The 10 certainties for the Round 13’s Saturday and Sunday games

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 five games in Round 13 across Saturday and Sunday.

Hawthorn versus GWS

Newcombe finds 25+ disposals

After a slow start to the season, Jai Newcombe is looking much more like the dominant player that exploded out of the gates last year.

The Hawthorn ballwinner has been prolific in his previous matchups against the Giants, averaging a tidy 27 disposals per game against the orange tsunami.

With GWS missing several key names for this clash, it’d be no surprise to see Newcombe filling up down in Tasmania.

Hogan boots 2+ goals

There is almost nothing more certain in football than Jesse Hogan kicking multiple goals every week.

Currently sitting third in the Coleman race, Hogan has kicked at least two majors in every game bar one this season, having booted 31 goals for the year so far.

The Hawks haven’t exactly been staunch defensively this season, so it should be business as usual for Hogan on Saturday afternoon.

Jack Makeham

West Coast versus North Melbourne

Yeo 20+ disposals, 7+ clearances

West Coast gun Elliot Yeo is enjoying a stunning season.

The big-bodied midfielder ranks third in the comp for clearances per game and stoppage clearances per game.

Overall, he’s averaging 7.6 per outing in 2024, and against a young North Melbourne on-ball unit, he should at least meet that number again.

As for overall touches, the 30-year-old has picked up 20+ in seven of 10 games this season. He’s only dipped below that number once at home as well, when he came off injured against Essendon.

Fisher 25+ disposals

North Melbourne recruit Zac Fisher is beginning to pick up plenty of footy for thhe Kangaroos.

Since operating as the club’s substitute in Round 7, Fisher has racked up 30 or more disposals in each of his last four games.

The Roos like getting the ball in his hands from half back to utilise his kicking, and that’ll be the same against the Eagles with Harry Sheezel spending some more time on-ball.

He’s every chance to reach 30+ for a fifth straight game, but to be safe, lock him in for 25+.

Lachlan Geleit

St Kilda versus Gold Coast

Sinclair for 20+ disposals & 4+ clearances

Jack Sinclair is enjoying a strong three-week patch, spending more time on-ball after a slow start to the season.  

He’s had at least 15 kicks in every game since Round 9 in a role both inside and outside the contest. Last time Sinclair played Gold Coast Marvel Stadium he torched the visitors with 31 disposals and seven inside 50s in a big win for the Saints.

With his - and the Saints’ - confidence back up, expect similar figures on Saturday night against a midfield that lacks options to curtail him.

Miller for 25+ disposals

Despite their win last week, St Kilda’s midfield failed to give much of a yelp against West Coast. It leaves the door ajar for a player like Touk Miller to fill his boots on Saturday night.

The Suns need to prove they’re a finals contender – and that means winning on the road. There was no better player on the ground in last week’s narrow win over Essendon than Miller, and he’s proven time and time again he can be counted on in the clinches.

He picked up 32 touches last time Gold Coast played the Saints in Melbourne and another 25 disposals in Queensland. Watch for him to be among the Suns’ best, especially if they win.  

Seb Mottram

Sydney versus Geelong

Hayward to kick 3+ goals

Hayward shunned the immense Victorian interest to resign with the Swans on a deal running through to the end of the 2029 season.

What better way to celebrate a new deal? To kick a bag in front of the home fans against a fellow contender.

Hayward has had a fantastic season, leading the Swans with 22 goals through the club’s 11 games, finding the sticks in all of his last seven appearances.

Expect an impressive showing from the dynamic forward.

Cameron to have 20+ disposals

Jezza has enjoyed a new role with the Cats in recent weeks.

Chris Scott has sent Cameron out to the wing, allowing the key forward to find the ball and increase his involvement in the game.

Cameron is an elite field kick, and with his height provides an excellent marking option exiting the back half of the ground.

Jezza will prove an interesting matchup up against Sydney’s wingers in Errol Gulden and Justin McInerney, however, given the young Swans attract plenty of the footy, we think Cameron will get himself involved beyond his averages.

Jaiden Sciberras

Essendon versus Carlton

Ben and Harry McKay to combine for 10+ tackles

The odds certainly weigh against this tip, given the averages of both the twins amount to just four tackles a game.

There’s just a little extra feeling in this one. A battle between two of the competition’s biggest rivals, and the first time in their impressive careers that the twins will line up against each other.

Forget brotherly love, the two keys will be hunting for blood in the long-awaited McKay match up.

With bragging rights up for grabs, expect the brothers to attack one another with full force.

Walsh to have 30+ disposals

Sam Walsh has been phenomenal since returning from injury in Round 5.

Falling below 30 disposals just once this season, Walsh has solidified himself as a proven ball winner.

Off the back of a 34-disposal, 13-tackle performance against Port Adelaide, Walsh looks primed for another big game.

Essendon’s high-tempo, high-turnover game style used against the Suns saw Noah Anderson collect 33, while Touk Miller and Matt Rowell also managed 25+ through the midfield.

Given Walsh’s ability to rack them up, consider 30 extremely achievable.

Jaiden Sciberras

Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au