Cats, Swans kick the weekend off with a bang
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You'd be considered a very fussy individual if you asked for a better start to the weekend than a Friday night top-four blockbuster between premiership contenders Geelong and Sydney at Simonds Stadium. It's second against fourth – the winner stays in touch with ladder leaders Hawthorn, the loser slips two games off the pace and to potentially as low as seventh on the ladder. The game will also be Kieren Jack's 200th game. It will be interesting to see how the Swans co-captain performs following a week he would rather forget in which a bitter family feud has overshadowed his milestone match. Another point of interest is the return of Geelong forward Mitch Clark who will play his first game in 13 months, while Sydney veteran Ted Richards has been selected following a seven-week concussion-related absence.
Treloar set to cop an earful
Adam Treloar has enjoyed a fine season and has been a shining light for Collingwood in a very disappointing year. However, the Magpies recruit is set for arguably his toughest challenge on Saturday when he returns to Spotless Stadium for the first time to face his old Greater Western Sydney teammates. And when you take the Giants' reputation for sledging into account, be in no doubt that they won't miss their target! Treloar's decision to leave a flag fancy for an also-ran will no doubt be a hot topic of conversation. But at least he will have some company in the form of fellow former Giant Taylor Adams who returns to the Collingwood line-up this week from injury. Adams has already played GWS since leaving them at the end of 2013, but that one meeting was at the MCG – this will be a whole new experience. Alex Fasolo is also back for the Pies after overcoming a fractured scapula. Meanwhile, GWS will welcome back star small forward Devon Smith who has been sidelined for the past 11 weeks due to a knee injury.
Melbourne face their NT demons
This season has provided Melbourne fans with more hope than at any stage in the past 10 years. While their gradual development and improvement has been one of the highlights of 2016, they need to keep ticking off boxes to prove that they are on the right track. Beating Collingwood twice in the same season for the first time in 28 years was a big monkey off the back and now they are confronted with another challenge – winning in the Northern Territory. The Demons have lost their last seven games in the Top End and their encounter with Fremantle at Darwin's TIO Stadium on Saturday night provides them with as good a chance as any to break that hoodoo. Plus they also have to start showing their fans that selling home games is a worthwhile venture. The return of former co-captain Jack Grimes for his first game of the season is a good side story, too.
Rischitelli joins an exclusive club
It's fair to say that Saturday's Q-Clash between northern strugglers Gold Coast and Brisbane Lions doesn't exactly whet the appetite. But Suns veteran Michael Rischitelli will join an exclusive club when he runs out on to Metricon Stadium as he becomes just the 38th player in VFL/AFL history to play 100 games for two different clubs. Rischitelli began his career with the Lions in 2004 and played 111 games with them before joining Gold Coast where he has played 99 matches since 2011. It's very fitting that he achieves the unique milestone against his old club.
Timely reminder of Hardwick's record
Speaking of milestones, Damien Hardwick is due to coach his 150th match when his Tigers take on the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night. Given he holds the dubious record of most games coached without a finals victory, it seems apt that he brings up the milestone a week after his club were officially knocked out of finals contention. It will no doubt serve as a time of reflection on Hardwick's tenure at Punt Road Oval. Yes, he was the man that took Richmond to three consecutive finals series for the first time in 41 years, but his inability to oversee a victory in September remains an albatross around his neck. Hardwick is the third-longest serving coach at Tigerland but the only one in the top seven not to have won a final.
Eagles, Kangas with plenty to prove
We are blessed with another top-eight showdown on Sunday when West Coast host North Melbourne at Domain Stadium. Not only are both teams aiming to stay in touch with the top four and a coveted double chance, but they also have plenty to prove. Having not yet beaten a side in the top eight in 2016, West Coast are desperate to shake their tag of "flat track bullies". So a win over the Kangaroos would be a step in the right direction. Meanwhile, after starting the season 9-0 and two games clear on top of the ladder, North have lost four of their last five games – including their last three – to be brought right back to the pack. The Kangas' credibility has taken a battering given their losses have come against contenders Sydney, Geelong, Hawthorn and Adelaide so they would be desperate to reaffirm their legitimacy with a victory over the Eagles on their home deck.