SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 26: Ginats players look dejected as they leave the ground during the round 10 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Essendon Bombers at Spotless Stadium on May 26, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Sydney vs Carlton               

SCG, 7:50pm Friday June 1

Team news: Carlton are hopeful to have Levi Casboult, Nick Graham, Cillian McDaid and Alex Silvagni all available for selection this week. Jack Silvagni will return to the team in a midfield role.

Injury Watch: Sydney’s Callum Mills had surgery on a broken foot earlier in the week and won’t play again this season.

Prediction: Sydney at home is a tough task for a struggling and undermanned Carlton side. Sydney by 31 points.

Bulldogs vs Melbourne       


Etihad Stadium, 1:45pm Saturday June 2

Team news: The Bulldogs are likely to bring in Dale Morris for his first game of the year and Aaron Naughton who has been out with an ankle injury. Zaine Cordy needs to overcome a concussion to be fit to play this weekend.

Injury Watch: Dean Kent (Melbourne) is nearing a return from a hamstring injury and should be ready to play in two weeks’ time.

Prediction: Melbourne are in red hot form and Etihad has been no issue for them this year. Melbourne by 28 points.


Hawthorn vs Port Adelaide

UTAS Stadium, 2:10pm Saturday June 2

Team news: The Hawks are hoping James Cousins will be available after sustaining a concussion last week.

Injury Watch: Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn) is on track to return after the bye.

Port Adelaide’s Todd Marshall returned from compassionate leave last weekend in the SANFL but injured his shoulder and how long he will be out for is unknown.

Prediction: An interesting clash down in Tasmania this weekend and probably the hardest one to predict. Hard to tip against Hawthorn down there. Hawthorn by five points.


Gold Coast vs Geelong

Metricon Stadium, 4:35pm Saturday June 2

Team news: Gold Coast should have Tom Lynch, Sam Day, Jack Martin and Jesse Joyce all available for selection this weekend.

Harry Taylor and Scott Selwood are unlikely to get up for the Cats this week and Esava Ratugolea could miss the remainder of the season with a broken leg.

Injury Watch: Brayden Fiorini (Gold Coast) will be out for an extended period of time after having bone spurs removed.

Geelong’s Cam Guthrie is two to three weeks away from returning from an ankle injury.

Prediction: Gary takes on the side he walked out on this weekend, but will he make the trip or will he be rested? If the Suns bring Lynch and Day in, it will be tough for the Cat’s backline to stop them. Geelong by 33 points.


Essendon vs Richmond

MCG, 7:25 Saturday June 2

Team news: Essendon expect All Australian defender Michael Hurley to return to the side this weekend.

Jack Riewoldt needs to have overcome a concussion from last weekend to line up for the Tigers on Saturday night. Dylan Grimes should be available to play but Bachar Houli is unlikely to be fit after injuring his groin last weekend.

Injury Watch:

The Bombers lose Patrick Ambrose and Darcy Parish for a month and two months respectively.

Richmond could have Dion Prestia back after their bye.

Prediction: The Bombers are in great form and Richmond have dropped off over the last couple of weeks. Essendon have a 100% record against 2017 finalists this season, so could this be Richmond’s first upset loss of the year? It will be hard for the Dons at Richmond's MCG fortress. Richmond by 17 points.


West Coast vs St Kilda

Optus Stadium, 6:10 Saturday June 2

Team news: West Coast could bring Luke Shuey back in but they might not want to risk him in such a winnable game like this.

St Kilda lose Jake Carlisle for two weeks to suspension and they are likely to replace him with youngster Hugh Goddard.

Injury Watch: Exciting Eagle Liam Ryan was back training this week and will most likely return after the bye.

St Kilda announced this week that Koby Stevens won’t play again this year after suffering ongoing concussion issues.

Prediction: The Eagles are the form team at the moment and they haven’t been beaten at home yet. Carlisle picked a very, very bad week to get rubbed out with the powerful Eagles’ forward line now being left up to an inexperienced Saint’s backline. West Coast by 55 points.


North Melbourne vs Brisbane

Etihad Stadium, 1:10pm Saturday June 2

Team news: Paul Ahern could finally debut for the Kangaroos.

Brisbane lose Matt Eagles to injury but his likely replacement will be Josh Walker.

Injury Watch: Taylor Garner (North Melbourne) felt tightness in his left hamstring last weekend and had to sit out the last quarter in the VFL but it appears he hasn’t done any structural damage to it.

Prediction: North Melbourne are absolutely flying so far this year and it would be very disappointing if they lost this one. North Melbourne by 22 points.


Collingwood vs Fremantle

MCG, 3:20pm Sunday June 3

Team news: The Pies are likely to play Daniel Well after resting him last week and Brayden Maynard could also return to the team.

The Dockers have ruled out big man Aaron Sandilands which is a huge loss to go up against Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy. They also lose Stephen Hill to a quad injury.

Injury Watch: Collingwood are being very cautious with Darcy Moore, Jamie Elliott and Josh Smith, who are overcoming hamstring injuries.

Prediction: The loss of Sandilands makes this a tough task for the Dockers. Collingwood by 19 points.

Adelaide vs GWS


Adelaide Oval, 4:10pm Sunday June 3

Team news: The Crows can bring in Paul Seedsman if he is fit to play.    

GWS will welcome their skipper Phil Davis back from concussion this week and possibly Sam Reid as well.

Injury Watch: Adelaide’s Rory Sloane is back running and is on track to return to footy in two to three weeks.

The Giants still have no clue when Toby Greene or Zac Williams will be back in the side and a fresh calf injury to Brett Deledio doesn’t help them at the moment either.

Prediction: The Crows will be looking to bounce back from their embarrassing loss to Melbourne last night and without many returning from injury, its hard to see any improvement coming for GWS. Adelaide by 23 points.

Point to prove:

Adelaide. The Crows were horrific last week against Melbourne and it has been a while since we have seen the South Australian powerhouse perform that badly. They have some key players out injured but they can’t use that as an excuse; every club has key players out. The clash at home against the Giants on Sunday is where they can turn it around. They have more big outs than the Crows do and if they can’t win this one, it’ll be hard for them to be considered premiership contenders.

Struggle street:

GWS. The Giants season is just about over if they don’t turn things around dramatically. For so long everyone has raved about their depth and nobody thought all the players that were leaving the club would have much of an impact, but they could’ve used some of Devon Smith’s tenacity on the weekend. He was on the field, just in different colours. It would be interesting to know how many sides play against GWS without a player that’s facing their old team.

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