There were some huge results in round four, and with another big week of football on the agenda, here's our Round 5 Rev Up ahead of a bumper weekend!
Sydney vs Adelaide
SCG, 7:50pm Friday April 20
Team news: The Crows lose Eddie Betts to a hamstring injury for the next two weeks and they are likely to bring in Riley Knight who played well in the SANFL last week.
After a personal tragedy last week, it will be up to Gary Rohan to decide whether he wants to return to the Swans line up this week.
Injury Watch: David Mackay (Adelaide) has suffered his second concussion in three weeks and it unknown whether he will play this week.
Prediction: Sydney are tough to beat at home. Sydney by 3
St Kilda vs GWS
Etihad Stadium, 1:45pm Saturday April 21
Team news: Dylan Roberton (St Kilda) wonโt play this week after collapsing on the field suffering from some heart issues last week. Bailey Rice could come in for him and make his debut. David Armitage (St Kilda) had a massive game in the VFL last week with 34 disposals, 22 contested, and will most likely return.
Injury Watch: Josh Kelly and Rory Lobb (GWS) are unlikely to return for the trip to Melbourne.
Prediction: St Kilda beat GWS here last year but theyโve only gone downhill since then. GWS by 28
Carlton vs West Coast
MCG, 4:35 Saturday April 21
Team news: Carlton had a horror week last week and need to make some adjustments. Marc Murphy was a late withdrawal last week and wonโt play this week. Matthew Kreuzer is also in doubt.
Injury Watch: Luke Shuey (West Coast) didnโt train on Monday but no official injuries have been announced.
Prediction: Carlton have been pretty bad to start the season and the loss of their captain doesnโt help. West Coast by 23
Port Adelaide vs Geelong
Adelaide Oval, 7:10pm Saturday April 21
Team news: Sam Powell-Pepper will be available for Port Adelaide this week and Jasper Pittard returned from a hamstring injury in the SANFL last week notching up 28 disposals.
Cory Gregson will miss for Geelong with a foot injury and James Parsons is his likely replacement.
Injury Watch: The Cats have listed that Ablett will be back in two to five weeks from the hamstring injury.
Tom Rockliff and Todd Marshall (Port Adelaide) will be assessed before lining up this week.
Prediction: Port will bounce back from the loss to Essendon last week and should be too strong at home. Port Adelaide by 13
Fremantle vs Bulldogs
Optus Stadium, 6:15pm Saturday April 21
Team news: Fremantle should have Brad Hill back this week.
Lachie Hunter will miss through suspension but Zaine Cordy will return from suspension.
Injury Watch: Jackson Trengove (Bulldogs) is a chance to return this week from a shoulder injury.
Prediction: The Bulldogs have been good for the last couple of weeks and this game is bit of a flip of the coin but Freo have been good at home this year. Fremantle by 10
North Melbourne vs Hawthorn
Etihad Stadium, 3:20pm Sunday April 22
Team news: Hawthorn have got some big shoes to fill with the losses of Cyril Rioli and Paul Puopolo but Ryan Burton and James Cousins are the likely replacements.
Injury Watch: Jonathon Ceglar (Hawthorn) will return to footy this weekend after a 20-month layoff.
Prediction: Hawthorn donโt play a lot of matches at Etihad and North have risen way above (low) expectations this year but the Hawks will still be too good. Hawthorn by 21
Brisbane vs Gold Coast
Gabba, 4:45pm Sunday April
Team news: Michael Barlowโs (Gold Coast) 46 disposals in the NEAFL last weekend will be hard for Stuart Dew to ignore.
Injury Watch: Ben Ainsworth (Gold Coast) must overcome a concussion before being able to play this week.
Prediction: This is as close to a home game as Gold Coast are going to get for a while. Both teams have shown glimpses of improvement but have also had some bad losses. The Gold Coast forward line will be hard for Brisbane to stop. Draw
Melbourne vs Richmond
MCG, 7:25pm Tuesday April 24
Team news: The Dees need to make some changes after last weekโs pitiful performance but what those changes are is up in the coach. Jordan Lewis has been ruled out with a broken hand.
Jack Grahamโs (Richmond) unsuccessful appeal of his striking suspension will see him miss the ANZAC eve clash.
Injury Watch: Richmond are hopeful Daniel Rioli will return to the VFL in the coming weeks.
Prediction: If Melbourne turn up for the whole four quarters this week then this should be cracker of a game. If they play like they did last week, Richmond will slaughter them. Richmond play the MCG so well, not many teams will beat them there this year. Richmond by 14
Collingwood vs Essendon
MCG, 3:20pm Wednesday April 25
Team news: Both teams are coming off good wins last week and are unlikely to make any changes. There has been talk of Essendonโs James Stewart and Orazio Fantasia sustaining minor injuries last week but with a 10 day break, they should be right to play on ANZAC Day.
Injury Watch: Taylor Adams, Jamie Elliot, Levi Greenwood, Darcy Moore and Josh Smith are all 1-2 weeks away from returning from injury.
Prediction: The biggest game of the home and away season always delivers a great match regardless of where the teams sit on the ladder. Both teams are coming off great wins but Collingwood will struggle to handle Essendonโs speed. Essendon by 15
Point to prove:
Melbourne. Melbourne reached a new low last week. They looked like they were going to dominate Hawthorn early in the match but the entire team went home at quarter time. The Demons shouldnโt be worrying about trying to prove anything to the media but they need to prove something to their fans. They dangle some good footy on a string infront them and give them hope and they rip it away with performances like what they dished up on the weekend. A win against Richmond, the reigning premiers, on ANZAC Day eve might restore some faith for the Demon fans.
Struggle street:
Brisbane. Last weekโs game against Richmond was one to forget for the Lions and this week they are taking on Gold Coast at home. Outside of last week, they have started this year relatively well but they need to win some matches and stop fading away late in games. They have some good young talent and itโs time for them to move up to the next level of their game. This week is their opportunity to get a win on the board and instil some confidence in the group.
Quote of the week:
โI heard Danny this morning and my answer is that Spud should stick to being a clown on (Fox Footy show) Bounce rather than being a football commentator. I am happy for you to quote me,โ โ Brisbane CEO Greg Swann on Danny Frawleyโs comments about Luke Hodge.
Photo of the Week:
Weโre a happy team at @HawthornFC . Debutant David Mirra belts out the song. #AFLHawksDees @superfooty @MCG pic.twitter.com/SdYHPFNE9g
— Michael Klein (@kleinyheraldsun) April 15, 2018