Richmond vs Collingwood

MCG, 7:50 Friday, September 21

Team news: The talk of Tiger land this week is Dusty and this supposed knee injury. He’s been on light duties at the last couple of training sessions, but Neil Balme was adamant on Monday that the only way Dusty won’t play is if he gets kidnapped. Hint hint, Collingwood fans.

Darcy Moore was pushing for selection to start the week, although Nathan Buckley soon ruled him out.

Injury watch: Daniel Rioli (Richmond) had a question mark next to his name as to whether he would be fit to play this week, but the club has confirmed he is ready to go.

Collingwood youngster Brayden Sier came off the ground late in the game last week, but has proved his fitness.

Prediction: Richmond and Collingwood have met twice this year and the Tigers were too good on both occasions, so I can’t see how this will be any different. Richmond by 32 points.

West Coast vs Melbourne

Optus Stadium, 1:20 (3:20 AEST) Saturday, September 22

Team news: Brad Sheppard will miss for the Eagles with a hamstring injury and has been replaced by Will Schofield.

Despite playing 23 games this season, Bayley Fritsch has been the unlucky exclusion for the Dees, with Joel Smith coming in to take his place.

Injury watch: 

Max Gawn, Neville Jetta and Alex Neal-Bullen (Melbourne) missed training on Monday but have all been named.

Prediction: If Melbourne play as they have for the last two weeks, they should be good enough to win and they came over to Perth and beat the Eagles not even a month ago so that will give them great confidence that they can get the job done. They will need to work as a team to stop the powerhouse West Coast forward line though. Melbourne by four points.

Point to prove:

Collingwood. The Pies knocked off the Giants in a great win last week and proved they deserve to be playing finals footy but their task this week as is big as it gets in the AFL this year. The Tigers have rolled them convincingly on two occasions this season so it’s time for Bucks to come up with a new plan and they have got to find Richmond’s weakness that they can use for their advantage. It’s going to be tough, but if they want to get to the Grand Final, that’s what they need to do.

Photo of the week: