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A preview panel of round 10 of the AFL season.
PREVIEW OF AFL ROUND 10 MATCHES (all times AEST):
FRIDAY, May 24
Sydney v Collingwood at the SCG, 7.50pm
Head to head: Swans 84 Magpies 141 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 20, 2018 - Swans 11.7 (73) bt Magpies 10.11 (71) at the SCG
The second-placed Magpies will rightfully go in favourites at the SCG, but the Swans will have their tails up after their tight win over Essendon at the same ground. The Pies will also be missing key players like Jordan De Goey, Darcy Moore and Mason Cox.
Key: Lance Franklin's inclusion is obviously a massive bonus for the Swans. Buddy will be fresh from the break against a depleted Pies backline.
Tip: Magpies by 21 points
SATURDAY, May 25
Hawthorn v Port Adelaide at UTAS Stadium, 1.45pm
Head to head: Hawks 15 Power 19
Last clash: Round 11, 2018 - Hawks 9.10 (64) bt Power 9.7 (61) at UTAS Stadium
Alastair Clarkson has been frustrated by the Hawks' inconsistency this season, but the team that lost to Richmond has been boosted by the returns of Chad Wingard and James Frawley, and they rarely lose at their Launceston fortress. Power ruckman Scott Lycett is out injured.
Key: Chad Wingard magic. The magical forward will be motivated to put in a special performance against his former side. Can the Power contain him?
Tip: Hawks by 17 points
Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, 2:10pm
Head to head: Bulldogs 80 Kangaroos 78 drawn 3
Last clash: Round 21, 2018 - Bulldogs 13.14 (92) bt Kangaroos 12.13 (85) at Marvel Stadium
The Dogs were in decent form before they were beaten by the Cats and can't afford to drop this one against the 17th-placed Roos. Brad Scott's men have played better than their 2-7 record suggests and will fancy their chances.
Key: Young Bulldogs forward Aaron Naughton had a quiet day against Geelong, but returns to the ground where he equalled the contested mark record just three weeks ago.
Tip: Bulldogs by 6 points
Adelaide v West Coast at Adelaide Oval, 4:35pm
Head to head: Crows 21 Eagles 25
Last clash: Round 15, 2018 - Crows 12.16 (88) bt Eagles (12.6 (78) at Adelaide Oval
The Eagles needed some Liam 'flyin' Ryan magic to help them get over the line against Melbourne last week. The defending premiers aren't playing their best football, but they've managed to string together three straight wins. Adelaide's four-game winning run came to an end last week when they lost to Brisbane by one point.
Key: Contested ball. It's an area West Coast have struggled in all season. If they can break even in that aspect, they are a good chance of victory.
Tip: Crows by 7 points
Gold Coast v Geelong at Metricon Stadium, 7:25pm
Head to head: Suns 2 Cats 8
Last clash: Round 23, 2018 - Cats 22.10 (142) bt Suns 5.10 (40) at GMHBA Stadium
Geelong notched their fifth win on the trot with a 44-point triumph over the Western Bulldogs. In complete contrast, Gold Coast have now lost five in a row, with the latest a 38-point loss to the Power. The Suns lost their two matches against Geelong last year by a combined 187 points. .
Key: Can Gold Coast break even with Geelong's star-studded midfield?
Tip: Cats by 47 points
Richmond v Essendon at the MCG, 7:25pm
Head to head: Tigers 94 Bombers 104 drawn 4
Last clash: Round 22, 2018 - Tigers 12.9 (81) bt Bombers 11.7 73) at the MCG
Essendon's seven-point win over Fremantle wasn't pretty, but at least it ended their three-match losing run. However, the news that star forward Joe Daniher (groin) will miss the rest of the season has dealt Essendon's finals hopes a major blow. Richmond continued to defy their injury crisis by posting a 36-point win over Hawthorn.
Key: Dustin Martin returned to top form last week with 37 disposals, 10 clearances, and two goals. But with ruckmen Ivan Soldo (suspended) and Toby Nankervis (groin) out, Martin will need to work even harder to win his own ball.
Tip: Tigers by 14 points
SUNDAY, May 26
Melbourne v GWS at the MCG, 1.10pm
Head to head: Demons 6 Giants 5
Last clash: Round 23, 2018 - Demons 15.12 (102) bt Giants 8.9 (57) at the MCG
The Demons played their best game of the season last week - but came away with a 16-point loss to West Coast. GWS bounced back from their shock 33-point loss to the Hawks with a resounding 93-point smashing of Carlton.
Key: Can GWS end their MCG hoodoo? The Giants have won just twice in their 16 visits to the home of football.
Tip: Giants by 29 points
St Kilda v Carlton at Marvel Stadium, 3.20pm
Head to head: Saints 55 Blues 162 drawn 2
Last clash: Round 17, 2018 - Saints 16.20 (116) bt Blues 7.10 (52) at Marvel Stadium
The heat is on Carlton coach Brendon Bolton following last week's embarrassing 93-point loss to GWS. St Kilda were brave against Collingwood last week before fading late.
Key: Carlton's midfield bull. Patrick Cripps was restricted to just 12 disposals and one clearance last week. Can St Kilda do the same?
Tip: Saints by 5 points
Fremantle v Brisbane at Optus Stadium, 5.20pm
Head to head: Dockers 14 Lions 13
Last clash: Round 15, 2018 - Lions 18.11 (119) bt Dockers 9.10 (64) at Optus Stadium
All eyes will be on Lachie Neale when the star Lions recruit returns to his former stomping ground. Neale's hot form has helped transform Brisbane into a legitimate finals contender. Fremantle's own finals hopes are on thin ice following three straight losses.
Key: Fremantle's forward entries. The Dockers have plenty of firepower in attack, but they need to start hitting targets.
Tip: Lions by 4 points.