One of the best match-ups to follow on Thursday night will be that of in-form superstars Steven May (left) and Joe Daniher. Photo: AFL MEDIA

MELBOURNE v BRISBANE (MCG, Thursday 7:30pm)
The Lions finally broke their 2024 duck last week in a comprehensive smashing of North Melbourne in Gather Round, which is already becoming something of an annual tradition for them. But it’s fair to say that the difficulty rating of their opponent goes up about three or four levels this week as they tackle the rampaging Demons. Melbourne looks like a team on a mission. Whether it be driven by the wall-to-wall press coverage arising from the myriad off-field issues that plagued it over the summer, or its galaxy of stars just so happen to be playing incredibly all at the same time. Whatever it is, Simon Goodwin’s team looks downright scary at present. Brisbane has an atrocious record at the MCG, losing 15 of its last 16 games there. And although they came mighty close to breaking the hoodoo last year in narrow losses to Melbourne and Collingwood at the venue, it’s hard to see how the Lions kick a winning score this week, especially with the Demons’ impregnable defence in such sensational form.
RONNY’S TIP: Melbourne by 27 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Melbourne by 16 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Melbourne by 23 points.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v ESSENDON (Marvel Stadium, Friday 7:40pm)
The glass-half-empty Bombers supporters, who probably make up the majority of the black-and-red cohort these days, will probably tell you that the real Essendon showed up last week. After a promising first 40 minutes, the Dons completely capitulated and were absolutely belted in the middle of the ground by Port Adelaide who cantered to a crushing 69-point win. Stoppages were supposedly the Bombers’ strength this season. Well, that theory got thoroughly debunked by the Power and they’re going to get another thorough examination in that area this week when they come up against the likes of Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore and Adam Treloar. The Dogs have been in great form since their first-round slip-up against Melbourne and should have few issues taking care of their bunnies who they’ve beaten nine of the last 10 times by an average of 50 points.
RONNY’S TIP: Western Bulldogs by 32 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Western Bulldogs by 26 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Western Bulldogs by 17 points.

GWS v ST KILDA (Manuka Oval, Saturday 1:45pm)
After a horrible first half, the Saints woke up in the second to overrun Richmond last week. But if they rate themselves any chance of winning this round, they better have more than two quarters in them. The Giants weren’t exactly firing on all cylinders last week either against the Suns, but still cruised to a five-goal win to maintain their undefeated start to the year. And they could be further bolstered by the return of star veteran Callan Ward (shoulder). With so much talent across the park, GWS is a premiership contender for a reason. It won’t be too surprising at all if it produces an encore performance of their elimination final triumph over the Saints.
RONNY’S TIP: GWS by 28 points.
ROCO’S TIP: GWS by 8 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: GWS by 15 points.

CARLTON v ADELAIDE (Marvel Stadium, Saturday 4:35pm)
If last week was a crunch game for the winless Crows, then this is just about a do-or-die proposition for them. Few teams have fought back from an 0-5 scoreline to make the finals and after a hype-filled pre-season that promised so much, Adelaide’s 2024 campaign could already be over in the middle of April. Despite being 4-0 for the first time since 1995, Carlton hasn’t exactly been setting the world on fire. However, a very encouraging sign for the Blues is that they’re still winning despite not playing at their best, especially against Richmond and Fremantle. And while their output has fluctuated from week to week this year (even quarter to quarter in some instances), it would be a brave punter to bet against them this week. Especially if superstar Sam Walsh (back) is declared fit.
RONNY’S TIP: Carlton by 19 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Carlton by 30 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Carlton by 29 points.

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GOLD COAST v HAWTHORN (Carrara, Saturday 7:30pm)
The Hawks are getting closer. But can they break through for their first win this week? That’s the question. After pushing top-eight fancies Geelong and Collingwood in consecutive weeks, Sam Mitchell’s men come up against an improved Gold Coast outfit fresh from a commendable performance against GWS. As it is in most games, the midfield battle holds the key here, and on their day, the likes of Jai Newcombe, James Worpel and Conor Nash can trouble some of the most decorated engine rooms in the competition. The Suns will probably be just too good in the end, but don’t be surprised if the Hawks give them a run for their money. However, with Mitch Lewis (knee), Luke Breust (groin) and Nick Watson (ankle) all still missing from the forward line, it makes things tough for the Hawks, even taking into consideration their gallant effort against the Magpies last weekend.
RONNY’S TIP: Gold Coast by 18 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Gold Coast by 32 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Gold Coast by 21 points.

PORT ADELAIDE v FREMANTLE (Adelaide Oval, Saturday 7pm)
Of all the outsiders this weekend, the Dockers stand out as the team most likely to cause an upset. The Power were ruthlessly clinical in the last 2.5 quarters last week, but their inability to handle significant pressure in the first 1.5 periods will give plenty of cause for optimism for Fremantle. Justin Longmuir’s men will identify that and think to themselves, as one of the best defensive teams in the AFL, that they can get Port Adelaide. Granted, the game is at Adelaide Oval, but Melbourne only just beat the Power there a few rounds ago. Of course, the Demons are a far stronger side than Freo, but the Dockers will garner some confidence from that all the same. Fremantle could regain Sean Darcy (knee) but will be without Michael Frederick (hamstring). Fresh from suffering the biggest robbery of the season so far, the Dockers will be out for blood this weekend. But with Ollie Wines (hamstring) and Sam Powell-Pepper (suspension) both set to return, the Power probably have too much firepower at their disposal.
RONNY’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 15 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 12 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 17 points.

GEELONG v NORTH MELBOURNE (Kardinia Park, Sunday 1pm)
If you thought North’s hopelessly undersized backline had been struggling already this season, wait until you see how they go against Geelong’s fearsome duo of Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins. It could get all kinds of ugly down there at the Cattery on Sunday. The Kangaroos have the leakiest defence in the AFL, shipping 118 points per game. And that figure is also on their developing midfield which simply doesn’t have the ability to protect its backline adequately. It appears as though the undefeated Cats have discovered the fountain of youth and the struggling Roos are going to find out all about that this weekend, and not in the pleasant way, either.
RONNY’S TIP: Geelong by 64 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Geelong by 42 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Geelong by 55 points.

WEST COAST v RICHMOND (Optus Stadium, Sunday 2pm)
Positive signs from the Eagles have been few and far between in recent years, but they definitely produced a few of them last week. Clearly showing that they harboured no hint of PTSD in their first match against the Swans since they dished out West Coast’s record-breaking 171-point loss to them last year, the Eagles put up a hell of a fight against the premiership contenders in Mount Barker and, for a change, could actually depart the field with their heads held high. Adding to the promising afternoon was the performance of No.1 pick Harley Reid who did some things that would’ve made Eagles fans all over the country salivate. And taking that into consideration, they’ve got to be some sort of a sniff this week at home to the Tigers. Richmond has been pretty competitive so far this season, and should therefore be good enough to take care of the battling Eagles, especially with the brilliant Liam Baker back from suspension. But they wouldn’t want to take West Coast lightly otherwise they could leave WA extremely red-faced.
RONNY’S TIP: Richmond by 22 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Richmond by 18 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Richmond by 9 points.

SEASON TOTALS
RONNY 28
ROCO 28
ROCKET 27

*all times local