Round 17 opens with an enticing prospect, Geelong hosting Melbourne in a 1v2 clash, the second time in three weeks such has occurred.
Friday night sees another blockbuster when the Western Bulldogs travel to the SCG to play the Swans, with both sides desperately needing a win following disappointing performances last week.
Each team has just seven games left to play and there are still several spots in the top eight up for grabs, meaning every win or loss is becoming more and more crucial.
Gold Coast’s meeting with Richmond and St Kilda hosting Fremantle are the two other headline games of the round.
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Geelong vs Melbourne
Thursday - 7.20pm - GMHBA Stadium
In the headline clash of the round, Melbourne will head down the highway to meet Geelong at the fortress that is GMHBA Stadium.
In footy, timing is everything. Just a fortnight ago, the Cats would have entered as resounding favourites, but Melbourne looks to have regained their mojo after recent wins over Brisbane and Adelaide. They’ve earnt the right to be referred to as dominant premiership favourites once again, however that could flip on Thursday night.
Geelong has won their last six on the trot, one of which was amongst the games of the season when downing Richmond by three points.
That clash proved many things, but chief among the list is Geelong’s attacking footy. When they flick the switch they can score and score quickly, but will Chris Scott’s men still harbour nightmares after their 83-point defeat to the Demons that ended their season last year?
Melbourne is yet to hit the heights they showcased during that finals series. However, this will be their best chance to assert their credentials in 2022, up against a strong team when both sides appear to be hitting their straps.
Whoever wins the clash could well hold premiership favouritism for the rest of the home and away season, but there’s still the edging suspicion Melbourne’s best is better than anyone else.
Tip: Melbourne by 8 points.
Seb Mottram
Sydney Swans v Western Bulldogs
Friday - 7.50pm - SCG
It’s high stakes footy on Friday night when Sydney and the Western Bulldogs do battle at the SCG.
The 9-6 Swans are clinging on to eighth spot after last week’s shock loss to Essendon.
With St Kilda breathing down their necks, the Swans need a win to preserve their top eight status.
A loss could see them fall out of the eight by the end of the round.
As for the Bulldogs, their finals hopes took a hit after losing to Brisbane by 41 points last week.
The loss leaves the Dogs sitting in 10th spot on the ladder with an 8-7 record.
A second straight loss would be another blow to their finals aspirations, while a win would keep them in touch with the top eight.
The Bulldogs edged the Swans by 11 points at Marvel Stadium in Round 3 this year and recorded a 28-point victory in their most recent visit to the SCG early in 2020.
This crunch clash is a genuine flip of the coin.
Tip: Sydney by 5 points.
Alex Zaia
Collingwood v North Melbourne
Saturday - 1.45pm - MCG
North Melbourne and Collingwood finished last and second-last in 2021, but how their fortunes have differed this year.
The Kangaroos are still struggling at the bottom of the table, while Collingwood is hoping for their seventh straight win as they make an unlikely finals tilt.
Given North has lost 13-straight and the Magpies are rolling through teams, you’d expect Craig McRae’s men to get the job done, particularly at the MCG.
It’s hard to see how North holds Collingwood to less than 100 points, while it’s also hard to see them kick more than 70 given the Magpies have turned themselves into one of the competition’s best defences.
While the Magpies have a 10-5 record and sit sixth, their percentage of 106.1 per cent doesn’t bode well compared to their rivals, and they’d hope to get a good boost in this game.
As North last lost by less than 40 points in Round 3, this is Collingwood’s best chance of picking up a massive win and setting themselves up for a finals tilt.
If a top-four push is on the cards, it has to start on Saturday for the Pies.
Tip: Collingwood by 45 points.
Lachlan Geleit
Gold Coast Suns v Richmond
Saturday - 4.35pm - Metricon Stadium
It may be too late for Gold Coast to make the finals, but they can still certainly do some damage and upset teams jockeying for position.
That is what they will attempt to do when they host Richmond in Round 17.
The Tigers will once again be without Dustin Martin who has suffered a hamstring injury, but the return of Dion Prestia would certainly help.
Gold Coast has been playing good footy despite recent results, pushing Port Adelaide and Collingwood all the way, but unable to secure the wins required to keep their finals hopes alive.
The Suns won the encounter last year at Marvel Stadium, despite five goals from former Gold Coast captain Tom Lynch.
Ben King kicked four, but obviously is out for the season. Instead, former Tiger Mabior Chol will lead the way alongside Levi Casboult inside 50.
This game will feature two of the most dynamic small forwards in the AFL with Shai Bolton up one end and Izak Rankine up the other.
Richmond is in good form and gearing up for finals, but this feels like a very winnable match for the Suns.
Tip: Gold Coast by 8 points.
Nic Negrepontis
St Kilda v Fremantle
Saturday - 7.25pm - Marvel Stadium
Marvel Stadium will play host to one of the games of the round between St Kilda and Fremantle.
The Saints’ recent record against the Dockers is strong, winning three of their last four clashes by an average margin of 24 points.
St Kilda was back to their best against Carlton last week, keeping their season alive as they continue to linger around the edge of the eight.
Max King was best afield in their Round 2 win over Fremantle this year, booting four second-half goals in a dominant performance against Alex Pearce.
If King fires up on Saturday night, look out.
As for Fremantle, they head into this clash with confidence, winning four of their last five games.
If Matt Taberner is declared fit to play on Saturday night, Freo will be the strong favourites.
The Dockers’ forward line is a genuine concern for the Saints. Matt Taberner, Rory Lobb and Griffin Logue’s height will stretch their defence, especially with Dougal Howard missing.
If St Kilda can manage down back, they'll be in a great position to flex their muscles under the roof.
Tip: St Kilda by 14 points.
Hugh Fitzpatrick
Port Adelaide v GWS Giants
Saturday - 7.30pm - Adelaide Oval
Can Port Adelaide keep their slim chances of making finals alive when they host GWS?
The Power will need to be near perfect from here to break into the eight, particularly after not being able to overcome Fremantle last Sunday.
GWS meanwhile won in horrendous conditions against Hawthorn and continued what has been mostly good form under caretaker coach Mark McVeigh.
The Giants have won three of their last five against the Power, including two in a row in Adelaide.
Port won last season, with Charlie Dixon kicking four goals. Dixon will likely lead the Power in the ruck this time around. Can the Giants take advantage and control the midfield?
Sean Darcy certainly did for the Dockers last weekend and Matt Flynn had one of his best games in the orange last weekend versus Hawthorn.
The Giants will need to put some work into Connor Rozee, who has had an outstanding month and is impacting games with his ball-use and score involvements.
This game means everything for Port Adelaide, who have not yet thrown in the towel on the season, and they will likely be too strong for the Giants at the Adelaide Oval.
Tip: Port Adelaide by 17 points.
Nic Negrepontis
Brisbane v Essendon
Sunday - 1.10pm - Gabba
Sunday afternoon at the Gabba presents us with an intriguing contest when Brisbane hosts Essendon.
The Lions found their mojo last week, beating the Western Bulldogs by 41 points in convincing fashion by scoring over 100 points for the first time in four games. They did it after a heavy loss at the hands of Melbourne in Round 15 and looked far more comfortable back home at their fortress.
Similarly, the Bombers are coming off an impressive nine-point victory over Sydney at the MCG having lost to West Coast in Perth the weekend prior.
The last time these two sides met was in Round 2 this year when Brisbane eventually got the job done by 22 points at Marvel Stadium. On that occasion, it was Lachie Neale who dominated with 41 disposals while Hugh McCluggage did the damage on the scoreboard with three goals.
The Dons were inaccurate that evening in kicking 10.15, a trend that has followed them around this year, however, they found their range in the win over the Swans, returning 15.5.
The Lions have enjoyed the better of their last three battles with the Bombers, claiming all three wins at an average margin of 47.3 points.
They also hold a 7-0 win-loss record at the Gabba this year and with a top-four position to be sewn up, they should be winning this.
Tip: Brisbane by 21 points.
Andrew Slevison
Hawthorn v Adelaide
Sunday - 3.20pm - Marvel Stadium
Hawthorn will look to snap a run of losses when they host Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
The Hawks and Crows have both been competitive despite their lowly ladder positions.
Both clubs are coming off losses last weekend, but were commendable in their efforts.
Hawthorn lost to GWS by 22 points in a rain-soaked contest at Giants Stadium, their fifth consecutive defeat.
As for the Crows, they were gallant when going down to Melbourne, getting to within five points in the last quarter, before eventually falling to a 29-point loss.
Adelaide is a game clear of Hawthorn in 14th spot heading into the Round 17 match.
In last year’s corresponding fixture, the Crows got the better of the Hawks by 19 points with Taylor Walker kicking four goals.
Walker looms as a big threat having kicked 30 goals in 11 games this season.
It’s the start of three winnable games coming up for the Hawks as they endeavour to get some victories on the board before the season’s out.
Hawthorn to snap their losing streak in a tight contest.
Tip: Hawthorn by 7 points.
Alex Zaia
West Coast v Carlton
Sunday - 4.40pm - Optus Stadium
17th placed West Coast have seen their form rise considerably since the bye, going 1-2 across the last three weeks with gallant losses to Geelong and Richmond.
With their form trending upwards, they find themselves probably in their best position yet to start picking off some wins in 2022, but that’ll be easier said than done against Carlton.
While the Blues went down in Round 16 to the Saints, they hold a 10-5 record and look set to play finals, something they haven’t achieved since 2013.
Another thing they haven’t achieved since 2013 is winning against West Coast in Perth, a run they’ll snap with a win come Sunday afternoon.
Although a battle between 5th and 17th looks a mismatch, expect the Eagles to be buoyed by their home crowd and make things hard for a Carlton side that looks elite at their best but mediocre on occasions.
In saying that, the Blues have a clear advantage in terms of talent, and while they’re away from home they’ll be backing themselves in to claim the four points here.
If the likes of Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay and Sam Walsh get going, you’d expect the Blues to run out victors … and they may just need to given how tight the finals race is becoming.
Tip: Carlton by 23 points.
Lachlan Geleit