Hi there and welcome to another week of the Interestometer, where we run our critical eye over the upcoming round of matches and in our humble opinion, decide which are worth flicking the box on for and which you’d be better off catching up with your mates!

Round 18. Boy, time flies when you’re having fun. Just six rounds of footy before the ridiculous pre-finals bye. Clubs are jostling for position, although it has to be said the current top eight has a look of finality about it, even if the positions within the eight may change.

So let’s take a look, what’s grabbing our eye this week.

#1 – Crows (7th) v Bombers (8th)

Chat about the Crows v Bombers here >>

For the third week in a row the Bombers are playing in one of, if not, the star attraction of this round. Yet another genuine eight point game. Only percentage separate these two teams at present. The winner will go a game clear, while the loser leaves the door ajar for Port Adelaide or the Dogs to take their place in the finals. This is a MUST WATCH game.

#2 – Giants (6th) v Pies (2nd)

Chat about the Giants v Pies here >>

Not so long ago the talk was the Giants were ready to challenge for the premiership. All of a sudden, poor form plus a raft of injuries to star players sees them literally limping to the end of the season. They’re lucky they’re playing at the Sydney Showgrounds because one feels the Pies would have taken them to the cleaners on the MCG. Or will the Pies suffer from a hangover from their amazing win out west. Oh yeah, they are travelling back from the west to then go ever so slightly north. About as much back-to-back travel the Pies ever get handed! It should be a cracking game. These two teams rarely play out a blowout so it should be a great game. Let’s hope so.

#3 – Lions (3rd) v Kangas (12th)

Read the preview thread for the Lions & Kangas here >>

The Lions are absolutely flying. Lots of talk this week they could go all the way. Can they? The Kangas haven’t been too bad themselves. Yes, they lost last week… in the last 17 seconds, in what was an amazing game. Cunnington escaped suspension again (as he should have!). At the Gabba it’s hard not to see the Lions racking up another win but the Kangas form over the past 5 weeks suggests they won’t have it all their own way.

#4 – Cats (1st) v Hawks (11th)

Read the preview thread for Cats v Hawks here >>

Yeah yeah, I know, biggest modern day rivalry and all that, but have you watched these two teams this year. With our track record it’s likely this will of course be yet another epic but it’s hard to see how. Cats are absolutely flying while the Hawks are struggling. I’m sure it’ll be a big crowd on Sunday, just not sure it will be that great a game.

#5 – Saints (15th) v Dogs (10th)

Read the preview thread for Saints v Dogs here >>

The Dogs are one of two teams sitting just the one game outside the eight. They’ve built some momentum these past few weeks. Of course the Saints sacked their coach on Tuesday and as always, how will the team respond following the coaches sacking. Amazingly this will be third time this season the Dogs have played a team rebounding from sacking their coach (kind of!). They lost to the Kangas in Brad Scott’s last game as coach but just got over the line against Carlton after they bumped Brendan Bolton from the top job. They’ll be hoping they can dodge another bullet this week, that’s for sure.

What do you think? Did we miss one or two? Honourable mention to the Tigers and Power but suspect Tigers will turn it into a non-affair.

Give us your tips and expectations for Round 18 here >>

ROUND 18 Full Fixture

Friday, July 19
Adelaide v Essendon, Adelaide Oval, 7.50pm
Saturday, July 20
Richmond v Port Adelaide, MCG, 1.45pm
Carlton v Gold Coast, Marvel Stadium, 2.10pm
GWS v Collingwood, Sydney Showground Stadium, 4.35pm
Brisbane Lions v North Melbourne, Gabba, 7.25pm
Fremantle v Sydney, Optus Stadium, 8.10pm
Sunday, July 21
Geelong v Hawthorn, MCG, 1.10pm
Melbourne v West Coast, TIO Traeger Park, 3.20pm
St Kilda v Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium, 4.40pm