Round 19 of the AFL concludes on Sunday with the clash between Collingwood and Essendon at the MCG the highlight, while Carlton also face Greater Western Sydney and the West Coast Eagles entertain St Kilda.
Collingwood are on fire at the moment when pushing themselves right into contention for the minor premiership but they have had a couple of close calls in recent weeks.
And they will be in for a tough test against big rivals Essendon who have hit some form of late and will be keen to burst the Magpies bubble at the MCG.
Carlton also remain in the hunt for the top four but need to get back on track following a couple of defeats and the clash against the Giants will be viewed as a must-win game.
St Kilda are pushing to get back in the top eight and are another side in desperate need of a win if they wish to play finals.
They head to the west to take on an Eagles side that have won just two games all season but will be hoping to finish the campaign strongly.
Three games to look forward to then so let’s take a look at all the team news and form as we head towards a busy day of action.
What: Carlton v Greater Western Sydney
Where: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
When: 13:10 (AEST) Sunday 24th July 2022
How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel
Odds: Carlton 9/50, GWS 4/1
Carlton are struggling for consistency at the moment and have been unable to string back-to-back wins together. It is something that is damaging their chances of pushing their way into the top four.
Slipped to a defeat to Geelong last week and need to bounce back against a Giants side that are struggling.
They have a tough run-in to the season when they face Brisbane, Melbourne and Collingwood in the last three games, so the next two against the Giants and Adelaide are huge.
Will Hayes is out through suspension and George Hewitt is injured but coach Michael Voss has included Lochie O'Brien, Mitch McGovern and Will Setterfield.
GWS have won just one game in the last five. And that was on home soil against Hawthorn. The two sides met back in May with Carlton winning by 30 points.
Josh Kelly, Jesse Hogan and Tom Green are all missing for GWS but Adam Kennedy, Braydon Preuss, Kieren Briggs and Zach Sproule have all been included.
What: Collingwood v Essendon
Where: MCG, Melbourne
When: 15:20 (AEST) Sunday 24th July 2022
How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel
Odds: Collingwood 3/4, Essendon 11/10
Collingwood came out on top by 11 points when the two sides met in the reverse fixture on Anzac Day earlier in the season and they have gone from strength-to-strength since then.
The Magpies are one of the form teams in the AFL and have won the last eight games on the bounce to jump to sixth on the ladder. There is a possibility of moving third with a win here.
Their last four wins have not been convincing though. They have edged past GWS, Gold Coast, North Melbourne and Adelaide but have managed to get the job done, which is all that matters.
It could be another close one against Essendon who have found some form when winning four out of the last five games.
Collingwood are boosted by the return of Isaac Quaynor and Taylor Adams.
There are no changes for the Bombers as they look to keep the good times rolling. They may be out of finals contention but are showing great form.
Sydney, Brisbane, St Kilda and GWS have all been put to the sword in recent weeks. So another upset against the Pies cannot be ruled out.
What: West Coast Eagles v St Kilda
Where: Optus Stadium, Perth
When: 16:40 (AEST) Sunday 24th July 2022
How to watch: 7mate, Kayo, Foxtel
Odds: West Coast Eagles 9/4, St Kilda 7/20
West Coast Eagles are battling to avoid the wooden spoon following a disastrous season. What could go wrong has gone wrong but they will be hoping to finish strongly and get some momentum for next season.
The Eagles won this fixture in 2021 by eight points but a lot has changed since then. They have won just two games this season and have lost the last three.
They could sense an opportunity against a St Kilda side, who are still in finals contention despite losing four of the last five games.
It has to be seen as a must-win game for the Saints if they are to go on and make the top eight. They have games against Geelong, Brisbane and Sydney to come.
Paddy Ryder remains injured which is a blow but Hunter Clark, Jarrod Lienert, Marcus Windhager and Sebastian Ross all come back in.
West Coast have had a nightmare on the injury front this season but welcome back Josh Rotham for the St Kilda clash.
