We’re most looking forward to … Brisbane Lions v Hawthorn

The Victorian captain at one end, the most exciting talent in the game at the other.

Throw in a host of star midfielders and you’ve got all the ingredients for a top game of footy. The Lions showed last week they are more than an average side by coming from 47 points down against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium. A win over the undefeated Hawthorn would show the competition they are a very good side.

The Hawks continue to fly along and, according to most, are the obvious challengers to the Cats. Winning at the Gabba is never easy though, and they are travelling for the second week straight – even if it is just from Tassie.

Let’s hope Jonathan Brown and Lance Franklin can put on a show!

This weekend should tell us … how the Swans will play without Big Bad Bustling

The Swannies were pretty good down at the Cattery without Bazza last year, so expect them to serve it right up to Mark Thompson’s men again.

A forward line with Michael O’Loughlin, Ryan O’Keefe and Nick Davis still has plenty of potency, but surely Roosy doesn’t want to go toe-to-toe in a shootout with the AFL’s highest-scoring side? Will it be back to the slower, tempo-style that served the Swans so well two and three seasons back? Or will these younger, invigorated Swans attack the Cats and try to catch the premiers off guard?

The duel … Nick Riewoldt v Patrick Ryder

Please Matthew Knights, let it happen. Let’s see the established star go up against the man poised to become the defender of the next decade.

Ryder has been in slashing form this season, taking some big scalps and showing that forwards are going to have trouble with his athleticism and pace in coming seasons. However those qualities are high on Riewoldt’s long list of attributes, and it will be interesting to see if Ryder’s progression hits a stumbling block on Friday night.

Who’s due to fire?

Well, Melbourne of course.

But, let’s look at a couple of forwards over at Subiaco.

West Coast’s Quinten Lynch and Port Adelaide’s Justin Westhoff have had a few pretty lean weeks to start the year. Both their sides are struggling more than they are used to, and that obviously influences how much of an impact these players can have on matches.

But four goals for Lynch, and just two goals for Westhoff – both from four matches – is not what either of their coaches would have hoped for and each would be hoping for improved returns in coming weeks.

The roughie with a show is … North Melbourne

We don’t mind a couple of the underdogs this week, but one has to like the $2.25 on offer for the Kangas.

Used to being written off, 2008 has been no different for the men from Arden Street, with few experts giving them a legitimate flag chance heading into the season.

A win over the Magpies would make a few people sit up and take notice. Without taking anything away from Carlton, the Pies didn’t look that flash last week and would need to lift several notches to beat the Roos.

It could get ugly … at the ’G if the Dees get shellacked

One Melbourne fan felt within his right to issue a few stern words to the Demons as they left the field a couple of weeks ago upon being thumped for the second straight week.

Two weeks later, Melbourne is still winless although the margins have improved somewhat. On Sunday however, the Demons play a resurgent Carlton that is, well, on a mini roll.

Despite having won just one of their past 15 matches, the Blues head into the match $1.35 favourites. If the bookies are right and if they do beat Melbourne convincingly, the Demons faithful may well feel aggrieved.

Well done, son … the milestones

When Shane Tuck runs out for Richmond on Sunday in his 74th AFL match it will bring the total games played by he and father Michael (426 games for Hawthorn) to 500 games. They will become the third father/single son combination in the history of the game to reach the milestone.

Others to notch landmark numbers this round include Brendon Lade and Luke Power (both 200 games) while West Coast pair Dean Cox and Darren Glass will play their 150th matches together.

Oh, and let’s not forget whistle-blower Shane McInerney, who’ll be officiating in his 250th league match. Let’s hope ‘Macca’ doesn’t make the news over the weekend.

Dr Jekyll or Mr Hyde?

Which Fremantle side will rock up to play Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday arvo?

Freo fans certainly hope it is the good, hard-at-it, competitive one that they so often see when their team plays a Derby against their arch rival. Not the evil one which lacks intensity, turns the ball over and plays some its worst football in Mark Harvey’s time as coach. If the latter shows up for a second successive week, the Crows will be all over them and 2008 will be headed the way of last season.

Potential banner of the week

After watching their team be overrun by the Brisbane Lions last week, loyal Port Adelaide fans are preparing to make a long trek across the Nullarbor – banner in tow – to see their side take on the West Coast Eagles. Although our sources tell us that by the looks of this week’s slogan, it’s clear they won’t stand for a similar result on Sunday.

We’ve come a bloody long way for this
The three of us, Dwayne, Shaz and Jamie
So if you lose from eight goals up today
Don’t expect us next week back at AAMI

Our Dream Team special … Jonathan Brown

Given dry conditions at the Gabba on Saturday night, the Lions skipper could again wreak havoc on the Hawks defence.

While Buddy Franklin will be doing his darnedest at the other end, Brown has a bit of form against the Hawks.

From his last five matches against Hawthorn he has 20 goals and has taken 50 marks.

Yup, that equals big points people. So if you’re fortunate enough to have Big Browny in your line-ups, he’s certainly worth a thought as skipper.