ST KILDA v HAWTHORN, Etihad Stadium, Friday, 7.40pm

The story so far: The Saints blew a chance to claim top spot with their surprise loss to Collingwood. They were surprisingly flat for a team that comes to play every week. The Hawks have won eight from nine and are close to their best.

Why to watch: Riewoldt at one end, Buddy at the other, plus a heap of stars in the midfield. It's a big test for the Hawks, who haven't got within eight goals of the Saints in their last four encounters at the Docklands.

We think: Form suggests the Hawks, but the Saints are so hard to beat at Etihad. It might be the night Riewoldt cuts loose.

St Kilda by 7

TAB Sportsbet: St Kilda $1.68, Hawthorn $2.15

COLLINGWOOD v RICHMOND, Saturday, MCG, 2.10pm

The story so far: The Pies now sit on top of the ladder this late in the season for the first time since 1990. Guess who won the flag that year? The Tigers dropped their first game in a month last week. Not hungry enough suggested the coach.

Why to watch: Traditional rivalry in a traditional timeslot.

We think: The Pies look better all over the ground. The Tigers might have fired most of their bullets for 2010.

Collingwood by 32

TAB Sportsbet: Collingwood $1.10, Richmond $6.25

GEELONG v BRISBANE, Skilled Stadium, 2.10pm

The story so far: The Cats slipped from top after losing to Adelaide last Friday night, but the Cats appear to be following a similar blueprint to last year, which paid dividends at the right time. The Lions have been dreadful.

Why to watch: Geelong's forward line is starting to come together. Johnson, Mooney and Podsiadly, with Hawkins still to come.

We think: Geelong by as much as it feels. 21 matches and counting since the last loss at Skilled Stadium.

Geelong by 45

TAB Sportsbet: Geelong $1.05, Brisbane $8.50

NORTH MELBOURNE v ESSENDON, Etihad Stadium, 7.10pm

The story so far: North was terrific in dismantling Richmond last week and because it's North, you won't have heard much about it. Essendon is thankful for the Akermanis sacking because after nearly two weeks, the media spotlight shifted elsewhere.

Why to watch: North has won six of the last seven against Essendon and need to keep winning to try and force its way into the eight. The Bombers were in dire straits last week and offered next to nothing. Will they lift this time around?

We think: North is playing too well to drop this one. But expect some long overdue desperation from the Bombers.

North Melbourne by 15

TAB Sportsbet: North Melbourne $1.40, Essendon $2.80

WEST COAST v CARLTON, Subiaco, 5.40pm (WST)

The story so far: So bad for so long on the road, the Eagles turned it on against the Bombers at Etihad last week. A lazy 12 from Mark LeCras did the trick. The Blues were wretched last week, and have been pretty much for the last month.

Why to watch: Always interesting when Chris Judd returns to his old stamping ground. Big game for the Blues. The top four is almost out of reach and now they're fighting for top eight. Do the ladder predictor on the AFL website and you might have them missing out if they drop this one.

We think: The Blues are slow and the spacious Subiaco won't be of any assistance in that respect.

West Coast by 10

TAB Sportsbet: West Coast $1.90, Carlton $1.85

WESTERN BULLDOGS v FREMANTLE, Etihad, Sunday, 1.10pm

The story so far: Two good weeks and the Bulldogs appear to be back on track. Aker is gone and good riddance to him if you swallow the corporate spin at the Whitten Oval. The Dockers survived a big scare from Melbourne last week but chalked up another four premiership points.

Why to watch: Top four on the line. A win to the Dockers and they nearly seal a double chance. Lose and it opens up for the Dogs and perhaps the Swans and Hawks.

We think: The Dockers don't mind Etihad, but the Dogs look primed for a big one this week.

Western Bulldogs by 14

TAB Sportsbet: Western Bulldogs $1.28, Fremantle $3.50

MELBOURNE v SYDNEY, MCG, Sunday, 2.10pm

The story so far: Close, but no cigar for the Demons after their trip to Perth last week, but for all their progress this year, they could win the spoon again. Sydney appears to be back on track, gunning for at least one final at home.

Why to watch: Another step for the emerging Demons. Can their run and carry game match it with the kings of contested footy?

We think: Too important for the Swans, but they'll need to run the game out.

Sydney by 16

TAB Sportsbet: Melbourne $2.25, Sydney $1.60

PORT ADELAIDE v ADELAIDE, AAMI Stadium, 4.10pm (CST)

The story so far: New coach, same old Port last week. That's nine straight losses for the Alberton mob. Adelaide's grandstand run to the finals continues, with a brilliant come-from-behind win over Geelong last week.

Why to watch: Josh Carr's last game for Port before retirement. This could get willing.

We think: Adelaide has better talent all over the park and much more to play for.

Adelaide by 32

TAB Sportsbet: Port Adelaide $3.75, Adelaide $1.25