Collingwood’s remarkable elimination final win over West Coast last October seems like a long time ago now. Photo: AAP

ST KILDA v RICHMOND (Marvel Stadium, Thursday 7.20pm local time)
What a difference a week makes. In the Saints’ case, they went from producing one of the most insipid performances seen in the last 20 years by any side, to kicking the last eight goals against West Coast in a stunning comeback victory. And as for the Tigers, while they came up just short against the Power in Adelaide, it was a much better display than the one they put on against Sydney at the MCG in round three. Unfortunately for St Kilda, influential big man Rowan Marshall (foot) is in doubt, but has been named. Richmond, meanwhile, regains the reliable Kamdyn McIntosh (concussion). The Saints were certainly impressive for 40 minutes last week, but are they in consistent enough form to convince the masses they are now capable of taking down the back-to-back premiers? That seems like a quantum leap at this stage.
RONNY’S TIP: Richmond by 25 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Richmond by 10 points.

WEST COAST v COLLINGWOOD (Optus Stadium, Friday 6.10pm local time)
All of a sudden there is a sense of urgency attached to this contest for both teams. At 2-2, the Eagles, fresh from a second-half capitulation against St Kilda, have been hit hard by injury again with Shannon Hurn (calf) joining Luke Shuey (hamstring) and Elliot Yeo (groin) on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Collingwood’s season is well and truly on the line. Many times before, we’ve seen the Magpies travel interstate with their backs against the wall and produce a stirring result (look no further than last year’s elimination final against this very opposition at this very ground). But there is something not quite right about Collingwood this year. Whether it’s the lasting impacts of its horror trade period or its botched release of its “Do Better” report, or the continued uncertainty surrounding the future of coach Nathan Buckley and who will replace Eddie McGuire as president permanently, the Magpies do not seem like a connected unit in 2021. The loss of Taylor Adams (knee), arguably their toughest midfielder, also hurts.
RONNY’S TIP: West Coast by 22 points.
ROCO’S TIP: West Coast by 26 points.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v GOLD COAST (Marvel Stadium, Saturday 4.35pm local time)
The Suns are becoming a bit of a broken record – they’ve been gallant, but haven’t been able to get the rewards. How many times have we said that about them? The young club continues to be hit by injuries to key players, but unlike other clubs, they haven’t worked out a way to cope with such adversity. And unfortunately, they’re coming up against the hottest side in the competition this week. The ladder-leading Bulldogs have history in their sights as they attempt to go 5-0 for the first time since 1946. And with their three-pronged key forward set-up working beautifully, their star-studded midfield wreaking havoc, and Stefan Martin licking his chops against a team missing their No.1 ruckman, this one could get ugly on the fast deck at Marvel Stadium.
RONNY’S TIP: Western Bulldogs by 68 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Western Bulldogs by 48 points.

SYDNEY v GWS (SCG, Saturday 4.35pm local time)
Are the young Swans starting to show the first signs of tiring? Are the young Giants starting to show the first signs of rejuvenation? Maybe the truth lies somewhere in the middle, but it’s going to be fascinating to find out the answer over the course of 120 minutes. Sydney derbies have had their fair share of spice over the years, including a pair of finals which the Giants won, and the niggle factor promises to reach maximum levels in the latest chapter of the rivalry. In many ways, GWS has taken a leaf out of the Swans’ book, albeit forced due to a raft of injuries to key players, and the side they fielded last week featured seven players of 10 games experience or less. But it got the job done easily against Collingwood at the MCG. The Swans are 4-0, but were made to work as hard as they have all season by another up-and-coming side in Essendon last week. Toby Greene is leading the Giants beautifully, and if he can’t be contained, Sydney runs the risk of suffering its first loss of the year. The absence of Dane Rampe (finger) doesn’t help the Swans’ cause on that front, and neither does Isaac Heeney’s (hand) forced omission. GWS is definitely a sniff in this one and don’t be surprised if the Giants push Sydney as hard as the Bombers did.
RONNY’S TIP: Sydney by 6 points.
ROCO’S TIP: GWS by 2 points.

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CARLTON v PORT ADELAIDE (MCG, Saturday 7.25pm local time)
It’s been hard to get a read on the Blues so far this year. They were competitive in two losses against Richmond and Collingwood, and then did what they had to do in victories against injury-hit Fremantle and Gold Coast sides. But they get another big test coming up in the form of the red-hot Power. Ken Hinkley’s side might have been shown up badly by West Coast a fortnight ago, but it more than made up for it with a thrilling two-point victory over reigning premier Richmond last week. However, the Power have no shortage of obstacles to overcome this week with Zak Butters (ankle) and Xavier Duursma (knee) ruled out, while the third part of their 2018 draft top-20 triumvirate Connor Rozee is struggling with a corked thigh. Orazio Fantasia (ankle) didn’t look flash last week, either. The good news is they hope to regain Tom Rockliff (concussion) and Todd Marshall (ankle). Carlton is of course battling its own sizeable injury list, but is optimistic that Zac Williams (calf), David Cuningham (concussion) and Mitch McGovern (back) will be available. If Port Adelaide isn’t careful, this could be a banana skin game.
RONNY’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 9 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 16 points.

BRISBANE v ESSENDON (Gabba, Saturday 7.25pm local time)
It’s a case of home sweet home for the Lions, and boy do they desperately need to return to familiar surrounds after a COVID-enforced extended road trip in Victoria. Although, having said that, their only game at the Gabba this year did finish up with a thumping loss to the Swans. They were very good against Geelong and Collingwood, but the wheels seemed to fall off pretty badly in Ballarat against the Bulldogs. Of course, this is one of the grudge matches of the season as Joe Daniher faces his old side Essendon for the first time, and luckily for the key forward he gets to do it away from a packed Marvel Stadium/MCG full of Bomber supporters. And haven’t they had a lot to cheer about in the past fortnight? Granted, their team is 1-3, but there are so many positive signs being shown, particularly from the younger brigade led by Nik Cox, that they should rightfully dare to dream about causing an upset this week. And wouldn’t they love to go one up on Daniher? Granted, it probably won’t happen as it’s a must-win game for the Lions, whose premiership hopes are all of a sudden perched precariously at 1-3.
RONNY’S TIP: Brisbane by 15 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Brisbane by 18 points.

ADELAIDE v FREMANTLE (Adelaide Oval, Sunday 12.40pm local time)
The Crows are fast-becoming one of the stories of the season, having already matched their 2020 win tally inside the opening four rounds. Their improvement has been dramatic, and they are every chance to go one better than last season after just five games. And the main reason for that is Fremantle is already showing signs of how vast the difference is between their performances on the road and at home. In their two victories against GWS and Hawthorn, the Dockers have looked like a different team to that worked over by Melbourne and Carlton at the MCG and Marvel Stadium respectively. But helping their cause this week is having Rory Lobb (knee), Lachie Schultz (concussion) and Darcy Tucker (hamstring) all in the selection frame. Despite that, the rejuvenated Crows should continue their perfect record at Adelaide Oval this year.
RONNY’S TIP: Adelaide by 21 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Adelaide by 22 points.

HAWTHORN v MELBOURNE (MCG, Sunday 3.20pm local time)
The Demons are flying on the back of their best start to a season since 1994, and if they truly are a side that has matured to the extent we all think they have, then there’s no reason they shouldn’t be 5-0 by the end of the round. However, like Essendon, the Hawks are youthful and have shown a whole lot of promise so far this season without getting the rewards. Having produced three competitive showings in a row which all ended in defeat, you can bet your bottom dollar the Hawks are desperately knocking on the door of a victory. And if they want it to happen this week, then keeping the ball out of Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn’s vicinity is a must, because that has brought the Hawks undone in recent times. It’s been 61 years since the Demons have beaten the Hawks four times in a row, and while Steven May (eye socket) is a big loss, their hard-running game style which features quick ball movement and has led to territory dominance should see them achieve that feat.
RONNY’S TIP: Melbourne by 13 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Melbourne by 14 points.

GEELONG v NORTH MELBOURNE (Kardinia Park, Sunday 4.40pm local time)
As if North Melbourne’s season couldn’t get any worse, the Roos now have to deal with a Geelong side that will welcome back Patrick Dangerfield and Gary Rohan from suspension, and probably Brandan Parfitt (hip), too. Jeremy Cameron (hamstring) hasn’t been ruled out just yet, either. The Cats have made a sub-standard start to the season, but this match presents an easy kill for them to sink their teeth into and a chance to kickstart a campaign which many expected would include a serious challenge for the premiership.
RONNY’S TIP: Geelong by 75 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Geelong by 42 points.

RONNY’S SEASON TOTAL: 23
ROCO’S SEASON TOTAL: 25