Round 2 of the 2018 season brought some teams back down to earth and confirmed the seriousness of others.

The 2016 premiers copped another shellacking while Port Adelaide confirmed that they are a serious contender this year.

There are still plenty of unknowns surrounding a lot of teams for this season but we are sure to learn more by the end of this round.

Carlton vs Collingwood

MCG, 7:50pm Friday April 6

Team news: Collingwood are tossing up whether to include Mason Cox and Ben Reid to help fix their forward line problems after losing Darcy Moore to a hamstring injury. Alex Fasolo is also in the mix to make his 2018 debut.

Carlton are expecting Matthew Kreuzer to return to the side after being a late withdrawal because of a groin injury last week. Matthew Kennedy is also likely to be available this week.

Injury Watch: Tim Broomhead will miss the rest of the season after breaking his leg against GWS last week.

Prediction: Both teams are desperate for their first win for the year but Collingwood have been hit with some big injury blows. Carlton by 4 points

Port Adelaide vs Brisbane

Adelaide Oval, 1:15pm Saturday April 7

Team news: Port Adelaide are likely to be without Chad Wingard this week due to hamstring soreness.

Injury Watch: Port ruckman Paddy Ryder is still a month away after that achilles injury sustained in round one.

Prediction: Brisbane have shown promise, but Port Adelaide have shown they are a genuine top four side. Port Adelaide by 45 points

Melbourne vs North Melbourne

MCG, 2:10pm Saturday April 7

Team news: Both teams came away from last weekโ€™s matches relatively unscathed and are unlikely to make too many drastic changes to their starting line-up.

Injury Watch: Bailey Fritsch (Melbourne) copped a heavy knock last week but is good to go for the weekend. The Dees are taking their time with Jack Viney and Tom McDonald to make sure they are completely pain free before making their return.

Prediction: This is a must win for Melbourne as they need to win matches like these if they want to play finals this year. Melbourne by 30 points

Gold Coast vs Fremantle

Optus Stadium, 2:35pm Saturday April 7

Team news: Cam Sutcliffe (Fremantle) must overcome a concussion from last week in order to play this week. The Dockers have ruled out Brad Hill from taking on the Suns after hurting his knee late in the match against Essendon last week.

Injury Watch: Pearce Hanley (Gold Coast) is only 1-2 weeks away from returning from a shoulder injury.

Prediction: Not many people thought much of either of these teams at the start of the season but they both won well last week. Gold Coast have shown that travel is no issue for them and after Alex Pearce shut down Joe Daniher last week, it will be interesting to see if he can back that up and keep Tom Lynch under wraps. Gold Coast by 2 points

Sydney vs GWS

SCG, 7:25pm Saturday April 7

Team news: GWS gun forward Toby Greene is in doubt to play after being a late withdrawal due to hamstring soreness last week.

Sam Reid is likely to return for Sydney, but Dan Hannebery and Zak Jones are in doubt.

Injury Watch: Tom Scully will miss a large chunk of the season after the Giants confirmed he broke his ankle in a tackle against Collingwood last week.

Prediction: GWS have the class but Sydney have the home ground advantage. Best team on the day wins but the Giants have the speed to outrun Sydney. GWS by 7 points

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 09: Isaac Heaney of the Swans handpasses during the JLT Community Series AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Blacktown International Sportspark on March 9, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

St Kilda vs Adelaide

Etihad Stadium, 7:25pm Saturday April 7

Team news: The Crows' injury list has extended again with Matt Crouch injuring his hamstring against Richmond last week.

Injury Watch: Rory Sloane, Tom Lynch and David Mackay must pass fitness tests to be available for selection this week.

Saints ruckman Billy Longer copped a knee to the groin last week but is expected to be right to take on the Crows.

Prediction: St Kilda were woeful last week and Adelaide were very impressive. This could be an absolute whitewash if the Saints donโ€™t get it together. Adelaide by 35 points

Richmond vs Hawthorn

MCG. 1:10pm Sunday April 8

Team news: Josh Caddy will miss for the Tigers after copping a one match ban for striking David Mackay of Adelaide last week. Dion Prestia will be available for his first match of the season. Nick Vlastuin is likely to come back into the side after being rested last week due to showing concussion symptoms.

Hawthorn will be without James Sicily who has also copped a weekโ€™s suspension for kneeing Joel Selwood.

Injury Watch: Shaun Burgoyneโ€™s (Hawthorn) streak of 107 consecutive matches will end this week due to a hamstring injury.

Prediction: If Hawthorn bring what they brought last week against Geelong, they are every chance to win this, but it was a tough game and they have a considerably shorter turnaround compared to the Tigers. Richmond by 11 points

Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

Etihad Stadium, 3:20pm Sunday April 8

Team news: Jack Redpath will be available after an admin blunder kept him out of the side last week.

Essendon are hopeful gun forward Orazio Fantasia will return this week to add even more speed and pressure to their forward line.

Injury Watch: Jackson Trengove will miss up to a month with a shoulder injury and it is still unknown when we will see Liam Picken return from concussion.

Prediction: There are some deep problems at the Bulldogs at the moment and Essendon need to bounce back from their loss to Fremantle to be a respected top eight chance. Essendon by 22 points

West Coast vs Geelong

Optus Stadium, 2:40pm Sunday April 8

Team news: Mitch Duncan and Esava Ratugolea were both late withdrawals for the Cats last week and with a six-day turn around and a trip to Perth this week, it is unknown whether they will play.

Injury Watch: Geelong are still unsure when Harry Taylor will return to the side.

West Coast are expecting Josh Kennedy to be back in two weeks.

Prediction: One of the trickier matches to predict this round. Geelong had a tough loss last week and are a champion side that will want to bounce back. Geelong by 5 points

Point to prove:

Jake Stringer. Stringer is playing against his old side, the Western Bulldogs, for the first time since they pushed him out of the club and used him as a scapegoat for their poor season last year. The Dogs donโ€™t seem to have gotten any better now that he is gone and while Stringer has been okay in his first two matches for Essendon, this is his chance to show his former club what they gave up.

Struggle street:

St Kilda. People have been touting the Saints as a team on the improve that could push for the top eight. They have missed out on finals only by percentage in the last two seasons but after two poor performances to start the year, it is looking like they are only going down. They must be competitive against the reigning minor premiers if they are to give their fans any hope for 2018.

Rookie watch:

Liam Ryan. Ryan was outstanding for the Eagles last week kicking three goals from six shots and taking a contender for mark of the year. With a depleted Geelong backline, he could become a key factor for West Coast to win.

Photo of the week: