Fresh from the much-anticipated Hawks-Cats match, the MCG on Friday night provides the big stage for yet another mouth-watering encounter. The Magpies aren't travelling all that well and Hawthorn did lose to the reigning premiers, but there's no doubting the big-game credentials of these two teams. Both have some key inclusions with Josh Fraser in for the Pies and Shane Crawford and Stuart Dew back for Hawthorn which should make for a cracking match to kick off the round.
This weekend should tell us … a lot about two finals aspirants
Adelaide hosts Carlton at AAMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon and the stakes are high for both clubs. Just one win separates the seventh-placed Crows and the Blues in 11th spot with a loss a hammer blow to either's finals hopes. Winged forward Jason Porplyzia and the newly-signed Brendan Fevola will be key players at either end of the ground in what should be a hotly-contested battle.
Batten down the hatches
Thanks to their respective positions on the ladder, the western derby won't generate much interest from neutral observers, but Fremantle and West Coast always seem to put on a ring-a-ding battle which stops Perth town when they meet. Congratulations must go out to Shaun McManus who will play his 228th and final AFL match for Freo, with the 32-year-old foundation player receiving a well-earned last hurrah in his 14th season at the top level.
The roughie with a show is … Melbourne
The Dees weren't disgraced against North Melbourne last week and while Essendon had a fine win against Collingwood, the Bombers suffered yet another injury blow with Scott Lucas ruled out with a back complaint. After a disappointing first year in charge, Dean Bailey will want a big finish over the last five games, with Brad Green, Paul Wheatley and Austin Wonaeamirri significant inclusions.
The fur will fly
The Cats take on the Tigers at Telstra Dome on Saturday night and what looked like a foregone conclusion a few short weeks ago has now turned into a contest that could prove interesting. Richmond has been in fine form of late and can't afford to drop many games in the run to September, while Geelong's finals berth is, of course, well and truly locked up.
Northern derby no more
Saturday night's clash between 'home' side North Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions on the Gold Coast will be the last of the ill-fated 'Northern derbies' between the Brisbane club and the team that very nearly moved in next door. It should be a beauty too with just two premiership points separating the fifth and eighth-placed sides. It's a tough one to predict for tipsters, with the Roos in better form, but the Lions more suited to the Queensland environment.
The duel … Jason Akermanis v Jared Crouch
We hope Crouch can make it past final selection on Friday afternoon so he can take the field for the first time in 2008 and renew hostilities with his former sparring partner. Back in his Brisbane days, Akermanis shared some epic duels with the tagger he dubbed a serial pest, but injuries have slowed the 30-year-old Swan in recent years, restricting him to eight matches last year. True to form Aker commented “it's about time” that Crouch got back on the park, with the prospect of the two old stagers going around once more an enticing one.
Possible banner of the week
Months of will he-won't he speculation were finally put to rest when a certain Carlton forward finally put pen to paper on a highly lucrative three-year deal on Thursday. After taking such a large whack in the hip pocket the Blues will be expecting a quick return on their investment:
The Crows are feeling good after beating Sydney
But here come the Blues to spoil the fun at AAMI.
It may have cost us a mountain of moo-la
But we're gonna win 'cos we got Fevola!
Our Dream Team special of the week … Bradd Dalziell
If you're reasonably flush with trades you could do a lot worse than pick up the Lions' new boy before round 18 kicks off. Dalziell has averaged 100 Dream Team points in his first two AFL matches and his value is set to rocket from his current modest valuation of $83,500. Whether he continues his impressive form or not, Dalziell will give your salary cap a fair kick along if you're in a position to move on an under-performing veteran for him.
