3 minute read

The MCG blockbuster between Collingwood and Essendon starts a massive round of games that will confirm the top eight.

PREVIEW OF ROUND 23 MATCHES (all times AEST)

FRIDAY, Aug 23

Collingwood v Essendon at the MCG, 7.50pm

Head to head: Magpies 131 Bombers 103 Drawn 4

Last clash: Magpies 10.13 (73) bt Bombers 10.9 (69) R6, 2019 at the MCG

In a dream start to a massive round, there's plenty riding on this match. A Collingwood win could put them into the top four, while beating the Magpies would give Essendon significant momentum heading into the finals. Bad news for Essendon, with a whopping six changes.

Key: Jamie Elliott. The Magpies small forward starred in last week's win over Adelaide with five goals, in a timely return to form.

Tip: Magpies by 30 points

SATURDAY, Aug 24

Sydney v St Kilda at the SCG, 1.45pm

Head to head: Swans 136 Saints 77 Drawn 3

Last clash: Swans 19.12 (126) bt Saints 7.13 (55) R12, 2018 at Marvel Stadium

While neither side can make the finals, this is no dead rubber. The Swans will want to farewell retirees Kieren Jack, Nick Smith, Heath Grundy and Jarrad McVeigh with a win and every solid Saints performance is another endorsement for caretaker coach Brett Ratten. And it's game No.300 for Lance Franklin.

Key: Franklin. All eyes will be on the star Swans forward in his first game since round 14. Hopefully his troublesome hamstrings behave - and even better if he cuts loose.

Tip: Swans by 20 points

North Melbourne v Melbourne at Blundstone Arena, Hobart, 2.10pm

Head to head: Kangaroos 76 Demons 84 Drawn 1

Last clash: Demons 18.15 (123) bt Kangaroos13.8 (86) R3, 2018 at the MCG

The 12th-placed Kangaroos can finish ninth and the second-last Demons have been this season's greatest disappointments. So there's very little in this dead rubber. North are coming off a massive win over Port Adelaide and look way too strong.

Key: Ben Brown. The North spearhead took the Coleman Medal lead with his 10-goal haul against Port and leads GWS ace Jeremy Cameron by four.

Tip: Kangaroos by 50 points

Geelong v Carlton at GMHBA Stadium, Geelong, 4.35pm

Head to head: Cats 100 Blues 117 Drawn 2

Last clash: Cats 11.7 (73) bt Blues 5.15 (45) R10, 2018 at GMHBA Stadium

Geelong's inconsistency has cost them top spot and they must beat the resurgent Blues to secure a home qualifying final. The Cats have not won two in a row since the bye and a shock loss here would be disastrous. The Blues will fancy their chances.

Key: Patrick Cripps. A combination of an ear infection and Jack Steele's tagging meant a quiet game for the Blues co-captain last week. If he can regain top form, the Blues are a chance.

Tip: Geelong by 15 points.

Gold Coast v GWS at Metricon Stadium, 7.25pm

Head to head: Suns 4 Giants 8

Last clash: Giants 19.12 (126) bt Suns 6.7 (43) R11, 2019 at Giants Stadium

The Suns are limping to the end of a nightmare season and have a 17-game losing streak. They are no chance against the Giants, despite the problems at their fellow expansion team. GWS just need a win after two bad losses.

Key: Jeremy Cameron. The Giants forward returns from injury for his 150th game and needs a bag against the Suns to regain the Coleman lead from Brown.

Tip: Giants by 20 points

West Coast v Hawthorn at Optus Stadium, 8.10pm

Head to head: Eagles 28 Hawks 23

Last clash: Eagles 11.11 (77) b Hawks 9.17 (71) R15, 2019 at the MCG

If only the Hawks had kicked just a bit straighter in round 15. Instead, they must upset the Eagles at home and hope for a Bulldogs loss to make the finals. West Coast have to win and hope other results go their way for a home qualifying final.

Key: Josh Kennedy. The Eagles star failed to kick a goal against the Hawks in round 15. The last time he did so was the 2015 grand final loss, also against Hawthorn.

Tip: Eagles by 20 points

SUNDAY, Aug 24

Western Bulldogs v Adelaide at Mars Stadium, Ballarat, 1.10pm

Head to head: Bulldogs 23 Crows 21

Last clash: Crows 9.9 (63) bt Bulldogs 2.14 (26) R9, 2018 at Adelaide Oval

The Bulldogs are on a tear, with 100-plus scores in three of their past four games and a rise to eighth spot. This one looks beyond the Crows, who are a game plus percentage behind them, with one win from their last five matches.

Key: Jackson Macrae. The Bulldogs onballer torched GWS last Sunday with 39 possessions and seven clearances to continue his outstanding form.

Tip: Bulldogs by 30 points

Richmond v Brisbane at the MCG, 3.20pm

Head to head: Tigers 29, Lions 16 Drawn 1

Last clash: Tigers 16.14 (110) bt Lions 2.5 (17) R4, 2018 at the MCG

Richmond have made full use of their dream run of MCG fixtures, winning all six and boasting an eight-game streak since the bye. But the ladder-leading Lions fear no-one and this is another mouth-watering blockbuster ahead of the finals. The Lions are playing for top spot, the Tigers for a double chance.

Key: Dustin Martin. Look out, the Dusty of 2017 is back. The Tigers star was best afield last week against the Eagles.

Tip: Richmond by 10 points

Port Adelaide v Fremantle at Adelaide Oval, 4.40pm

Head to head: Power 19 Dockers 17

Last clash: Dockers 15.10 (100) bt Power 12.7 (79) R13, 2019 at Optus Stadium

High noon, part two for the SA clubs, with the Power also a game out of the top eight. But Port's inconsistency this season has been woeful and will the Dockers continue the trend of a team winning the week their coach goes?

Key: The venue. Fremantle are 1-7 at the Portress and are yet to beat the Power there.

Tip: Port by six points.