IF
 
THEN
 
Adelaide
 
Danger's manager flies to Adelaide and the two don't talk about 2016 ...yeah, right.
Brisbane Lions
 
this club thought the really ugly days of the early '90s were a thing of the past ...... it's starting to think again.
Carlton
 
a Blues player is asked on a live microphone who he thinks and wants to be coach ...... he is going to say John Barker. Every single time. But it won't mean a thing, so stop giving it weight.
Collingwood
 
this club wants us to believe it has improved ...... as a starting point it either wins against, or pushes to the limit, the Bulldogs this weekend. We said it even when the win-loss tally was 8-3 and we'll say it again - we're far from convinced.
Essendon
 
there's ever a valid reason for a footballer to walk out on his club in-season ...... Jon Giles has such reason.
Fremantle
 
we think we know Ross The Boss like we like to think we know Ross The Boss ...... the Dockers will do a number on the Tiges.
Geelong
 
there ever was any doubt about Chris Scott's upcoming decisions to move the veterans on ...... Mathew Stokes' omission should remove that doubt.
Gold Coast
 
our reading of this is right after spending time with him during the week ...... Harley Bennell is deserving of one more chance.
Greater Western Sydney

 
Cam McCarthy can't get a senior game for the Giants ...... there's 17 other football clubs which will happily provide him with one. We're sticking with our initial opinion on this guy - will be an out-and-out superstar.
Hawthorn
 
you think everything's rosy with the Hawkers ...... remember a young man is dealing with the requirements of a third knee reconstruction. Feel for you, Alex Woodward. Again.
Melbourne
 
there's a match which Paul Roos simply must win ...... it is the one this weekend.
North Melbourneyou don't think Boomer is the second-best North player ever (and there's absolutely no question that Carey is No.1) ...... start the debate. It's fun. We've still got a very soft spot for Keith Greig, and Glendinning, and Blight, and Schimma, and Cable, but Boomer's case is super strong.
Port Adelaide
 
there's a team more capable of six wins to this point of the season ...... it's this mob. Forget the spin about failing to meet expectation. They've just failed, full stop. But it's round 17 and there is still time to make finals.
Richmond
 
the Tigers beat the Dockers this weekend ...... there will be 92,000 spectators next Friday night at the MCG for the game against Hawthorn. Maybe 93,000.
St Kilda
 
anyone has deserved a contract extension after just nine wins as a coach ...it is Alan Richardson. But even he knows that from here, the real challenge, and outside scrutiny, begins.
Sydney Swans
 
we're going to make a call which could come back to haunt us ...... it is this: the Swans can't win the flag this year.
West Coast
 
this side can restrict Buddy without McGovern, Brown and MacKenzie ......  even those few remaining people who are yet to embrace this side's credentials will have to do so.
Western Bulldogsthe Bulldogs win this weekend - and they will ...... they'll have 10 wins for the year. They haven't reached 10 wins in a year since they last made a prelim final, in 2010.


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