Back for another year, 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 Friday games of Gather Round, with Brisbane taking on North Melbourne and Port Adelaide hosting Essendon.
Brisbane versus North Melbourne
Neale for 25+ disposals & 8+ clearances
Friday evening marks the second consecutive year Brisbane and North Melbourne have met in Gather Round.
The only thing to change in 2024 is the venue, this time in Norwood instead of Mount Barker.
Back in Round 5 last year, Lachie Neale went bananas when these two sides faced off and is in the form to do so again.
With many teammates struggling for touch, Neale has come back as strong as ever and enjoyed 35 touches last week against Collingwood in a near-best-on-ground performance.
No team needs a win more than the Lions this weekend, so expect Neale to lead from the front.
Curtis to kick at least one goal from multiple shots
Paul Curtis looks to have gone to a new level in 2024 and is flying under the radar.
Tipped to break out last year, Curtis enjoyed a solid but not breathtaking season. In 2024, he’s booted seven goals across the first three weeks and took the Carlton defence to task early in last week’s clash.
The strongest player on North’s list and a 21-year-old who oozes X-Factor, Curtis will have a say in Friday’s contest.
Seb Mottram
Port Adelaide verus Essendon
Marshall to kick 2+ goals
Up against an Essendon backline that doesn’t have a notable second tall key defender, Marshall should indulge in plenty of opportunities up forward and at least bag two majors this week.
With only five goals kicked so far this year (four of them being in one game), Todd Marshall would be eager to begin building consistency in his game this season and this week’s match seems like the ideal way to get off and running.
Draper and Goldstein to combine for 60+ hitouts
Two elite ruckmen going up against an average ruckman? This smells like a big day out for the Bomber big men.
Ivan Soldo hasn’t played against two ruckmen by himself in a game this season so far and this could be the game where we see the true power of having Sam Draper and Todd Goldstein in the same side.
If Essendon was to win this week, this matchup will be a major reason why they are able to get over the line.
Zac Sharpe
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