The siren sounds on the most recent clash between Collingwood and West Coast, the epic 2018 grand final. Photo: AFL MEDIA

ADELAIDE v GEELONG (Adelaide Oval, Thursday 7.20pm local time)
After the Crows rebounded beautifully against Sydney last week, the anticipation surrounding round three’s Thursday night opener has grown considerably. It promises to be a blockbuster match and although it’s in the SA capital, the Cats are the hottest team in the AFL at the moment after back-to-back wins against 2018 preliminary finalists. Just when you think Geelong might finally fall off the perch, the Cats seem to find an answer, and 2019 might be the year they hit back with force after very disappointing endings to their last three finals series. While the Crows have won their last three meetings with the Cats, all at Adelaide Oval, the ground isn’t exactly a fortress for them given they’ve incurred five losses there in the last 12 months. It might be Geelong’s first interstate trip of the year, but there’s a real sense of rejuvenation about the Cats following the injection of so many new, young and exciting players. And with their superstars firing early as well, there’s no reason Geelong can’t start a year 3-0 for seventh time in 12 years.
RONNY’S TIP: Geelong by 15 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Geelong by 12 points.

MELBOURNE v ESSENDON (MCG, Friday 7.50pm local time)
It hasn’t taken long for the season’s first crunch clash to arrive, with the winless Demons and Bombers set to duke it out in what promises to be a gripping encounter. And if recent history is anything to go by, Friday night’s clash is basically an elimination final in April. In the 25 years of the top eight, only seven teams have made the finals after starting a season 0-3 – the win-loss record the loser will possess. Both teams headed into 2019 with such high hopes and yet, after each producing a pair of horrible performances, incredibly are now suddenly teetering precariously on the precipice. Melbourne’s loss of Steven May (groin) and Essendon’s potential recall of Cale Hooker will give the Bombers a minor boost, but their record at the MCG is atrocious with just one win from their last eight games there, and it could already be lights out for the Dons with their season barely even begun.
RONNY’S TIP: Melbourne by 17 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Essendon by 2 points.

CARLTON v SYDNEY (Marvel Stadium, Saturday 1.45pm local time)
However, the Blues have proven that being 0-2 doesn’t necessarily mean you’re having a stinking start to the season. Carlton has been more than admirable in its two losses to Richmond and Port Adelaide so far and the Blues appear as though they are banging the door down for a very rare victory. In this clash, another battle between two winless teams, the pressure is certainly more pronounced for the Swans, because they were widely viewed as more of a finals chance than the Blues. The loss of Charlie Curnow (knee) is a blow for Brendon Bolton’s men, but if they bring the same energy, pressure and enthusiasm they have displayed in the first two rounds (and Jacob Weitering and/or Liam Jones can do the same job on Buddy Franklin that Alex Silvagni did in Carlton’s shock win over Sydney in 2017), then there’s no reason they can’t break through for just their fourth win in 22 months.
RONNY’S TIP: Carlton by 10 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Carlton by 4 points.

GWS v RICHMOND (Giants Stadium, Saturday 4.35pm local time)
Like Melbourne and Essendon, the Tigers have also surprisingly begun the season with their energy levels well below the expected standard. They only played two decent quarters against Carlton and were wiped off the park by a rampant Collingwood outfit for the second time in three outings last week. And the absence of Alex Rance (knee) and now Jack Riewoldt (wrist) will make things very difficult for Richmond. After a charmed run with injury in the last couple of seasons, it’s fair to say the Tigers have come back to earth with a thud in that department. The last two meetings between these two sides at this ground have been nail-biting classics, and with superstar Josh Kelly returning for GWS, the scales probably tip slightly in the hosts’ favour.
RONNY’S TIP: GWS by 11 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Richmond by 10 points.

BRISBANE v PORT ADELAIDE (Gabba, Saturday 6.25pm local time)
And now we come to the only match-up between two undefeated sides. Who would have thought pre-season that either the Lions or Power would have perfect records after three rounds and potentially be topping the ladder? It’s been great to see, especially from a Brisbane perspective, given how long the Lions’ rebuild has taken and that now the “green shoots” are definitely starting to sprout. Brisbane’s first-round clash at home drew a touch over 20,000 fans so don’t be surprised if 25-30,000 rock up this week. The Lions look like they’re back and Queenslanders love a winner. The return of a boisterous home crowd will certainly be a huge plus for the emerging Lions this year. Port Adelaide might regain Ollie Wines (shoulder), but the momentum and excitement that Chris Fagan’s men are generating is looking irresistible at the moment.
RONNY’S TIP: Brisbane by 25 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 6 points.

COLLINGWOOD v WEST COAST (MCG, Saturday 7.25pm local time)
It’s hard to go past a grand final rematch when nominating the match of the round. These two clubs produced one of the greatest premiership deciders ever witnessed last September, and continued their incredible finals rivalry which stretches all the way back to 1990. The Eagles took the chocolates last time, but it will probably be a different story this time around. While West Coast looks like it is back on track following a disastrous first-up clash against Brisbane, Collingwood’s performance against reigning minor premier Richmond last week was magnificent. The Magpies, too, look like they’re well and truly up and about after a sluggish first-up performance against the Cats, and could be further bolstered by the return of Taylor Adams (finger). Jamie Cripps (toe) and Will Schofield (quad) are in the mix for the Eagles, along with the returned from suspension Andrew Gaff.
RONNY’S TIP: Collingwood by 21 points.
ROCO’S TIP: West Coast by 8 points.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v GOLD COAST (Marvel Stadium, Sunday 2.20pm local time)
Are the Doggies back after two years in the wilderness? The early indications would suggest they are after two brilliant victories over modern day powerhouses Sydney and Hawthorn. Like the Lions, Saints and Power, the Bulldogs have been one of 2019’s early-season surprise packets. The Suns have been very impressive so far as well. They lost to St Kilda by a point and then produced a gallant come-from-behind win against Fremantle last week, which shut up all the naysayers who said they wouldn’t win a game this year. However, despite the Suns’ unexpected form, the Dogs should have no problems starting a season 3-0 for the first time in a decade, and continuing their quest towards recapturing their 2016 form.
RONNY’S TIP: Western Bulldogs by 31 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Western Bulldogs by 30 points

HAWTHORN v NORTH MELBOURNE (MCG, Sunday 3.20pm local time)
The heat is on at Arden Street as well after North Melbourne’s underwhelming start to the season. If the Kangaroos lose this week, it will be the fourth time in Brad Scott’s 10-year reign that they begin a year 0-3, and on those previous three occasions they failed to make the finals. Making things that more difficult for the Roos is the fact they’re up against a side they have lost eight of their last 10 games against. The Hawks were 30 minutes away from remaining undefeated this year before a spectacular final-quarter capitulation allowed the Dogs to score a famous win. And although Shaun Burgyone (hamstring) and Liam Shiels (hamstring) are big losses, don’t expect a repeat effort from the Hawks this weekend. Meanwhile, North’s Jed Anderson (hamstring) could return against his old side, and Sam Wright (quad) is in the mix as well.
RONNY’S TIP: Hawthorn by 27 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Hawthorn by 20 points.

FREMANTLE v ST KILDA (Optus Stadium, Sunday 3.20pm local time)
The Saints have been one of the feel-good stories of the year so far. The pundits gave them a snowflake’s hope in hell of doing anything meaningful this season, yet here they are as one of five undefeated teams heading into round three. Their victory over Essendon was particularly impressive. Their desperation and hunger were prevalent throughout the contest, and if they’d kicked straighter they would’ve won by five or six goals. Like the Hawks, the Dockers came agonisingly close to maintaining their undefeated record last week, but were pipped at the post in stunning fashion by wooden spoon favourite Gold Coast. But the Dockers are a much better team at home than they are away (look no further than their round one walloping of North Melbourne), and should be good enough to deny St Kilda its first 3-0 start to a season since 2010.
RONNY’S TIP: Fremantle by 33 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Fremantle by 26 points.

RONNY’S SEASON TOTAL: 6
ROCO’S SEASON TOTAL: 7