Back for another year, the SEN.com.au team gives you an insight into how every game will play out across the weekend.
Labelling something a ‘certainty’ in any sport is fraught with danger.
But we’ll attempt to find some anyway.
Here is what we consider certainties for Round 4's Easter Thursday clash between Brisbane and Collingwood at the Gabba.
Brisbane to either win or get within 12 points
After an underwhelming performance in Round 3, expect the Lions to hit back hard.
A disastrous Round 1 loss was followed by a big response against Melbourne the following week and Chris Fagan’s men will be desperate to prove they’re still among the premiership contenders.
The Lions only lost two games at home last year (one of which was to Essendon when ravaged by COVID) and didn’t lose two games in a row throughout the entire season.
If Brisbane is the team we think they are, they’re set to give everything they’ve got. If it’s not a win, it’ll be a very narrow loss.
Will Ashcroft to have 15+ disposals
Collingwood has a good record this year of keeping opposition midfielders in check, but Will Ashcroft enjoying 15 touches is a given.
The No.2 draft pick was simply sublime in his only game at the Gabba when torching the Demons and is averaging 22 touches a game in his short career.
Ashcroft finds enough of the footy himself, averaging six clearances a game, and by all reports has the competitive drive to fire his team up after last week’s performance.
He’ll do some nice things against the Magpies.
Seb Mottram
Jordan De Goey to have 20+ disposals and kick at least one goal
Jordan De Goey may be in the form of his life, with perfect scores of 10 AFLCA Coaches votes in three of his past five games.
Add that on top of his form against the Lions, which has seen him average three goals in his last six games against Brisbane - the Magpie could be in for a big game.
We’re obviously expecting him to hit the scoreboard, and coming off 35 touches in Round 3 against Richmond, surely De Goey at least reaches the 20-disposal mark.
He may be the man Brisbane needs to stop to win.
Reef McInnes to kick a goal
Having goaled both times already coming on as a sub this year, McInnes should earn plenty more opportunities inside 50 now that he’s been named in the starting 22.
The former first-round draft pick has plenty of talent and so far we’ve seen him deployed as one of Collingwood’s deepest forwards when he’s gotten onto the field.
With the likes of Dan McStay and Ash Johnson to spend time in the ruck, McInnes should get his hands on the ball near the big sticks and nail at least one major.
Lachlan Geleit