The certainties for every remaining Round 21 game

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 seven remaining games in Round 21 across Saturday and Sunday.

North Melbourne versus Richmond

Xerri & Nankervis to have 55 hit-outs, 25 disposals, 8 tackles & 7 clearances between them

We’re expecting a combative ruck contest between North Melbourne’s Tristan Xerri and Richmond’s returning Toby Nankervis.

Xerri has put together a stellar season for the Roos, averaging 33.5 hit-outs, 16.8 disposals, 7.5 tackles and 6.4 clearances.

Tigers captain Nankervis is a warrior and in 2024 has averaged 33.8 hit-outs, 15.8 disposals, 5.1 tackles and 4.7 clearances.

We are backing them to combine for 55 hit-outs, 25 disposals, 8 tackles and 7 clearances in what should be a very competitive matchup in the ruck.

Andrew Slevison

Geelong versus Adelaide

Ollie Dempsey to kick a goal

The likely 2024 Rising Star winner, Ollie Dempsey is finishing the season in prime form.

He has kicked a goal in all but two games since Round 12 and booted three in the win over the Kangaroos last week.

Expect Dempsey to hit the scoreboard and be a big part of Geelong's performance at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.

Nic Negrepontis

Collingwood versus Carlton

Curnow 2+ goals

Charlie Curnow has kicked at least three goals in all of his last three games and has only kicked less than two goals in a single game once this season.

Up against Collingwood, don’t expect that to change given Curnow has kicked 17 goals from his last five games against the Pies.

His matchup against Darcy Moore will no doubt be scrutinised and expect Curnow to make the most of a couple of his moments on Saturday night.

Lachlan Geleit

Port Adelaide versus Sydney

Warner to have 20+ disposals, 4+ inside 50s

Chad Warner had just 11 disposals in last weekend’s disappointing defeat to the Dogs.

It was his lowest tally since the 2021 Elimination Final and just the second time since the start of the 2022 season that he has been below 15 touches.

We’re expecting Warner to bounce back big time when the Swans face Port in Adelaide. He’s had 50 touches in two outings against the Power.

Warner should have at the very least 20 disposals while delivering the ball inside 50 on at least four occasions.

Andrew Slevison

GWS versus Hawthorn

Whitfield 25+ disposals

GWS star Lachie Whitfield is entering All-Australian form off half-back.

The clean ball user has had at least 30 disposals in each of his last five games and 35 or more in four of those.

Having also collected 30 touches the last times the sides met, which was only in Round 13, surely Whitfield will cruise past the 25-touch marker.

This is an absolute certainty unless the Hawks put some serious effort into tagging him.

Lachlan Geleit

Essendon versus Fremantle

Treacy to kick 2+ goals

After an impressive season, Josh Treacy has earned himself a four-year extension that will keep him at Fremantle until 2030.

Treacy averages 2.2 goals per game this season and has kicked two or more goals in four out of his last five matches.

The 21-year-old seems to enjoy playing on the MCG as suggested by his 12 goals from five outings at the venue, including a four-goal performance against the Tigers last time.

After some magnificent form along with a hefty new contract, Treacy looks primed for another solid performance against the Bombers this week.

Tom Williams

St Kilda versus Brisbane

McCluggage for 20+ disposals

The Lions gun has put together a stellar season to date, averaging 24.9 disposals per game.

The last five games McCluggage has played against the Saints, he has surpassed the 20+ disposal mark.

The powerful midfielder has also notched 20 or more disposals in his last three matches and has reached the same milestone in both of Brisbane’s games at Marvel Stadium this season.

We should be able to pencil him in for another 20 come Sunday.

Tom Williams

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