After another busy week the AFL world now turns their attention to Sir Douglas Nicholls Indigenous Round.
Round 10 sees several clashes commemorating Indigenous culture and the contribution of First Nations people to the sport including Saturday night’s Dreamtime at the ‘G clash between Essendon and Richmond.
Check out out who we think will win each game and why below!
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Port Adelaide v Melbourne
Friday – 7.50pm – Adelaide Oval
Friday night looms as an incredibly intriguing clash between two likely contenders. Can Port Adelaide claim a big scalp and prove their credentials against a Melbourne team that has beaten up on bad teams, but has been so-so otherwise?
The obvious point of difference in this match is Brynn Teakle in the ruck up against Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy. The Demons will have full control in the ruck, though Teakle, Charlie Dixon and Jeremy Finlayson have had an impact around the ground for the Power.
It will be a powerful midfield battle beneath them with Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca and Jack Viney versus Ollie Wines, Connor Rozee and Zak Butters – can the Power trade blows with the Dees in there?
The size advantage for Melbourne will stretch Port Adelaide inside 50 as well, with Aliir Aliir likely to take the resting ruckman, but the Demons will play two key forwards alongside Gawn or Grundy in there.
The Dees have won their last three encounters with the Power, including back to back games at the Adelaide Oval. Those three games have been relatively low scoring, with an average score of 66 between the teams.
Tip: Melbourne by 8
Nic Negrepontis
North Melbourne v Sydney
Saturday – 1.45pm – Marvel Stadium
North Melbourne’s clash against Sydney will take on an added complexion after Alastair Clarkson took indefinite leave from his position as coach to focus on his wellbeing as a result of the ongoing racism investigation.
Brett Ratten will step up and coach the Roos in the interim, as he returns as a senior coach for the first time since his shock sacking at St Kilda in 2022.
On the field, North Melbourne is in badly need of a run after sliding down the ladder after seven straight losses.
Similarly, Sydney is also struggling and is in need of a circuit-breaking victory as they look to recapture the form which saw them make last year’s Grand Final.
After the news around Clarkson this week, Saturday afternoon’s meeting between the Roos and Swans takes on a slightly different look.
But we still expect Sydney to win easily.
Tip: Sydney by 39 points.
Laurence Rosen
Western Bulldogs v Adelaide
Saturday – 2.10pm – Mars Stadium
While the game is in Ballarat, this clash is building as a mini-blockbuster given how the teams are going.
With the Bulldogs having won four-straight and the Crows trending as a genuine finals hopeful, this game could tell us plenty about where both teams are at.
In the last game between the sides, Adelaide prevailed by just one point at the same venue.
In windy conditions, Adelaide were made to rely on their intercept defending with the likes of Tom Doedee and former Crow Billy Frampton dominating, but Matthew Nicks’ side has many other ways to win in 2023.
With one of the competition’s best forward lines, there’s no doubt the Crows have the firepower to win if they control the footy in the front half.
That’s easier said than done now at the moment with the Bulldogs’ on-ball unit in fine form with Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore dominating.
If the Dogs can control the stoppage and not allow Adelaide’s forwards too many opportunities, it will go a long way to securing them a win.
This one should be exciting for all watching.
Tip: Western Bulldogs by 8 points.
Lachlan Geleit
Fremantle v Geelong
Saturday – 4.35pm – Optus Stadium
There have been plenty of games in 2023 where not much would be revealed about either side. But Fremantle’s clash against Geelong isn’t one of them.
Whoever wins on Saturday will have put forward a great performance. The Dockers are starting to find form, so for Geelong to head west and knock them off would re-establish the Cats as contenders after last week’s slip-up against the Tigers.
But Chris Scott’s side – especially with some of the cavalry returning – has still won five of its last six games, kicking 130 points or more in four of them. After knocking off Sydney last week, Fremantle has a chance to record its biggest win of the year and are well-placed to do it.
Over recent rounds, it’s clear to see the changes Fremantle is trying to implement. There’s a bit more speed on the ball while playing a control brand of football, one reminiscent of the Cats prior to 2022.
But there’s one factor that swings the contest in the visitor’s favour. Geelong is among best teams for getting the ball inside 50, while Fremantle is among the worst for rebound 50s.
Given Scott’s forward line is already among the most efficient in the competition, the Dockers are going to have to kick an almighty score to win.
Tip: Geelong by 27 points.
Seb Mottram
Brisbane v Gold Coast
Saturday – 7.30pm – Gabba
Will Brisbane’s win streak come to an end at the hands of Gold Coast in the latest Q-Clash?
It will be a tough ask.
The Lions are rolling right now, having scored triple digits in five of their last six matches and last taking a loss in March.
While they received a bit of a scare last week, trailing at the half on their home turf against Essendon, Brisbane were dominant in the final terms to secure another convincing victory.
On the other hand, Gold Coast have quietly kicked their season into gear.
The Suns have won three of their last four, handling the struggling Kangaroos and Eagles with ease, as well as gritting out a solid victory over the Tigers.
However, Gold Coast most impressive recent performance was arguably in defeat, pushing a stacked Melbourne side to the absolute limit in Round 8, falling by just five points.
The Suns are undoubtedly playing their best football of 2023 right now, yet it doesn’t look like enough to take down the Lions.
History hasn’t been on the side of Gold Coast in the Q-Clash, with Brisbane taking the victory in the last eight contests between the two clubs.
With how dominant the Lions have looked at home this season, having gone undefeated at the Gabba so far, it looks as though Brisbane are set to extend their win streak to seven games.
Tip: Brisbane by 32 points.
Jack Makeham
Essendon v Richmond
Saturday – 7.40pm – MCG
Dreamtime at the ‘G is here for another year.
The annual Essendon v Richmond clash in Sir Doug Nicholls Round is a joyous event and a great under-lights spectacle, celebrating Indigenous players and their respective cultures.
The Bombers enter the 2023 edition on the back of a four-game losing streak, the latest being a 42-point defeat to Brisbane at the Gabba last weekend.
Brad Scott’s side has improved this year and appears a little sturdier in defence than they have been in recent years. That backline welcomes Jordan Ridley in after he missed the Lions loss with concussion, however, Jake Kelly remains sidelined with the same ailment.
There is a gaping hole or two in the middle with Darcy Parish (calf) out and now Will Setterfield (fractured foot) cast aside, which places extra pressure on captain Zach Merrett and Dylan Shiel.
They have to navigate a Tigers outfit that has found form in the past fortnight with wins over lowly West Coast and reigning premier Geelong.
Last week’s 24-point triumph over the Cats was impressive with their renowned manic pressure and rapid ball movement back in vogue, led by veterans Dustin Martin (19 disposals and four goals), Trent Cotchin (three goals) and Tim Taranto (28 disposals, 12 tackles)
Their midfield will lose Taranto’s fellow recruit Jacob Hopper (calf) though.
Damien Hardwick’s Tigers have dominated the Dons in recent times, winning 13 in a row in a streak that dates back to 2014. Eight of those wins have been in Dreamtime games with an average winning margin of 30 points.
Richmond will also honour two milestone men – Nick Vlaustin (200 games) and Shai Bolton (100 games) – which bodes well as they have a decent record in milestone matches which includes Dion Prestia’s 200th last week.
Given Essendon’s personnel issues in the middle and with the Tigers seemingly purring again, the nod must be with the sash of the yellow and black persuasion to continue their winning run in this fixture.
Tip: Richmond by 18 points.
Andrew Slevison
Hawthorn v West Coast
Sunday – 1.10pm – UTAS Stadium
Well, this might be the worst game for the season on paper.
In what’s been dubbed as the ‘Harley Reid Cup’, many expect the loser of the clash between 17th and 18th to finish on the bottom of the ladder and secure the first pick of the draft, giving them access to Reid.
With both sides without a win in their last six games, one team will finally return to the winners’ list … even if it may hurt them in the long term.
While Hawthorn currently sit below West Coast in 18th due to their poor percentage, they’re probably going better than their WA counterparts.
Given that this game is also in Launceston, where the Hawks have won three of six games in the last two years including getting within three points of Adelaide in Round 6, they rightly enter as favourites.
It might be the only time we pick them for the rest of the year, but the Hawks should salute in this one.
Tip: Hawthorn by 21 points.
Lachlan Geleit
Carlton v Collingwood
Sunday – 3.20pm – MCG
On a weekend of enthralling contests, the best is saved for Sunday afternoon.
Carlton and Collingwood produced two of the best games last year, with Craig McRae’s side edging out the Blues in similar fashion on both occasions.
This time around, they meet on different terms. After going in near equal-favourites on both occasions in 2023, the Magpies go in huge favourites in Round 10 on the back of the two sides going in different directions to start the season.
Collingwood has improved off its close finishes last year to lose only one game to start the season amongst a number of close wins. On the other hand, Carlton heads into Sunday’s clash having lost four of its last five and in full knowledge they’re not a finals side on current form.
Since Round 2, and barring games against West Coast and North Melbourne, the Blues haven’t kicked over 74 points.
While ordinarily it’d prove a worrying sign in a clash against a forward line of Collingwood’s ability, the Magpies have been held to four scores of 77 points or under this year.
If Carlton can bring the heat expected of a team after the week they’ve had, Michael Voss could chalk up a fifth win in 2023. They’re not as out of it as one might expect.
But that deals in hypotheticals. Dealing in facts, Collingwood is the premiership favourites and taking on a team outside the top eight.
Tip: Collingwood by 15 points.
Seb Mottram
GWS v St Kilda
Sunday – 4.40pm – Giants Stadium
The Saints head to Giants Stadium in what looks a plucky fixture for Ross Lyon’s side.
St Kilda’s record over the Giants is quite strong, they’ve won their last three clashes by an average of 26 points and all three of those wins have been away from Marvel Stadium.
Both teams are coming off poor showings in Round 9, the Saints were smashed by the Crows by 52 points whilst the Giants were outclassed by the Pies by 65 points.
Max King looks set to play his first game for 2023 following shoulder surgery, a much-needed boost to the Saints considering Tim Membrey will miss with a concussion.
As for GWS, they welcome back Toby Greene from an ankle injury, and it doesn’t need to be said how important he is to their side.
When going well, the Giants are a hard team to face, they play a slingshot style of game that is hard to defend.
Saying they’re hard to play against is one thing, tipping them is another.
If the Saints are legit, they should be beating the Giants by five goals and banking four important points.
Tip: St Kilda by 27 points.
Hugh Fitzpatrick