PREVIEW OF REMAINDER OF AFL ROUND 14 MATCHES (all times AEST)
FRIDAY, June 21
Sydney v Hawthorn at the SCG, 7.50pm
Head to head: Swans 71 Hawks 93 drawn 2
Last clash: Round 23, 2018 – Swans 10.14 (74) bt by Hawks 12.11 (83) at the SCG
The Swans impressed in an upset win over West Coast, while the Hawks are struggling on the back of losses to Brisbane and Essendon. They’ll be without suspended skipper Ben Stratton, while Sydney regain stars Josh Kennedy and Zak Jones, but lose former skipper Jarrad McVeigh
Key: Will we see one last Buddy-Roughie shootout? Lance Franklin booted five last week and Jarryd Roughead has impressed enough at VFL level to return to the Hawks’ goal mouth.
Tip: Swans by 9 points
SATURDAY, June 22
Melbourne v Fremantle at the MCG, 1.45pm
Head to head: Demons 15 Dockers 22 drawn 0
Last clash: Round 16, 2018 – Demons 13.24 (102) bt Dockers 7.6 (48) at Marrara Oval
Four losses on the trot going into their bye have taken the air out of Melbourne’s season and brought about a change to Simon Goodwin’s coaching set-up. Jake Lever is a big loss, out with another knee injury. On the other side of the coin, Michael Walters and the Dockers can do no wrong of late and will look to build their case for a top-four finish.
Key: How will Jesse Hogan handle his first encounter against his old side? The spearhead has taken a while to adjust to the Dockers’ forward set-up but has looked more comfortable recently and could be poised for a big game.
Tip: Dockers by 17 points
St Kilda v Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium, 4.35pm
Head to head: Saints 24 Lions 22 drawn 0
Last clash: Round 1, 2018 – Saints 16.11 (107) bt Lions 12.10 (82) at Marvel Stadium
The Saints escaped with an uninspiring four-point win over strugglers Gold Coast last week but they must find a way to recapture their early-season form. They played in China and Townsville either side of their bye and will appreciate a return to their home turf. The Lions have had their bye to stew on an upset loss to Carlton and will be primed for a better showing.
Key: How big an impact can Jake Carlisle and Dan Hannebery have in their first senior appearances for the season? The inclusion of the star pair is a huge boost for the Saints.
Tip: Lions by 8 points
Port Adelaide v Geelong at Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm
Head to head: Power 9 Cats 22 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 5, 2018 – Power 7.8 (50) bt by Cats 12.12 (84) at Adelaide Oval
The Power faded badly in a loss to Fremantle and Ken Hinkley made a statement at selection, dropping Paddy Ryder, Sam Powell-Pepper and Justin Westhoff, with Brad Ebert, Charlie Dixon and Ollie Wines huge inclusions. The ladder-leading Cats will be looking for their ninth win on the trot to celebrate Harry Taylor’s 250th game.
Key: Can the Cats overcome their post-bye hoodoo? Chris Scott’s men have lost seven of their last eight games following a week off and the coach has tweaked his approach in a bid to shake the trend.
Tip: Cats by 21 points
SUNDAY, June 23
Western Bulldogs v Collingwood at Marvel Stadium, 3.20pm
Head to head: Bulldogs 47 Magpies 108 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 4, 2019 – Bulldogs 9.10 (64) bt by Magpies 11.12 (78) at the MCG
The Dogs led the Magpies at three-quarter time at the MCG in round four this season before Nathan Buckley’s men kicked away. Sitting in 14th with a 5-7 record, the Bulldogs’ season will be starting to get away from them if they can’t find a win here. Buckley will need to re-work his forward line without Jaidyn Stephenson, who begins a 10-match gambling ban.
Key: Brodie Grundy had 58 hitouts to Tim English’s six the last time these side met. The young Bulldogs ruckman has improved a lot since then but needs a better showing this time if his side are to get up.
Tip: Magpies by 17 points
