Back for another week, the SEN.com.au team gives you an insight into how every game will play out across the weekend.
Labelling something a ‘certainty’ in any sport is fraught with danger.
But we’ll attempt to find some anyway.
Here is what we consider certainties for the eight games across Easter Saturday and Sunday.
Essendon versus St Kilda
Darcy Parish to have 25+ disposals
The last time these two sides met Parish put on a genuine midfield clinic.
In Round 3 last year he racked up 35 disposals, 17 kicks and a goal in a clear best-on-ground performance in his side's lose to the Saints.
He returns to the senior side this week after a hamstring injury and I'm expecting him to hit the ground running.
Parish will have a clear run of things at Marvel given Ross Lyon's St Kilda won't use a player to play that defensive midfield role.
Jack Steele to have 25+ disposals
The St Kilda skipper has returned to his best this year.
After completing a full pre-season for the first time in a long time, Steele has played injury free and it's showing on the field.
Steele's had over 25 touches in both games this year and the Bombers have made it clear that they're going to go head-to-head with the St Kilda midfield meaning Steele will have every opportunity to make it three on the trot for 25+ punters.
Hugh Fitzpatrick
Port Adelaide versus Melbourne
Todd Marshall and Charlie Dixon combine for 4+ goals
Port Adelaide’s tall forward duo has been fit and firing through the early stages of the season and they have no reason to slow down on Saturday night.
The pair have kicked nine goals between them through the first two games of the season, with Todd Marshall’s bag of four last week against Richmond standing out as the highlight.
Facing off against a battered and bruised Melbourne backline that is missing their leader in Steven May, Marshall and Dixon could be on for a big performance.
Max Gawn with 15+ touches and 25+ hitouts
It’s time for Max Gawn to reestablish his grip on the title of AFL’s best ruckman.
After a less than ideal start to the season against Sydney in Round 0, the Demons skipper has bounced back resoundingly, dominating in clashes against the Bulldogs and Hawthorn.
Matching up on Saturday against Ivan Soldo, Gawn shouldn’t have much trouble controlling the ruck contest, with a monstrous outing for the big man potentially brewing.
The Power will have to do something drastic if they’re to stop him from going on a rampage at Adelaide Oval.
Jack Makeham
Western Bulldogs versus West Coast
Marcus Bontempelli for 30+ disposals
Coming off the back of an impressive showing against a very strong Gold Coast midfield, Marcus Bontempelli should have a field day against the Eagles.
The Bulldogs skipper 32 touches last week, and 32 touches the last time these two teams faced off, despite the shock upset.
In elite form, we expect to see a strong showing from the Brownlow contender against a young midfield that just doesn't have the class to go with 'The Bont'.
Jeremy McGovern to gether 20+ disposals
The four-time All-Australian looks to be back to full fitness in the early stages of the season and has stood strong in an inexperienced West Coast defence.
From McGovern's 26 touches against the Giants in a smashing last week, only four came outside the defensive 50, where the ball is again expected to live on Sunday.
The veteran will look to have a major presence for West Coast as they push for a repeat of last season's shock result.
Jaiden Sciberras
Richmond versus Sydney
Lynch to kick 2+ goals and take 4+ marks
Tom Lynch was too bad to be true against Port Adelaide last week.
He may have suffered from second-up syndrome in his second game back after almost a year on the sidelines, but his numbers simply weren’t good enough for a gun key forward (1 goal and 0 marks).
The last time Lynch played against Sydney in Round 3, 2021 he helped himself to 3.3 and took eight marks and Tigers fans will be hopping he can have a similar impact this Sunday.
After kicking two goals and taking four marks when returning against Carlton in Round 1, we’re backing Lynch to return to that sort of stats line against the Swans.
Warner and Gulden to combine for at least 45 touches
Chad Warner and Errol Gulden have both had a great start to the 2024 season.
Warner has tallied 26, 27, and 28 disposals in his three games while Gulden has finished with 20, 30 and 24.
Richmond’s midfield allowed Port Adelaide’s star on-ballers Zak Butters and Connor Rozee to combine for 62 touches last week and we get the feeling the Swans pair might do something similar.
Just in case one of them has a subpar game, we’re lowering their combined total to 45 disposals but we’re confident they will get more.
Andrew Slevison
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