An interesting round ahead. Some mouth watering clashes surrounded by enough games to keep the footy fan interested, with really only a couple of non-events.

Geelong v Essendon

Friday night footy strikes.

First v Second on a Friday night for the first time since 1486 promises to be a free-flowing, attacking frenzy of skill, guile and complete arrogance.

Recent form: Both teams undefeated.

Recent form v each other: The Cats have won 7 of the last 8 (the loss being the game where the guy dropped a million (?) on the Cats).

Cats' favour: They're a slick, confident mob who know how to win and can burn teams off with a flick of the tail. People rave on and on about the young kids at Geelong but, really, it's the old boys who continue to get the job done - with Johnson, Kelly, Bartel and Chapman tearing it up. Add handy names Selwood, Stokes, Duncan and they're bloody tough to beat even at their worst. They know how to win.

Bombers' favour: Undefeated and riding high, the Bombers have played frenetic football this year lead by some out and out guns of the competition in Stanton, Heppell, Watson and some bloke in No. 4. Many have waited for them to wilt under the investigation and it'll be fascinating to see if this is the week (after the interviews) or if the players come out strongly again.

Verdict: The Cats will be too classy against a Bombers side that have been high for too long. Essendon will have set themselves for the clash, however, as evidenced by their pathetic turnout against the Giants. They'll be up and about early but can't stack up against the Cats.

My tip: Cats by 21

Port Adelaide v Richmond

An intriguing clash that could, strangely, give a good insight into the finals hopes of both sides.

Port are yet to really prove themselves (though a win here may still not achieve that) and the Tiges have blown their wonderful start with some off-the-pace performances (how lucky are they that Yarran couldn't finish the job in round 1?

Recent form: Power have beaten trash, Tigers have lost to decent sides.

Recent form vs each other: 3-3 and a draw from their last 7. The last four wins have come from the away side (two each).

Power's favour: Their fitness is immense. They are never out of a game and, playing at home, are hard to top. Their midfielders get enough footy and they have some handy goalkickers (including the blokes running through the guts).

Tigers' favour: They'll treat this is a must win. 3-3 and some losses to good sides leaves Richmond sitting in 9th. They'll be comfortable there - like returning to your favourite sofa after a long holiday - but they won't be happy. They trounced the Power over there last year and have a dangerous mid/forward combination. As usual, they need to stop the passages of "being Richmond."

Verdict: The Power's bubble has burst. They will lose some confidence from last week and will have to front up to a determined Richmond outfit. Despite their comebacks this year, I think the start is crucial.

Edit: Cotchin, Vickery and Grimes out could be very costly and enough to swing the match.

My tip: Richmond by 7 Edit: Power by 12

Brisbane v West Coast

Have these been the two most disappointing sides of this year?

Brisbane were Melbourneesque in the first quarter last week.

Recent form: terrible v terrible

Recent form vs each other: 2-2 from last 4.

Lions' favour: they're at home?

Eagles' favour: With NN back, they're up and about.

Verdict: WC have too much class through the midfield and too many goalkickers not to get up.

My tip: Eagles by 27

Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne

Uh oh.

Recent form: Terrible/plucky v cruelly by the fixtures.

Recent form vs each other: 2-2 from last 4.

Dogs' favour: They've been plucky twice this year. Flogging Brisbane (which doesn't look as great now) and annoying a disinterested Cats. People also forget that they have some classy, classy experienced players. Griffen, Cross, Cooney and Boyd are leading the way - they're playing good footy and, without them, the Dogs would be absolutely disgusting.

Roos' favour: They're a much better side and will be buoyed by the win (against a flying side). They'll enter this game with the confidence that, three weeks ago they destroyed another terrible team at the same venue.

Verdict: North will be far too classy and it'll depend on how interested they stay.

My tip: North by 67

Hawthorn v Sydney

Here it is!

Two rough and tumble teams with fiesty midfields and work-aholic captains face off in the Grand Final replay. Two teams that are used to having their own way and not being pushed around. This should be a cracker.

Recent form: just going v just going

Recent form vs each other: Hawks have won 5 of the last 9 but Sydney have the big one.

Hawks' favour: On their home turf the Hawks will be looking to exact some small revenge on the Swans for their Grand Final loss. Hodge is an inspiration. Despite playing below par against two reasonably tough opposition and without Buddy kicking a goal in the past two weeks, they've still got up in the last fortnight. Rioli is a big miss but they still have so many good, tough footballers that use the ball so well.

Swans' favour: They're unfazed by any opposition or situation and have a wealth of character and strength in their team. I love absolutely everything that Jack, Hannebury, McVeigh, O'Keefe and Kennedy do (to name a few) and they've all been doing the job for the Swans over the weeks. You get the feeling that they stepped it up a notch last week in preparation for this weeks' game.

Verdict: This will be hard to split but I have a definite leaning. There are so many great players playing but I simply lean to Hawthorn's home ground advantage, anger at the Swans and the probability that they won't kick as badly again as they did in September (though, that's what everyone said after their Prelim).

My tip: Hawks by 17

Fremantle v Collingwood

This promises to be one of those low-scoring, it'd be mind-numblingly boring if it weren't so close/interesting games.

Recent form: meh vs ok

Recent form vs each other: Pies have won the last 4.

Dockers' favour: Ross Lyon has successfully installed his terrible(ly effective) gameplan and his players are responding. They were good against the Suns, or the Suns were just disappointing, and they fell over the line against the Tigers. No Fyfe hurts but getting Hill back should help.

Pies favour: They absolutely love to travel and this is a big game for them. They were good against the Tigers and did the job against the Saints but are, overall, just going. Star players get a lot of ball but aren't damaging enough and many of their players are found out too easily. A lot rests on Cloke but Swan/Pendlebury/Sidebottom should love the surrounds of Perth.

Verdict: This will be close. Freo are 1 and 1 from close games and the Pies love the road.

My tip: Pies by 13

GWS v Adelaide

Meh.

Form: terrible (save for a very gutsy half against the Dons) v mediocre

Form against each other: Adelaide have pumped them twice.

Giants' favour: it's at home and the game will end.

Crows' favour: they're bigger, tougher, angrier and too good for the kids.

Verdict: Adelaide will destroy them.

My tip: Adelaide by 80+

Melbourne v Gold Coast

Well - I don't know what's left to say.

We're a skilless rabble and they're a one man band apparently training at the G this week for an imminent Grand Final.

Form: terrible v dissapointing in the last couple of weeks.

Form vs each other: Dees are 3-0 but the last, a 7 goal win at the MCG, was a terrible display and was saved by a quarter.

Dees' favour: It's at home, Melbourne players walk taller against trash and we haven't lost to an expansion team yet. Despite the terrible result last week, Melbourne played well through the middle and lead the inside 50s for much of the game and, with some greater composure, could've forced a different result. Dawes will not be the in that we are all hoping for.

Suns' favour: Gary Ablett is immense, they've been competitive in most games this year and they dominate areas of the ground where Melbourne struggle. Dixon must come up for them I feel to get up and guys like Prestia, O'Meara and Bennell will be great for them.

Verdict: Melbourne generally walk taller against these teams. The extra experience in some players really stands out against the inexperienced kids and with good ball use through Dawes and the midfield, Melbourne should be too good.

My tip: Melbourne by 18

St Kilda v Carlton

Monday night footy to end the round - not a massive fan.

Form: plucky v overrated

Form vs each other: Saints have won 3 of the last 5 after winning the previous 50 (or something).

Saints' favour: They've been plucky against better opposition of late and Jack Steven will be a gun. If they can get enough grunt in the middle they could be dangerous. Carlton sans Waite could be a massive boost for the Saints.

Blues' favour: Confidence. I think the Blues think they can topple teams and, for the most, they're thereabouts. They're a better team than the Saints but last week showed them to be largely soft. They'll run forward of the ball when they're up and hate a tackle.

Verdict: The bookies see this going only one way. I'm not so sure. Carlton haven't had it all their own way and have been hard to read and the Saints, while passed it, still have enough talent to win a game if they're on.

My tip: Carlton by 11.

Game of the Round

Hawks Swans

Thrashing of the Round

Crows/Roos

Toughest to Pick

Tigers Power

Upset of the Round

Tigers possibly Saints

Closest tip lat week

Missed Pies by 3

Isn't it amazing that I get more excited watching a Swans v Hawks game than a Dees game. F me... I hope the Swannies can get over the dorks again.

opps

Go Catters.