Collingwood players are stunned after Lachie Sullivan (not pictured) was controversially penalised during the Magpies’ draw with Fremantle last year. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

FREMANTLE v COLLINGWOOD (Optus Stadium, Thursday 6:10pm)
After producing their latest train wreck on the road against the Saints, you can bet your bottom dollar that the Dockers will be much more competitive this week, and will go close to winning. They’ve shown already this season on multiple occasions that they’re a lot more comfortable in Perth, as evidenced by their wins over the Bulldogs and Adelaide in particular. Now, a win over the red-hot Magpies, as impressive as it would be, wouldn’t dispel the serious questions around Fremantle’s mental toughness (that could only be done with wins away from home), but it would take the pressure off coach Justin Longmuir, for a week at least. And coming off a five-day break, Collingwood is opting to leave veterans Scott Pendlebury, Jordan De Goey, Brayden Maynard and Brody Mihocek back in Melbourne. The Magpies, who lost to Geelong in the match of the season last week, regain Jeremy Howe, but the extra day’s rest might be enough for the erratic Dockers to pinch the win.
RONNY’S TIP: Fremantle by 5 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Fremantle by 8 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Fremantle by 13 points.

ST KILDA v CARLTON (MCG, Friday 7:40pm)
Just when it looked like Carlton was back on track, it reverted to type last week with a terrible performance against the Crows. And, conversely, St Kilda appeared to be in freefall with three consecutive losses by an average of eight goals before smothering the Dockers into submission six days ago, en route to a 61-point victory. Surprisingly, the Saints have given up home-ground advantage at Marvel Stadium, where they have beaten the Blues eight of the last 10 times, including that memorable final-round encounter last year that almost sent Carlton packing from the finals. This is the first time St Kilda has hosted the Blues at the MCG since 1999. Carlton is hopeful of Jack Silvagni (hand) rejoining its backline, while the Saints could regain Mason Wood (concussion) and Mattaes Phillipou (quad). In what could prove to be a pivotal moment in deciding where Tom De Koning will play his footy next year, the Blues should put a better case forward than the Saints in winning the star ruckman’s signature.
RONNY’S TIP: Carlton by 11 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Carlton by 16 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Carlton by 7 points.

MELBOURNE v HAWTHORN (MCG, Saturday 1:20pm)
The Demons have managed to stabilise their season with three consecutive wins, after starting the year 0-5, but this week they will get the best indicator yet of where they really stand, taking on premiership contender Hawthorn. The Hawks are back with two consecutive wins by an average of 10 goals, and could be bolstered by the return of key players Calsher Dear and Karl Amon (concussion). The Demons will be without Harrison Petty (concussion), while it’s unclear as to whether Clayton Oliver (personal reasons) will be ready for senior footy. Max Gawn has been in tremendous form of late, but even the champion ruck will struggle to drag Melbourne to victory in this game.
RONNY’S TIP: Hawthorn by 31 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Hawthorn by 22 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Hawthorn by 19 points.

ESSENDON v SYDNEY (Marvel Stadium, Saturday 4:15pm)
After battling a significant injury list all season, the Swans finally worked out how to win last weekend without Errol Gulden (ankle), Tom Papley (foot), Callum Mills (foot), Harry Cunningham (foot), Joel Amartey (hamstring), Robbie Fox (calf), Taylor Adams (hamstring) and Logan McDonald (ankle). And what a time to do so against their cross-town rival GWS in an upset performance. But while Adams could return this week, Sydney loses another key player in Lewis Melican to suspension. The Bombers might be 4-3, but they’re not fooling anyone. Their win over Melbourne was the only one worth boasting about, as their percentage of 88.6 (sixth worst) would suggest. Jordan Ridley (hamstring), Harrison Jones (ankle) and Jade Gresham (adductor) all make way for Essendon, but Jye Caldwell (hamstring) should return, while Nik Cox and Matt Guelfi could be in line for their first senior appearances of 2025. Weird things tend to happen in games between these two clubs, but the Swans have won six of the last seven of them and should continue that trend.
RONNY’S TIP: Sydney by 15 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Sydney by 18 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Sydney by 15 points.

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GOLD COAST v WESTERN BULLDOGS (Darwin, Saturday 7:05pm)
This is just about the match of the round, and what a treat for the fine folk of the Top End to be able to witness it first-hand. The Suns might be licking their wounds after their latest beatdown from ‘Big Brother’ Brisbane, but even before their apparent coming of age this year, they became basically unstoppable in Darwin. Gold Coast has won its last six games at the venue by an average of 49 points to turn it into a fortress away from home. That’s why this encounter is so anticipated, because the Bulldogs are absolutely flying, and are now rightly being viewed as even a flag chance given their sensational form, which has seen them win their last three games by an average of 64 points. However, it’s a different ball game in Darwin with humid, greasy conditions set to play a major factor again with an expected maximum temperature of 34 and minimum of 24 for Saturday. Given how much the Suns have thrived in those conditions of late, it could play a big role in swinging the result in Gold Coast’s favour.
RONNY’S TIP: Gold Coast by 12 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Western Bulldogs by 14 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Western Bulldogs by 9 points.

PORT ADELAIDE v ADELAIDE (Adelaide Oval, Saturday 7:40pm)
It is very hard to get a proper read on the Power. They’re 4-4 but have already suffered two 15-goal losses this year. That’s the sign of a team that is not altogether there mentally, spiritually or physically. And it’s hard not to think the purgatory of the Hinkley-Carr coaching handover is playing its role. Coming up against a side like Adelaide, which is one of the most potent teams in the league when in full flight, Port Adelaide must get its ducks in a row, otherwise it can expect another flogging. Travis Boak (back) would be a welcome return for the Power, and Mitch Hinge (suspension) is available again for the Crows. Adelaide’s form line has been far less erratic than the Power’s and it will be hard to stop from taking out Showdown LVII and gaining the edge in the overall ledger 29-28.
RONNY’S TIP: Adelaide by 26 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Adelaide by 2 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Adelaide by 21 points.

RICHMOND v WEST COAST (MCG, Sunday 1:10pm)
The Eagles aren’t going to get many realistic chances for a win this year, and this appears to be one of those rare opportunities. But whether they can actually capitalise is the big question. They played well for a half against Melbourne last week, and almost beat Essendon a fortnight earlier, but outside of those two efforts, there hasn’t been much to write home about this year. Conversely, the Tigers have defied the critics to already have two wins under their belts, against a pair of finals aspirants in Gold Coast and Carlton no less, and have been a lot more competitive overall than their fellow cellar dweller.
RONNY’S TIP: Richmond by 26 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Richmond by 20 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Richmond by 15 points.

GEELONG v GWS (Kardinia Park, Sunday 3:20pm)
The Giants are in a big funk at the moment, but what better way to snap out of it than by playing at a ground that they absolutely love? Yes, that’s right, GWS loves Geelong’s home ground more than any other team in the league, having now incredibly won its last four games there. To put that in perspective, the Cats have only lost 19 of their last 134 matches at the ground. In all seriousness, though, it would take a huge effort for the Giants to repeat the dose and overcome its current three-match malaise, especially considering Geelong is fresh from toppling premiership favourite Collingwood in a classic. And there are question marks over GWS pair Kieren Briggs (ankle) and Toby Bedford (eye), while Jake Riccardi (hand) is no certainty either. The Cats will lose Rhys Stanley (hamstring) and Lawson Humphries (concussion), but their backline could be strengthened by Tom Stewart (knee) and Jake Kolodjashnij.
RONNY’S TIP: Geelong by 14 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Geelong by 32 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Geelong by 25 points.

NORTH MELBOURNE v BRISBANE (Bellerive Oval, Sunday 4:40pm)
After a disastrous start to the year, the Kangaroos are certainly trending in the right direction at least, having put in commendable performances in back-to-back narrow losses to Port Adelaide and Essendon in their past two games. But just when it looked like their form suggested a win was around the corner, they are dealt a date with the reigning premier, fresh from teaching local rival Gold Coast a lesson in the wet last week. This match might be enough to completely nullify the confidence and self-belief North had been building in the last fortnight.
RONNY’S TIP: Brisbane by 49 points.
ROCO’S TIP: Brisbane by 40 points.
ROCKET’S TIP: Brisbane by 53 points.

SEASON TOTALS
ROCO 56
ROCKET 48
RONNY 48

*all times are local