Both grand finalists from last year currently sit outside the top eight, while Port Adelaide finds themselves in sole possession of top spot through 14 rounds of the 2023 AFL season.
Six teams have their bye this week with the last reduced round taking place.
Our full AFL Round 15 Tips & preview can be found below.
Geelong are in a precarious position in 10th position having lost five of their last six.
The Cats regained some crucial personal for their game against Port last Thursday evening but it was to no avail, going down by 38 points.
The midfield and in particular clearances have been a cornerstone for success at Geelong, but this stat has fallen right away in recent weeks.
They are 14th in clearance differential and 17th in points differential from clearances in the last six weeks which is a huge concern especially considering they lose Patrick Dangerfield again to injury.
Many punters and pundits were singing the praises of Jeremy Cameron during the early part of the season but his form has fallen right away, kicking just six goals in his last five games.
The Dees had a confidence boosting, four point win over Collingwood before their bye, with that margin flattering the Pies.
Melbourne had nine more scoring shots, 10 more inside 50s and eight more marks inside 50 than the Pies and the Dees are firmly entrenched in the top 4.
Only Port Adelaide has scored more points than Geelong this season but it has been the failure to stop the opposition from scoring that has been the issue.
The last six straight games between Geelong and Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium have gone OVER the total match points line but with rain forecast, I would stay away from this market until game day.
This is a must win for the Cats and the fact they are back at home, and the price available, I’ll stick with them.
It wasn’t as comfortable a win as some were predicting, but the Lions once again got the job done at home against the Swans last Friday night.
Even though the Lions butchered many chances, they actually had a resounding 11 more scoring shots as well as 10 more inside 50s than their opposition.
Their midfield is clicking well and they now lead the competition in total clearances by a fair margin (54) as well as center clearances (23).
St Kilda’s inconsistency continues with their win-loss-win-loss record.
Injuries continue to be a problem for them but they take a 8-5 record into Round 15 and this is a great opportunity for them to push for a double chance come September.
Brisbane’s record at the MCG is well documented but that does not extend to the other side of the CBD, having won six of their last seven at Marvel Stadium and in a likely low scoring affair, I’m with the Lions.
This shapes up as an important home game for the Sydney Swans if they want to extend their season beyond August in 2023.
Wallowing in 15th position on the AFL ladder with a record of 5-8 through 14 rounds, this is a must win.
So tight is the competition that the Swans are only eight points behind eighth placed Adelaide, so I wouldn’t be writing them off just yet.
It has been a forgettable season for West Coast with just the lone win this season and they have now lost their last 11 in a row by a margin of 40+ points.
After a bit of a resurgence from the Dockers where they put together four wins in a row including taking the four points against Melbourne and Geelong, Fremantle has just dropped away in recent weeks.
Back to back losses against two sides that were below them on the ladder in Richmond and GWS have them now sitting 13th through 14 rounds.
A 70 point loss to the Giants last weekend is the cause for most concern especially considering they kicked just five goals for the match.
Essendon continue to surprise many in season 2023 and four wins on the trot have them sitting pretty in sixth position.
They beat Carlton before their bye by 34 points and the last time they were in W.A they secured the four points.
I’m expecting a low scoring affair and the home team to get the job done.
Collingwood suffered just the second loss of their 2023 campaign against Melbourne before the bye but they are still very much well placed through 14 rounds.
A patented, late, fourth quarter comeback was not enough this time and they went down by four points at the final siren.
Tex Walker kicked 10 when the Crows ran out 122 point win before the bye against the hapless West Coast Eagles.
Six of their seven wins have come at Adelaide Oval which is concerning not only considering this game will be at the MCG, but they will likely need to travel come finals.
These two teams have met already this season in round 7, a game in which Collingwood won by the barest of margins.
Not only have the Pies won their last 13 straight home games but they have covered the line in their last 10 at the MCG.
Gold Coast blew their chance to move within striking distance of the top eight against Carlton on Sunday, going down by 59 points.
Their two-game winning run came to an end but they are still in the bunch of clubs vying for a finals spot and they get another opportunity against Hawthorn at home.
Hawthorn are not the easy beats many thought they would be this season and they have now won three of their last four.
It is highly unlikely but finals football is not out of calculation especially if they can head the the Gold Coast and knock off another side contending for finals.
The Suns have won seven of their last eight games as a home favourite and their last four straight games have gone over the total match points line.