Adelaide’s Rory Laird (right) watches on as Geelong forward Tyson Stengle kicks the ball away. Photo: AFL MEDIA

ADELAIDE v GEELONG (Adelaide Oval, Thursday 7:10pm)
The third edition of Gather Round is upon us and we probably couldn’t have asked for a better way to kick off the festivities than with a clash between the red-hot Crows and evergreen Cats. Adelaide has been one of the form teams of the opening month of the season, and was one point, and perhaps a couple of controversial late non-calls against Izak Rankine, away from maintaining its undefeated start to the campaign last week against Gold Coast. Geelong has made a solid start to 2025, winning two and putting up a decent fight in its two losses, but the absence of Jack Henry (hamstring) up against one of the league’s most potent forward lines will make things very tough.
RONNY’S TIP: Adelaide by 17 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Geelong by 6 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Geelong by 23 points

COLLINGWOOD v SYDNEY (Adelaide Oval, Friday 7:10pm)
This is another cracking contest between two sides who have got their seasons back on track after concerning starts. The Magpies have won their last three and the Swans their last two, so both teams head into this contest in good form. And the playing field regarding unavailable personnel has been levelled somewhat with Collingwood losing Dan Houston (suspension), Jordan De Goey (Achilles) and Lachie Schultz (hamstring). Conversely, Sydney could recall Harry Cunningham (foot), Lewis Melican (adductor) and Logan McDonald. Sure, Dean Cox’s team is still missing Errol Gulden (ankle), Tom Papley (foot), Callum Mills (foot), Justin McInerney (suspension), Robbie Fox (calf) and Taylor Adams (hamstring), but after the way it performed against (albeit lesser opposition in the form) of North Melbourne last week, it won’t mind its chances in this one.
RONNY’S TIP: Collingwood by 2 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Sydney by 8 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Sydney by 7 points.

NORTH MELBOURNE v GOLD COAST (Barossa Park, Saturday 12:05pm)
Speaking of those Kangaroos, they could not have been any more disappointing against the Swans last week. After appearing to turn the corner in its 10-goal smashing of Melbourne a fortnight earlier, it looks like North is right back to square one following its 12-goal shellacking from a extremely undermanned Sydney line-up. And the bad news keeps coming for the Roos because they now have to contend against one of the hottest teams in the league right now. Given the footy world has only just been sucked in by North Melbourne, this writer remains reluctant to fully buy into the Suns’ hype just yet, despite their very impressive start to the year, due to the multiple false dawns throughout their miserable 15-year existence. However, one thing is for sure, they should comfortably dispense with North and secure their first ever 4-0 start to a season.
RONNY’S TIP: Gold Coast by 51 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Gold Coast by 32 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Gold Coast by 41 points.

CARLTON v WEST COAST (Adelaide Oval, Saturday 12:50pm)
And now for the macabre portion of Gather Round. Two winless teams going head-to-head, but you can be darn sure that the lion’s share of the focus and pressure will be centred on the side wearing navy blue. A year that promised so much is already teetering precariously on the cliff and there’s no telling what kind of seismic repercussions will arise if the Blues cannot beat one of the worst teams the AFL has ever seen. The return of key Carlton duo Harry McKay and Elijah Hollands from their respective personal issues would be a good start, but Jake Waterman (back/calf), Liam Ryan (illness) and Jack Hutchison (hamstring) potentially all returning for West Coast will certainly make things interesting. Carlton just has to win this game.
RONNY’S TIP: Carlton by 21 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Carlton by 28 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Carlton by 35 points.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v BRISBANE (Norwood Oval, Saturday 3:45pm)
The Bulldogs have been brave in the first four rounds while battling an injury crisis, but there were signs against Fremantle that the task of holding down the fort is becoming a bit too hard. This week, they will still be missing Marcus Bontempelli (calf), Adam Treloar (calf), Cody Weightman (knee), Jason Johannisen (hamstring) and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, while Laitham Vandermeer (knee) and Taylor Duryea (soreness) are no guarantees of lining up. Meanwhile, Brisbane couldn’t have asked for a better start to the year, winning the first four games of its premiership defence and looking every chance of going back-to-back at this early juncture. This is going to be a very tough ask for the Dogs, even if with one of the best players in the AFL in their line-up in star forward Sam Darcy.
RONNY’S TIP: Brisbane by 20 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Brisbane by 2 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Brisbane by 15 points.

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MELBOURNE v ESSENDON (Adelaide Oval, Saturday 7:05pm)
This clash has a similar feel to it as the Blues-Eagles match-up. With just one win from seven matches combined between the Demons and Bombers, there’s going to be a lot of heat on the loser, especially if its Melbourne which is still chasing its first victory of 2025. There were better signs for the Demons last week, but they were ultimately outclassed by Geelong and scoring remains a massive issue for them. The Bombers were hardly convincing in their last game, but a win’s a win, and they showed plenty of heart and determination to run over the top of Port Adelaide. This is a real coin flip between two pretty unimpressive teams. But perhaps it’ll all finally click for Melbourne.
RONNY’S TIP: Melbourne by 10 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Melbourne by 14 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Melbourne by 11 points.

RICHMOND v FREMANTLE (Barossa Park, Sunday 12:05pm)
The Dockers produced their best performance of the year last week against the Bulldogs, and it looks like a result that they can really build off the back of. Their second quarter was scintillating, and if they replicate that kind of play against the Tigers, then they can’t lose. The young Richmond cubs are certainly having a crack, but it’s hard to see them toppling the Dockers and ruining Shai Bolton’s first game against his old club. The possible returns of Hayden Young, Sean Darcy and Sam Switkowski will further bolster Fremantle’s cause.
RONNY’S TIP: Fremantle by 31 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Fremantle by 34 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Fremantle by 29 points.

ST KILDA v GWS (Norwood Oval, Sunday 2:50pm)
If this isn’t the match of the round, it’s certainly on the podium. The Saints have been one of the surprise packets of the season, overcoming a sluggish first-up effort against Adelaide to win their last three games, including the scalps of preliminary finalists Geelong and Port Adelaide (away). But they’re going to get an early indication of where they really sit when they come up against premiership contender GWS this week. The Giants were absolutely ruthless against West Coast last week, and spearhead Jesse Hogan has his tail up after booting an equal-career-high nine goals. Liam Henry should return for the Saints and captain Jack Steele (knee) is a chance too. Meanwhile, Stephen Coniglio (glute) will be pushing for a recall for the Giants. St Kilda will put up a fight, but ultimately, GWS will just have a bit too much quality to contend with.
RONNY’S TIP: GWS by 9 points.
ROCO’S TIP: GWS by 10 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: GWS by 15 points.

PORT ADELAIDE v HAWTHORN (Adelaide Oval, Sunday 6:50pm)
The best might not have been saved for last from a pure footy sense, but in terms of theatre and drama, this is the perfect match to bring the curtain down on Gather Round with. With the spiteful finish to their thrilling semi-final last year, which saw sparks fly between Power coach Ken Hinkley, Hawthorn captain James Sicily and Hawks goalsneak Jack Ginnivan, still fresh in the memory, there will certainly be no shortage of spice and niggle. But that’s probably where the interest ends in this clash. The Power resemble a confused team treading water and going through the motions in what already appears to be a wasted year following the announcement of their coaching succession plan. It seems to be badly affecting the team’s output which is reflected in its 1-3 record. The hungry Hawks are experiencing no such issues. They’re the premiership favourites, undefeated and look primed to exact sweet revenge for their three-point loss to Port Adelaide last September.
RONNY’S TIP: Hawthorn by 38 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Port Adelaide by 12 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Hawthorn by 29 points.

SEASON TOTALS
ROCO 27
ROCKET 26
RONNY 24

*all times are local