Some interesting games, some big games and some mediocre games in the upcoming instalment of the AFL season.

Hawthorn v Fremantle

Head to head

Hawks with the last 5 (including the big one)

Form

Stirring vs methodical

View from the nest

Tough to beat at the best of times, Hawthorn proved again on Friday that even when seemingly down and out, they simply know how to win.

View from the wharf

Freo's methodical game plan looks even stronger this season - top 2 beckons and a win here would go a long way towards that cause. Losing Fyfe could hurt their midfield (will Sylvia get a run?) but they have many players who know how to play their roles.

Verdict

Friday night footy throws up he grand final replay.

Hawthorn's injuries haven't halted their start to the season and Freo have picked up where they left off. Hawthorn love the G, Freo need to learn to.

I expect this to be a hard fought match, probably coming down to a few goals. Hawthorn score quickly but it was seen last week that it can be halted through midfield pressure and defensive cutouts.

Freo should have enough talent and determination to get over the line.

Tip

Dockers by 11

Western Bulldogs vs Richmond

Head to head

Tigers with the last 3

Form

Meh

View from the kennel

A few good youngsters coming through, would've got up last week against a decent side had they not travelled to Perth in the heat the week before.

View from the lair

Last week's win should release the monkey off the back - clearly there are issues psychologically at Tigerland. This week provides Richmond with the chance to break the shackles and it'll probably boil down to the level of resistance the Dogs provide.

Verdict

Richmond should have too much grunt and spread with the footy with too many goal scorers.

Tip

Richmond by 31

Adelaide v Sydney

Head to Head

The away team with 5 of the last 7

Form

Fade-outs deadly

View from the murder

Competitive in patches last week against the Power, Adelaide will be looking forward to playing in front of their parochial mob.

View from the Swan

Have enjoyed playing Adelaide away in recent times and may enjoy playing away from the pressures of home.

Verdict

The home crowd should push the Crows over the line, with Sydney looking a shadow of their former selves. Swans need to get back to working hard as a unit.

Tip

Adelaide by 25

Gold Coast v Brisbane

Head to Head

Brisbane with the last 5

Form

OK

View from the Sun

Metricon promises to be a fortress for the Suns, they'll be looking to roll their neighbours there for the first time in their short history. Will need to back up from the longest trip in footy.

View from the Den

Have had the wood over their local juniors and have been competitive for the most against last year's 1 and 2.

Verdict

Tough to select here. Promises to be a close contest with momentum swinging each way.

Tip

Gold Coast by 17

West Coast vs St Kilda

Head to Head

Saints with 4 of the last 6 but Eagles with the last 2.

Form

The luck of the draw

View from the West

Amazingly they've managed to play last year's 15th at home and 17th away, now last year's 16th at home. They shouldn't have been as poor as they were last year and have certainly returned to 2011-12 form.

View from Heaven

Amazingly have managed to play last year's 18th and 17th at home. Have made both sides pay and, surprisingly, sit 6th at 2-0. It won't last.

Verdict

West Coast will post another cricket score at home at St Kilda's percentage will reverse. St Nick can't save his mob against this fleet of falls and goal-kicking midfielders. They've rediscovered their press and it's at its peak at home. Simpson will be disappointed as he'll be looking to see what his side can do against quality.

Tip

West Coast by 89

Collingwood v Geelong

Head to Head

Collingwood with the last 3

Form

OK v Good

View from the depths

Had their standard victory over the Swans and lapped up the predictable plaudits that fell their way afterward. Have also enjoyed playing Geelong recently.

View from the cattery

Just doing enough to get the job done of late. So many experienced players who can still tear a game apart. Will need to be at their best to get over the army.

Verdict

A good game this promises to be. Collingwood lift for Geelong, aided by the support of their fans. Geelong players seem to falter under 'pies' pressure and they'll need to stay steady to get the chocolates. It'll come down to who keeps their nerve the longest and, possibly, whoever happens to be ahead at the finale.

Tip

Cats by 14

GWS v Melbourne

Head to Head

Dees 3-1

Form

Decent vs Undermanned etc

View from the clouds

So many talented forwards and some gritty mids, clearances a strength all boding towards the GWS side moving to 2-1 in 2014. Ran over the top of the Dees in their last outing. Faltered late against the Saints, suspect in close games.

View from Hell

Too many injuries to be consistent and competitive against decent teams. If Garland and Gawn can come in, the side can play with dash and flair and smalls can remain lively the Dees should give it a shake.

Verdict

The Giants have looked much more consistent than the Dees, who have too many variables to be backable.

Tip

GWS by 19

North Melbourne v Port Adelaide

Head to Head

North with the last 4

Form

Middling vs tops

View from the bush

North have not come close to hitting their straps this season, and save for Boomer Harvey may have been languishing at 0-2. Have enjoyed playing Port and should feel well at home with their 3rd straight game at that terrible ground.

View from the station

Are becoming Geelongesque. It's the only way I can describe the confidence they are playing with and their sensational ability to kick a hell of a lot of goals very quickly.

Verdict

This should be a good game to watch and, as ever, should be won in the middle. It'll be goal for goal and may come down to the side that capitalises the best. Early stations, but nearly a must win for North's confidence and credentials.

Tip

Power by 13

Essendon v Carlton

Head to Head

Essendon with 3 of the last 4 - with some strange results of late

Form

Top vs …not top - both sides ruing missed comeback wins

View from the pharmacy

Simply love the warm months for footy. Should've rolled the Hawks in the end after a stirring comeback. The players simply have to be congratulated for their attitude to footy despite all the rubbish going on behind closed doors.

View from the bank

Carlton also should've got up after coming from behind but terrible…terrible…disgusting kicking for goal cost them dearly against the Tiges.

Verdict

Bombers have won the past two by 11 points combined (from 9 less scoring shots). Carlton won the previous match by 96. You simply can't go past Essendon, despite the fact that they looked well out of the past two encounters but still go the chocolates.

Tip

Essendon by 32

Game of the Round

Cats/Pies - Crows/Swans and Roos/Power in equal second

Upset of the Round

Adelaide

Thrashing of the Round

West Coast over St Kilda

Worst tip last week

Tipped a draw in the Crows/Power game - 54 points off!

Closest tip last week

Missed North by 4, Dockers and Cats by 6, Bombers by 7, Pies by 9

I do not know footy.

Wow.

The Doggies get up in a scorching game at Etihad. There wouldn't be an ounce of energy left from any player after that.

A fitting result as the Doggies led for 98% of the contest.

Listened on ABC radio, sounded like a great second half to witness.

I always enjoy seeing Richmond lose.

It's comforting to know there are other supporters out there who have been let down year after year.

Again Hardwick was out coached on match day.

I do not know footy.

0-3. Ouch!

0-3. Ouch!

Haha - 0 and 3 isn't even the worst part of it!

How does Bail still stayi in the side? Brynes only because he kicked 2 and Pederson by the virtue of the fact that all our good talls are either injured or unavailable.

How does Bail still stayi in the side? Brynes only because he kicked 2 and Pederson by the virtue of the fact that all our good talls are either injured or unavailable.

you lost big fellar?

Happy to be 3-0, but it's all dumb luck in the end.

Happy to be 3-0, but it's all dumb luck in the end.

I am lost!

Sorry no understand

Some people talked of Richmond being top-4 worthy pre-season.

Top 4 sides shouldn't be dropping games to Gold Coast and the Bulldogs.

They have Collingwood, a trip to Brisbane, Hawthorn and Geelong in their next 4 games. They could well be 2-5, with their finals hopes in trouble (suits me!).

I knew Richmond were in trouble when we so easily denied them possession during the NAB Challenge.

Won't make the 8.

I knew Richmond were in trouble when we so easily denied them possession during the NAB Challenge.

Won't make the 8.

Why was that indicative of anything? We've been denying everyone possession though. We had the ball for 53% of the game against West Coast.

GC looking solid.

No easy games anywhere anymore. If there ever were for us.

Is it just me or has it been a dull start to the season?

These have been the margins of the matches.

Week 3: 58, 2, 63, 53*

Week 2: 12, 4, 7, 54, 48, 20, 25, 93, 29

Week 1: 70, 32, 18, 33, 38, 39, 48, 17, 65

22 completed matches, only 4 games under 15 points. 2 cracking matches in the Bombers/Hawks and Tigers/Bulldogs. 9 games over 40 points.

Hardwick will be in the gun sights now....

Gary Ablett had 30 possessions, 17 contested possessions and 3 goals at 3 Qtr time today. 3/4 of Melbournes list don't have that after two games !!! If I wasn't laughing I'd probably be crying.....

Is it just me or has it been a dull start to the season?

These have been the margins of the matches.

Week 3: 58, 2, 63, 53*

Week 2: 12, 4, 7, 54, 48, 20, 25, 93, 29

Week 1: 70, 32, 18, 33, 38, 39, 48, 17, 65

22 completed matches, only 4 games under 15 points. 2 cracking matches in the Bombers/Hawks and Tigers/Bulldogs. 9 games over 40 points.

Its not just you. Incredibly boring to watch. Rather watch basketball. Ouch.

Only early but Saints leading West Coast. At Paterson's. Last week West Coast were up by 6 goals against us at the same time.

FML we are so far behind.

West Coast are a completely different side when.playing under AFL levels of pressure. Saints players are bothering to chase at 100% which makes a difference. Well undersized in the backline but it doesn't look like the saints are after excuses...they just want to compete.

And that's the difference between us and the Saints. The Saints want to win and want respect after a preseason full of criticism.

Something our team completely lacks. I think once again the playing group has just expected everything to fall into place with the appointment of Roos.

Roos better use this as ammunition tomorrow, it really shows us up for how poor we are with basic effort.

Edited April 5, 201411 yr by Lamashtu

Only early but Saints leading West Coast. At Paterson's. Last week West Coast were up by 6 goals against us at the same time.

FML we are so far behind.

obviously we softened them up last week!

Let the excuses begin as to why the Saints are able to produce efforts like this.

Experienced midfielders. They have Reiwoldt. Blah blah blah.

They want it more.

Our players should be ashamed watching this.