CARLTON and Geelong open round 15 on Friday night when they clash for a second time this season after taking different paths since their first encounter.

The Blues have won four from six since a defeat in that contest, while the Cats' seven-match winning streak was snapped the week after and they have only been victorious once more since.

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Port Adelaide and Brisbane meet the following day with both sides out to prove they are a finals contender rather than pretender, while the Sydney derby will have extra spice with the Swans in white-hot form and the Giants rediscovering their touch. 

Here is what to expect across the round and a tip for all six matches, as Adelaide, Collingwood, Hawthorn, Richmond, St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs enjoy the last of the mid-season byes.

Carlton v Geelong, MCG
Friday, June 21, 7.40pm AEST

Last time: Geelong 18.10 (118) d Carlton 15.15 (105), R7 2024

What it means

Carlton (9-4) is looming as the main challenger to frontrunner Sydney after four victories from five matches while only losing to the ladder leader in that stretch before a bye. The Blues could further prove their credentials against the stumbling Cats that narrowly won their last clash even as Michael Voss' side dominated inside 50s, clearances and contested possessions.

Geelong (8-5) might well have been licking its wounds during the bye after suffering five defeats in its past six matches that has almost wiped out its fast start to the season. The Cats will be out to make a statement against the high-flying Blues while kicking off a testing period of five matches against fellow finals contenders.

Game shapers

Tom De Koning has been a ruck on the rise for a couple of years now but arguably played the best of his 73 matches in the Blues' win over the Bombers before their bye. The 24-year-old has hit a purple patch as he wins more of his own ball, with an average 14.7 contested possessions in the Blues' past three matches giving their already-powerful midfield another weapon.

Sam De Koning has struggled to live up to all of the promise that he showed as the Cats surged to the 2022 premiership even while he remains a key to their defence. The 23-year-old defender is sure to be handed a critical role helping to contain the Blues twin towers Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay as the Cats search for a win to get their season back on track.

Early tip: Carlton by 11 points

Port Adelaide v Brisbane, Adelaide Oval
Saturday, June 22, 1.15pm ACST

Last time: Brisbane 19.9 (123) d Port Adelaide 11.9 (75), QF 2023

What it means

Port Adelaide (8-5) again had the large gap between its best and worst exposed with a defeat by Greater Western Sydney that knocked it down to seventh place when a top-two spot was all but within its grasp. The Power could return to boost their top-four hopes with a win over the gradually improving Lions, especially with a month facing sides currently sitting outside the finals positions to follow.

Brisbane (6-6-1) has got its win-loss record on level terms for the first time this season after back-to-back triumphs including when beating St Kilda last week. The Lions have shown signs of rediscovering something resembling their best with only one loss in their past six matches, while a win over the Power could take them to the brink of the top eight with a kind run of matches to come.  

Game shapers

Mitch Georgiades could be the key to unlocking the Power's forward line as they transition away from veteran Charlie Dixon. The 22-year-old missed most of last season after being sidelined with a torn ACL, but has returned to boot 19 goals in 10 matches to become the focal point of the attack. 

Harris Andrews emerged as the talisman of the Lions' defence even before he was named co-captain, and can be trusted to again show the way against the Power in his 200th match. The 27-year-old leads the competition for intercept marks, which could prove to be a valuable weapon against the Power's under-siege attack.

Early tip: Brisbane by 14 points

Greater Western Sydney v Sydney, Engie Stadium
Saturday, June 22, 4.35pm AEST

Last time: Sydney 14.14 (98) d Greater Western Sydney 10.9 (69), R8 2024

What it means

Greater Western Sydney (8-5) showed signs of returning to some of its better early-season form as it overpowered Port Adelaide even if it took time to put them away. The pacesetting Swans will present a stiffer challenge but the Giants will hope to turn to a record where their past four victories over their arch-rivals have come by an average of 1.5 points.

Sydney (12-1) will want to kick the habit of giving up early leads after trailing at the first change in most of its matches this season even while surging to its best win-loss record since 1918. The Swans at their best look imperious with a new-found blend around the ball driving them to success, but will be wary of their noisy neighbours being motivated by an upset that would snap their dream run.

Game shapers

Josh Kelly made an immediate impact on his return for the Giants after being sidelined with a calf injury since round nine, as he gathered 27 disposals and booted the sealer in the win over the Power. The dual club champion is a key to the 'Orange Tsunami' and the way that the Giants want to play, with his power at stoppages as important as being a link between defence and attack.

Joel Amartey had been in career-best form even before his nine-goal haul against the Crows and now has 31 majors this season to emerge as a smoky for the Coleman Medal. The 24-year-old has booted at least one goal in every match since Opening Round including multiples in his last five games as he makes the most of a tank that is now allowing him to stay on the field longer as well as dominate in the air.  

Early tip: Sydney by 22 points

Melbourne v North Melbourne, MCG
Saturday, June 22, 7.30pm AEST

Last time: Melbourne 15.13 (103) d North Melbourne 10.11 (71), R21 2023

What it means

Melbourne (7-6) is now part of the chasing pack sitting outside the top eight after four defeats from its past five matches before a bye. The Demons have been able to brush aside the Roos in recent times with five consecutive victories by an average 51 points, but with injuries sidelining key players and their season teetering on the brink this now looms as more than just a danger game.

North Melbourne (1-12) might have suffered a heartbreaking defeat by the narrowest of margins to Collingwood but it won plenty of admirers for a sizzling opening half as it piled on the goals. The Kangaroos will still need to bounce back from giving up a 54-point lead to the Pies, but with their emerging midfield starting to fire they suddenly look primed to test the undermanned Demons.

Game shapers

It could be a case of the master and the apprentice as Clayton Oliver comes up against the rising Roos midfield while his own side are decimated by injury. The four-time club champion has failed to have his usual impact in recent weeks, perhaps as a lack of pre-season begins to take hold, but will need to rediscover something approaching his best with Christian Petracca sidelined.

George Wardlaw was a key cog in the Kangaroos' midfield as they powered away from the Pies in the first half and went on to gather a career-best 30 disposals even as they were overrun. The second-year Roo will carry his tenacity and threat with the ball much later into games as he builds a tank suited to the top level, but for now we can sit back and enjoy the glimpses that his rapid growth reveals.

Early tip: Melbourne by nine points

Essendon v West Coast, Marvel Stadium
Sunday, June 23, 1pm AEST

Last time: Essendon 11.11 (77) d West Coast 11.5 (71), R8 2024

What it means

Essendon (8-4-1) has only edged past the lowly West Coast in their past two meetings, winning their most recent clash by a goal after a victory by the narrowest of margins last year. The Bombers will want to avoid a third scare against the Eagles turning into a shock loss to continue their charge towards finals, especially after hanging onto their top-four spot despite back-to-back defeats then a bye.

West Coast (3-10) would have been out to rediscover the best of its early-season form during the bye, after six defeats in seven matches before the break. The Eagles will be without Harley Reid following their prized draftee's suspension but will otherwise be nearing full strength in their midfield as they hunt a first win over the Bombers at Marvel Stadium since 2013.

Game shapers

Sam Durham has been a key to the Bombers' new-look midfield leading their resurgence into a top-four contender as his defensive nous and physical pressure becomes valuable to their mix. The 22-year-old is averaging career-highs for disposals, clearances, tackles and inside 50s, while Durham has also started to get forward more in recent weeks. 

Jack Darling will overtake ruck great Dean Cox as the player to have lined up the second most times for West Coast when he runs out for his 291st match. The key forward looked to be limping to the milestone when starting the season with one goal in four matches, but has since bounced back to hit the scoreboard more while also setting the tone with defensive pressure in the Eagles' attack.

Early tip: Essendon by 28 points

Fremantle v Gold Coast, Optus Stadium
Sunday, June 23, 2pm AWST

Last time: Fremantle 15.10 (100) d Gold Coast 13.12 (90), R5 2023

What it means

Fremantle (7-5-1) continued its rollercoaster ride of a season with a listless defeat to the Western Bulldogs that followed a crushing victory over Melbourne with a bye in between. The Dockers remain a work in progress, especially in trying to find the right balance between defence and attack, but a dose of consistency now could be enough to hold onto their place in the top eight with a kind draw to come.

Gold Coast (7-6) will again be out to clinch their first win on the road this season to stay in touch with the top eight, after losses in all six matches away from their homes. The Suns should hold few fears of visiting Optus Stadium after victories in their past two visits, though they are yet to beat the Dockers at the venue with a pair of defeats.

Game shapers

Josh Treacy is enjoying a breakout season to answer any queries over the Dockers' tall forward options as he has booted at least a goal in every match this season to currently sit on 26. Treacy now looks more than comfortable at the elite level as he prepares to play his 50th match and even at 21 years of age is emerging as the Dockers' focal point in a three-pronged attack.

Joel Jeffrey has been a slow burn while being a highly touted talent but only lining up in 21 matches since arriving at the Suns at the end of 2020. A move from the forward line to a role across half-back now looks like paying off as the 22-year-old starts to impact matches more, highlighted by a career-high 29 disposals while using his speed to break lines against the Saints.

Early tip: Fremantle by 17 points

FREMANTLE is knocking on the door of the top four after holding off Gold Coast on Sunday, claiming redemption in a vital 20-point win at Optus Stadium that was driven by its young midfield stars.

A spot in the top eight was on the line for both teams and the Suns, who had fallen 35 points behind in the third quarter, made a late charge when they cut the margin to just 15 points in the final term.

DOCKERS v SUNS Full match coverage and stats

But the Dockers steadied through a clutch long-range goal to midfielder Jaeger O'Meara and claimed fifth spot on the ladder, winning 12.13 (85) to 10.5 (65) in a mature performance from the young group.

With the colours lowered against the Western Bulldogs last week, it was the Dockers' engine room that led an impressive response as Hayden Young, Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong took control of the midfield and gave the team a 44-32 clearance advantage.

It became a key scoring source for Justin Longmuir's team, with that trio itself combining for five goals in a new side to the Dockers' midfield that could prove crucial in the run home if it can remain a weapon.

Young was outstanding with 24 disposals and three goals, with his piercing front half kicking a feature, while Brayshaw (32 and eight tackles) set the standard for midfield pressure after it was lacking against the Bulldogs.

Key forward Josh Treacy was immense in his 50th game, flying for contested grabs and kicking two important goals while also setting up others, with Sam Sturt (two) lifting as well.

There was a late concern for the Dockers as captain Alex Pearce left the ground with a left forearm injury that ended his day after he landed awkwardly in a contest.

For the Suns, a potential spot in the top eight became 12th place as the ladder returned to parity following the mid-season bye period, with the visitors letting themselves down either side of half time when the Dockers kicked six goals to one.

The move of Sam Flanders (33 and four clearances) into the midfield inspired a late revival, but it was not enough, with Sam Day (three goals) also impressive in the absence of injured spearhead Ben King.

Longmuir's comments that Dockers had been "worried more about how many possessions they got" than other more important factors were still fresh on Sunday when the ball was bounced, and there was a watch on how his players would respond.

The early signs were concerning as Gold Coast burst from the blocks with two early goals, but the pressure, contest and team defence that Longmuir was looking for quickly emerged.

With that came their best offensive play as Young asserted himself and attacking kicks into the corridor became a feature through a second quarter run that saw them build a 24-point lead at the main break.

When Sean Darcy, playing his best game since returning from injury, hit the scoreboard early in the third quarter, the margin was 35 points and a comeback looked unlikely.

But the Suns' midfielders, led by Touk Miller and Flanders, got on top at the stoppages and ensured the game was within reach when Brandon Ellis cut the margin to 15 points with six minutes to play.

It mattered little in the end, with O'Meara's set shot from 50m enough to settle the contest and ensure the Suns road woes continued.

Dockers discover a new scoring weapon 
If there's been a criticism of the Dockers' talented midfield, it's that they do not take their opportunities to push forward and hit the scoreboard. Sometimes it has been through missed shots, while other times they have preferred to set teammates up instead of taking responsibility. But on Sunday, the No.1 midfield combination of Hayden Young, Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong had a killer edge. The trio combined for five goals, with Sean Darcy also chipping in with one, having managed just nine as a trio before this week. The mids took advantage of their opponents and pushed forward hard at the right times, which proved the difference in the game.

Flanders on the move again 
The switch of Sam Flanders to half-back has been excellent for the Suns this season, but he almost became the match-winning magnet when coach Damien Hardwick put him in the midfield late on Sunday. Flanders had nine disposals and four clearances in the last quarter and gave the Suns some of the speed and dynamic movement they'd missed at stoppages. Whether Hardwick can afford to lose him from half-back, where he has been a star, is the question going forward.

Dominant Darcy hits career high
Sean Darcy was earmarked as the right ruckman to carry the load against the returning Jarrod Witts, and he showed why both in the air and at ground level. Darcy was excellent with 39 hit-outs to Witts' 29, but then at ground level he got it done with a career-best 12 clearances, which was also a game high. He launched the second quarter when he got on the move to win the opening centre clearance and kick inside 50 and then hit the scoreboard early in the third. It was a complete performance from the big man.

FREMANTLE           2.3   6.7   10.12   12.13 (85)
GOLD COAST           2.0   3.2   6.2   10.5 (65)

GOALS
Fremantle: Young 3, Sturt 2, Treacy 2, Brayshaw, Darcy, Frederick, O'Meara, Serong
Gold Coast: Day 3, Lukosius 2, Swallow 2, Ellis, Graham, Long

BEST
Fremantle: Young, Brayshaw, Treacy, Serong, Darcy, Chapman
Gold Coast: Flanders, Powell, Day, Collins, Uwland, Rowell

INJURIES
Fremantle: Pearce (forearm)
Gold Coast: Nil

SUBSTITITES
Fremantle: Karl Worner (replaced Alex Pearce in the fourth quarter)
Gold Coast: Brandon Ellis (replaced Bailey Humphrey in the third quarter)

Crowd: 40,637 at Optus Stadium