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A preview panel of round nine of the AFL.
PREVIEW OF AFL ROUND NINE MATCHES (all times AEST):
FRIDAY, May 17
West Coast v Melbourne at SCG, 8.10pm
Head to head: Eagles 34 Demons 17
Last clash: Preliminary Final, 2018 - Eagles 18.13 (121) bt Demons 7.13 (55) at Optus Stadium
Melbourne return to the scene of their nightmare prelim final, when kept goal-less by eventual premier West Coast. The Demons have fallen over the line in their past two matches while the Eagles are 5-3 but still yet to hit top gear.
Key: Demons ruckman Max Gawn was ineffectual against the Eagles in the final and will need to produce a monster game for the visitors to have a chance.
Tip: Eagles by 33 points
SATURDAY, May 18
Collingwood v St Kilda at the MCG, 1.45pm
Head to head: Magpies 158 Saints 59 drawn 2
Last clash: Round 9, 2018 - Magpies 15.10 (100) bt Saints 10.12 (72) at Marvel Stadium
St Kilda's early-season bubble has well and truly burst, with three consecutive losses and sliding to 12th spot on the ladder. The Magpies are perched in second and their midfield and attacking weapons will worry the Saints.
Key: How do the Saints combat the Magpies' rampaging ruckman Brodie Grundy, who could be eyeing another three Brownlow votes against his callow opponents.
Tip: Magpies by 40 points
Brisbane v Adelaide at the Gabba, 2.10pm
Head to head: Lions 15 Crows 17
Last clash: Round 18, 2018 - Crows 13.15 (93) bt Lions 13.10 (88) at the Gabba
The Crows are flying, with four wins on the trot taking them to third on the ladder. They haven't lost to the Lions since 2013 but Brisbane at home are a tricky proposition this season - they've dropped only one in four Gabba games so far.
Key: Brisbane livewire Charlie Cameron is primed for a big performance in his first game against his former club, but will get close attention from unsung Adelaide backman Luke Brown.
Tip: Lions by 8 points
Geelong v Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium, 4.35pm
Head to head: Cats 101 Bulldogs 56 drawn 2
Last clash: Round 15, 2018 - Bulldogs 16.7 (103) bt Cats 15.11 (101) at Marvel Stadium
No tougher task in the competition than playing ladder-leaders Geelong on their home ground. The jury remains out on the Dogs who are 10th with four wins and four losses: can they claim a massive scalp to propel them into finals contention?
Key: Cat midfielder Tim Kelly has been in scintillating form, averaging 26 disposals a game. Can the Doggies curtail his classy output?
Tip: Cats by 26 points
Essendon v Fremantle at Marvel Stadium, 7:25pm
Head to head: Bombers 20 Dockers 14
Last clash: Round 18, 2018 - Bombers 13.21 (99) bt Dockers 11.4 (70) at Marvel Stadium.
Essendon's bandwagon has come to a grinding halt with three consecutive defeats dropping them to 13th. If they lose to an eighth-placed Freo who are treading water after successive losses, the Bombers' wheels will come right off.
Key: Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe has been in outstanding nick, averaging 30 touches and eight clearances a game. A similar output will spell trouble for the 'Dons.
Tip: Bombers by 11 points
North Melbourne v Sydney at Blundstone Arena, 7:25pm
Head to head: Kangaroos 74 Swans 87 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 17, 2018 - Swans 16.8 (104) bt Kangaroos 15.8 (98) at Marvel Stadium
Both clubs are already on brink of kissing finals goodbye and another loss here could send them over the edge. Both have 2-6 win-loss records, but both enter this game with a win at their last start. Expect a rugged midfield war featuring the battle-hardened likes of North's Ben Cunnington and Sydney's Josh Kennedy.
Key: With star Swan Lance Franklin still out injured, North's Ben Brown looms as the most dangerous forward on the ground. Can his teammates give him enough supply to make a difference?
Tip: Kangaroos by 5 points
SUNDAY, May 19
Port Adelaide v Gold Coast at Adelaide Oval, 1.10pm
Head to head: Power 9 Suns 1
Last clash: Round 9, 2018 - Power 11.16 (82) bt Suns 6.6 (42) at Adelaide Arena, Shanghai
Port have lost two in a row and the Suns four as rosy early season form turns cloudy. The Power remain without key personnel so Gold Coast will probably never have a better chance for a rare road win.
Key: Can either side find a trusty goalkicker? The Suns' leading scorer this year is Alex Sexton with 16 majors, while Port's best are Sam Gray and Connor Rozee with 11 each.
Tip: Power by 24 points
Richmond v Hawthorn at the MCG, 3.20pm
Head to head: Tigers 88 Hawks 70
Last clash: Qualifying Final, 2018 - Tigers 13.17 (95) bt Hawks 9.10 (64) at the MCG
Just when pundits get ready to write both clubs off, they produce stirring against-the-odds wins. The Tigers are crippled by injury yet hold fifth spot while the inconsistent Hawks are ninth and eyeing consecutive victories for the first time this year.
Key: Tiger tall Tom Lynch has booted 19 goals and is the dangerman for Hawthorn, who will be plotting to restrict his supply of scoring chances.
Tip: Tigers by 13 points
Greater Western Sydney v Carlton at Giants Stadium, 4.10pm
Head to head: Giants 5 Blues 3
Last clash: Round 20, 2018 - Giants 23.13 (151) bt Blues 7.4 (46) at Marvel Stadium
For all their obvious improvement, the Blues remain last with just one lonely win. The Giants are fifth with five victories but just when they appear on the verge of entering premiership contender status, they drop games - such as last week to Hawthorn.
Key: Giants spearhead Jeremy Cameron is proving unstoppable - he's had 50 scoring shots in eight games for 30 goals. If his midfielders get on top, he'll kick another bag.
Tip: Giants by 30 points
