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A preview panel for the remaining eight matches in round five of the 2019 AFL season.
PREVIEW OF REMAINING AFL ROUND-FIVE MATCHES (all times AEST):
FRIDAY, April 19:
North Melbourne v Essendon at Marvel Stadium, 4:20pm
Head to head: Kangaroos 57 Bombers 98 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 15, 2018 - Bombers 19.11 (125) bt Kangaroos 16.12 (108) at Marvel Stadium
If last week's win over Adelaide was a much-needed circuit breaker, a Good Friday victory would really get the Kangaroos' season going. Their challenge is to prevent another Bombers blitz, with Essendon booting 37 goals in their past fortnight. Will Essendon's plethora of scoring options prove too much?
Key: Speed kills but so does efficiency. The Bombers rarely wasted a forward entry during last week's win over Brisbane and will look to repeat the dose.
Tip: Bombers by 17 points.
West Coast v Port Adelaide at Optus Stadium, 8:10pm
Head to head: Eagles 15 Power 18
Last clash: Round 21, 2018 - Eagles 9.8 (62) bt Power 9.4 (58) at Adelaide Oval
It was bad enough for Port when Luke Shuey's match-winning goal after the siren knocked the Power out of the 2017 finals. Then it happened again with Jeremy McGovern breaking Port fans' hearts after the siren late last season. It's been smooth sailing for the Eagles' flag defence and they'll be comfortable favourites at home.
Key: McGovern. Expect West Coast's intercept marking specialist to feast on a Power side who have a habit of spraying it inside-50.
Tip: Eagles by 22 points
SATURDAY, April 20:
Greater Western Sydney v Fremantle at UNSW Canberra Oval, 1:45pm
Head to head: Giants 4 Dockers 4
Last clash: Round 4, 2018 - Giants 11.16 (82) bt Dockers 7.9 (51) at UNSW Canberra Oval
The Giants battled through adversity last week, defeating Geelong at GMHBA Stadium for the first time after losing Callan Ward to an ACL injury. Nat Fyfe is back for Fremantle, while GWS forward Toby Greene will miss another week. Still, the the Giants should comfortably account for a Dockers outfit who continue to lack polish.
Key: Jeremy Cameron. The Giants' forward has been in imposing form and Fremantle might even throw Jesse Hogan into the backline to combat him.
Tip: Giants by 43 points
Melbourne v St Kilda at MCG, 4:35pm
Head to head: Demons 121 Saints 92 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 15, 2018 - Saints 18.11 (119) bt Demons 18.9 (117) at MCG
It was hardly convincing but last week's win over Sydney means the Demons are finally on the board. Can they get on a roll and start to live up to their potential? The depleted Saints have proven they won't be easybeats this season, scoring an impressive win over Hawthorn last week to sit 3-1.
Key: Tom McDonald and Sam Weideman. Will this be the week when the Melbourne key forwards build on what has been a fairly average start to the year?
Tip: Demons by 24 points
Richmond v Sydney at Marvel Stadium, 7:25pm
Head to head: Tigers 107 Swans 87 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 15, 2018 - Tigers 14.9 (93) bt Swans 11.1 (67) at Marvel Stadium
It was a seriously impressive win by the Tigers last week over Port Adelaide without any of their big four. They'll get Dustin Martin back this week and will look to build nicely into the Anzac Eve clash with Melbourne. Meanwhile, there are storm clouds over a Swans side who have registered just one win.
Key: Martin v George Hewett. The hard tag is back in vogue and Sydney will be hoping the tenacious Hewett can replicate Matt de Boer and get under Dusty's skin.
Tip: Tigers by 29 points
SUNDAY, April 21:
Western Bulldogs v Carlton at Marvel Stadium, 1:10pm
Head to head: Bulldogs 55 Blues 87 drawn 4
Last clash: Round 22, 2018 - Bulldogs 10.6 (66) bt Blues 7.7 (49) at Marvel Stadium
The pressure is mounting on Brendon Bolton and his winless Blues. Have they forgotten how to win? It looked that way against Gold Coast last week, and a big lift will be needed to stop the Bulldogs' talented midfield brigade, led by in-form Marcus Bontempelli.
Key: Carlton's dysfunctional forward line. Charlie Curnow, Mitch McGovern and Harry McKay have talent to burn but must start working together.
Tip: Bulldogs by 8 points
Adelaide v Gold Coast at Adelaide Oval, 4:40pm
Head to head: Crows 11 Suns 0
Last clash: Round 6, 2018 - Crows 16.14 (110) bt Suns 9.8 (62) at Adelaide Oval
After a putrid display against North Melbourne last week, underwhelming Adelaide need whatever spark they can get. Can Eddie Betts' 300th game ignite the Crows? Few are more beloved at West Lakes than the electric small forward. The Suns are 3-1 but have never beaten Adelaide.
Key: Courage. For the Crows, that means daring to take the game on and abandoning the stagnant, possession-heavy style that failed them last week.
Tip: Adelaide by 25 points
MONDAY, April 22:
Hawthorn v Geelong at MCG, 3:20pm
Head to head: Hawks 74 Cats 89 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 21, 2018 - Hawks 10.11 (71) bt Cats 8.12 (60) at MCG
Of all the annual marquee fixtures, this one tends to deliver the most thrillers. Ladder leaders Geelong are favourites on paper but the Hawks love sticking it up to their old rivals. Ultimately, the Cats' class should prevail against a Hawthorn side hurt by injuries.
Key: Tim Kelly. Geelong's smooth-moving midfield gun will be eager to bounce back after being shut down last week by GWS tagger Matt de Boer.
Tip: Cats by 10 points