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A preview panel for round seven of the 2019 AFL season.
PREVIEW OF AFL ROUND SEVEN MATCHES (all times AEST):
FRIDAY, May 3
Collingwood v Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium, 7.50pm
Head to head: Magpies 15 Power 15
Last clash: Round 22, 2018 - Magpies 17.13 (115) bt Power 10.4 (64) at MCG
Should be a Friday night thriller with both the Magpies and Power in hot form. Having proven their resilience with a gripping Anzac Day victory over Essendon, the Magpies will welcome back Jamie Elliott and have summoned veteran tall Ben Reid to replace Mason Cox (ankle). Robbie Gray (broken hand) and Tom Jonas (calf) are big losses for Port.
Key: Can Port's bruising ruck tandem of Paddy Ryder and Scott Lycett work over Brodie Grundy the way they have other opponents?
Tip: Magpies by 11 points
SATURDAY, May 4
Melbourne v Hawthorn at MCG, 1:45pm
Head to head: Demons 76 Hawks 87
Last clash: First semi-final, 2018 - Demons 16.8 (104) bt Hawks 10.11 (71) at MCG
The optimistic view is that Melbourne took a step forward during their Anzac Eve loss to Richmond. But the bottom-placed Dees can't afford another false step if they are to make the finals. Skipper Jack Viney (shoulder) is out but the Hawks are yet to hit any great heights.
Key: Conversion. Melbourne need to finish their work and find an avenue to goal.
Tip: Demons by 22 points
Greater Western Sydney v St Kilda at UNSW Canberra Oval, 1:45pm
Head to head: Giants 4 Saints 4 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 19, 2018 - Giants 13.8 (86) bt Saints 8.13 (61) at Giants Stadium
Was last week's loss to Adelaide a portent after St Kilda's feel-good start to the season? It's an imposing road trip to Canberra, where the Giants are rarely beaten. GWS have a big out in Lachie Whitfield (thigh) but will welcome back skipper Phil Davis, while the Saints are without Jack Steven (mental health) and Jack Lonie (knee).
Key: Jeremy Cameron. Can St Kilda's inexperienced backmen stop the rampaging Coleman Medal leader?
Tip: Giants by 30 points
Brisbane v Sydney at Gabba, 4:35pm
Head to head: Lions 11 Swans 23 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 10, 2018 - Swans 10.7 (67) bt Lions 6.13 (49) at Gabba
Is it finally rebuild time for the Bloods? Coach John Longmire appeared to indicate as much after their loss to GWS. Either way, the battling Swans won't have their best player at hand in Brisbane after Lance Franklin (hamstring) was ruled out. A good opportunity here for the Lions to build on a commanding derby win over Gold Coast.
Key: Who steps up for Sydney? It can't all be left again to Luke Parker, Josh Kennedy and Isaac Heeney.
Tip: Lions by 17 points
Western Bulldogs v Richmond at Marvel Stadium, 7:25pm
Head to head: Bulldogs 73 Tigers 79 drawn 2
Last clash: Round 23, 2018 - Tigers 15.8 (98) bt Bulldogs 14.11 (95) at MCG
Facing an in-form Richmond is just about the last thing the Bulldogs need after four straight losses, and Luke Beveridge's men continue to be wasteful in front of goal. The Tigers should get home comfortably despite Jack Riewoldt (knee) and David Astbury (ankle) joining the injury list.
Key: Aaron Naughton. Does he go back to help shut down Tom Lynch? Or will that only add to the Dogs' forward line problems?
Tip: Tigers by 42 points
West Coast v Gold Coast at Optus Stadium, 8:10pm
Head to head: Eagles 8 Suns 1 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 4, 2018 - Eagles 21.13 (139) bt Suns 9.5 (59) at Optus Stadium
It's not quite panic stations for the premiers at 3-3, considering all of their games have been against top-eight sides. But there's plenty to fix after being dominated by Geelong. They should restore order against a still-developing Suns outfit missing Pearce Hanley (shin).
Key: Contested ball. Coach Adam Simpson put it best when he said the Eagles' plans fall apart if players are unwilling to put their heads over the ball.
Tip: Eagles by 35 points
SUNDAY, May 5
Carlton v North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, 1:10pm
Head to head: Blues 97 Kangaroos 58
Last clash: Round 4, 2018 - Kangaroos 18.8 (116) bt Blues 4.6 (30) at Blundstone Arena
A loss here would spell disaster for the Roos and coach Brad Scott. Both teams are mired in the bottom four but while Carlton have improved, North have regressed. Whichever team secures their second win will buy themselves some much-needed breathing space.
Key: Ben Brown. Given the Roos' reliance on their spearhead, they can't afford a repeat of last week's goalless effort.
Tip: Blues by 9 points
Geelong v Essendon at MCG, 3:20pm
Head to head: Cats 97 Bombers 115 drawn 5
Last clash: Round 9, 2018 - Bombers 12.12 (84) bt Cats 7.8 (50) at MCG
Another big MCG test for Essendon after falling agonisingly short against Collingwood on Anzac Day. Are the Bombers serious finals contenders? There's no better way to find out than to face the ladder-leading Cats, who sent a message with their demolition of West Coast.
Key: The two Garys. Geelong forwards Gary Ablett and Gary Rohan have combined for 13 goals over the past fortnight.
Tip: Cats by 14 points
Adelaide v Fremantle at Adelaide Oval, 4:40pm
Head to head: Crows 22 Dockers 16
Last clash: Round 12, 2018 - Dockers 10.11 (71) bt Crows 9.14 (68) at Optus Stadium
Few would have expected to see Fremantle sitting second on the ladder after six games. Nat Fyfe, Michael Walters and David Mundy have led the Dockers superbly. But the Crows look to be finding their feet and beating them at home remains a big challenge.
Key: Alex Keath. Adelaide's intercept-marking defender looms as the man to deny supply to Dockers spearhead Jesse Hogan.
Tip: Crows by 23 points
