PREVIEW OF AFL ROUND EIGHT MATCHES (all times AEST):
FRIDAY, May 10
Sydney v Essendon at SCG, 7.50pm
Head to head: Swans 88 Bombers 131 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 19, 2018 - Bombers 15.19 (109) bt Swans 10.6 (66) at Marvel Stadium
While the Bombers have shown glimpses this season, they've been found wanting against top-tier opponents. Losing to bottom-placed Sydney would be a major blow. Lance Franklin remains out for the rebuilding Swans.
Key: The Swans gave up 77 forward entries during last week's loss to Brisbane. They can't repeat that effort given Essendon's forward firepower.
Tip: Bombers by 31 points
SATURDAY, May 11
Western Bulldogs v Brisbane at Mars Stadium, 1.45pm
Head to head: Bulldogs 19 Lions 18
Last clash: Round 8, 2018 - Bulldogs 16.11 (107) bt Lions 14.9 (93) at Marvel Stadium
Playing in often cold and windy Ballarat will be a first for most of the Lions cubs. At 5-2, Brisbane shape as genuine finals contenders. But the Bulldogs are formidable when up and about as they were last week against Richmond.
Key: Aaron Naughton. Can the Bulldogs prodigy back up his stunning five-goal haul against the Tigers?
Tip: Brisbane by 10 points
Carlton v Collingwood at MCG, 1:45pm
Head to head: Blues 127 Magpies 125 drawn 4
Last clash: Round 14, 2018 - Magpies 11.13 (79) bt Blues 9.5 (59) at MCG
Collingwood looked ominous during last week's dominant win over Port Adelaide, while Carlton were plain hopeless in a 58-point capitulation to North Melbourne. The pressure is on the Blues to prove they're still on the road to improvement.
Key: Who stands up for Carlton? The Blues appear to have no answers when Patrick Cripps is kept quiet.
Tip: Magpies by 39 points
Gold Coast v Melbourne at Metricon Stadium, 4:35pm
Head to head: Suns 3 Demons 9
Last clash: Round 20, 2018 - Demons 21.17 (143) bt Suns 7.5 (47) at MCG
The drama involving Steven May meant the Dees didn't have long to celebrate their much-needed win over Hawthorn. But there's optimism things are finally turning around, while the Suns have fallen back into the pack after a bright start.
Key: Max Gawn, as always for Melbourne, but particularly so against Suns ruckman Jarrod Witts, who has been in stellar form.
Tip: Demons by 26 points
St Kilda v West Coast at Marvel Stadium, 7:25pm
Head to head: Saints 18 Eagles 29 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 11, 2018 - Eagles 16.5 (101) bt Saints 14.4 (88) at Optus Stadium
West Coast were happy to bank the four points against Gold Coast but they'll need to do a lot better to overcome a St Kilda side that has toughness in spades. Talk of a premiership hangover will intensify if the depleted Saints prove too good.
Key: Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling. The pair looked much better last week against the Suns and will stretch the Saints' undermanned backline.
Tip: Eagles by 17 points
Port Adelaide v Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, 7:40pm
Head to head: Power 22 Crows 23
Last clash: Round 20, 2018 - Crows 13.18 (96) bt Power 14.9 (93) at Adelaide Oval
Both rivals go into this celebrated match-up with 4-3 records but the Crows will be gunning for four straight, while the Power need to bounce back after a disappointing loss to Collingwood. Ladder positions rarely matter here but only percentage separates sixth-placed Adelaide from Port in seventh.
Key: The Power have been hit hard by injury. If they can find a way to overcome the losses of Ollie Wines, Brad Ebert and Tom Jonas a famous victory awaits.
Tip: Crows by 14 points
SUNDAY, May 12
North Melbourne v Geelong at Marvel Stadium, 1.10pm
Head to head: Kangaroos 63 Cats 98 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 12, 2018 - Cats 14.12 (96) bt Kangaroos 8.11 (59) at GMHBA Stadium
With Joel Selwood and Zach Tuohy back from injury and Patrick Dangerfield overcoming a sore knee, the ladder-leading Cats look too strong despite the Roos' impressive win over disappointing Carlton last week.
Key: North looked to take some positive steps with their pressure game against the Blues but they'll to lift that by several notches.
Tip: Cats by 29 points
Hawthorn v Greater Western Sydney at MCG, 3.20pm
Head to head: Hawks 3 Giants 3 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 15, 2018 - Giants 13.17 (95) bt Hawks 13.6 (84) at Giants Stadium
Hawthorn players will get their first chance to respond after Alastair Clarkson labelled his team "middle of the road" after a loss to Melbourne. Despite a heavy injury toll, GWS have played some scintillating footy this season and will be looking to strengthen their hold on a top-four spot.
Key: Can the Hawks stop Jeremy Cameron? If the runaway Coleman Medal leader's hot streak continues the Giants very likely win.
Tip: Giants by 27 points
Fremantle v Richmond at Optus Stadium, 5.20pm
Head to head: Dockers 16 Tigers 20
Last clash: Round 7, 2018 - Tigers 15.20 (110) bt Dockers 4.9 (33) at MCG
The Tigers had the look of a team at tipping point with injuries to key personnel in a lacklustre loss to the Bulldogs, while the Dockers nearly frustrated the Crows out of it at Adelaide Oval. David Astbury is a big in for Richmond but Daniel Rioli and Nick Vlastuin depart.
Key: Can Tom Lynch shake off his recent form woes? The high-priced Tigers recruit has managed just one goal in his past three games and he'll need to fire.
Tip: Dockers by 10 points
