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Melbourne by 32 points.

ADELAIDE v PORT ADELAIDE (Adelaide Oval, Friday 7.50pm local time)
After 50 Showdowns, this marquee fixture has finally earned itself a prime time Friday night timeslot – and it’s about time. Maybe the return meeting later this year in Round 23 will be a standalone Friday meeting, but this is still a big step in the right direction. And what a surprisingly interesting match-up this has become. For the first time since 2000, both SA clubs have started the year 0-2, and for a change, most of the negative attention centres around Port Adelaide. The Power have lost their last two games at their home ground by an average margin of 68 points, and questions are already starting to be asked of their hunger after losing back-to-back preliminary finals in the last two years. And while Ken Hinkley’s side should break its 2022 duck this week, especially if important forwards Charlie Dixon (ankle) and Robbie Gray (knee) return, most pundits expected them to do it easily against Hawthorn last week as well. It all adds up to what should be a fascinating encounter, with the added spice of local bragging rights mixed in for good measure.
RONNY’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 20 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 18 points.

GWS v GOLD COAST (Giants Stadium, Saturday 4.35pm local time)
All of a sudden, this becomes a crunch clash for the Giants. Granted, they fought their way back from 0-3 last year to make it to the semi-finals, but no side would want to start a season with three consecutive losses, especially one with designs on September. After a strong showing against Sydney, GWS was woeful against a depleted Richmond line-up last week, and looked at stages like it didn’t care, which is an indictment on the team so early into a new campaign. And the Giants are going to have their work cut out for them this week. The Suns are notorious fast starters, and they have lived up to their reputation again in 2022 with a win over West Coast in Perth and a competitive performance against the Demons. And they could be further boosted by the returns of Izak Rankine (quad) and Lachie Weller (COVID). Meanwhile, the Giants have lost Phil Davis (hamstring) and Daniel Lloyd (shoulder) for extended periods. GWS has been hit hard by injuries, but in many respects it’s already playing for its season this week, and while it will be made to earn its win, it simply must secure the four premiership points at all costs.
RONNY’S TIP: GWS by 10 points.
ROCO’S TIP: GWS by 12 points.

COLLINGWOOD v GEELONG (MCG, Saturday 7.25pm local time)
Alrighty. After a couple of games against bottom-10 sides from last year, Collingwood gets its first real test of the season this weekend when it faces the battle-hardened, experienced and wily old Cats. It’s certainly a step up in quality of opposition from the first two weeks for the Magpies, who have seen off the Saints and Crows under new coach Craig McCrae. McRae has implemented a much bolder and exciting game plan for his team in 2022, and so far, so good. Whether it stands up to the litmus test of a modern day, but probably declining, superpower remains to be seen. Geelong was a mere sideshow last week to the “Buddy 1000” celebrations, but it did cop a comprehensive loss all the same. The Pies have done little wrong so far this year, but with their scoring power taking a hit with injuries to new cult figure Nathan Kreuger (shoulder) and Beau McCreery (hip), they’ll find it hard to maintain their undefeated run against a Geelong side on the rebound.
RONNY’S TIP: Geelong by 19 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Geelong by 10 points.

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BRISBANE v NORTH MELBOURNE (Gabba, Saturday 7.00pm local time)
Brisbane is purring along nicely, and showing no ill-effects from recent finals heartache that Port Adelaide seems to be showing. The fact that the Lions have already displayed in both of their games so far that they respond to adversity in a mature fashion (trailing by four goals on both occasions) before coming home with a wet sail and finish up victorious is a testament to the growth the young playing group has achieved under coach Chris Fagan. The Kangaroos were hardly impressive as they struggled to overcome a decimated West Coast outfit on Sunday, and with a near full-strength Brisbane line-up at the Gabba to worry about this week, things could go pear-shaped quickly for the reigning wooden spooners.
RONNY’S TIP: Brisbane by 66 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Brisbane by 50 points.

CARLTON v HAWTHORN (MCG, Sunday 1.10pm local time)
The undefeated Blues and Hawks face off in one of the matches of the round. You’d be forgiven for thinking we’re back in the ‘80s! These Victorian powerhouse clubs who have been down in the dumps lately (or in Carlton’s case for the past decade), have each had a huge injection of excitement and enthusiasm. Rejuvenated by fresh faces Michael Voss and Sam Mitchell in their respective coaches’ boxes, Carlton and Hawthorn have been seriously impressive in the opening two weeks, taking down modern day heavyweights Richmond, the Bulldogs and Port Adelaide between them. The Hawks’ efficiency of ball use, especially their deadeye accuracy in front of goal, against the Power was breathtaking, while Carlton’s newfound defensive pressure, revitalised midfield group and reunited forward pairing of Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow have got them off to a flyer. And luckily for the Blues they will regain Adam Cerra and Jack Martin, as well as Voss, who have all left COVID protocols. Meanwhile, there is a question mark over Hawthorn star Chad Wingard (hamstring). Carlton in a tight one.
RONNY’S TIP: Carlton by 9 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Carlton by 6 points.

ST KILDA v RICHMOND (Marvel Stadium, Sunday 3.20pm local time)
Just when it looked like both of these teams might be headed for forgettable seasons, they responded impressively last week with victories over Fremantle in Perth and GWS respectively. And Richmond could be further bolstered by the returns of key veteran bookends Jack Riewoldt (thumb) and Dylan Grimes (soreness). Grimes’ recall would be very timely given the hot form Max King is in after dragging his side to victory against Fremantle with four second-half goals. The last time these two sides met, St Kilda held Richmond to its lowest score in 60 years, but under the roof in the sterile conditions of Marvel Stadium, don’t bank on that happening again.
RONNY’S TIP: Richmond by 16 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Richmond by 20 points.

WEST COAST v FREMANTLE (Optus Stadium, Sunday 3.20pm local time)
Did you hear that? That’s the sound of the cavalry arriving for West Coast, and not a minute too soon. After a hellish first two weeks to start the season, finally some good news for the Eagles, who could welcome back Nic Naitanui, Josh Kennedy, Tom Barass, Jack Redden, Josh Rotham, Jamaine Jones, Harry Edwards, Jake Waterman and Zac Langdon from COVID protocols, as well as Andrew Gaff (foot) and Jackson Nelson (knee) from injury. West Coast was forced to make 14 changes last week, but coach Adam Simpson will be more than happy to make a similar amount of changes this week if it means he can field a side that comes close to full strength. However, the Eagles are still without Elliot Yeo (calf), Dom Sheed (ankle), Jamie Cripps (pectoral), Oscar Allen (foot) and Tom Cole (ankle), which makes you realise just how mighty their effort was last week to get within 15 points of North Melbourne. As for Fremantle, which has also endured its own personnel issues of late (albeit nowhere near the scale of West Coast’s problems), it will be hoping to regain Matt Taberner (hamstring), Brennan Cox (COVID), Nathan Wilson (shoulder) and Josh Treacy (ankle). But star duo Nat Fyfe (back) and David Mundy (COVID) remain unavailable, and there’s a cloud hovering over ruckman Sean Darcy (ankle).
RONNY’S TIP: West Coast by 10 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Fremantle by 8 points.

RONNY’S SEASON TOTAL: 12
ROCO’S SEASON TOTAL: 11