There’s something in the distant breeze, it’s not quite here yet but it’s getting closer.
No, it’s not the big event in France, it’s the AFL Finals series and the convoluted ladder is getting closer to sorting itself out in the coming weeks.
With only a handful of games remaining for each team to play, almost every team has something to play for in the next few weeks and for some, the margin for error is already at zero.
Things kick off with a bang on Friday night at Marvel Stadium with the only all-top eight clash between Carlton and Port.
Check out our full range of tips and previews below.
Heading into the weekend, Carlton will be far more concerned with maintaining the gap on the chasing pack than trying to chase down Sydney.
However a desperate Port side will not be the easiest outing, even with this game at Marvel with the Power desperate to stay in the top eight.
It is no surprise to see the Blues as clear favourites though, they won the most recent game between the two back in Round 12 by a comfortable 36 point margin.
With both teams suffering some minor setbacks in recent weeks I’m expecting this one to be a bit closer than that game, but the Blues should still come out on top.
One of three teams already with one eye on the end of season trip, how much of a fight are we really expecting from North here?
They have played a couple of close games recently, although Carlton’s wayward kicking kept the score a bit closer than it perhaps could have been last week.
Giving them some hope of an upset here is the fact the Cats were flat out atrocious last week against the Bulldogs.
When Geelong loses this season, they tend to lose a couple in a row so the more I look into this, the more I become convinced we might actually see a surprising win.
Then I remember it’s North so I might want to play it a bit safer and take the underdog with the handicap rather than straight up.
Out of all the Q-Clashes in history, this will go down as one of them for sure.
When they faced off back in May, the Lions were not made to pay for their inaccuracy in front of goal with their 10.19.79 line good enough to beat the Suns at the Gabba.
Add in their red hot recent form and it’s no surprise to see them favoured in this market.
But how much of an impact is the fact this is at the Solar fortress that is People First Stadium?
The Suns have gone 9-1 as the home team, averaging over 100 points per game, although the Lions road record is not as bad as it could be considering their early season malaise.
This one really could go either way, but I’m expecting plenty of points so the over looks like an easier call than trying to pick a winner.
With 14 points between these teams on the ladder, a late run to the finals seems unlikely for the Saints, but wouldn’t they love to dent the Bombers hopes?
To be fair, Essendon may be doing the job themselves with the way they are playing.
Just one win from their last four and they haven’t exactly faced a nightmare inducing part of the fixture list.
Sure the Saints are not travelling much better, but for this one I’m happy to take on the Bombers as their wobbles extend for another week.
Another pivotal fixture ahead on Saturday night with the Giants eying a spot in the top four, and the Dees hoping to edge closer to the finals picture following last week’s disheartening 50-point loss to Fremantle.
GWS is the in-form side heading into this contest with impressive wins over Carlton and Gold Coast over the last few weeks, and it’s fair to say they are one of only a handful of teams peaking at the right time.
Playing on the road is the big knock when it comes to the orange tsunami, but their run through the midfield and potency up forward should present challenges for a Melbourne side nursing key injuries to Max Gawn and now, Christian Salem.
The second inter-state Derby game of the weekend sees Fremantle take on West Coast in a must-watch grudge match.
Elliot Yeo and Harley Reid dominated when these two sides met earlier in Round 6, the Eagles pulling off a famous victory that will arguably go down as one of their best during this disappointing campaign.
It’s worth noting the Dockers were coming off a rough two-week stretch in Adelaide last time they met however, while you only have to watch last week’s beat down over Melbourne to know this side means business.
Unfortunately, I think West Coast’s purple patch during the post Adam Simpson era has run out, and with Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw getting plenty of the footy last week, this shapes as a nice percentage booster for Justin Longmuir’s squad.
We should learn plenty about the Pies on Sunday in this must-win fixture against the hapless ‘Tiges.
Last week’s blowout defeat to Hawthorn may have already put a pen through the reigning premiers’ chance at a repeat, but with Richmond riding a serious five-game losing skid, this does shape as a nice bounce back game for Craig McRae’s men.
Collingwood has won two of their last three against the yellow and black, but the Tigers are starting to regain health at the right time with Dusty Martin and Tim Taranto likely to return to action this week.
That said, the Tigers were annihilated in contested possessions last week against Port and -16 in clearances, two danger signs going up against a Collingwood outfit that, at their best, is typically very strong in both departments.
Potentially the most fascinating game of the weekend between two sides that could almost be called rivals at this point.
The Swans return home to Sydney after letting a comfortable lead against Brisbane slip away last week – a loss felt in more ways than one with Tom Papley suffering a serious ankle injury.
The Dogs, on the other hand, are another side peaking at the right time – Luke Beveridge’s men picking up a second straight win in impressive fashion last week down at The Cattery against Geelong.
Looking back, the Swans have held the wood over the Dogs, extending their streak to three in a row with a dominant 14 point win earlier in May.
The Dogs rued missed opportunities in front of goal that day, while it’s worth noting their last win at the SCG came way back in 2020.
From a betting perspective, this late Sunday afternoon clash offer surprising value considering the form Hawthorn has been in of late.
Still sitting outside the eight, the Hawks have caught the world by storm over the last six weeks, adding Collingwood to their recent list of scalps on the back of some Jack Ginnivan brilliance last week at the MCG.
The Crows, meanwhile, have salvaged something late in the season with back to back wins over the Saints and Bombers, although last week’s nail-biting two-point win was another case of Adelaide failing to play out a full four quarters.
Playing in Adelaide is always tough for the best of teams, but the Hawks do strike the Crows at an opportune time with Jordan Dawson missing through concussion, and both Jordon Butts and Nick Murray also suffering respective injuries.
The key for Hawthorn will be starting fast and taking control early like they did last week, and with confidence oozing from the forward line and Jai Newcombe taking control through the midfield, it’s hard to ignore the value on offer for the brown and gold.