ESSENDON v COLLINGWOOD, MCG, Friday, 7.40pm

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING: Six points clear, the Pies are marching towards September in imperious fashion, while Essendon's faint finals hopes were extinguished for good after a belting from Carlton last week.

WHY TO WATCH: Always a good rivalry, although the upsets tend to happen between these clubs when they meet on Anzac Day.

WE THINK: With two debutants, the Bombers are in 2011 mode. The Pies are resting a few but are fine-tuning for the finals.

Collingwood by 31

TAB SPORTSBET: Essendon $6.25, Collingwood $1.11

CARLTON v RICHMOND, MCG, Saturday, 2.10pm

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING: The Blues looked great in putting Essendon away last week and should now make the finals. The Tigers lost to the Demons but are building nicely for the future.

WHY TO WATCH: Another good rivalry and you'd imagine the Tigers will be up for this one after their insipid loss to the Blues in the season opener.

WE THINK: A win here makes the finals a certainty for the Blues and that should ne enough. But wouldn't the Tigers like to play the spoiler as they did in the final game of round 22 in 1997?

Carlton by 20

TAB SPORTSBET: Carlton $1.30, Richmond $3.30

FREMANTLE v SYDNEY, Subiaco, Sunday, 1.10pm (WST)

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING: Good thing for the Dockers that they're back at home this week, because they dished up garbage at Etihad last week against North. The Swans are coming off one of their best wins of the year against the Hawks, but now face their longest road trip of the year.

WHY TO WATCH: Important game. The Dockers move closer to hosting a home final in week one with a win. A similar carrot awaits the Swans.

WE THINK: The Dockers are far more accomplished at home. Sandilands missing again is a blow, but they still appear to have the edge.

Fremantle by 14

TAB SPORTSBET: Fremantle $1.55, Sydney $2.35

WESTERN BULLDOGS v GEELONG, Etihad Stadium, Saturday, 7.10pm

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING: A 'flu virus has swept through the Whitten Oval. It caused late withdrawals last week and some important 'outs' this week. The Cats were poor against Collingwood last week and have issues of their own.

WHY TO WATCH: The Cats would represent the big scalp the Bulldoga have lacked this year. They're yet to beat Collingwood or St Kilda, the other fancies for the flag. Geelong wouldn't want to drop two games on the trot so close to September.

WE THINK: We're keeping faith with the Cats for another week. The 'flu bug won't help the Doggies, either.

Geelong by 7

TAB SPORTSBET: Western Bulldogs $2.25, Geelong $1.60

PORT ADELAIDE v WEST COAST, AAMI STADIUM, Saturday, 7.10pm (WST)

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING: It's all about next year. Port's stand-in coach Matthew Primus needs one or two big wins from here to shore up his hopes of winning the job on a permanent basis. The Eagles are odds-on for the spoon just four years after a flag. Who'd have thunk it?

WHY TO WATCH: To see how small the crowd is. Less than 15,000? Every chance.

WE THINK: Port at home.

Port by 19

TAB SPORTSBET: Port Adelaide, $1.40, West Coast $2.80

BRISBANE v ADELAIDE, Gabba, Sunday, 1.10pm

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING: Much speculation about whether Jonathan Brown will play his 200th game on the weekend. The Lions have picked him, but cancelled a pre-game media conference. Adelaide is playing out the string.

WHY TO WATCH: A rare day game at the Gabba. It will have the sniff of finals even though neither side is anywhere near the top eight.

WE THINK: Lions the safer bet at home.

Brisbane by 10

TAB SPORTSBET: Brisbane $1.80, Adelaide $1.95

HAWTHORN v MELBOURNE, MCG, Sunday, 2.10pm

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING: The most in-form team in the competition a fortnight ago, the Hawks have dropped a couple of the road and are now in a scramble for a place in the eight. Their biggest threat? Melbourne, winners of three on the trot.

WHY TO WATCH: It's a final. The winner will be in the eight by 5pm Sunday.

WE THINK: We'll know early. If the Hawks start well, they'll likely get the win. But they'll need to be harder at the ball than the last fortnight.

Hawthorn by 16

TAB SPORTSBET: Hawthorn $1.68, Melbourne $2.10

NORTH MELBOURNE v ST KILDA, Etihad Stadium, Sunday, 4.40pm

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING: Both won really well last week. The Kangas need to keep winning and hope for Hawks, Blues and Swans to stumble. The Saints will cruise into the top four and still aim to cause some damage come September.

WHY TO WATCH: North needs to roll the dice a bit. Grab the lead early and the opportunity will present itself because the Saints aren't great at coming from behind.

WE THINK: The Saints have too much talent across the park.

St Kilda by 22

TAB SPORTSBET: North Melbourne $3.75, St Kilda $1.25