There is no such thing as a certainty in footy.
Or is there?
We’ve had certainties for Friday night footy, but with eight other games remaining in Round 18, we’ve taken a close look to come up with one certainty for each team for the remaining matches.
Take a look at our certainties for the rest of the weekend’s action.
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Adelaide v Collingwood
Laird to have 35+ disposals
35 disposals may seem steep for a certainty, but Rory Laird can find the ball in his sleep.
Laird has surpassed the 35 mark on five occasions this season and is averaging 33.6 touches per game overall.
Against an understrength Collingwood midfield, and with Matt Crouch omitted again, expect the Adelaide superstar to dominate.
Scott Pendlebury to have 25+ disposals
Scott Pendlebury has only averaged 22 disposals per game so far this season in a different role across half back, but with Taylor Adams out and a few midfielders unavailable, the Pies will need to go back to the well on-ball.
This means unleashing Pendlebury, in his 350th game, and allowing him to find the pill at will.
His teammates will naturally looking for him too given the milestone. Expect a big game from the Collingwood superstar.
Nic Negrepontis
GWS v Brisbane
Kelly to have 25+ touches
GWS have been inconsistent in recent weeks from a game style point of view as they look to solidify their defence, but their Rolls Royce always makes his presence felt.
Josh Kelly has reached 25 disposals 11 times in his last 12 games, beginning to hit the consistent levels many had hoped for from the 27-year-old.
He also hasn’t missed a game in 2022.
Meanwhile, barring Lachie Neale, the Lions have been off in the midfield in recent weeks and Kelly could fill his boots.
Or, at the very least, gather 25 disposals.
Brisbane to kick 90+ points
While the Giants have been poor in many areas this season, the Lions are set to take advantage of their defence on Saturday.
These two sides met just seven weeks ago, and despite a quiet start, Brisbane was still able to hammer home 16.14.
They’re likely to do similar again at Maunka Oval. Despite missing almost half their team last week, Fagan’s men pushed Essendon and kicked 90 points.
They’ll welcome back Dan McStay up forward and some key ball movers on Saturday, and the competition’s best offence should kick at least 90 points.
Seb Mottram
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North Melbourne v Richmond
Davies-Uniacke to have 25+ disposals
North Melbourne midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke has had perhaps the two best weeks of his career in the last fortnight, with huge games against the Cats and Magpies respectively.
The young star backed up his 35-disposal game away in Geelong in Round 16 with a best-afield 33-disposal, 12-clearance outing against Collingwood at the MCG.
Considering his form-line and Richmond’s lack of midfield depth, expect Davies-Uniacke to get his hands on the footy plenty of times on the fast deck of Marvel Stadium.
Vlaustin to have 20+ disposals
Richmond defender Nick Vlaustin will be keen to make amends after missing last week’s agonising loss to the Suns with suspension.
Returning this week, the 28-year-old will have a point to prove and he’ll be glad to come up against a side he has a great recent record against.
Last time out against North Melbourne, the reliable backman had 30 disposals, 14 marks and six score involvements in his best in one of the best individual performances of his career.
Expect the leader to show why he’s so critical to this Richmond side on Saturday afternoon.
Lachlan Geleit
Carlton v Geelong
Walsh to have 25+ disposals
After a somewhat quiet game against the Eagles last week, Sam Walsh will be looking to shine on the big stage.
Averaging 32.3 disposals this year, the young star just loves finding the pill and on the wide MCG expanses, finding it 25 times should be no stress.
The last time Walsh played the Cats he took the P155, racking up 36 disposals alongside two goals.
Tipping Walsh to star on Saturday night.
Gary Rohan to kick a goal
Am expecting Gary Rohan to pop up on Saturday night and cause the Carlton defence some grief.
With Carlton set to focus a lot of their attention on Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins, Rohan should be able to bob up and kick a goal or two.
A beautiful kick, Rohan can hurt teams on his day.
Surely he kicks a snag!
Hugh Fitzpatrick
Fremantle v Sydney
Lance Franklin to kick 2+ goals
After a week of having his name in the headlines, you just get the feeling that Buddy will make a statement against Fremantle.
With reports suggesting that the Swans are ‘lowballing’ their star, Franklin will be keen to show his wares at Optus Stadium.
Buddy has a great record against most teams, but that proves especially true against the Dockers as he last kicked less than two majors against them in the 2013 Grand Final.
Considering he’s kicked multiple majors in his last eight games against the Dockers, don’t expect that to slow down now.
He should get plenty of chances to make his mark on this game.
Andrew Brayshaw to have 25 disposals
Andrew Brayshaw has had an incredible season for the Dockers and is clearly one of the Brownlow Medal favourites.
Expect him to rise to the occasion against Sydney and have a big impact in the midfield.
Brayshaw has averaged 30.9 disposals per game so far this season and been ultra-consistent. He is a lock to find at least 25 against the Swans at Optus Stadium.
Lachlan Geleit
Hawthorn v West Coast
Lewis to kick 2+ goals
Fresh off a five-goal performance last week, expect Mitch Lewis to be prevalent once again on Sunday afternoon against the Eagles.
The 23-year-old is averaging three goals a game in 2022 and has taken apart numerous backlines, with West Coast’s next on the list.
Adam Simpson’s side conceded five goals each to Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow in last week's loss, while Jack Riewoldt and Peter Wright kicked three and four goals respectively against the Eagles in recent weeks.
With Lewis ominous and playing an out-of-form backline, he could have a fill-up at the MCG and will have his chances to kick at least two majors.
West Coast to kick 80+ points
There’s no doubt West Coast has improved in recent weeks and they should be competitive in what shapes as a high-scoring game.
Despite kicking 53 points last week, they entered that clash fresh off scores of 93 (at the MCG) and 107.
They also kicked 7.3 in a quarter last weekend against the Blues, highlighting that the scoring capabilities are there.
On the flip side, the Hawks’ defence ranks the fourth worst in the competition for points conceded, and they’ll give the Eagles a chance to kick a score at the ‘G.
Seb Mottram
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Melbourne v Port Adelaide
Gawn to have 5+ marks
Without a bona fide ruckman to go up against him from Port Adelaide, you get the sense Max Gawn is primed to have a massive game on Sunday.
The Melbourne skipper was a bit rusty in his return to the side against the Cats last week, and he’ll be extremely determined to get his team back on track with a big performance in the ruck.
He averages 6.3 marks and 16.8 disposals in his last four games against the Power, so he should have no issues recapturing that form in Alice Springs.
Boak to have 25+ disposals
Travis Boak should have no issues racking up over 25 disposals on Sunday, given his recent record against the Demons.
In his last four games against Melbourne, he averages 29.8 disposals, and the 33-year-old is still finding plenty of the footy in 2022, racking up 27 touches a game.
If the Power are to have any chance against the reigning premiers, Boak will need to bring his best in the midfield, and with Clayton Oliver missing in opposition colours, the former Port Adelaide skipper could have a big day out.
Sam Watson
Essendon v Gold Coast
Shiel to have 20+ disposals & 5+ clearances
Dylan Shiel has been piling up the stats recently.
The Bombers gun has managed to turn it around after a slow start to the year, now playing much more impactful football.
Shiel has secured 20+ touches in each of his last 6 games, lifting his average to 21.5.
The midfielder’s clearance game has been the key factor in his improved play, having at least six in every game since Round 11.
Heading into the matchup with the Suns, Shiel is leading the league in total centre clearances, with a total of 57 for the season.
Expect Shiel to continue his good form on Sunday.
Chol, Casboult & Rankine to combine for 6+ goals
The usual suspects are going to come out strong against Essendon.
This trio of top goalkickers is averaging 5.6 goals between them, led by Mabior Chol in the best form of his career.
By combining him with a resurgent Casboult and the young gun Rankine, Gold Coast have an offence ranked 8th in the league for average points per game.
This is also Izak Rankine’s first game back from health and safety protocols, so it would not be a surprise if the livewire looks to make up for lost time.
The Suns would be eager to take on the Bombers, who allow the third most points per game, falling well short of early season defensive expectations.
It shouldn’t be an issue for the Gold Coast trio to pile on the goals at Marvel Stadium.
Jack Makeham
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