ESSENDON v ST KILDA, Friday, 2.10pm

STORY SO FAR: It's the start of a big three weeks for the Bombers, Friday night games against St Kilda, Carlton and Collingwood. A three-point win over North Melbourne isn't quite back in town by our reckoning so the Dons have much work to do. The Saints haven't won for a fortnight, but demonstrated again last week that this is a team that plays it out till the final siren.

WHY TO WATCH: The Dons have won their last two against the Saints, worrying them with their pace. Nick Riewoldt looked really threatening last week before fading in the second half. Look out when he plays four quarters.

WE THINK: Saints have the edge in talent and have more to play for.

St Kilda by 16

TAB SPORTSBET: Essendon $4.85, St Kilda $1.17

COLLINGWOOD v CARLTON, MCG, Saturday, 2.10pm

STORY SO FAR: It's late in the season and the Pies are on top. Look out, finals. A huge second half saved the Blues at Subiaco, but they need to win a couple more to shore up a finals berth.

WHY TO WATCH: It's the Pies and the Blues on a Saturday afternoon. A great rivalry, despite what Mick Malthouse might say.

WE THINK: The Pies are playing sublime footy. They're more even across the paddock and a bit, no, make that a lot, tougher.

Collingwood by 21

TAB SPORTSBET: Collingwood $1.16, Carlton $4.80

PORT ADELAIDE v HAWTHORN, AAMI Stadium, 2.40pm (CST)

STORY SO FAR: Eight and a half wins from 10 games for the Hawks, the form team of the competition. But their failure to close out the Saints must irk and may yet hurt. Port enjoyed a sweet win over Adelaide in the Showdown and are clearly putting in for stand-in coach Matthew Primus.

WHY TO WATCH: Will the Hawks get their interchanges right? You can bet they practiced that ad infinitum at Waverley Park this week. What sort of reception will the Port ferals...ahem, faithful give one-time favourite son Shaun Burgoyne?

WE THINK: The Hawks should win. Too tough in the midfield and too many options close to goal.

Hawthorn by 28

TAB SPORTSBET: Port Adelaide $3.15, Hawthorn $1.33

SYDNEY v GEELONG, ANZ Stadium, Saturday, 7.10pm

STORY SO FAR: The Swans are coming off a 73-point loss to Melbourne, the worst of the Paul Roos era, and are no certainties for the finals. Geelong thumped Brisbane as expected, and surely has one eye on Collingwood next week.

WHY TO WATCH: The Swans simply have to lift, while the Cats are starting their run to September. Big game for the returning Tom Hawkins. It could be down to him and James Podsiadly for the final tall forward berth in the side.

WE THINK: The Swans are just about done. Geelong will win comfortably as the finals loom on the horizon.

Geelong by 49

TAB SPORTSBET: Sydney $4.25, Geelong $1.20

BRISBANE v MELBOURNE, Gabba, Saturday, 7.10pm

STORY SO FAR: The Lions are playing out the string amid suggestions that Brendan Fevola's time with the club could be a one-and-run arrangement. Melbourne was spectacular against Sydney last week and remains an outside chance for the finals. September anyone?

WHY TO WATCH: Winning outside Victoria remains the last unconquered frontier for the Demons. This trip to the Gabba is one of two remaining interstate matched for the year.

WE THINK: In keeping with the election fever, it's time.

Melbourne by 7

TAB SPORTSBET: Brisbane $1.25, Melbourne $2.00

RICHMOND v ADELAIDE, MCG, Sunday, 1.10pm

STORY SO FAR: The TIgers enjoyed a fine patch through the middle of the season, but are still in a race to avoid the wooden spoon, while Adelaide's feint finals hopes were dashed by a loss to Port Adelaide last week. Strangely for a Showdown, the Crows didn't come to play.

WHY TO WATCH: Adelaide turned it on for a quarter to beat Richmond last time. Will they play four quarters this time around?

WE THINK: Toss of the coin. Perhaps the Tigers at home.

Richmond by 10

TAB SPORTSBET: Richmond $2.15, Adelaide $1.65

WESTERN BULLDOGS v NORTH MELBOURNE, Sunday, Etihad Stadium, 2.10pm

STORY SO FAR: After beating Fremantle by 14 goals last week, some good judges are suggesting that the Bulldogs are finally on track for the flag. North dropped a critical decision to Essendon and can't afford too many more slip-ups.

WHY TO WATCH: North targeted Barry Hall last time. Will Scott Thompson be foolish enough to so again?

WE THINK: To sleek, too slick, too quick. Bulldogs to keep cementing their top four berth.

Western Bulldogs by 26

TAB SPORTSBET: Western Bulldogs $1.15, North Melbourne $5.00

FREMANTLE v WEST COAST, Subiaco, 2.40pm (WST)

STORY SO FAR: Both were dreadful last week. The Dockers were never in it against the Bulldoigs, while the Eagles led Carlton by 26 points at half-time, only to wind up losing by the same margin.

WHY TO WATCH: It's a derby and a Freo home game, so the only time the Eagles are jeered all year at their own home ground.

WE THINK: Time for the Dockers to knuckle down and secure that home game in the opening week of the finals. They've won their last six against the Eagles and number seven beckons.

Fremantle by 15

TAB SPORTSBET: Fremantle $1.35, West Coast $3.05