Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos is tackled during his team’s thrilling win over Carlton in Round 21 last year. Photo: AFL MEDIA

COLLINGWOOD v CARLTON (MCG, Thursday 7:30pm)
Touted by many pre-season as a top-four threat, and possibly set for even higher honours, Carlton has been smashed over the head by reality in the opening three weeks. The Blues could not have asked for a worse start, slumping to 0-3 for the first time since 2019, and in a bad omen for coach Michael Voss, that same year former Carlton boss Brendon Bolton didn’t see out the year. Compounding things for Carlton is that Harry McKay and Elijah Hollands both remain unavailable, and the Magpies regain gun forward Brody Mihocek. Collingwood was tested by the undermanned Bulldogs before grinding out a six-point win before its bye, and the Blues did a lot right against the same opposition last week, but just lacked the necessary composure and wherewithal to finish off the job. The one silver lining for Voss’ men is that they are inching closer to their first win, but whether they can break through against a fairly strong Collingwood side is another story.
RONNY’S TIP: Collingwood by 10 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Collingwood by 4 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Collingwood by 21 points.

GEELONG v MELBOURNE (Kardinia Park, Friday 7:40pm)
While the Blues gradually rise back to the surface after hitting rock bottom in Round 1 against Richmond, the Demons have replaced them at the AFL’s no man’s land. Back-to-back 10-goal thumpings from top-eight excommunicados North Melbourne and Gold Coast have put Melbourne in a terrible position. Like Carlton, the Demons are winless in their first three games for the first time in six years, and they’re going to have a hell of a time avoiding a first 0-4 scoreline since 2012. Many of Melbourne’s efforts last week were downright embarrassing. There’s a lack of care, heart and desire that is permeating throughout the team, putting paid to the messaging from the club that love is a core value for them in season 2025. The Demons could regain Kysaiah Pickett, Jake Lever, Caleb Windsor and Charlie Spargo, but does it really matter when the side appears to already be going through the motions? There are few assignments they could’ve picked to try and stop the rot than the Cats at Kardinia Park. Superstar defender Tom Stewart is a big chance to return for Geelong as well.
RONNY’S TIP: Geelong by 29 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Geelong by 16 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Geelong by 15 points.

GOLD COAST v ADELAIDE (Carrara, Saturday 12:20pm)
Who would’ve thought a month ago that the Suns and Crows would be participating in a match of the round? Let alone against each other! But that’s the reality they find themselves in after both sides started the season in red-hot form. Between them, the two undefeated teams have won five games by an average of 61 points, and are averaging scores of 133 points per match. Every line on the ground is on fire so far for both teams. Their midfields are rampaging, their forward lines are potent and their backlines are rock solid. Josh Rachele (ribs) is a big loss for Adelaide, while Gold Coast could regain Ben Ainsworth (quad). This promises to be a crackerjack contest and the home team will be keen to impress its fans in its first game on the Gold Coast for the year after their Round 0 clash was postponed.
RONNY’S TIP: Gold Coast by 11 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Gold Coast by 8 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Gold Coast by 7 points.

RICHMOND v BRISBANE (MCG, Saturday 4:15pm)
A large portion of the Tiger Army might still be celebrating their team’s stunning Round 1 win over the Blues, but the euphoria of that unforgettable result has well and truly dissipated for the players, who have now lost their last two games by an average of 77 points. And if they thought they might get some sort of respite this week, they had better think again, because they are up against the reigning premier who have made a perfect 3-0 start to the season and are showing few signs of a hangover (apart from their slow first halves). The last time the Lions were at this venue they hoisted the premiership cup aloft, and a similar margin to that grand final drubbing over Sydney can be expected this time around.
RONNY’S TIP: Brisbane by 58 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Brisbane by 48 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Brisbane by 51 points.

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NORTH MELBOURNE v SYDNEY (Marvel Stadium, Saturday 7:35pm)
The Kangaroos might be 1-2, but they don’t look like the pushovers that they were for most of the previous five seasons. A 59-point thrashing of Melbourne, together with a pair of competitive showings in losses to the Bulldogs and Adelaide demonstrate they’re not going to be easily pushed aside, even by last year’s runner-up. The Swans finally got off the mark before the bye with a gutsy win against Fremantle in a thriller at Optus Stadium, and will no doubt be keen to reacquaint themselves with former premiership star Luke Parker. But while Logan McDonald (ankle) is available, Sydney’s massive injury list continues to grow with Tom Papley (heel) the latest star sidelined. North has shown when it gets on a run, it can be very hard to stop, especially against the Demons. With so many key players out, Sydney might struggle to contain Alastair Clarkson’s joeys, meaning another nailbiter could be on the cards. North should regain defender Griffin Logue (hamstring) as well.
RONNY’S TIP: Sydney by 4 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Sydney by 10 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Sydney by 13 points.

GWS v WEST COAST (Giants Stadium, Sunday 1:10pm)
The Giants will be smarting after blowing a five-goal lead against Hawthorn in a match that some have touted as a grand final preview. And unfortunately for the Eagles, they are going to be served up as the sacrificial lambs for GWS to take out its frustration on. The loss of star backman Jeremy McGovern (adductor) will only make things worse for West Coast. Andrew McQualter’s men haven’t been terrible in their past two games, following their first-up car crash against Gold Coast, but the Giants are at the pointy end of the competition and will show the Eagles exactly why that is the case this weekend.
RONNY’S TIP: GWS by 61 points.
ROCO’S TIP: GWS by 36 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: GWS by 37 points.

PORT ADELAIDE v ST KILDA (Adelaide Oval, Sunday 2:50pm)
The Power had better address their atrocious skill level and appetite for the contested ball if they want to return to the winners’ list on Sunday. Ken Hinkley’s team was truly awful during its 12-point loss to Essendon in a game in which the Bombers were also sub-standard, but showed more heart and hunger to overrun a lethargic Port Adelaide side. The Saints head over to the Adelaide Oval for the second time in four games, but are unrecognisable from the team that got pumped by the Crows in Round 1. With back-to-back impressive wins over Geelong and Richmond in their back pocket, they are brimming with confidence, and they could regain captain Jack Steele (knee) as well as Dan Butler (Achilles). But the Power could include Zak Butters (knee), Lachie Jones (adductor) and Ollie Lord (shoulder), who would be much-needed reinforcements, and provide the team with a freshen-up. This is going to be a cracking game.
RONNY’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 8 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 2 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: St Kilda by 9 points.

FREMANTLE v WESTERN BULLDOGS (Optus Stadium, Sunday 3:10pm)
The Dockers have eased the pressure on themselves with a maiden win for the season over arch rivals West Coast last week, but things don’t get any easier for them as they prepare to host the undermanned Bulldogs who have made a great start to the year, in the face of a personnel crisis. And although Taylor Duryea (managed) is the only notable player in line for a return this week, this reconfigured version of the side has found a way to not only be competitive, but a hard team to beat with two gutsy wins from their first three games. And they almost got the job done against Collingwood as well. If Hayden Young (hamstring) and Jaeger O’Meara (illness) both return, they would serve as big boosts for the Dockers. This promises to be another arm wrestle akin to Freo’s clash with Sydney a fortnight ago.
RONNY’S TIP: Fremantle by 3 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Fremantle by 4 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Fremantle by 7 points.

SEASON TOTALS
ROCO 20
ROCKET 18
RONNY 17

*all times are local