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 remaining games in Gather Round.
West Coast versus Sydney
McGovern for 20+ disposals
One shining light in an abysmal Eagles side, Jeremy McGovern has had his strongest start to a season, averaging 23 touches across three games.
The innumerous inside 50s they concede sets the stage for McGovern to be involved in a lot of the Eagles’ build-up play and as a veteran and premiership player, he knows where the ball is going to land.
Poised for a match-up against Joel Amartey, expect the former All-Australian to peel off his man to help his fellow defenders at every opportunity.
McGovern should be an absolute disposal accumulator especially against such a forward-thinking team in Sydney.
Grundy for 15+ disposals, 30+ hit-outs
Acting as Sydney’s sole ruck in 2024, Brodie Grundy will have the chance to see a lot of the ball on Saturday afternoon.
Facing off against an Eagles side with Bailey Williams as his direct appointment, ranked 23rd in average hit-outs this season, Grundy is set to have a field day above the shoulders.
With an average of 18 disposals per game this year, Grundy's mobility will give him an edge, especially considering West Coast's backup ruckman is the 20-year-old key forward Jack Williams.
Let’s just hope he doesn’t get sent forward when Sydney inevitably establishes a big lead early on.
Harry Attiwill
Fremantle versus Carlton
Clark to have 20+ disposals
Carlton have allowed the opposition’s back flankers to pick up reasonable amounts of footy in 2024 and Jordan Clark has started the season well with Hayden Young moving into the midfield.
The 23-year-old has picked up 24, 28 and 26 disposals in his three appearances so far as he offers drive and dash out of defensive 50.
20+ should be no problem for him in this game.
Cripps for 25+ disposals
Fremantle aren’t tagging anyone in 2024 so Patrick Cripps should be able to operate somewhat freely on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues skipper is dominant at the contest and has been Carlton’s top disposal getter in their last two games.
He’s averaging 27 touches a game in 2024 and he should get around that number again.
Lock in 25+ against the Dockers.
Lachlan Geleit
Western Bulldogs versus Geelong
Treloar to gather 25+ possessions
Adam Treloar loves playing Geelong and should shine on the big stage of Gather Round.
He’s picked up 64 possessions and eight inside 50s across the last two times his Bulldogs have played Geelong and comes into this clash with good form under his belt after a near-best afield performance against the Eagles last week.
What’s more, he’s been the most dependable midfielder across the Dogs’ first three rounds, attending at least 76 per cent of centre bounces in every game.
Expect him to be at the coalface all night long.
Miers to kick a goal from 20+ disposals
After breaking the goal assist record in 2023, Gryan Miers has been in hot form to start the new season.
At 25 years of age, Miers looks to have taken another step forward and has recorded 20 or more disposals in every game so far.
He’s also added goal kicking to his CV, kicking four through the first three games.
Miers had 19+ disposals and a goal in both times he played the Dogs last year and he’ll be a factor again on Saturday night.
Seb Mottram
Gold Coast verus Greater Western Sydney
Miller to have 25+ disposals & 4+ inside 50s
With some of his midfield running mates starting out the season on fire, Touk Miller has flown somewhat under the radar to start 2024.
Gold Coast’s co-captain has been back to his brilliant ball-winning ways through the Suns’ first three outings, averaging a hefty 29 disposals per game.
The Giants have plenty of punch in their own midfield, yet that won’t stop Miller from getting plenty of the footy.
Hogan to boot 2+ goals
After Bayley Fritsch pulled ahead with a three-goal performance on Thursday night, expect Jesse Hogan to put on a masterclass in order to re-take his lead in the Coleman race.
Hogan has come out of the gates white-hot this season, kicking 12 majors through GWS’ first three games, including a dominant six-goal haul against the Kangaroos in Round 2.
The star forward has booted at least two goals in every appearance so far this season, and we’re backing him to continue that streak against the Suns.
Jack Makeham
Richmond verus St Kilda
Vlastuin to have 15+ disposals, 5+ marks, 3+ rebound 50s
Nick Vlastuin is in All-Australian form to start 2024.
The Richmond defender is averaging career bests with 22.2 disposals, 8 marks and 7.8 rebounds 50s across four games this season.
He has a pretty decent record against St Kilda in recent times, averaging 19.8 disposals, 6.5 marks and 3.8 rebounds 50s in his last six.
Given his hot form right now, we’re backing Vlastuin to again have an impact this time at Norwood Oval with at the very least 15 disposals, 5 marks and 5 rebound 50s.
Ross to have 20+ disposals, 3+ clearances
Seb Ross has put forward some strong recent performances for St Kilda.
Round 1 aside when he had 10 touches and was subbed off against Geelong, he’s been great the last two weeks.
He had 22 touches and 4 clearances against Collingwood in Round 2 before racking up 28 and 6 against Essendon last weekend.
In his last three against the Tigers he’s averaged 26 touches and 4.3 clearances so we’re with him to deliver again in this clash.
The 20-disposal mark should be bare minimum for Ross who should also contribute with at least 3 clearances.
Andrew Slevison
Collingwood versus Hawthorn
Mihocek to kick 2+ goals
Hawthorn are decimated in key defence despite Sam Frost trying his best to quell the influence of opposition talls.
The Hawks gave up a combined 10 goals to Tom Hawkins, Ollie Henry and Jeremy Cameron last week and the Magpies will attempt to exploit them in the air here by taking James Sicily out of the game and leaving Mihocek with a one-on-one matchup.
If the Magpies target does get that kind of matchup, he will have a few opportunities at goal and should finish at least a couple of them.
Chol to kick a goal
Another tip which has come in thanks to injuries, Hawthorn will need Chol to stand up with Mitch Lewis and Nick Watson going down with injury last week.
Simply put, the Hawks will need to put the ball into Chol’s area on plenty of occasions if they’re to get full reward for their inside 50s.
The recruit kicked three last week against Geelong and he’ll hope to have a similar impact against the Pies.
He should kick at least one with the amount of ball he’ll be getting coming his way on Sunday evening.
Lachlan Geleit
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