Preview of remaining AFL round three matches (all times Friday and Saturday AEDT and Sunday AEST):
FRIDAY, April 5
Melbourne v Essendon at MCG 7.50pm
Head to head: Demons 83 Bombers 129 Drawn 2
Last clash: Round 6, 2018 – Demons 16.12 (108) bt Bombers 10.12 (72) at Marvel Stadium
No two teams have been more disappointing in the opening fortnight of the season than the much-hyped Demons and Bombers. Neither can afford a third straight sub-par effort. So who blinks first? The Demons look to have more talent across the board. If they get a better return from the likes of co-captain Nathan Jones and Christian Petracca they will be well on their way to victory.
Key: The ruck. Max Gawn needs to take no prisoners in his bid to get on top of Tom Bellchambers and give his mids first use.
Tip: Demons by 15 points.
SATURDAY, April 6
Carlton v Sydney at Marvel Stadium 1.45pm
Head to head: Blues 128 Swans 93 Drawn 6
Last clash: Round 11, 2018 – Swans 13.13 (91) bt Blues 9.7 (61) at SCG
Another clash between two sides yet to get the chocolates in 2019. Carlton lose Charlie Curnow to a knee injury but welcome back key defender Caleb Marchbank. The Swans dumped three players including highly-rated young backman Lewis Melican.
Key: Both teams sit in the bottom four for goals scored across the opening two rounds. Sydney’s attack at times is way too Buddy-centric, but the Swans still look better equipped to kick a winning score than the Blues.
Tip: Swans by 22 points.
GWS v Richmond at Giants Stadium 4.35pm
Head to head: Giants 3 Tigers 7
Last clash: Giants 11.13 (79) bt Tigers 10.17 (77) at Spotless Stadium
The critics have piled on the Tigers in the wake of their big loss to Collingwood, claiming their hectic, high-pressure game-style has had its day. Now would be the perfect time to respond. The Giants will be stronger for the return of midfield tyro Josh Kelly, although star forward Toby Greene is still sidelined.
Key: The absentees. The Giants are still missing some big names but the Tigers have more telling issues covering for injured bookends Jack Riewoldt and Alex Rance plus the suspended Dylan Grimes.
Tip: Giants by 22 points.
Brisbane Lions v Port Adelaide at Gabba 7.25pm
Head to head: Lions 15 Power 18 Drawn 2
Last clash: Round 3, 2108 – Power 14.13 (97) bt Lions 14.8 (92) at Adelaide Oval
An enticing clash between two teams who have surprisingly jumped out of the blocks this season. The Lions are the highest-scoring team across the opening two rounds while Port have shown plenty in attack and defence. Former Brisbane skipper Tom Rockliff can expect a warm welcome in his first match back at the Gabba in Port colours.
Key: Lachie Neale. Has anyone had a better start to 2019 than the Docker-turned-Lion?
Tip: Lions by 10 points.
Collingwood v West Coast at MCG, 7.25pm
Head to head: Magpies 24 Eagles 27 Drawn 1
Last clash: 2018 grand final – Eagles 11.13 (79) bt Magpies 11.8 (74) at MCG
Collingwood’s successful bid at the tribunal to have Mason Cox’s one-match suspension overturned could have huge ramifications for this match as it makes it much harder for West Coast’s intercept king Jeremy McGovern to zone off. At the other end, the battle between Eagles spearhead Josh Kennedy and spring-heeled Magpies defender Darcy Moore should be a beauty.
Key: Revenge. Having lost the 2018 grand final in such devastating fashion, the Magpies will hardly be lacking for motivation on Saturday night.
Tip: Magpies by 18 points.
SUNDAY, April 7
Western Bulldogs v Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium 2.20pm
Head to head: Bulldogs 8 Suns 2
Last clash: Round 7, 2018 – Bulldogs 11.15 (81) bt Suns 10.12 (72) at Mars Stadium, Ballarat
Having often flattered to deceive since their remarkable 2016 flag triumph, the young Dogs have a great opportunity to go 3-0 and gain an early march on the competition. The even younger Suns would have gained plenty from last week’s breakthrough win over Fremantle, but in truth, the Dockers did not offer much when the game was on the line.
Key: Tom Liberatore. The rejuvenated son of a gun could very well have a maximum six Brownlow votes from the opening two rounds.
Tip: Bulldogs by 32 points.
Hawthorn v North Melbourne at MCG, 3.20pm
Head to head: Hawks 96 Kangaroos 76 Drawn 2
Last clash: Round 5, 2018 – Kangaroos 14.14 (98) bt Hawks 11.4 (70) at Marvel Stadium
Alastair Clarkson will need to pull a rabbit out of the hat, with important midfield duo Liam Shiels and Shaun Burgoyne joining Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell on the injury list. In better news, Chad Wingard has been named to play his first game for the Hawks.
Key: The North Melbourne back six. No defence has been leakier to start the season. That needs to be fixed. And it needs to be fixed fast.
Tip: Kangaroos by 8 points.
Fremantle v St Kilda at Optus Stadium 5.20pm
Head to head: Dockers 15 Saints 19
Last clash: Round 8, 2018 – Dockers 13.11 (89) bt Saints 8.11 (59) at Optus Stadium
St Kilda have exceeded all expectations to start the season with back-to-back wins. If they can make it three-from-three after the long road trip to Perth there will need to be some serious recalculations about what they can achieve. The Dockers simply have to respond after last week’s shocker against the Suns. Star recruit Jesse Hogan should be much better for the run.
Key: Nat Fyfe. The Dockers skipper has come in for some rare pointed criticism this week, with Paul Roos suggesting he doesn’t run nearly as hard when the opposition has the ball. Expect a big response.
Tip: Dockers by 32 points.
