Damien Hardwick speaks with Jack Riewoldt during a training session. Photo: Scott Barbour

Friday night's match between old foes Richmond and Collingwood might be a contest between two sides who cannot make the finals, but there is going to be plenty of interest in what transpires at the MCG. Tigers coach Damien Hardwick is under the pump despite having two years to run on his contract and the past two weeks have only served to amp up the pressure. Richmond have lost to Hawthorn and GWS by a combined 158 points and scored a measly total of eight goals. Their score of 3.5.23 against the Giants was their lowest in 55 years. If the Tigers produce a third inept performance in a row, Hardwick might have some explaining to do to a board which itself is under threat by a group of coup plotters.

Andrew walks off into the sunset

Andrew Walker and his family after announcing his retirement. Photo: Vince Caligiuri

There is sure to be plenty of emotion for Carlton in Sunday's game against St Kilda as Andrew Walker brings down the curtain on his career with the club after 13 years and 202 games. The Blues have come awfully close to snaring a win in the past three weeks against finals-bound West Coast, Sydney and Hawthorn, so maybe Walker's farewell will give them the impetus to go one better. If they don't, they will lose eight games in a row for the first time since 2007-08 when they strung together 14 consecutive defeats. Also in Carlton's favour is the fact that St Kilda haven't played at the MCG since round three and have lost four of their last six games at the venue.

Another week, another hoodoo for the Demons

Paul Roos addresses his players during the round 19 game against Gold Coast. Photo: Getty Images/AFL Media

It seems as though almost every week that Melbourne are out to break some sort of hoodoo. This round is no exception as the Demons aim to end a 13-game losing streak against Hawthorn. The Dees are no strangers to rival clubs having the wood over them. They have also lost their last 15 against North Melbourne, their last 14 against St Kilda, their last nine against West Coast and their last seven against Port Adelaide. Meanwhile, the Hawks are gunning for 10 wins in a row for the first time since 2013.

Do the Doggies have it in them?

Tom Liberatore is helped from the ground after injuring his ankle against Geelong. Photo: Michael Dodge

Saturday night's game at Etihad Stadium between the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne is intriguing. It will serve as a huge test for the gallant Dogs' oft-lauded depth now that they are missing Mitch Wallis (leg), Jack Redpath (knee), Tom Liberatore (ankle), Jack Macrae (hamstring), Robert Murphy (knee), Matt Suckling (Achilles) and Marcus Adams (foot). The Kangas are slight favourites in this one, but their wins over Collingwood and St Kilda in recent weeks weren't entirely convincing. The Bulldogs have been decimated, but have shown on many occasions this year that they are capable of covering their losses. This will be no picnic for North.

200 up for Westhoff

Justin Westhoff takes a mark against Brisbane Lions. Photo: Bradley Kanaris

Port Adelaide utility Justin Westhoff is set to become just the seventh player to reach 200 games for the Power. However, it's going to take a hell of an effort to ensure it's a memorable milestone match. Their opponents Sydney have won 12 of their last 13 games against Port Adelaide. In fact, the Power have only beaten Sydney seven times from 26 attempts. Port have also lost their last six at the SCG by an average of 38 points and haven't won there in a decade.

Crows, Cats to fill their boots

Justin Leppitsch with his players during round 19 game against Port Adelaide. Photo: Bradley Kanaris

Adelaide Oval and Etihad Stadium look set to play host to some decent thrashings on the weekend with two of the competition's heavyweights pitted against the worst two sides in the AFL. Adelaide face the Brisbane Lions and Geelong tackle Essendon. The Crows have won their last four against the Lions by an average of 56 points and 13 of their last 14 at Adelaide Oval by an average of 45 points. The Lions have lost their three matches at the venue by a combined total of 277 points and haven't won in the City of Churches since 2012. Meanwhile, the Cats have won 14 of their last 16 against Essendon by an average of 46 points and the Bombers are staring down the barrel of an unprecedented 17th loss in a row. All signs point to crucial percentage boosters for the Crows and Cats as they jockey for positions in one of the tightest top eights ever seen.