Old Dog Hoping For No Pie On His Face

New Dog, old tricks: Travis Cloke. Photo: Getty Images

Travis Cloke won't have to wait very long to face his old club. His new outfit, the Bulldogs, meet Collingwood in a Friday night blockbuster at the MCG. The premiership Magpie's meeting with his former teammates will be one of the talking points of the round and if he gets the yips in front of goal early, Collingwood supporters will no doubt enjoy the fact they can finally be the ones who revel in his wayward kicking rather than tear their hair out as a result of it.

Slice Of History Up For Grabs For AFL Women

Brisbane Lions were undefeated through the regular season. Photo: Getty Images

After seven weeks of entertaining competition, the inaugural AFL Women's season reaches its crescendo on Saturday when the undefeated Brisbane Lions take on the barnstorming Adelaide Crows in the first ever grand final at Metricon Stadium. While the league didn't get its wish by having the game staged at the Gabba, it still promises to be a must-watch match-up between the AFLW's best teams. The title of first-ever Women's champions has a nice ring to it and given Fitzroy won the VFL/AFL's fist grand final back in 1898, it would be very fitting if the Lions did the same thing on the weekend.

Dons, Hawks Lock Horns In Emotion-Charged Match

Opposing captains Dyson Heppell and Jarryd Roughead. Photo: Getty Images

There are more storylines in the Essendon-Hawthorn match than you can poke a stick at. Some 80,000 fans are expected to attend this one and with good reason. Firstly, the majority of the Bombers' 11 previously banned players will play their first home-and-away matches since 2015. Secondly, new Hawthorn captain Jarryd Roughead will play his first game since the 2015 grand final after recovering from a cancer scare. And how will Jaeger O'Meara go in his first game since 2014 in new colours? So much to look forward to, it promises to be an unforgettable night at the MCG.

Which Up-And-Comers Will Get Out Of The Blocks Faster?

There are great expectations for the Saints this season. Photo: Getty Images

They might not have finished in the top eight last year but such is the hype and expectation surrounding St Kilda and Melbourne in 2017, the two sides will feature in one of the most anticipated clashes of the round. It goes without saying that history is on the Saints' side. Not only have they beaten the Demons in their last 14 encounters since 2006, but Melbourne have only won two of their last 30 games at Etihad Stadium which is staging the contest.

Fyfe v Dangerfield II

Fyfe is returning from a long injury layoff. Photo: Paul Kane

It was the individual contest within a contest that sent tongues wagging and leaving the footy world begging for more - Nat Fyfe v Patrick Dangerfield at the Adelaide Oval in 2015. Dangerfield, who was then a Crow, and Fyfe were let loose by their respective coaches and went head-to-head in an epic battle. Fyfe finished up with 40 disposals (26 contested), 14 clearances and 10 inside-50s while Dangerfield registered 38 touches (29 contested), nine clearances and eight tackles. Here's hoping Ross Lyon and Chris Scott allow that to happen again when the Dockers host the Cats on Sunday.

What Will Petrie Dish Up Against North?

Petrie, left, admits playing against North will be weird. Photo: Getty Images

Travis Cloke isn't the only celebrated veteran taking on his old side on the weekend. Drew Petrie will lock horns with his former Kangaroos teammates on Sunday too when his new team West Coast travels to Etihad Stadium. Petrie is a North legend, having played the second-most games at the club (316) and kicked the sixth-most goals (428). He was one of four players controversially delisted prior to Round 23 last year so there would be more than a hint of irony if the 34-year-old had a day out. He admitted a few days ago he would feel "weirdness" facing the Kangas.