IF
 		THEN
 
Adelaide
 		a one-week rest for Tex, while his teammates negotiate a game against the Bombers, isn't long enough to rejuvenate him ...... make it two. Maybe three. Brisbane is up next, then Freo.
Brisbane Lions
 		Daniel Rich wants to be taken seriously ...... he needs to strive to make last week the norm. There seems to be a bit of West Coast flat-tracker about him.
Carlton
 		we thought Weitering was a lock for the NAB AFL Rising Star at the half-way point ...... he's well off the pace right now. Callum and Caleb have certainly got him covered. But there's still time, and we're going to back him in for a big finish.
Collingwood
 		our man Grundy really wants to elevate himself into the All-Australian conversation alongside Gawn and Jacobs, possibly Goldstein ...... he needs to lift. The Pies' fixture allows him to, too.
Essendon
 		Matthew Leuenberger maintains his form ...... Tom Bellchambers will have to work very hard if he is not to spend another 12 months on the sidelines.
Fremantle
 		you go back to week one of the finals last year, when the Dockers last played the Swans ...... you'll remember Freo won by nine points in a qualifying final. Dockers have won three matches since.
Geelong
 		the Cats lose again in the home and away season ...... you've been daydreaming this week.
Gold Coast
 		you like a little wager ...... the $5.25 on the Suns against the Dees, and particularly the +36.5 line, looks tempting to us. Warning: we're hopeless at footy tipping. And bet responsibly.
Greater Western Sydney

 		Griffen doesn't soon get into a groove ...... Leon is going to have to make the toughest decision of his coaching career. There's still time, but the Giants' NEAFL team is bursting with players demanding a senior berth in a final.
Hawthorn
 		Brad Hill was Jack Gunston ...... Clarko would be punching walls and shouting profanities. But Hill's not, and as good as he's been since the 2013 finals series, the Hawks won't be too disappointed to lose him.
Melbourne
 		Tom and Oscar McDonald aren't at their best this weekend ...... Lynch and Wright will run amok. And then there's Sam Day to worry about too.
North Melbourneyou look at some of the goals Boomer has kicked this year ...... you'll realise he's in career-highlight goalkicking form. And well on target for a career-best season tally (36 in 2007). Scotty, just give him another contract. Allow him the right to go for 450.
Port Adelaide
 		there's a guy we've really admired in the past five seasons ...... it's Schulz. Courageous to a fault. And, save for a deserved farewell game (maybe in the round 22 Showdown), it's over now.
Richmond
 		the Tigers board was to be honest with itself ......  it'd like its time over again on the Hardwick contract extension. Sometimes the toughest decision is to not make a decision.
St Kilda
 		we had our doubts at the half-way mark ......  we don't now. We like what we see. But don't stop now. Need to keep rolling.
Sydney Swans
 		Tippett going down was a massive setback  ...... Sinclair joining him on the sidelines is nearly as significant. Swans need them both back before finals start.
West Coast
 		you can't beat Collingwood with authority ...... all of our doubts will remain. And those doubts will probably linger even if you do.
Western Bulldogslosing Morris, Wallis and Redpath was bad enough ......  adding Boyd (Matthew) and Suckling to the outs looms as result-shaping.
 And wait, there's more, as per constant reader request ... 
AFLTravis Varcoe didn't cop a week's suspension for his jumper punch on Brad McKenzie ......  it is going to be impossible for the MRP to ever suspend a player for a jumper punch. Among the worst decisions ever. And that's saying something.


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