Round 4 preview

West Coast v Sydney Domain Stadium, Thursday Night [caption id="attachment_11152" align="aligncenter" width="733"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 31: Lance Franklin of the Swans celebrates a goal during the 2017 AFL round 02 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium on March 31, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Both teams head into the Easter weekend in desperate need of the chocolates following poor performances in round three. It's all about recovery for the Eagles this week as they come off a five-day break after they were exposed all over the ground in the wet against Richmond. Adam Simpson has flagged that there could be a few changes while the Swans still remain winless in 2017. They have not been terrible and will be desperate to break their duck in the west, despite a lengthy injury list which has forced them to debut five players already this season. Eagles by 8. North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs Etihad Stadium, Friday Twilight [caption id="attachment_11296" align="aligncenter" width="785"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Jordan Roughead of the Bulldogs (L) and Todd Goldstein of the Kangaroos compete for the ball during the round 20 AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Good Friday football finally graces us as North Melbourne host the reigning premiers. The Bulldogs were shock losers last week against Fremantle and will be out to right their wrongs this week against a North Melbourne side who were competitive yet comprehensively beaten by GWS last week. Luke Beveridge's side will be looking to ensure they don't get jumped in the opening quarter as they did last week and will come out firing while Brad Scott will be hoping his men can deliver a four-quarter performance for the first time this season. They'll be up for the fight given how hard they pushed to stage this game on Good Friday but we can't see the Dogs slipping up two times in as many weeks. Bulldogs by 27. Melbourne v Fremantle MCG, Saturday Afternoon [caption id="attachment_11295" align="aligncenter" width="550"] PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: David Mundy of the Dockers celebrates after scoring a goal during the round three AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Western Bulldogs at Domain Stadium on April 8, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Melbourne's goal kicking woes potentially cost them the four points against the Cats last week and they will be looking to bounce back to their winnings ways but will have to do so without superstar ruckman, Max Gawn, who will miss three months with a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Fremantle will head east full of confidence after defeating the reigning premiers and will look to build on that with their new-look side. Nat Fyfe was at his brilliant best and well supported by the Hill Brothers and David Mundy in midfield. Jack Watts showed plenty in the ruck last weekend and will get the aid of Jake Spencer and if they can find the big sticks, it should be a comfortable win for the Dees. Demons by 31. Greater Western Sydney v Port Adelaide University of NSW, Saturday Twilight GWS scored a comfortable win last week on the back of a six goal to two final term with their midfield running riot against North Melbourne. They will have tougher competition this week as they host Port Adelaide who will be without star ruckman Paddy Ryder due to suspension. Oliver Wines, Brad Ebert and Travis Boak were all tremendous in their Showdown loss last week, however, they should continue their good form into round four. They will have to slow down the potent combination of Jeremy Cameron and Toby Greene if they are to have any chance at the four points. Giants by 16. Carlton v Gold Coast Etihad Stadium, Saturday Night The Blues notched their first win of the season last weekend and head to Etihad to take on a Gold Coast side beaming with confidence following an 86-point thumping of the once mighty Hawthorn. Carlton's midfield shone against Essendon in the wet conditions and will look to contain the likes of Swallow, Ablett and Miller under the roof of Etihad Stadium. [caption id="attachment_11143" align="aligncenter" width="577"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: Gary Ablett of the Suns in action during the round two AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Gold Coast Suns at Spotless Stadium on April 1, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)[/caption] Gary Ablett returned to form, collecting 36 disposals and kicking two goals. This promises to be an exciting match up, one that all Blues fans should get along to with their men growing in confidence , they may just get over the line at home. Blues by 9. Adelaide v Essendon Adelaide Oval, Saturday Night [caption id="attachment_11293" align="aligncenter" width="712"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Crows players take the field during the round three AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval on April 8, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)[/caption] Adelaide continued their perfect start to 2017 with a Showdown win against their crosstown rivals and now come up against an Essendon side still figuring themselves out following a poor loss to Carlton. The Crows were fantastic all over the ground, both in and out of the contest and as we all know are more than capable of racking up a big score. In saying that, Essendon will bounce back through their core midfielders and small forwards around the contest. Adelaide shouldn't have any troubles getting over the line, but it may be a struggle early on. Adelaide by 33. Collingwood v St Kilda Etihad Stadium, Sunday Afternoon [caption id="attachment_11294" align="aligncenter" width="764"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 07: Nathan Buckley, coach of the Magpies, celebrates with Scott Pendlebury of the Magpies after the round three AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Collingwood Magpies at Sydney Cricket Ground on April 7, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)[/caption] The Pies led at every change last week at the SCG and lessened the pressure on coach Nathan Buckley following a week of scrutiny. Meanwhile the Saints struggled to put the Lions away but did so with a strong final quarter performance - a change in tune from their opening two matches where they have faltered spectacularly after half time. Saints by 7. Brisbane v Richmond GABBA, Sunday Twilight [caption id="attachment_11227" align="aligncenter" width="761"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Tigers players celebrate with Daniel Rioli of the Tigers after he goaled from the boundary during the 2017 AFL round 03 match between the Richmond Tigers and the West Coast Eagles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 08, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Dayne Beams has started the season on fire and is growing into the captaincy role very well as the Lions have taken a step up from last season. As have the Tigers who pulled off a strong win last week and look to remain undefeated following their first interstate trip this season. The Tigess should simply be too polished for the Lions, despite some encouraging signs from Chris Fagan's men. Tigers by 32. Hawthorn v Geelong MCG, Monday Afternoon [caption id="attachment_4124" align="aligncenter" width="750"] MELBOURNE, VICTORIA - MARCH 28: Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats takes a spectacular mark during the round one AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Hawthorn Hawks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 28, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Geelong remain undefeated heading into the monster Easter Monday clash against their perennial rival and will look to inflict more pain on the Hawks, who are reeling from an 86-point loss last week to the Suns. Daniel Menzel is fit and firing for the Cats, Tom Hawkins is trimmer than ever and has kicked 12 goals in the opening three rounds, while Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield continue to show everyone why they are the most feared midfield duo in the competition. If the Cats can string together four quarters, watch out. Geelong should get over the line, however, you just know the Hawks will be up for the fight. Cats by 22.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	FRE	11	10	1	40	135.5
2	SYD	11	9	2	36	142.5
3	GEEL	11	8	3	32	124.4
4	HAW	11	7	3	30	110.4
5	GC	11	7	4	28	116.9
6	MELB	11	7	4	28	106.7
7	ADEL	11	6	5	24	107.9
8	BL	11	6	5	24	106.6
9	WB	11	6	5	24	92.8
10	COLL	11	5	5	22	100.3

Round 4 preview

Collingwood v St Kilda

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