Gold Coast vs Western Bulldogsย
Thursday, July 23, Metricon Stadium, 7.40pm (all times AEST)
Team News:ย The Bulldogs have made two changes, with Billy Gowers and debutant Callum Porter coming into the side for Lachie Hunter (personal) and Bailey (injury),ย
The Suns go into the line-up unchanged after a consistent start to the season.ย
Prediction:ย Gold Coast by 15.ย
Greater Western Sydney vs Richmond
Friday, July 24, GIANTS Stadium, 7.50pm
Team News:ย The Giants could welcome back livewire forward Toby Greene as he has recovered from his shin injury which forced him to miss last week's match.ย
Daniel Lloyd is another one the Giants could welcome back after he recovered from concussion issues and could be in line to play in the grand final re-match, while Jackson Hately and Matt Buntine are also in the mix for selection.ย
The Tigers will be without Josh Caddy and fearless leader Trent Cotchin.
Caddy suffered a hamstring injury against their win over North Melbourne last week, while Cotchin is set to have one more week on the sidelines as he recovers from a hamstring injury.ย
David Astbury has recovered from his knee surgery and could slot back in, which means it puts Noah Balta's position in jeopardy.ย
Kamdyn McIntosh had a relatively quiet game on the weekend collecting three kicks but had five tackles so they may persist with him.ย
Given that there is a spot open due to Caddy's absence it could pave the way for Jack Ross orย Sydney Stack to come in, while Pat Naish also has his eyes on the vacant spot, the Tigers could even hand a debut to Riley Collier-Dawkins.ย
Prediction: Richmond by 27.ย
North Melbourne vs Carltonย
Saturday, July 25, Gabba, 1.05pmย
Team News:ย The problems are mounting at North Melbourne. They will be without Jy Simpkin, skipper Jack Ziebell for a month as well as Kyron Hayden who suffered a concussion.ย
Most North Melbourne players require a fitness test, however, Cameron Zurhaar could come in after being a late out. Jed Anderson also requires a fitness test before he is deemed okay to play as is the case with Paul Ahern.
Nick Larkey, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Kayne Turner and Majak Daw are all battling injures but could all be in the mix against Carlton, while Mason Wood is under pressure to retain his spot.ย
For Carlton's case, Paddy Dow could come in after completing a practice match without getting injured but would have to compete with Zach Fisher.ย
After overcoming a sore rib injury, Jack Silvagni went down in the scratch match with a knee injury and will be out for the next fortnight.ย
Despite having quiet performances, David Cuningham and Matthew Kennedy showed enough reason to stick with them.ย
Prediction: Carlton by 18.ย
Sydney vs Hawthorn
Saturday, July 25, SCG, 3.35pmย
Team News:ย The Swans could welcome back Sam Reid and Lewis Melican, who have recovered from their respective injuries.ย
The bad news for the Swans though is they have three new injury concerns, with Colin O'Riordan, George Hewett and Will Hayward all out of action.ย
Sam Gray, Lewis Taylor, Justin McInerney and Zac Foot could all be in selection frame as the heat piles on Nick Blakey, who has gone the past month without kicking a goal and has had three games.ย
The Hawks could welcome back Jarman Impey, who played in a practice match without any restrictions, and they could also welcome in Jack Scrimshaw to help bolster their defence.ย
The Hawks will be without Tim O'Brien who did his ankle in the loss to Melbourne.ย
It could pave the way for Jon Ceglar or Ben McEvoy to take O'Brien's spot.
Alistair Clarkson could even look elsewhere such as Josh Morris, Harry Jones, Dylan Moore and Finn Maginness. ย
Prediction: Hawthorn 20.ย
Port Adelaide vs St Kildaย
Saturday, July 25, Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm
Team news: Connor Rozee, Ryan Burton and Steven Motlop were all injured in Port Adelaide's nail-biting three-point over Carlton. However, Rozee could play if he passes a fitness test.
Ruckman Scott Lycett is out for at least the next two weeks as he has PCL damage to his knee, which means Peter Ladhams will retain his spot in the side.ย
Tom Rockliff, Riley Bonner and Cam Sutcliff could all be in line after the string of injuries that has rocked the Power.ย
Meanwhile, the Saints have a selection dilemma as they are contemplating playing two ruckmen.ย
Josh Battle suffered a concussion and cheekbone injury in Monday night's win over Adelaide and may miss this game due to the five-day break.ย
Jonathan Marsh, Jack Bytel, Shane Savage and Nick Hind are all battling for a spot too.ย
Prediction: Port Adelaide by 18.ย
Adelaide vs Essendonย
Sunday, July 26, Adelaide Oval, 1.05pm
Team News:ย Adelaide got through unscathed in their 23-point loss to St Kilda on Monday night, but could turn things around at the selection table.ย
Bryce Gibbs, Elliot Himmelberg, Ben Davis and Kieran Strachan are all starting to get close to selection as they were named emergencies for Monday night, while Billy Frampton and Lachie Murphy are also eyeing a chance to impress.ย
Josh Worrell and Jordon Butts both impressed in defence in the practice match.ย
The Bombers could look to shake things up to after their loss to the Western Bulldogs. They will be forced into at least one change, with Cale Hooker set to miss this week.ย
It means Brandon Zerk-Thatcher could come in for Hooker, or they could bring in Aaron Francis or even James Stewart to add another forward option.ย
Tom Cutler provided a decent showing on the wing in a practice match, while Matt Guelfi is in line to return.ย
Martin Gleeson was rested so could come in while exciting prospect Irving Mosquito is not that far away from a debut.ย
Prediction: Essendon by 25.ย
West Coast Eagles vs Collingwoodย
Sunday, July 26, Optus Stadium, 3.35pmย
Team News:ย The Eagles will likely welcome back skipper Luke Shuey after the club took a conservative approach last week which saw him miss the Derby to get his hamstring right.
It would mean that Shuey would take Brayden Ainsworth's position.ย
Despite being quiet on the weekend, Jarrod Cameron looks set to stay given Jermain Jones is still recovering from a hamstring problem.
Jarrod Brander and Lewis Jetta are also available for selection.ย
For the Pies, Jordan De Goey will miss with a finger injury the Pies do have options.ย
Mason Cox is just one name that could fill the void if coach Nathan Buckley decides to go tall.ย
Darcy Cameron is another player that can fill the void as a key position player.ย
If Buckley decides to go small, Josh Thomas could come in, who has impressed in recent practice match performances.ย
Atuย Bosenavulagi could make way.
Mattย Scharenberg and Benย Reid are itching to get back into the side after having a stint on the sidelines as they recover from their respective injuries.ย
Prediction: Pies by 15.ย
Melbourne vs Brisbane Lionsย
Sunday, July 26, Metricon Stadium, 6.10pm
Team News:ย Melbourne forward Tom McDonald has recovered from an eye injury suffered in the Dees' win over Gold Coast two weeks ago. However, he may not be an automatic selection as Luke Jackson played well during their 43-point win over Hawthorn.ย
McDonald could play on the wing, however, would have to compete with Adam Tomlinson, Nathan Jones, Joel Smith, Alex Neal-Bullen, Trent Rivers and Jayden Hunt.ย
Meanwhile, the Lions had a comfortable win over the Giants that would've pleased coach Chris Fagan.
It is a tough team to crack into at the moment, but if there is a spot up for grabs Noah Answerthย and Alex Witherden will be banging on the door.ย
Prediction: Lions by 17.ย
Fremantle vs Geelong
Monday, July 27, Optus Stadium, 8.10pm
Team news: The Dockers could welcome back Reece Conca after recovering from a hamstring problem.ย
Brandon Matera,ย Connor Blakely,ย Tobe Watsonย and Lloyd Meek could also be in line to play the Cats on Monday night as they were all listed as emergencies for the Derby.ย
Travis Colyer,ย Lachie Schultzย andย Bailey Banfield could all come under pressure after poor performances.ย
The Cats will be without Joel Selwood and Jordan Clark as both went down injured midway through their game against Collingwood.ย
It opens the spot up for Mitch Duncan and Charlie Constable to return or even James Parsons.
Down back, Jed Bews could be omitted as Harry Taylor and Tom Stewart will be needed to man Fremantle's tallsย
Francis Evans, Lachie Fogarty and Brad Close are all on the fringe.ย
Prediction: Cats by 20.ย
