Friday night's match between Fremantle and Geelong will be a significant one for Andrew Mackie as he becomes just the 15th player to reach 250 games at the Cats. And the defender also happens to be one of the club's most decorated players with three premierships and an All-Australian jumper to his name. The match at Domain Stadium looms as a bit of a banana peel game for Geelong who are aiming to avoid three losses in a row in the same season for the first time since 2006.

Tigers, Bombers might need sunglasses

Don't be surprised if Richmond and Essendon players do a lot of squinting on Saturday because their match at the MCG will mark the first time the two sides have played each other during the day since 2009. Indeed, the last 12 meetings between the Tigers and Bombers have been at night time so there'll definitely be a different feel to the game. And Richmond had better be on their game because the bottom-of-the-ladder Dons have put in some impressive performances recently and are knocking the door down for their second win of the year.

Kangas out to arrest worrying slide

What a topsy-turvy year it has been for North Melbourne. Everything was looking peachy when, for the first time in their history, they started a season with nine consecutive wins and sat two games clear on top of the ladder. But all of a sudden the Kangas are staring down the barrel of five consecutive losses for the first time in seven years and have slipped to eighth spot. Their task of achieving their first win since Round 11 will be made easier with the inclusions of key players Jarrad Waite, Daniel Wells and Nick Dal Santo for their clash with Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Triple century for Thompson

Adelaide's Scott Thompson, one of the best and most underrated midfielders of the modern era, reaches his 300th game on Saturday night when the Crows do battle with Collingwood at Adelaide Oval. If Thompson played for a Melbourne club, he would undoubtedly be given more credit than perhaps what he has received. Very few players have matched Thompson's consistency over such a long period, as evidenced by his career average of 23.5 disposals per game. The 33-year-old is a two-time best-and-fairest winner, earned All-Australian honours in 2012 and ranks fourth all-time for most disposals in a game (51 against Gold Coast in 2011).

The vibe is right

After being unsighted at senior level for the past three months due to a shoulder injury and, more recently, a club-imposed suspension for an altercation with teammate Zaine Cordy, highly-paid key forward Tom Boyd makes his long-awaited return to the Bulldogs line-up against Gold Coast on Saturday night. Given the Suns have lost Ablett, Rischitelli and Prestia for the match in Cairns, it looms as an easy kill for the Dogs and could serve as the ideal scenario for Boyd to ease back into top-level footy with finals around the corner. With the second worst percentage in the top eight, the Bulldogs would also be keen to cash in as it could prove to be the difference between a double chance and a cut-throat final in the second weekend of September.

Saints aiming to extend monster winning streak

If St Kilda defeat Melbourne on Sunday, it will be their 15th consecutive win over the Demons and represent the Saints' biggest ever winning streak against any club in their 120-year history. Helping the Saints' cause is the fact that Melbourne have only won one of their last 24 matches at Etihad Stadium. There's a bit of Groundhog Day about this one. The last time these two sides met was in Round 6 at the same venue. The Dees headed into that match in better form and as favourites, but got done by 39 points. Once again Melbourne are favourites on the back of superior form. Will it count for something this time?