The AFL media, along with many Sydney supporters, will be approaching Saturday Night’s game as the Grand Final rematch that it technically is. But for Hawthorn that rematch was played last season on Grand Final Day. As far as the Hawks are concerned, they and the Swans are square now, and the match this week is just another opportunity for them to progress further up the ladder. For them the equation is simple: defeat the Swans and they move above them and into the Top 4 where they belong .. The one scenario that would stop that from happening is a draw between GWS and Adelaide. And although the Giants are much improved and preparing for the most important match in their history, the Crow’s far superior record over them (5-0, ave 83 pt margin) should get them over the line. But certainly not as easily as that average margin would suggest.

The early Saturday game between St Kilda and West Coast also shapes to be a close encounter. The previous result was a fairly convincing Eagles victory, but in the two games before that the Saints actually led at half time before fading in the 2nd half to eventually lose. But their 2nd halves have been much better this season, as the win against the Bulldogs showed two weeks ago, so I would expect the Eagles will need to play out a full 4 quarters to win this one .. And on Saturday night while last season’s Grand Final combatants battle it out, this season’s front runners will take on a Kangaroos team looking to push themselves back into the 8. And the recent history between these two makes for an interesting read. The last 4 years have included games with 30+ total goals and games totaling less than 100 pts, a 98 pt rout and last year’s 13 pt Subiaco cliffhanger. Not to mention that both teams have split the last 4 between each other with one away win and one home win each. So despite the Dockers blistering start to this season, this week the result could still go either way.

On Sunday the game of most interest will be Port Adelaide v Richmond. The Power put a much publicised sizable gap on the Tigers in the Finals last year. But this year that gap looks to have already closed back up. We now know how well Port can bolt out of the blocks in their matches, but what has happened to those fast finishes? And Richmond are coming off a hoodoo conquering win over Collingwood last week, so there will be plenty of spring in their step. But how long will it last in front of that very parochial “Portress” crowd? .. The Demons and the Bombers share the Melbourne stage on Sunday, with the Bulldogs looking to avoid 3 straight losses when they play Melbourne at the MCG. And the Lions go for their 3rd straight win when they play Essendon at Etihad who they beat there 2 years ago also in Round 8.

And tonight we have another Grand Final rematch (which makes 3 if you include Essendon v Brisbane). This one from twenty years ago when the Blues take on the Cats. The question has been raised a fair bit through the week as to whether this match even deserves its Friday Night time slot. But we have to remember that football isn’t just about the two best teams putting on a colossal contest for the masses. It’s also about how two of the most prestigious clubs in the competition can respond when their backs are against the wall. Not every team can stay at the top forever, and just because teams get knocked down a couple of pegs, doesn’t mean they don’t have the ability to put on a show. And if last season’s two Friday Night nailbiters between Carlton and Geelong are anything to go by, tonight’s match could well be a classic.

In fact this Round has the potential to throw up a number of classics, and perhaps an upset or two. But the one match that will likely provide us with both classic and upset will be Saturday Night’s blockbuster between Hawthorn and Sydney. The League’s current marquee rivalry has matched up in each of the last 4 Final’s Series, the longest current Finals match-up streak in the AFL. And whether you choose to view it as a Grand Final re-match, or a prelude to what promises to be a 5th installment of this ever growing saga, the Hawks v Swans battle is not to be missed .. Good luck Tipsters!

Geel > Carl
WC > StK
Adel > GWS
Coll > GC
Haw > Syd
Frem > NM
Bris > Ess
WB > Melb
Port > Rich

Last week – 7 / Season Total – 34