Hawthorn vs Sydney                       

MCG, 7:50pm Friday May 11

Team news: Ricky Henderson and Will Langford were both late withdrawals for the Hawks last week and will likely be ready to return this week.

The Swans are yet to confirm where Buddy Franklin and Dan Hannenbury are at but it isnโ€™t likely we will see them back in this week.

Injury Watch: Hawthorn are hoping to have Paul Puopolo back in the side for round nine but Cyril Rioli is still a month away.

Prediction: A massive game for both clubs in the prime time slot. It will be a tough contest and the winner will simply be the best team on the day but Sydney are due to bounce back from last weekโ€™s shock loss to the Kangaroos. Sydney by two points

GWS vs West Coast            

Spotless Stadium, 1:45pm Saturday May 12

Team news: The Giants will gladly be welcoming Jeremey Cameron back into the side this weekend and possibly Rory Lobb if they think he is fit enough to come straight back into the AFL.

The Eagles will be without Nic Naitanui after West Coast failed to overturn his one-match ban at the Tribunal. They will also be without gun midfielder Luke Shuey who tore his hamstring early in the match last week.

Injury Watch: GWS will have to wait at least one more week before seeing Josh Kelly and Brett Deledio back in the team and Toby Greeneโ€™s return date is still unknown.

West Coast are taking a cautious approach with Lewis Jetta and are holding off for another week before clearing him to play. They are also reporting that Shuey will only miss 2-3 weeks, but they wonโ€™t be taking any risks with him.

Prediction: Another cracking match this round between two of the top clubs this season. The Giants have fallen off the wagon over the last few weeks with their extensive injury list but the return of Cameron helps significantly. Giants by four points

Carlton vs Essendon

MCG, 2:10pm Saturday May 12

Team news: Carlton will welcome a number of key personnel this week including skipper Marc Murphy, Charlie Curnow and Caleb Marchbank. After a standout game in the VFL last week, they are also likely to bring Jacob Weitering back into the team.

The Bombers sent Orazio Fantasia to play in the VFL last week and are more than likely to bring him in to face the Blues but they will be without big man Joe Daniher.

Injury Watch: Levi Casboult (Carlton) will miss a month of footy with a broken rib.

The biggest injury story of the week is Joe Daniher who has been suffering from early onset osteitis pubis in his groin for the most part of this season and the Bombers have elected to sideline him and let the injury heal. He will be out for at least a month.

Prediction: The Bombers are in some serious strife if they donโ€™t win this one but the conditions are likely to be wet which does not favour them at all. The Blues won this match in similar conditions last year and this will be their first win of 2018. Carlton by 15 points

Gold Coast vs Melbourne

The Gabba, 4:35pm Saturday May 12

Team news: Steven May will be a walk-up starter for the Suns as long as he passes a fitness test.

Jack Viney (Melbourne) is ready to return to footy but will probably play limited minutes in the VFL first.

Injury Watch: Peter Wright (Gold Coast) returned in the NEAFL last weekend and will probably need to stay there for at least another week before being considered for senior selection.

Prediction: Nobody can ever be certain as to which Melbourne will turn up on the day but if even they play to 70% this week they should win. Melbourne by 23 points

Port Adelaide vs Adelaide

Adelaide Oval, 4:40pm Saturday May 12

Team news: Port Adelaide can bring Sam Powell-Pepper and Tom Rockliff back in to the side for Showdown 44.

Some big names are ready to come back in for Adelaide this week with captain Tex Walker, vice-captain Rory Sloane, Riley Knight and Kyle Hartigan expected to return as long as they pass fit at training this week.

Injury Watch: Reports are saying Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide) could return this weekend after only missing one week with a hamstring injury but that is a very quick turnaround.

Adelaide are up to their eighth hamstring injury for the year with Wayne Milera set to miss at least one week.

Prediction: Showdown 44 promises to be a great match between two of the main top four contenders for this year. Some big names come back in for the Crows and they can help them get over the line. Adelaide by 11 points

Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane

Etihad Stadium, 7:25pm Saturday May 12

Team news: Marcus Bontempelli (Bulldogs) will need to pass a fitness test this week after being a late withdrawal against the Suns with a hip complaint. Jackson Trengove played well in the VFL on the weekend and could earn himself a call up.

Brisbane will have Nick Robertson available after missing a week through suspension.

Injury Watch: Warhorse Dale Morris was up and running at Bulldogs training this week and might not be far off a return from a knee injury.

Prediction: The Dogs have been very up and down this year but they have played well at their home in Docklands and should beat the Lions. Bulldogs by 20 points

Fremantle vs St Kilda

Optus Stadium, 6:10pm Saturday May 12

Team news: After suffering another concussion last week, the Saints are unsure of whether Paddy McCartin will be right to play this week. They will have Blake Acres back who was rested last weekend and could bring in Ed Phillips and Jack Sinclair who both had stand out games in the VFL last weekend.

Injury Watch: Rumours are swirling that the Dockers could bring Michael Walters back in this week but he will probably need another week.

Ben Long of St Kilda will spend an extended period of time on the sidelines with a foot injury.

Prediction: Hard to see the Saints turning their year around on a trip to Perth. Fremantle by 23 points

North Melbourne vs Richmond

Etihad Stadium, 1:10pm Sunday May 13

Team news: The Roos will bring Jarrad Waite back in after resting him last week and Majak Daw could come in if heโ€™s fit.

After pulling out late last week, the Tigers should have their skipper Trent Cotchin back in but they most likely lose Dion Prestia and wonโ€™t have Shaun Grigg back.

Injury Watch: Grigg is one more week away from playing and Nathan Drummond will miss a month with a hamstring strain.

Prediction: North Melbourne have had a good record at Etihad this year and could challenge the Tigers but they have shown that when under pressure, they just go to another level and get over the line. Richmond by 20 points

Collingwood vs Geelong

MCG, 3:20pm Sunday May 13

Team news: Collingwood could be without captain Scott Pendlebury who is dealing with some ankle issues. His likely replacement would be Daniel Wells who has been toiling away in the VFL for a few weeks.

The Cats will be without Tom Hawkins due to suspension but will bring in Gary Ablett. Zac Smith should be right to play and Harry Taylor will play but it is unknown whether that will be in the AFL or VFL.

Injury Watch: Brayden Maynard and Tom Langdon (Collingwood) are every chance to play this Sunday while Jamie Elliot has returned to full training.

Geelong are yet to confirm the extent of Brandan Parfittโ€™s foot injury so his return date is a mystery while Daniel Menzel hasnโ€™t trained for two weeks but could possibly get up for next week.

Prediction: The hardest match of the round to tip. It could easily go either way. Geelong have the class and big game experience and that is one of the only things setting these two apart. Cats by two points

Point to prove:

North Melbourne. North Melbourne's win over Sydney in Sydney last week was massive for the club. They have already exceeded all expectations this year as most thought they were clear wooden spoon favourites. After seven rounds, they are still sitting seventh on the ladder and could be the big smoky to make the finals. They have beaten some good teams this year but people still aren't giving them any chance. This week they play Richmond at Etihad where they have had a great record lately and Richmond have had a not so record. If North can stay in the game for just three quarters, they should take that as a big positive and the rest of the footy community should start giving them more credit.

Struggle street:

GWS' bodies. It's no secret that GWS have a list that is full of talent but at the moment a significant amount of that talent is on the injury list, rather than a team line-up list. Over the last five rounds, GWS have had two wins, two losses and one draw and people are beginning to question whether they are the real deal or not. Almost all of the players on their injury list at the moment are walk-up starters in their best 22 and that is starting to hurt them. They get Jeremy Cameron back this week but they are still without All-Australian's Josh Kelly, Toby Greene and Brett Deledio. It won't be long before they get all of these guys back on the field and then we might see the real GWS again.

Quote of the week:

โ€œDonโ€™t bring that up. Why did you just ruin my day?" - John Worsfold when asked about Essendon's third quarter woes.

Photo of the Week: