PREVIEW OF ROUND 20 MATCHES (all times AEST)
FRIDAY, August 2
North Melbourne v Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium, 7.50pm
Head to head: Kangaroos 76 Hawks 97 drawn 2
Last clash: Round 3, 2019 – Hawks 13.9 (87) bt Kangaroos 10.11 (71) at MCG
After copping their heaviest defeat under Rhyce Shaw’s brief caretaker tenure – a 49-point loss to West Coast – how will the Kangas respond? They’ll come up against a Hawthorn side still in the finals hunt, with Shaun Burgoyne set to overtake Adam Goodes as the VFL/AFL’s most-capped indigenous player.
Key: The Hawks need to sort out their conversion in front of goal after booting 7.18 in their loss to Brisbane last week.
Tip: Hawks by 10 points
SATURDAY, August 3
Essendon v Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium,1.45pm
Head to head: Bombers 14 Power 16
Last clash: Round 23, 2018 – Bombers 17.9 (111) bt Power 13.11 (89) at Adelaide Oval
Essendon’s form resurgence has been extraordinary, and they’d love to make it six wins on the trot. But the stakes couldn’t be much higher for Port. Lose this, and it’s likely curtains for their finals hopes – and who knows where that leaves under-pressure coach Ken Hinkley.
Key: Orazio Fantasia and Conor McKenna are big inclusions for the Bombers – will John Worsfold’s side be too quick for the Power under the roof at Marvel Stadium?
Tip: Bombers by 7 points
Greater Western Sydney v Sydney at Giants Stadium, 2.10pm
Head to head: Giants 6 Swans 11
Last clash: Round 6, 2019 – Giants 18.12 (120) bt Swans 12.7 (79) at SCG
The injury-hit Giants look to be nudging back towards their best form, and a top-four finish remains in their sights. They should comfortably account for their crosstown rivals, who need to bank some wins to avoid a bottom-four finish.
Key: Tall forwards Jeremy Cameron and Jeremy Finlayson are having great seasons and will take some beating for Sydney’s defenders.
Tip: Giants by 29 points
Fremantle v Geelong at Optus Stadium, 4.35pm
Head to head: Dockers 12 Cats 26
Last clash: Round 22, 2018 – Cats 24.14 (158) bt Dockers 3.7 (25) at GMHBA Stadium
It’s been a disappointing year altogether for the Dockers and the hits keep coming with key players Rory Lobb and Nathan Wilson ruled out through injury. Ladder leaders Geelong have endured patchy form of late but are coming off a win over Sydney.
Key: Can Ross Lyon conjure up a miracle win against the odds? The veteran coach was embarrassed by his team’s effort in the loss to the Dogs but has a track record of fighting his way out of a corner.
Tip: Cats by 19 points
Melbourne v Richmond at MCG, 7.25pm
Head to head: Demons 82 Tigers 106 drawn 2
Last clash: Round 6, 2019 – Tigers 12.13 (85) bt Demons 6.6 (42) at MCG
Melbourne’s woeful performance this season has been remarkable considering how far they went last year. Richmond are firing on all cylinders and it’s hard not to see them continuing their march towards a top-four finish.
Key: Keep the ball. The Demons conceded 84 points from turnovers in last week’s loss to St Kilda – almost double the AFL average per game.
Tip: Tigers by 47 points
Adelaide v St Kilda at Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm
Head to head: Crows 27 Saints 15 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 6, 2019 – Crows 15.7 (97) bt Saints 10.8 (68) at Marvel Stadium
Will the honeymoon continue for Saints caretaker Brett Ratten? The Crows sit eighth on the ladder but there’s no doubt they have some issues. Their tough run home and the chasing pack at their heels makes this a crucial game.
Key: Will recalled veterans Eddie Betts and Bryce Gibbs lift the flagging Crows? It’s been a week of soul-searching for Don Pyke and his men and it’s time to make a stand.
Tip: Crows by 4 points
SUNDAY, August 4
Collingwood v Gold Coast at MCG, 1.10pm
Head to head: Magpies 6 Suns 2
Last clash: Round 15, 2018 – Magpies 14.15 (99) bt Suns 8.12 (60) at Metricon Stadium
On paper, a home game against the lowly Suns is a percentage-booster. But the Pies have been obliterated by injuries, with Jordan de Goey among the latest casualties. At the very least, the Suns – who pushed Essendon last week – should challenge their depleted opponents.
Key: After booting four goals last week, young tall Ben King is a worry for a Magpies backline which could be further stretched as Jordan Roughead battles a concussion to take his place.
Tip: Magpies by 16 points
Carlton v West Coast at Marvel Stadium, 3.20pm
Head to head: Blues 21 Eagles 23
Last clash: Round 5, 2018 – Eagles 10.19 (79) bt Blues 10.9 (69) at MCG
Interim coach David Teague has the Blues purring with three straight wins. They’ll face their biggest test when they take on the reigning premiers, who looked ominous during last week’s blowout win over North Melbourne.
Key: Elliot Yeo. The Eagles midfield bull is firming for a third straight best and fairest win, and he is likely to go head to head with Carlton superstar Patrick Cripps.
Tip: Eagles by 20 points
Brisbane v Western Bulldogs at Gabba, 4.40pm
Head to head: Lions 18 Bulldogs 20
Last clash: Round 8, 2019 – Bulldogs 13.14 (92) bt Lions 11.10 (76) at Mars Stadium
Plenty at stake for both sides here. Brisbane would love to push for a top-two finish, while the Bulldogs can’t afford to drop a game if they are to make the finals. When the Dogs are at their best, they will pose headaches for any team.
Key: Run and gun. The Dogs need to surge forward and move the ball unpredictably to get through Brisbane’s well-credentialed backline.
Tip: Bulldogs by 17 points
