PORT ADELAIDE v HAWTHORN (AAMI Stadium, Friday)

A rare Friday night, national TV game for the out-of-form Port, who are coming off defeats to Gold Coast and (by 10 goals) to North Melbourne. Oddly enough, the Power has a great record against Hawthorn at home - leading 8-3 over the past 13 years, including wins in 2009 and Round 18 last season. So this fixture, while lopsided on paper, has got a few Hawk fans worried. It seems as though the Hawks will rest Cyril Rioli, so the coaching panel obviously doesn't share that concern. Hawthorn isn't exactly flying at the moment but has still won three of its past four to sit in sixth spot. Port conceded 75 inside-50 entries against the Kangaroos last weekend and Franklin and Roughead could have a night out if the home side doesn't apply more pressure through the midfield. 

BPL TIP: Hawthorn by 38 points
TAB Sportsbet Odds: Port $4.25, Hawthorn $1.20 

WESTERN BULLDOGS v SYDNEY (Manuka Oval, Saturday)

A Bulldogs' home game in Canberra, where they've played Sydney in each of the last four seasons - and won each time. So the Dogs take some sort of home-ground advantage into the game. It's a big arena so that plays to the Bulldogs' big strength - hard running - and makes it far harder for the Swans to employ their trademark stranglehold on games. Daniel Giansiracusa makes a welcome reappearance for the Dogs, while Brian Lake will be given a spell in the ressies. The Swans will be without injured B&F winner, Kieren Jack - which is a big loss. Both teams were top-eight fancies at the start of the year but have had their shortcomings exposed several times already by quality opponents. Goalkicking remains an issue and both languish in the points-for table. We think the Bulldogs might rise to the occasion this time around, though, and score a much-needed morale-booster.  

BPL TIP: Bulldogs by 11 points
TAB Sportsbet Odds: WB $1.65, Sydney $2.15 

GEELONG v NORTH MELBOURNE (Skilled Stadium, Saturday)

An interesting one. On paper, this looks a very lopsided contest. But we think it will be much closer than that. The Cats are coming off a bye which has a habit of disrupting a team's rhythm. Also, they could have their mind on the much-hyped Round 8 match against that other unbeaten team, Collingwood. There are other distractions: Geelong is chasing its 25th straight win at Kardinia Park/Skilled Stadium - a record for a team at any one ground. And, of course, this will be the first time two opposing teams in the VFL/AFL are coached by twins - in this case, Brad and Chris Scott. But what of the game? North notched its first win last week, and entered its 50-metre zone an astonishing 75 times in doing so. That will give them huge confidence. Geelong remain a competition yardstick, however, and should win at home - but will be pushed all the way. 

BPL TIP: Geelong by 8 points
TAB Sportsbet Odds: Geel $1.06, North $8.00 

RICHMOND v FREMANTLE (MCG, Saturday twilight)

A big test for the Tigers, who are coming off two impressive wins. Can they knock off a really good side, and finally become a contender? The Tiges have played Freo seven times at the MCG - and won six of those encounters. So if it's a cold, wet, un-Perth type of evening, get on Richmond: perfect weather for the likes of Dustin Martin, Jake King, Nathan Foley and Chris Newman. The Dockers are coming off the dreaded bye, but scored three strong wins before their break. For the visitors, David Mundy has averaged 28 possessions a game in a great start to the season, while Kepler Bradley and Hayden Ballantyne have provided good support. But captain Matthew Pavlich, with 1.8 for the season, has not had his kicking boots on at all. We think the road trip might test the Dockers - especially if it's a wintry night on Saturday - and the Tigers look good-value outsiders at $2.25. 

BPL TIP: Richmond by 17 points
TAB Sportsbet Odds: Rich $2.25, Frem $1.60 

GOLD COAST v BRISBANE (Gabba, Saturday night)

The first of many such Queensland AFL derbies. And Lions' veteran Simon Black this week ramped up the rivalry by labelling former teammates Rischitelli and Brennan as ‘mercenaries' for being tempted by  the Gold Coast lucre. Black also said there was resentment at the armchair ride the new franchise had been given (via priority draft picks) by the AFL. So a bit of added spice to this one. The Lions are in a rut but it's hard to see the Suns - fresh from their 23-goal belting by Essendon last week - making much impression on them. But derbies - as we've seen countless times in Adelaide - do have a habit of trashing any exposed form. While Brisbane is winless, it has been competitive in all but one of its matches. Expect the old heads at the Lions, such as Black and Power, to ensure they get over the line - and there's no embarrassment in this first encounter against the league new boys. 

BPL TIP: Brisbane by 29 points
TAB Sportsbet Odds: GC $7.00, Bris $1.08 

ESSENDON v WEST COAST (Etihad Stadium, Sunday)

A match that pits the two big improvers of 2011. Such was the ease of Essendon's win over Gold Coast last week that it almost qualified as a bye. These Bombers are flying and their three matches at Etihad this season have resulted in wins of 55, 52 and 139 points. West Coast, meanwhile, has lost only to Hawthorn and Sydney this year, and the way it dismantled Melbourne last week will give James Hird some pause for thought. The Eagles' tackling and forward pressure has been a revelation; they've become a kind of mini-Collingwood. They've won eight of their past 10 against Essendon but this is quite a different Bomber outfit they'll encounter on Sunday. Kyle Reimers won't kick eight goals again this week but the Bombers' even spread of talent - and burgeoning confidence - will ensure a win. Not a blowout by any means, but a solid win. 

BPL TIP: Essendon by 25 points
TAB Sportsbet Odds: Ess $1.18, WC $4.50 

MELBOURNE v ADELAIDE (MCG, Sunday)

This shapes as a big game for Melbourne, under fire this week for its insipid performance against West Coast. Coach Dean Bailey has been under pressure, as have senior players Brad Green and Aaron Davey while president Jim Stynes has been forced to come to their defence and it's all threatened to get a bit ugly. The Demons return to familiar territory at the MCG, where they can be relied on for a more competitive effort. (That can be the only reason for their favouritism with the TAB). Certainly, they need to lift in the contested-ball area, where they were hammered last week. The Crows were impressive in their win over St Kilda in Rd 6 but it was their first victory since round one. It should be noted too that the Crows are yet to fire a shot on the road this season. The visitors will lose the injured Phil Davis and Andy Otten and the suspended Richard Tambling but still should have enough firepower to overrun a Dees' outfit that will be stung into producing a far more spirited performance. 

BPL TIP: Adelaide by 16 points
TAB Sportsbet Odds: Melb $1.72, Adel $2.05 

ST KILDA v CARLTON (Etihad Stadium, Monday night)

Carlton midfielder Marc Murphy might make a surprise appearance, despite leaving the SCG last week with his arm in a sling. But the Saints have lost key defender Zac Dawson to suspension. This is a match that pits the out-of-form Saints (lost four of past five) against the in-form Blues (won four of past five). Carlton ended a 12-match losing streak last year when they beat St Kilda by 10 goals - and we think they'll go back-to-back on Monday. Everything is gelling nicely with the Blues this year: their defence is finally stopping goals and its midfield - led by Brownlow favourite Judd - keeps going from strength to strength. Expect Saint stopper-in-chief Clint Jones to be given the job on him. The Saints have the third worst points-for total and just can't seem to produce winning scores. Nick Riewoldt being KO'd last weekend is not going to help that particular problem. Carlton, by contrast, is scoring at will - and should comfortably post a winning total here to compound the Saints' misery. 

BPL TIP: Carlton by 39 points
TAB Sportsbet Odds: St K $2.65, Carl $1.45  

BYE: Collingwood 

BPL RUNNING TOTAL: 34