The Tigers were brave in the second half against Port last weekend, but simply didn't have the firepower to match the ladder leaders. The case should be the same this weekend, with the Crows more experienced bodies in the middle and greater number of options up forward to be the difference. Crows by 39 points.

ESSENDON v BRISBANE – Telstra Dome, Saturday @ 2:10pm

Brisbane has had the wood over Essendon in recent times, with the Lions winning nine of the past 11 against the Bombers. Expect the trend to continue, with the Lions superior ruck divison and greater leg speed and class through the middle to be enough to get Brisbane over the line in an engrossing contest. Lions by eight points.

GEELONG v FREMANTLE – Skilled Stadium, Saturday @ 2:10pm

This shapes as being a danger game for Geelong after beating the reigning premiers at home last weekend. But this is a different Geelong side to the one of 2006, and if they can continue to dominate the clearances as they did against the Eagles last weekend, they should have too many options up forward and record a third straight win. Cats by 17 points.

HAWTHORN v ST KILDA – MCG, Saturday @ 7:10pm

St Kilda has won the past four encounters between these two sides by an average of 53 points, and you would expect the Saints with Gehrig and Riewoldt prominent up forward in recent weeks, to have too much firepower for a Hawthorn side that relies on Lance Franklin to kick a bag.Saints by 22 points.

KANGAROOS v CARLTON – Carrara, Saturday @ 7:10pm

The Kangaroos are arguably the form side of the competition having won four matches in a row. Unless Carlton spearhead Brendon Fevola can reproduce his performance from the NAB Cup when he booted eight goals, the Roos should have too many options up forward and more experience through the middle for a young Blues side. Roos by 28 points.

SYDNEY v PORT ADELAIDE – SCG, Sunday @ 1:10pm

Port Adelaide has a good recent record against Sydney, having won two of their past three meetings at the SCG.

But with the likes of Adam Goodes and Peter Everitt due to lift, and the return of Tadhg Kennelly to provide some much needed run off half back, the Swans should be able to snap a two-game losing streak in a dour struggle. Swans by 14 points.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v COLLINGWOOD - Sunday, Telstra Dome @ 2:10pm

The Bulldogs look set to click into top gear after a sluggish start to the season, with Jason Akermanis starting to deliver in Dogs colours, with the former Lion racking up ten posssessions in the last quarter to help get the Dogs over the line against Melbourne.

The Dogs love playing at the Telstra Dome, which suits their running style of play, and their run through the middle could well prove to be the difference in what shapes as being one of the matches of the rounds. Dogs by 13 points.

WEST COAST v MELBOURNE - Sunday, Subiaco @ 4:40pm

The Demons could well be bolstered by the return of Brock McLean in the middle, but with Dean Cox returning to partner Mark Seaby in the ruck, and Daniel Kerr due for a good game after a lean couple of weeks, the Eagles appear to have too much class and will continue the Demons winless start to the season. Eagles by 27 points.