Questions to ponder ahead of Round 3: Can the Pies be re-heated, Are Port the real deal, Can Jezza's form last for the Cats?
Collingwood look far off the conquering team of 2023 and one aspect of real concern is their struggles in defence.
There are plenty of mini-elimination finals this round, as every team around the 40-point mark is going to have to win if they want to make finals.
This could be the round where the eventual finalists break out of the pack.
I’ll preview the big games and tip.
Twilight elimination final
Essendon will look to unleash last week’s frustrations on a buoyant West Coast, who smashed Collingwood last start.
If Essendon win then they should make the finals this year, with West Coast being all but out of the finals race. If West Coast win, they stay in the hunt for a finals spot, while the Bombers will fall back into the pack and put their season in jeopardy.
This will be a very close run thing, with the hurt from last week’s loss spurring on Essendon when it counts.
Bombers by 11.
Elimination final 2
Half an hour after the Bombers and West Coast clash wraps up, we go to the Adelaide Oval for another home-and-away season final.
After their sixth win in succession last week, the Tigers have been boisterous throughout the whole week. Yet they have to win on Saturday night if they want to keep this fairytale run going.
A loss here puts their season to sleep after a month of insomnia, as Adelaide will probably make the finals if they secure a win here.
If Adelaide win, then say hello to the Crows and goodbye to the Tigers, whereas if the Tigers notch up an upset win then they have a realistic chance of making the eight, while Adelaide may just drop back out of the eight.
The home ground advantage will get the Crows over the line, with Adelaide to break open a tight contest in the last quarter.
Crows by 24.
Tips
Geelong by 33
Sydney by 68
Port by 8
Bombers by 11
Collingwood by 30
Crows by 24
North Melbourne by 27
Melbourne by 16
Freo by 14
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