AFL ROUND 20 PREVIEW & TIPS

Round 20 kicks off with a blockbuster under the roof at Marvel Stadium as Carlton take on Port Adelaide. The Blues survived a scare from North Melbourne to end their two-game losing streak and retain their place in second place on the ladder. However, Carlton came out of the contest the walking wounded, with Tom De Koning (foot) set to miss the remainder of the home and away season, while Blake Acres is under an injury cloud and no certainty to play off a five day turnaround. Marc Pittonet should be back in the Blues lineup to replace De Koning, while Mitch McGovern is a chance to return. Port recorded a much needed win against Richmond last week and can not only create breathing space in the race for a finals berth, but also surge into the top four with a win. Todd Marshall, Kane Farrell and Lachie Jones could be huge inclusions for the Power this week. The Blues won the reverse fixture at Adelaide Oval earlier this year.

TIP: Carlton by 11 points, Charlie Curnow multiple goals

Geelong will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss home against the Western Bulldogs when they take on North Melbourne in Hobart. The Cats were brought back to earth against the Dogs at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night, but still have an ideal run to finish which should see them secure a finals berth – given they play three of the bottom five sides in the final five rounds. They quite simply have – and should – handle business against a much-improved Kangaroos side, who pushed Carlton to the brink last Sunday at Marvel Stadium. North led by three goals early in the contest, but were ran over as the game wore on. However, they can take plenty of heart from the performance and won’t be an easy beat for the Cats in Tasmania, who defeated North by 75 points earlier this season. 

TIP: Geelong by 30 points, Patrick Dangerfield 25+ disposals

The second Q-Clash of the season emanates from the Gold Coast as the Suns play host to the red-hot Brisbane Lions at People First Stadium. The Suns’ struggles away from home continued last weekend, falling to GWS, and as a result, losing ground on the sides inside the top eight after an inaccurate afternoon at Engie Stadium (6.14 to 14.5). However, they have been flawless at Carrara this year, winning each of their matches this season on their home deck and won’t be daunted by the test of facing their local rivals. Co-captain Jarrod Witts will be hoping to finally make his return from a back injury this weekend, while Malcolm Rosas is available after his suspension. Brisbane, meanwhile, recorded a statement victory over league leaders Sydney at the Gabba, thus strengthening their claim towards a Premiership tilt. The Lions have won their last seven matches and sit in third place on the ladder, but their last four wins have been by 13 points or less, showcasing their ability to get it done in the close games as well. However, the Lions will be without Harris Andrews (concussion) and Darragh Joyce (fractured jaw), leaving Chris Fagan’s side with one recognised key defender for the weekend and vulnerable to the Suns attack. Brisbane won the reverse fixture at the Gabba by 34 points, but lost on their last trip to Gold Coast last season.

TIP: Gold Coast by five points, Noah Anderson 25+ disposals

Essendon enter must-win territory this weekend, when they look to get back on the winners list against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium. The Bombers are reeling after consecutive defeats and sit just inside the top eight heading into the weekend, following a disappointing loss to Adelaide at home, where they surrendered a three-goal lead in the last quarter. Darcy Parish is a chance to make a return this week for his first game since Round 10, while all eyes will be on whether Brad Scott recalls Dyson Heppell or Peter Wright. The Saints recorded an impressive win against West Coast last weekend, and are playing for pride at this point of the season with only seven wins to their name. Ross Lyon will be forced into at least one change with Liam Henry ruled out for the remainder of the season through injury. The Bombers won the reverse fixture at Marvel earlier this season, courtesy of a late Jake Stringer goal and will need a similar result to edge one step closer to securing a finals berth.

TIP: Essendon by 10 points, Jake Stringer multiple goals

Two sides desperate for four points lock horns at the MCG on Saturday night as Melbourne take on GWS. The Demons suffered a brutal loss on the road to Fremantle that saw them fall out of the top eight once again after an improved run of form. Melbourne should finally regain Max Gawn after two weeks on the sidelines through injury, but will be without Christian Salem (hamstring) and Kylan Tholstrup (concussion). Simon Goodwin’s side sit two points behind the eighth placed Essendon heading into the weekend, and four points behind the Giants, who solidified their place inside the eight with a victory over a wayward Gold Coast. GWS have won their last three matches, and can climb into the top four this week, should they get a victory at the MCG. There’s every chance Adam Kingsley could welcome back both Stephen Coniglio and Sam Taylor too, which only boosts their chances of victory. Isaac Cumming – however – is out for the remainder of the home and away season with a hamstring injury.

TIP: GWS by eight points, Toby Greene multiple goals

Fremantle have the chance to solidify their place inside the top four this weekend in the second Derby of the season, when they face West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium. The Dockers made it four wins in their last five matches with an impressive victory against Melbourne last weekend and now sit two points inside the top four heading into the final five weeks of the season. Unfortunately for Freo, Alex Pearce faces an extended period on the sidelines due to a fractured jaw. Their opponents, West Coast, lost their eighth successive match last round against St Kilda but defeated Freo earlier this year in the first Derby of the season and could be boosted with the return of key trio Jeremy McGovern, Jake Waterman and Elliott Yeo. 

TIP: Fremantle by 40 points, Josh Treacy multiple goals

Collingwood’s season hangs by a thread heading into this Sunday, when they take on Richmond at the MCG. The Magpies suffered a fourth straight defeat against Hawthorn on the weekend, where they were beaten from pillar to post by a vastly superior Hawks outfit. It leaves the reigning premiers six points outside the top eight, with matches against three of the top four sides to come. However, this week shapes as a perfect chance to get back on the board against the bottom-placed Tigers, with Lachie Schultz and Mason Cox also a chance to return, while Nathan Kreuger will miss through concussion. The Tigers were gallant yet again against Port Adelaide but fell away in the last quarter as their wait for a third win of the season drags on for another week. Richmond will be without Toby Nankervis (concussion), but could regain Tim Taranto, Nick Vlaustin and Dustin Martin. 

TIP: Collingwood by 28 points, Nick Daicos 30+ disposals

Sydney will look to get back to winning ways this week when they face the resurgent Western Bulldogs at the SCG. The Swans fell just short of a win on the road against Brisbane, which is now their third defeat in their last four matches and they will be the walking wounded heading into this weekend. Tom Papley is set for an extended period on the sidelines with an ankle injury and Dane Rampe is out with a calf injury, but they could regain both Callum Mills and James Rowbottom. Their opponents, the Bulldogs, are red-hot at the moment after big wins over Carlton and Geelong has them sitting on the precipice of the top eight and closing in on a finals berth. Rory Lobb has been a revelation in defence in recent weeks and could be joined by Liam Jones with the veteran defender a chance to return from injury. Sydney won the reverse fixture earlier this year at Marvel Stadium, but were pushed to the distance by the Bulldogs who went down by 14 points.

TIP: Sydney by nine points, Chad Warner 25+ disposals

Hawthorn continues to gather steam heading into this weekend, as the Hawks take on the Crows at Adelaide Oval in the final game of the round. The Hawks are closing in on a spot in the top eight after a mesmersing victory over Collingwood last weekend, which made it 10 wins from their last 13 matches and has them two points off eighth placed Essendon, despite starting the season 0-5. Sam Mitchell’s side could – and should – in fact, be in the top eight as a result of their last trip to the City of Churches that saw Hawthorn surrender a two-goal lead with less than a minute remaining to lose against Port Adelaide. Their record sits at 0-2 in Adelaide this year, having also lost to the Magpies by less than a goal at the same venue in Gather Round. Adelaide, on the other hand, have won back-to-back games, with the most recent of those being a stirring win over Essendon at Marvel Stadium. It may be too little, too late for a finals push but the Crows have been much improved in the last few weeks and will make life difficult for Hawthorn this weekend, despite Nick Murray, Jordan Butts and Jordan Dawson all being on the injury list after a bruising affair against the Bombers. However, Taylor Walker should return for Matthew Nicks’ side after being managed. Hawthorn won the reverse fixture earlier this season at the MCG, which helped continue their brilliant run of form.

TIP: Hawthorn by three points, Jack Ginnivan multiple goals