Collingwood star Josh Daicos gets a kick away with Callum Ah Chee in hot pursuit during last year’s grand final. Photo: AFL MEDIA

BRISBANE v COLLINGWOOD (Gabba, Thursday 6:30pm local time)
Six months after these two sides played in one of the greatest grand finals of all time, who would’ve predicted that they’d be facing each other in their blockbuster Easter clash at the Gabba both searching for their first win of the season? The Lions and Magpies have five losses between them to start the new campaign. It seemed inconceivable heading into the season, but rather than this contest being a clash between a pair of heavyweights flexing their considerable muscle, this is now a battle for survival. The loser of this one is going to find it very hard to make the finals, especially if it’s the 0-3 Pies. Three games in a row now Collingwood has been exposed by pace, pressure, skill errors and their vulnerable backline that continues to badly miss Nathan Murphy. And the news gets worse for them with No.1 ruck Darcy Cameron (gastro) in doubt to make the flight up to Queensland. Conversely, the news is much better for Brisbane which looks set to regain champion Lachie Neale (hamstring) and swing man Darcy Gardiner (knee). Prior to last year’s epic grand final, the Lions well and truly had the wood over Collingwood, winning their previous six meetings by an average of 26 points. Coming off the bye, expect a recalibrated Lions outfit to plunge an early dagger into the Magpies’ September aspirations.
RONNY’S TIP: Brisbane by 27 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Brisbane by 2 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Collingwood by 7 points.

NORTH MELBOURNE v CARLTON (Marvel Stadium, Friday 4:20pm local time)
You’ve got to hand it North. It might not yet be winning games, but it’s definitely having a crack. In their opening two matches against GWS and Fremantle, the Kangaroos have definitely made their opponents earn it. The problem for Alastair Clarkson’s side, though, is that it only has a half of footy in it at this stage, and that’s just not going to be enough to seriously test the best teams, of which Carlton is one. The Blues were far from convincing in scraping over the line against an injury-ravaged Richmond outfit last time out, but like Brisbane, they are coming off an early bye. With Jacob Weitering (calf), Caleb Marchbank (illness) and Jesse Motlop (toe) all expected to be available, North’s poor track record on Good Friday looks set to continue. The Roos have won just one of six such fixtures, and have lost their last four games on the public holiday by an average of 69 points.
RONNY’S TIP: Carlton by 40 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Carlton by 42 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Carlton by 31 points.

FREMANTLE v ADELAIDE (Optus Stadium, Friday 4:20pm local time)
Last year’s grand finalists aren’t the only ones under the pump this round. Crunch time has arrived early for a team many expected to climb as high as the top four this year. That’s right, the Crows have made a shaky start to the season as well and will be desperate to avoid an 0-3 start, because as Geelong found out last year, it’s a long way back from there. And their task of breaking their duck this week is a tricky one to say the least because the Dockers have made an impressive start with wins over Brisbane and North. But Freo’s injury list is quite lengthy and after being moderately tested by the developing Kangas last week, it will get the full examination from an Adelaide side locked, loaded and ready to emerge as a force this season.
RONNY’S TIP: Adelaide by 14 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Fremantle by 12 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Fremantle by 11 points.

ESSENDON v ST KILDA (Marvel Stadium, Saturday 4:20pm local time)
The Bombers were gallant in defeat against the red-hot Swans last week but while they were once again great around the stoppages, just like their first match against Hawthorn, they were left wanting badly in their attempts to defend opposition transition from defence to attack. Against a team as quick as St Kilda, that will be a huge issue again for Essendon if it can’t improve that crucial part of the game. And as the Saints showed against the reigning premiers last round, they are more than capable of ripping a team to shreds with speed and pressure. The loss of key forward Peter Wright (suspension) is a huge blow for the Bombers, and will most likely swing the door back open for Harrison Jones. Essendon is also sweating on the fitness of Will Setterfield (knee) and Andrew McGrath (ankle). But in better news for the Dons, Mason Redman returns while Darcy Parish (hamstring) and Jake Kelly (illness) are expected to be available as well. However, the Saints have their own issues with their No.1 key forward Max King also out due to suspension while Liam Henry (hamstring) and Mason Wood (collarbone) have joined Brad Crouch (knee), Hunter Clark (calf), Jimmy Webster (suspension), Dougal Howard (hamstring), Jack Hayes (knee) and Ben Paton (pectoral) on the sidelines. This clash has all the makings of a flip-of-the-coin affair.
RONNY’S TIP: Essendon by 3 points.
ROCO’S TIP: St Kilda by 16 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: St Kilda by 13 points.

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PORT ADELAIDE v MELBOURNE (Adelaide Oval, Saturday 7pm local time)
Given the sorry state that the Lions and Magpies currently find themselves in, this is arguably the match of the round. What a contest it promises to be between the undefeated Power and the rejuvenated Demons who have won their last two games by an average 50 points after dropping their season opener against Sydney. But if they’re going to make it three wins in a row, they’ll be made to earn it because they head to Adelaide Oval without superstar defender Steven May (ribs), and his partner-in-crime Jake Lever (knee) is no certainty either. The potential loss of both key pillars in defence could scarcely have come at a worse time with the Power boasting the likes of Charlie Dixon, Todd Marshall and Jeremy Finlayson up forward, while Mitch Georgiades continues to wait patiently in the wings. Much will be asked of Melbourne’s makeshift defence that will likely feature Harrison Petty, Tom McDonald, Marty Hore and Adam Tomlinson. A lot will also depend on the Demons’ star-studded midfield to protect their backline as much as possible. However, Melbourne’s forward line has been functioning much better in the past fortnight, kicking 30 goals and going at an accuracy rate of 58 per cent. The Dees also have a good recent record at this venue against the Power.
RONNY’S TIP: Melbourne by 8 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Melbourne by 2 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 9 points.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v WEST COAST (Marvel Stadium, Sunday 1pm local time)
A week after Bulldogs fans feared the worst for their team in season 2024, their concerns were quickly allayed as the Dogs wasted no time in righting the ship with a dominant display against upstart Gold Coast in Ballarat. The old firm of Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore and Adam Treloar were key contributors as was the spectacular Cody Weightman with six goals. And the midfield mix is set to include Jack Macrae this week after capping off his lengthy stint in the VFL with a 47-disposal performance last week. He will almost certainly be one of the forced changes for Ed Richards (concussion) and Nick Coffield (shoulder). Even though West Coast produced one of the upsets of last season by beating the Dogs at Marvel Stadium to blow up their finals hopes, the odds of lightning striking twice this week are slim as the Eagles look like being cannon fodder once again this year.
RONNY’S TIP: Western Bulldogs by 36 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Western Bulldogs by 56 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Western Bulldogs by 65 points.

RICHMOND v SYDNEY (MCG, Sunday 4pm local time)
If it wasn’t already abundantly clear that the Tigers were entering a new era, then the fact that they have started a season 0-3 for the first time since 2010 has served as the exclamation mark. On that occasion 14 years ago, a rookie coach by the name of Damien Hardwick was in charge. And as it happens, his successor Adem Yze has begun his coaching career in the exact same way. Perhaps a good omen for Richmond seven years from now. But in the meantime, the Tigers look like they’re on a tough road, and they might not get their first win until Round 5 when they play West Coast. They’ve certainly been competitive this year, bar the first half against Gold Coast, and still have a decent amount of quality players out on the park. But up against the rampaging Swans, who have already beaten Collingwood at the same ground a fortnight ago, it’s not looking great for the Tigers.
RONNY’S TIP: Sydney by 28 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Sydney by 24 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Sydney by 27 points.

HAWTHORN v GEELONG (MCG, Monday 3:20pm local time)
Easter Monday is all about the ‘Tomahawk’. Geelong champion Tom Hawkins becomes just the 24th VFL/AFL player to reach 350 games and only the second Cat behind great mate Joel Selwood to achieve the feat. Hawkins needs just another six games to become the club’s all-time record holder. And judging by his match-winning performance last round, he’ll easily accomplish that. Like Hawkins, the Cats have started the season in very impressive form, and coming up against the struggling Hawks, Chris Scott’s team looks set to celebrate Hawkins’ big game in style by maintaining its undefeated start to the year. Hawkins needs just 14 more goals to crack the magical 800 barrier, and there’s every chance he could get about halfway there by Monday evening.
RONNY’S TIP: Geelong by 31 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Geelong by 32 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Geelong by 25 points.

SEASON TOTALS
RONNY 14
ROCO 14
ROCKET 13