ESSENDON v SYDNEY SWANS 
ES , 7:50pm AEST Friday, July 27, 2018
- Franklin factor. Buddy likes to play no team more than Essendon. The living legend averages 4.5 goals against the Bombers.
- Francis returns. Aaron Franics will play his first game for Essendon since taking personal leave in February. The 2015 number six draft pick has played just five games for the club.
- With only eight points separating fourth and twelfth there’s so many games left this season that can change what finals will look like.
RICHMOND v COLLINGWOOD 
MCG , 1:45pm AEST Saturday, July 28, 2018
- Sold out already! Incredible. The atmosphere is going to be massive at the G.
- Injuries strike again for Pies. This time Sier and De Goey have gone down. The second one really hurts.
- Debut in front of 90,000+. Have fun out there Liam Baker.
GEELONG CATS v BRISBANE LIONS 
GS , 2:10pm AEST Saturday, July 28, 2018
- I don’t think Cats fans would be very impressed if you told them in January that by round 19 they’d have to keep winning to get into the 8.
- If Lions win this one it won’t be a miracle on grass. There best is looking not far off Geelong’s at all in the second half of this season.
- Harris Andrews back in. Will be great to watch the lanky defender in his first game back since he was concussed by Jeremy Cameron.
GWS GIANTS v ST KILDA 
SPO , 4:35pm AEST Saturday, July 28, 2018
- Last week’s preview said that Sydney would be looking to make up percentage by punishing the Suns. It was a great reminder how even this competition is. Ladder positions and home games don’t give you the four points. Grit and determination do. Giants will probably win but there are no certainties in footy.
- That said how good do the Giants look at the moment? Last four games were against top 8 teams and they came away with three wins. They are now bound for finals, wouldn’t want to catch them there.
- Richardson has swung the axe since his Saints were humbled by the Tigers. Coffield and Acres should add run and class to the side.
ADELAIDE CROWS v MELBOURNE 
AO , 7:10pm ACST Saturday, July 28, 2018
- Hoo boy this should be good. Crows are on the warpath and Melbourne should be scrapping like hell after dropping a sitter in the last quarter of rd 18.
- Walker is back but Doedee is out. That’s pretty much a zero sum game, that’s how good the Rising Star candidate has been in defence this year.
- Very unlikely both of these sides play in September. Loving the number of mini-finals this round.
GOLD COAST SUNS v CARLTON 
MS , 7:25pm AEST Saturday, July 28, 2018
- Lukosius Cup round 2? Nope. Carlton have got the spoon locked away after the Suns upset the Swans last week.
- Time to show something Blues. We know the injuries have piled up in what was already a disastrous season but dig deep. There is talent there.
- Gold Coast should only improve this week with the return of hard nut David Swallow.
NORTH MELBOURNE v WEST COAST EAGLES 
BA , 1:10pm AEST Sunday, July 29, 2018
- Last chance saloon for North Melbourne. Drop this one at their windy Taswegian fortress and it’s season over.
- Kennedy not a flier. The spearhead is staying in Perth and North fans have a far away look in their eyes again.
- Watch Jack Darling light it up in Kennedy’s absence. Reckon he’ll love the extra space to run into.
FREMANTLE v HAWTHORN 
OS , 2:40pm AWST Sunday, July 29, 2018
- Hawks are in the 8 by 0.8 of a percentage point. Doubt they’ll be doing it easy in Perth.
- Sandilands out with a calf makes it easier though. Mitigates the loss of Ben McEvoy for Hawthorn.
- Harley Bennell scratched himself for this game. Makes you wonder if the desire is there when he has played so little footy in the last few years.
WESTERN BULLDOGS v PORT ADELAIDE 
MARS , 3:20pm AEST Sunday, July 29, 2018
- Time to rebound Port. The top four spot they looked destined for just two weeks ago is slipping away.
- Great to see Bontempelli back. Horrible season for the Dogs but watching him play makes the pain go away a bit.
- Pack your scarf. Forecasted for a maximum of 8 celsius in Ballarat.
