It's a case of back to the future on Friday night as the undefeated Kangaroos face off with the Western Bulldogs in a top-of-the-table match-up at Etihad Stadium. Fans watching the most-anticipated match of the round might get a sense of deja vu as these two sides battled it out for the minor premiership on a Friday night way back in round 22, 1998, at the MCG. That match was decided by less than a kick and there's every chance we'll get a similarly thrilling outcome this time around. It's a huge occasion for the Dogs who have not played a Friday night match since 2012.

Giants' big chance to make a statement

Greater Western Sydney are slowly but surely becoming a force to be reckoned with. Their form this year has suggested that a maiden finals series is just around the corner and this week they have the chance to make a huge statement when they host Hawthorn at Spotless Stadium on Saturday. GWS failed their first major test of the year when they were downed by cross-town rivals Sydney in round three, but a win over the battle-weary Hawks, who head into this clash on the back of three consecutive hard-fought three-point wins, would be as big of a declaration as any that the Giants have arrived. They will draw confidence from the fact that they toppled the reigning triple premiers at the same venue last year.

Who will be the biggest loser?

Richmond and Port Adelaide might not produce the game of the round on Saturday night, but one thing is for certain – whichever team trudges off the MCG as the loser will feel the full force of the media blowtorch. It's for that reason that this contest will make for gripping viewing. Both teams have been deplorable this season, with just three wins between them from the first five rounds. A loss for the Tigers would almost certainly end their finals hopes after so much expectation heading into the season. The Power seem to be in freefall as a club with shoddy performances on the field coupled with a much-publicised split between the board and the playing group. Another defeat for them would only raise more questions about where they are headed. Richmond will be boosted by the long-awaited return of Brett Deledio, who will play his first game of the year after overcoming a quad injury.

Exciting youngsters make their debuts

Round six will see a handful of highly anticipated debuts take place after Melbourne's former No.2 draft pick Christian Petracca, Sydney's Sudanese refugee Aliir Aliir and the Brisbane Lions' highly touted academy player Ben Keays were all selected to play their first game. All three are great stories. Petracca has overcome knee and toe injuries to finally make his debut 17 months after being drafted and, after being born in a Kenyan refugee camp and arriving in Australia as a seven-year-old, Aliir will complete an incredible journey on Sunday against the Lions where he will line up against Keays – a former two-time under-18 All-Australian and the latest success story from Queensland's development program.

Mini grand final for struggling rivals

How the mighty have fallen. Matches between arch enemies Essendon and Carlton used to be some of the most highly anticipated fixtures of the home-and-away season with the two heavyweights regularly producing memorable contests. But as the two Victorian powerhouses, who share the record for most VFL/AFL premierships (16), wallow near the foot of the ladder, Sunday's meeting at the MCG between the bitter foes doesn't exactly have the same kind of appeal as those from years gone by. However, it does present a chance for both sides to snatch a victory and given the Blues and Dons will lose a lot more than they win this year, this match will be like a mini-grand final for the struggling teams – but don't expect a parade up Collins Street in the lead-up.

Dees out to break Saintly hoodoo

Melbourne have another chance to show how far they have come as a football team when they face St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday. The Demons have not beaten the Saints in 10 years, losing their last 12 encounters in a streak that dates back to their 2006 elimination final clash – Grant Thomas' last match in charge of St Kilda. Melbourne also have a horrendous record at the Docklands stadium, having only just recently snapped a 22-game losing streak at the venue in the final round last year against GWS. After impressive wins against Collingwood and Richmond, if the Dees can get the massive red, white and black monkey off their back this weekend, they will certainly look like they are heading in the right direction.