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 six remaining games in Round 6.
Collingwood versus Port Adelaide
Nick Daicos 30+ disposals and 3+ clearances
It’s not exactly a hot take to tip Nick Daicos to have a big game, but that’s what makes him one of the biggest certainties in the competition.
The superstar Magpie gave Port Adelaide headache after headache last season, racking up a combined 57 disposals and 10 clearances across Collingwood’s two meetings with the Power in 2023.
In seasons past, Port midfielder Willem Drew would typically be assigned to the opposition’s most prolific ballwinner, but with the success Drew is having running free this season, Ken Hinkley may not be willing to give that up.
If Daicos is allowed to take the game on his own terms, he’s going to dominate this Saturday afternoon clash.
Ivan Soldo & Jordon Sweet combine for 35+ hitouts and a goal
With Ken Hinkley making the call to rest spearhead Charlie Dixon this week, Jordon Sweet comes into the side to provide some equivalent size.
Making his debut for the Power this weekend, Sweet will become part of a promising ruck tandem with Ivan Soldo, who will undoubtedly spend more time up forward in the Dixon role.
We’ve only seen this on-field dynamic in pre-season so far, however it indicated how effective it can be with Soldo up forward, kicking the opening goal against Fremantle in a March match simulation.
By no means are we expecting this duo to dominate in their maiden home-and-away appearance, yet the Soldo/Sweet tandem should at least hold their ground against Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox.
Jack Makeham
Carlton versus GWS
Walsh to gather 30+ possessions
It was hard not to be taken by Sam Walsh’s return last week.
Playing his first game for the season, Walsh was everywhere against Adelaide to gather a stunning 34 possessions (15 contested).
The fact he won his own hard ball is a big positive coming up against a tough Giants midfield and expect him to take further positives from the run.
His Marvel Stadium record also makes for impressive reading.
Green for 25+ touches, 5+ clearances
One of the game’s best midfielders coming off a poor showing last week is a recipe for trouble for Carlton on Saturday.
Green was beaten by Saints skipper Jack Steele in Round 5 and will be eyeing a big bounce back to the form he’d displayed earlier this year.
He’s had over 30 touches three times already this year and last time he played the Blues at Marvel Stadium, Green had 35 possessions and eight clearances.
By and large, he’s unstoppable when on song.
Hugh Fitzpatrick
Brisbane versus Geelong
Daniher to kick 2+ goals
Joe Daniher was one of the difference makers last time these two sides met, kicking two goals in a low scoring game.
The key forward kicked two majors from over 21 touches and exposed the Cats by getting high up the ground and working back hard.
He’s had 14 shots at goal in the last two weeks and has had at least two shots on goal every game this year.
Expect him to be a factor on Saturday night.
Jack Bowes for 15+ disposals, 2+ centre clearances
Saturday night’s contest will say plenty about how Jack Bowes fares this year.
The former Sun has spent the last two weeks as a pure on-baller and has put his best foot forward.
Coming off six centre bounce clearances last week, expect Chris Scott to give him a go up against one of the league’s best midfields to see how he fares.
If Bowes is one of the Cats’ best again, he could find himself in there for the rest of the year.
Seb Mottram
West Coast versus Fremantle
Harley Reid to collect 20+ disposals and 5+ clearances
Who else would it be other than the Eagles sensation?
Following a relatively quiet start to the season, Reid has exploded in his last two outings.
He’s combined for 45 disposals and 11 clearances in the last two games and with his fitness only increasing as time goes on, expect him to continue this rich vein of form.
Despite Fremantle’s strong midfield unit, we fully expect the youngster to rise to the occasion of the Western Derby and mark his authority on the game early.
Josh Treacy to kick 2+ goals
Fresh from a three-goal performance against Port Adelaide, expect Treacy to have a field day against the Eagles.
Despite their victory last week, West Coast have conceded the third most points across the competition and often at the cause of opposing key forwards.
Treacy has kicked a goal in every game this year and we can expect him to exceed this against the third worst defence in the league.
Luke Jackson’s potential move up forward will take much of the attention away from Treacy, so expect him to kick an absolute minimum of two goals.
Harry Attiwill
Sydney versus Gold Coast
Chad Warner to gather 25+ disposals and kick 1+ goal
Following a bye round, expect Sydney’s midfield to be fit and ready to fire against the Suns.
Warner has started the season in fine form, with five goals through the opening five rounds, alongside 24.4 disposals per game.
His attacking prowess allows him to gather plenty of the ball inside 50, always providing a goal-scoring threat.
He’s hit precisely 25 disposals in his last two outings and had 24 the week before, which gives us enough confidence that he’ll achieve this benchmark again.
Mac Andrew to take 8+ marks
Andrew has burst on the scene this year revitalising the Suns defence.
He’s become a proficient interceptor averaging nine marks through two games, expect this to continue in a match-up against Sydney which will see the ball in the Suns defence a whole heap.
Fellow Suns defenders Charlie Ballard and Sam Collins usually get assigned to the opposition tall forwards, allowing Andrew to roll off his man to take a plethora of marks.
He has taken eight or more marks in both games he’s played in this year, he should be able to do this again on the weekend.
Harry Attiwill
North Melbourne versus Hawthorn
Powell to gather 25+ possessions
There’s no reason for Tom Powell not to have a big performance on Sunday evening.
George Wardlaw out means more midfield time and he’s up against a midfield that has been simply dreadful in recent weeks and hit a new low in Round 5.
Powell’s only had under 25 touches once this year and if he’s going to be a star of the future, this is a perfect chance to stamp his credentials for all to see.
He’ll know that, too.
Meek to enjoy 15+ disposals, 20+ hitouts
Players at Hawthorn who can be trusted week in and week out are few and far between.
But Lloyd Meek’s record since coming into the team presents as a consistent one. Beaten by Jarrod Witts last week, Meek still had 11 possessions and 23 hitouts in the dirtiest day the Hawks have had in a long time.
Up against Tristan Xerri, expect Meek to take it to the Roos ruckman as he continues to improve.
Seb Mottram
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