What an amazingly competitive season, littered with upsets and a few “corpses” as far as the coaches are concerned.
With round 19 coming up this weekend – there are only four home-and-away games after that – there is only one encounter that does not have at least some significance as far as finals places are concerned.
That is the clash between 15th placed St. Kilda, under replacement coach Brett Ratten, and Melbourne – once a premiership favourite – which is 17th on the ladder.
The weekend opens with a vital clash between a wobbling Collingwood outfit and a resurgent Richmond.
The Magpies have won the last two times they have met and Brody Grundy can be expected to have an important dominance in the ruck.
But with captain Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin and Jack Riewoldt leading the way Richmond can gain revenge for defeats in last year’s preliminary final and round two.
Another of the feature matches will be between the Western Bulldogs and Fremantle at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
The new coach syndrome led to the Bulldogs having the club’s finals hopes dented against the Saints last weekend while the prospects of the Dockers were boosted by a one-point victory Sydney.
However, the Bulldogs should bounce back to notch another victory.
Last Week: 6
2019 Total: 87
Richmond by 12pts
Brisbane Lions by 16pts
Carlton by 16pts
West Coast by 29pts
St. Kilda by 23pts
GWS Giants by 20pts
Western Bulldogs by 8pts
Geelong by 30pts