The Huddle’s Gather Round came crumbling down after some mammoth weeks on the tip. 

Some of the game’s more prolific ball winners struggled with indifferent Adelaide weather and we were left in the lurch for most of the weekend.

But the beauty of Round 5 means there is about to be a Round 6… On we go...

Carlton Blues vs Collingwood Magpies

Thursday, April 16, 7:30pm AEST - MCG

Once upon a time, this would be must-see TV.

The Pies. The Blues. 90k at the home of footy.

Problem is, both squads are wayward, but there’s beauty in that.

Both teams will arrive at the MCG expecting to win. Carlton’s best around the ball is definitely good enough to trouble a vulnerable Magpie midfield.

Much was made of Patrick Cripps’ time on the bench last week but it shows Voss and his staff are trying to discover ways to remain strong late in the game.

For the Blues to win, big Harry McKay needs to front up and dominate a game. He can and they can.

Head-to-head prediction: Carlton Blues by 5 points.

Betting Tip: Sam Walsh 28+ disposals.

Geelong Cats vs Western Bulldogs

Friday, April 17, 7:20pm AEST - GMBHA Stadium

This looks like a real sharp test for the wounded Dogs with Geelong working into the season as they like to do.

Injuries strike most teams and you’d prefer them at this stage of the season rather than the business end but that’s not going to help them in this clash.

Geelong were pushed for a half by West Coast before extending and gapping the Eagles. The margin should’ve been greater than 46 points.

The Dogs did feel ripe for the picking against Hawthorn in Gather Round and were taken to the cleaners by a sharp squad.

There’s not really a dominant ruck to expose the lack of Timmy English here so the Dogs midfield needs to get to work. Sanders had 25 but too many handballs, Kennedy was down on output and Joel Freijah only managed 17, well down on his recent weeks.

Jeremy Cameron found some form last week with three goals and some contested marks inside fifty. Geelong needs him firing.

Head-to-head prediction: Geelong Cats by 14 points.

Betting Tip: Max Holmes 28+ disposals.

Sydney Swans vs GWS Giants

Friday, April 17, 7:50pm AEST - SCG

I saw the Swans live at Norwood Oval last weekend against strong opposition and my goodness they were good.

Fast, sharp, clean and deliberate in attack and defence. Their contest method was super and all their good players were involved. Heeney was BOG, McInerney kept his strong start going whilst Tommy Papley also played a big part. Grundy was prolific in ruck, too.

GWS got bodies back and dominated a Richmond team looking for answers. Daniels, Greene, Callaghan and Stringer as a mid all looked exceptional. There are more reinforcements on the way so maybe all is not lost in western Sydney.

The Swans have been the dominant side in this inter-Sydney contest and, trust me, Adam Kingsley and the Giants know that all too well.

Head-to-head prediction: Sydney Swans by 13 points.

Betting Tip: Brodie Grundy 18+ disposals.

Gold Coast Suns vs Essendon Bombers

Saturday, April 18, 1:15pm AEST - People First Stadium

Gold Coast’s past fortnight has been disappointing whilst Essendon claimed the major upset of Gather Round.

The Dons stunned the Dees in a gallant effort built on uncontested disposals and overwhelming possession. Whether that’s a sustainable method, we’ll see.

For the Suns, their team defence and contested defence was awfully off the mark early against Sydney. They allowed three gun Swans to get forward of the ball and kick goals – in the first quarter!

Jarrod Witts was well beaten and eventually benched whilst Mac Andrew had some impact in the middle as his replacement. Wil Powell has gone back since Matt Rowell has been back but I’d consider using Powell on-ball and moving the captain back to shed taggers.

This is a lovely “get-right” spot for the Suns and they should really do a number on Essendon.

Head-to-head prediction: Gold Coast Suns by 51 points.

Betting Tip:  Matt Rowell 30+ disposals.

Hawthorn Hawks vs Port Adelaide Power

Saturday, April 18, 4:15pm AEST - Marvel Stadium

The Hawks were presented a golden opportunity to beat the unbeaten Dogs and took that chance in convincing fashion.

Mitch Lewis played his best game in a long while whilst Dylan Moore and Jack Ginnivan were prolific. Jack Gunston kicked a few and things look rosy for the high-flying Hawks.

For Port, the season is interesting. Are they September contenders or are they refusing to rebuild? I’d strongly claim they’re in the latter category.

The Hawks are a force early this season and will be hard to stop here.

Head-to-head prediction: Hawthorn Hawks by 31 points.

Betting Tip: Nick Watson 3+ goals.

Adelaide Crows vs St Kilda

 Saturday, April 18, 7:35pm AEST - Adelaide Oval

The Saints run back-to-back SA games and now run into Adelaide who got the win they so desperately needed to open Gather Round.

 Tom De Koning gets a chance to get busy at ground level against younger Crow rucks whilst many Crows fans hoped Nasiah would become a Crow – now they’ll be desperate to keep him quiet.

This is a game Adelaide should win and must win to remain a top four proposition whilst the Saints are chasing their tail, too. The style of game will also be interesting with both teams playing some dour footy early this season.

Head-to-head prediction: Adelaide Crows by 28 points.

Betting Tip: Tom De Koning 17+ disposals.

North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Richmond Tigers

 Sunday, April 19, 1:10pm AEST - Marvel Stadium

Richmond were blown off the park early against GWS in Barossa and despite holding firm after the first break, ultimately never pushed the men in orange.

A handful of winless games have the Tiger optimists nervous (I was one) and this does arrive as a winnable game.

For the Kangas, the effort - also in Barossa - was solid against the B2B champs.

Young gun Cooper Trembath keeps improving and might even become a Rising Star chance as the season rolls on.

The Roos have a decisive edge around the ball and should be able to command things at stoppage, even with Xerri another week away from returning.

A sixth Tiger loss would be added pain whilst a Roo loss would be surprising and a real setback to their season.

Head-to-head prediction: North Melbourne by 21 points.

Betting Tip: Harry Sheezel 32+ disposals.

Melbourne Demons vs Brisbane Lions

Sunday, April 19, 3:15pm AEST - MCG 

Whether Melbourne read the paper clippings we’ll never know but they certainly were ambushed by Essendon in Adelaide.

The Bombers had 400+ possessions and never really allowed the Dees to get into gear. Steven King will be eager for a response from his men.

Problem is, they run into a team who can click into a gear no one else seemingly has

The Lions were being pestered by North for a while before clicking into overdrive and effectively ending the game.

Hopefully we do see the aggressive Dees, which likely brings out the best in Brisbane, too.

The Lions will be keen to get back to a place where they last played, they took home the silverware for season 2025.

Head-to-head prediction: Brisbane Lions by 23 points.

Betting Tip: Charlie Cameron 2+ goals.

West Coast Eagles vs Fremantle Dockers

Sunday, April 19, 5:10pm AEST - Optus Stadium

A Derby to end Round 6 is fitting.

Freo are going nicely. Winning is all that matters sometimes. They’re not perfect but they’re going well enough to win and look like a contender at season’s end.

Treacy and Amiss are in form whilst Murphy Reid keeps dominating between the arcs.

The Eagles hung tough for as long as their kids would allow last week against Geelong before the dam wall burst open. In the end, they got lucky that 20 of the Cats’ 37 scoring shots were misses.

In Derbies and Showdowns, anything can happen but this feels like a Docker win and further evidence that this group can go deep – maybe deeper than any Fremantle squad has ever gone.

Head-to-head prediction: Fremantle Dockers by 43 points.

Betting Tip: Andrew Brayshaw 27+ disposals.

Odds are subject to change.*