Hawthorn v Melbourne
Will Ben McEvoy and Jon Ceglar double-team Max Gawn?
Gawn had a season-high 66 hit-outs when they last met in round four, but it counted for little as the Hawks kicked 15 of the last 16 goals to win by 67 points. McEvoy did the bulk of the ruck work that day with relief from Jarryd Roughead and Tim O'Brien. If the Hawks believe Roughead can provide 5-6 minutes a quarter of assistance, Ceglar could be forced out with one of Ryan Schoenmakers or Taylor Duryea (left out of VFL on Sunday) coming in to play in attack.
Does James Harmes tag Tom Mitchell?
Harmes has emerged as one of the competition's best stoppers since claiming Joel Selwood's scalp for the first time in round 18. Fresh from beating Selwood again on Friday night, Harmes is the perfect man to be pitted against Brownlow Medal favourite Tom Mitchell. Not only able to hold Selwood to 14 disposals to three-quarter time, Harmes hurt the Cats by attacking himself. Making Mitchell accountable, after he picked up 38 disposals on Thursday night, will go a long way to the Demons winning. One thing's for certain, it won't be Nathan Jones getting the job, as he did back in round four.
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Can the Hawks cover the loss of Ben Stratton?
With Tom McDonald and Sam Weideman among the best five players on the ground in Melbourne's elimination final win, the Hawks must get Ben Stratton's replacement right. David Mirra was left out of Box Hill's final on Sunday and looms as the obvious replacement, while Taylor Duryea was put on ice and will be considered for the first time since round 17. All Australian forward Jack Gunston has the ability to go back and could assist James Frawley alongside Ryan Burton and James Sicily if needed.
How much will Jordan Lewis assist Melbourne's planning?
He knows Hawthorn inside-out, so no doubt Jordan Lewis will be called into Simon Goodwin's office early in the week. While Goodwin would have learned plenty from the round four pummeling at the hands of the Hawks, Lewis' first-hand insights will be critical. Luke Hodge's Brisbane knocked off the Hawks twice this season, maybe it's time for Lewis to give his four-time premiership teammate a buzz.
Collingwood v Greater Western Sydney
Who goes to Toby Greene?
It's a question that would've consumed plenty of Nathan Buckley's thinking on the red-eye back from Perth on Saturday night. Greene's explosive pace and aerial ability will force the Pies into a lockdown role. Jeremy Howe has the attributes to contend, however the need for his intercept marking and offensive flair will more than likely rule him out. Tom Langdon will be considered, but after Harry Himmelberg's display against Sydney, he's going to need attention with Tyson Goldsack likely to get Jeremy Cameron. Levi Greenwood will be required in the midfield, meaning the task of Greene could fall to Brayden Maynard. He's got the mongrel to contend and the trash talking could be next level.
Can the Giants stand up at the MCG?
Fighting for fifth place in round 23 at the MCG, the Giants buckled under Melbourne's pressure. It was their 12th loss in 14 visits to the home of football, and although they won't publicly admit that it will factor into their thinking, it will. Twelve months on from being overawed in a preliminary final at the MCG, the Giants will believe they've matured from that display. They will take heart from the round two win over the Pies at the venue, on a day they lost Tom Scully (broken ankle), while Tim Broomhead (broken leg) and Darcy Moore (hamstring) went down for the Pies.
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Do the Giants roll the dice again?
If Josh Kelly's knee doesn't get up, it's time for Leon Cameron to roll the dice on a fifth player in two weeks after getting Zac Williams, Matt de Boer, Toby Greene and Brett Deledio right. While Ryan Griffen was deemed fit and available for the elimination final, his recent injury history suggests he's somewhat of a risk to get through. However, his experience should place him front and centre to replace Kelly. Aiden Bonar and Daniel Lloyd were along the emergencies named ahead of Griffen against the Swans, but don't provide the X-factor of the 32-year-old former Bulldog.
Can Adam Treloar contend with his ex-teammates?
There was always going to be rust in his first-up performance from a double hamstring injury, but all eyes will be on Treloar's second showing against the Giants. While he missed his usual explosive power against the Eagles, the Pies will need Treloar back to his line-breaking best against his former side. Outside of Steele Sidebottom, the ball use inside 50 in Perth was questionable. If Treloar can provide more than the three inside 50s he contributed in his return, it will go a long way to the Pies putting the Giants defence under pressure.
