St Kilda has had the wood over Carlton in recent times, having won the past seven, and the past four by an average of 93 points.

However, this Saints side is decimated by injury, with Hudghton, Maguire and Sam Fisher all missing down back.

With Whitnall finding form against Brisbane last Saturday night, Eddie Betts firing and no obvious match-up for Brendon Fevola, the Blues should have too much firepower for an undermanned Saints sie and should get over the line in a hard-fought contest. Blues by 13 points.

ESSENDON v HAWTHORN - MCG, Saturday @ 2:10pm

The loss of skipper Matthew Lloyd is a major blow for the Bombers, who will now rely heavily on spearhead Scott Lucas to kick them to a winning score.

But with Hawthorn still missing Mark Williams, they rely heavily of Lance Franklin, and with the likes of Fletcher and McPhee down back you would expect the Bombers to have the capabilities to restrict the Hawks in what will be a close tussle. Bombers by 15 points.

WEST COAST v WESTERN BULLDOGS - Subiaco, Saturday @ 2:10pm

The Western Bulldogs have been far from impressive in the past fortnight, but have done just enough to secure the four points on both occasions.

The Bulldogs were smashed in the clearances against Hawthorn last Sunday, and with West Coast boasting the most impressive midfield division in the competition, you would expect this to be enough to get them over the line in an entertaining contest. Eagles by 19 points.

KANGAROOS v SYDNEY – Telstra Dome, Saturday @ 7:10pm

The Kangaroos have been rewarded for their early season effort with two straight wins against Brisbane and Geelong, while Sydney responded from their worst defeat this year to thump an undermanned Melbourne side.

This will be the first time these two sides have met at the Telstra Dome, and with Barry Hall firing up forward, and the likes of O'Loughlin, O'Keefe and co. providing marking targets, the Swans should have too much firepower for a brave Roos' side. Swans by 27 points.

ADELAIDE v COLLINGWOOD – AAMI Stadium, Saturday @ 7:10pm

Collingwood likes playing at AAMI Stadium, and you would expect this clash to be a dour affair, as has been the case with the Crows so far this year.

This match shapes as being the closest contest of the round, with both sides in pretty good form, but the home crowd advantage should be enough to get Adelaide the four points in a dour struggle. Crows by 7 points.

BRISBANE v FREMANTLE – Gabba, Sunday @ 1:10pm

Fremantle has never won at the Gabba in six attempts, with Tarrant and Pavlich already working together beautifully up forward, the Lions inexperienced back line could be exposed, and they should be enough to secure the Dockers their first ever win in Brisbane. Dockers by 18 points.

MELBOURNE v PORT ADELAIDE - Sunday, MCG @ 2:10pm

The injury ravaged Demons find themselves winless and languishing on the bottom of the ladder after five rounds, but welcome back skipper David Neitz from a knee injury. How big of an impact he will have on the match remains questionable.

Port are yet to beat Melbourne at the MCG, but expect them to break that trend with their superior run through the middle, coupled with the return to form of Warren Tredrea up forward enough to get them over the line. Port by 32 points.

RICHMOND v GEELONG - Sunday, Telstra Dome @ 5:10pm

Despite finding themselves winless after the first five rounds of the season, Richmond has been in all of their matches at some stage, with their lack of self belief and poor use of the football proving costly.

The Cats, who had been touted as Victoria's great white hope alongside the Western Bulldogs against the interstate invasion after wins over Carlton and Melbourne, have been bitterly disappointing in the past fortnight, especially against a more committed Kangaroos side at Skilled Stadium last Sunday.

If Geelong are going to play finals football this year this is a match they need to win, and their key talls up forward against an undersized Tigers backline should get them over the line. Cats by 25 points.