The season is beginning to take shape with one month of football behind us.
Some intriguing fixtures are set for the Easter weekend, kicking off with the Brisbane hosting Collingood at the Gabba on Thursday night.
See who we think will win and why below.
All times AEST
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Brisbane v Collingwood
Thursday - 7:35pm - Gabba
Brisbane play host to Collingwood in the now traditional Easter Thursday blockbuster to kick off Round 5.
The Lions and Magpies are both coming off Round 4 defeats and will look for a swift response when they meet under lights at the Gabba.
There was a sense of déjà vu for Brisbane against Geelong last week, with another contentious umpiring decision marring the match at GMHBA Stadium.
A non-free kick to Harris Andrews late in the contest was a major talking point following the Lions’ 10-point loss – their first defeat of 2022.
As for Collingwood, they were overrun by an undermanned West Coast side, conceding five of the last six goals of the game to lose by 13 points.
While the Magpies were missing key players of their own – including Taylor Adams and Jordan De Goey – coach Craig McRae admits his side is still “learning how to win”.
McRae, a three-time premiership player at the Lions, will be out to avoid his former club making it four wins on the spin against the Magpies.
Brisbane did the double over Collingwood last season, winning a Round 3 thriller courtesy of a Zac Bailey goal after the siren, before annihilating the Pies by 85 points in Round 22.
While this encounter shouldn’t be as one-sided, the Lions are a formidable side at home and should have too much firepower.
Without Brody Mihocek, Jamie Elliott and Jack Ginnivan, it’s hard to see Collingwood kicking a winning score.
Tip: Brisbane by 24 points.
Alex Zaia
North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs
Friday - 4:20pm - Marvel Stadium
Footy’s annual Good Friday blockbuster is back as North Melbourne hosts the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
Both the Kangaroos and Bulldogs enter this game in a less than ideal state, having both only won one game each to start the season.
The Roos were much improved against Sydney last Saturday despite not winning, responding to their smashing at the hands of Brisbane in Round 3 with a competitive showing.
As for the Dogs, their inaccuracy cost them once again against Richmond last week, kicking 7.19 after booting 9.17 against the Swans in Round 3.
The corresponding game last year was nothing short of disastrous for the Roos, going down by 128 points as injured forward Josh Bruce kicked a stunning 10 goals.
The Bulldogs remain heavy favourites to win on Good Friday, but it’s impossible to count North Melbourne out completely based on their performance last week.
Tip: Western Bulldogs by 29 points.
Laurence Rosen
West Coast v Sydney
Friday - 7:40pm - Optus Stadium
Sydney and West Coast will meet on Friday night to renew hostilities for another year.
After starting the year in COVID protocol hell, the Eagles picked up a confidence boosting win over Collingwood last weekend and are now boosted by the return of multiple big names, particularly through the midfield. Though they lose Nic Naitanui to a knee injury.
Meanwhile, the Swans escaped last week’s clash with North Melbourne with a win, but were given a wake-up slap by the Roos and will now be without Lance Franklin for a fortnight.
These two sides haven’t met at Optus Stadium since 2018 making it a hard game to judge recent form on. They faced each other at Kardinia Park in 2021, with Sydney blowing West Coast off the park 118-26.
The Swans have won four of their last five encounters with the Eagles and while expectations may be quite different for the two teams this year, West Coast will be tough to beat at home.
If the Eagles are to win, it will be because their midfield broke even and because their forward line weapons did more damage than the Swans minus Franklin.
Tip: Sydney by 11 points.
Nic Negrepontis
St Kilda v Gold Coast
Saturday - 1:45pm - Marvel Stadium
St Kilda play host to Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon in an important clash for both sides.
The two are coming off impressive Round 4 wins and will be expecting a similar effort this weekend under the roof of Marvel Stadium.
If history is to repeat itself between these two, we’re in for an exciting afternoon.
Despite St Kilda winning the last six clashes, it hasn’t been that convincing with the last five being by an average of just four points.
The Saints racked up their third successive victory of 2022 last week, smashing Hawthorn by 69 points in a performance that saw them move into the top four.
Max King, Tim Membrey, Jade Gresham and Bradley Hill each kicked four goals in the win, posing as a genuine concern for the Gold Coast backline at a ground the Saints play so well at.
The Suns were much improved against Carlton last Sunday, dominating the then-unbeaten team on their way to a 30-point victory.
With Paddy Ryder missing due to suspension, the ruck battle between Rowan Marshall and Jarrod Witts is going to be a crucial one when considering the end result, such is Witts’ dominance this year and St Kilda’s reliance on Ryder.
The Suns’ history at Marvel isn’t great, winning just seven from their last 27 goes at a ground St Kilda play so well, that’s a legitimate concern for Gold Coast.
St Kilda are the heavy favourites in this match, but Gold Coast should not be ruled out completely, as their good is very good.
Tips: St Kilda by 20 points.
Hugh Fitzpatrick
Adelaide v Richmond
Saturday - 4:35pm - Adelaide Oval
The Crows host the Tigers in a twilight fixture at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Matthew Nicks would be loving what he has seen from his youthful side in recent weeks, especially against Essendon when they were in it up to their eyeballs but fell short late.
They will be buoyed by the form of returning veteran Taylor Walker, who booted four goals last week, while gun midfielder Rory Laird and first-year forward Josh Rachele have been impressive of late.
The Crows are likely to lose Mitch Hinge to a corked hip which somewhat weakens their strength around the ball.
Damien Hardwick’s Richmond side was super against the Bulldogs in Round 4, picking up a 38-point win to momentarily get things back on track.
After welcoming Dion Prestia and Jack Riewoldt back into the fold last weekend, the Tigers should have star defender Nick Vlastuin back. He will most likely replace Ben Miller who has done little wrong in his two outings this season.
The Tigers have won the last two meetings with the Crows after the two sides traded results in the preceding five encounters. The last nine matches have ended in a winning margin of at least 28 points for the victorious side, so it’s more than likely this one will be comfortable on the scoreboard.
But the Crows are proving a tricky outfit to overcome and the visiting Tigers will certainly have their work cut out for them.
Richmond should win, but it might just be a grind.
Tip: Richmond by 18 points.
Andrew Slevison
Melbourne v GWS
Saturday - 7:25pm - MCG
Melbourne venture back to the MCG on Saturday night and are looking to make it five on the trot when they take on Greater Western Sydney.
The Demons have certainly been the benchmark in 2022, showcasing early in the season that they have a gear few can match.
Simon Goodwin’s men have beaten three finalists from last year by at least four goals and look to be going better than their quick start in 2021.
Meanwhile, the Giants are a hard side to analyse. Two strong performances in Rounds 1 and 3 against the Swans and Suns have been eclipsed by disappointing defeats to the Tigers and Dockers in Rounds 2 and 4.
Based on their run, they could bring their best this weekend, however, it would take a brave punter to guarantee they’re going to turn up. But if they do, Leon Cameron’s charges could give the reigning premiers a real shake.
Their midfield has been their clear asset and they could take it up to the likes of Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca, although the Demons look to have them covered at both ends of the ground.
Melbourne has proved good teams just find ways to win games that they should win and they’re primed to do that once again in Round 5.
Tip: Melbourne by 21 points.
Seb Mottram
Carlton v Port Adelaide
Sunday - 1:40pm - MCG
It’s been a while since Carlton last beat Port Adelaide.
The Power have won their past six matches against the Blues dating back to 2017 but enter Sunday’s encounter at the MCG in desperate need of a win, having lost their opening four games.
Last week’s home loss to Melbourne saw the Power slump to their worst start to a year since 2008, leaving their season on the brink.
Port’s first-ever goalless first half was labelled “the most disappointing first half of footy in the club’s history” by club great Kane Cornes.
Sydney is the only team to make the finals after a 0-4 start since 1975.
Meanwhile, Carlton’s bubble was burst by Gold Coast, trailing at every change to lose by 30 points at Metricon Stadium.
After winning three straight games to open 2022, the Blues were handed a reality check as the Suns ran out deserved winners, dominating at stoppage and clearance.
It’s important the Blues respond after their first blemish of the year, while it’s simply a must-win game for Port Adelaide.
A 0-5 start could spell the end of their finals hopes and heap more pressure on under-fire coach Ken Hinkley.
Tip: Carlton by 17 points.
Alex Zaia
Essendon v Fremantle
Sunday - 4:40pm - Marvel Stadium
Both Essendon and Fremantle enter this clash on the back of wins in Round 4, with the two clubs impressing after some indifferent early season form.
For the Dockers, their win against GWS was probably their best performance of the year, while Essendon just got over the line against a gallant Adelaide side.
While the Dockers are 3-1 and the Bombers 1-3, it’s probably Essendon that enter this game as favourites with those three losses coming against potential top four teams in Geelong, Melbourne and Brisbane.
The last two times these sides have met have both been at Marvel Stadium with Essendon winning by six points and seven points respectively, and this game postures as a similarly tight battle even if the Dons have won five in a row over Freo.
Darcy Parish earned the three votes for his performance in the last head-to-head clash, and Fremantle will again have their work cut out for them as he enters this game on the back of 38 disposals in the Round 4 win over the Crows.
Despite sitting 13 places apart on the ladder after the season’s first month, Essendon will back themselves in to get the job done at home.
This match also looms as Fremantle’s biggest test – perhaps proving how soft their fixture has been to start the season.
Tip: Essendon by 9 points.
Lachlan Geleit
Hawthorn v Geelong
Monday - 3:20pm - MCG
The now traditional Easter Monday clash between Hawthorn and Geelong promises to place an exclamation mark on Round 5’s long weekend of footy.
The Hawks enter this on the back of a 69-point hammering at the hands of St Kilda and will be eager for redemption. Sam Mitchell’s side had been impressive to that point and it is expected they will want to avoid the undoing of all their promising work.
They do meet a Geelong side that was good enough to see off Brisbane at home last weekend, improving their record to 3-1 in the process.
Chris Scott’s Cats have enjoyed this fixture in recent seasons, winning narrowly at the MCG last year following a 61-point victory at GMHBA Stadium in 2020. They have won three of the last four meetings after the Hawks went two in a row in 2018.
Geelong were without captain Joel Selwood (rested), gun defender Tom Stewart (gastro) and ruck/forward Esava Ratugolea (ankle) last weekend, and should regain at least one of that trio.
The Hawks will be missing promising defender Will Day (concussion) after he copped a heavy knock against the Saints.
While the Cats have experienced undulating form within matches over the past few weeks, they possess enough quality and experience to get this done.
Hawthorn will have a point to prove, but Geelong should claim a fourth victory of 2022.
Tip: Geelong by 24 points.
Andrew Slevison