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Richmond vs Carlton:

Thursday, March 22
MCG

This game is the annual gift that keeps on giving for the rest of the AFL fan base. Not because of the excitement or the quality of football, but because both of these sides usually begin the season with a lot of optimism. although usually misplaced. One of these sides usually comes crashing down on the first night of the season, it's great.

However, this season Richmond is in a very foreign position. They have come in with the ultimate success, so I imagine even in the worst of scenarios tonight it would be hard to bring them back down too far from the clouds that their fans are understandably still floating on.

And Carlton on the other hand probably aren't expecting anything special against the reigning premiers, so the interest levels for this game aren't as high as usual.

I'll be looking out for a Richmond premiership hangover, otherwise the Tigers should take this one home easily.

Richmond by 32 points.

Essendon vs Adelaide:

Friday, March 23
Etihad Stadium

This should be an interesting time for a couple of reasons.

Essendon, after a few years in the wilderness after THE saga, returned to the finals last year. Since then they have traded very aggressively and very well I must begrudgingly admit. Their fans are understandably full of optimism, though I'm not sure their ascent will be as rapid as they expect.

Adelaide on the other hand, were great last year. Right up until the very last day of the season, where they truly capitulated in the Grand Final. Afterwards, they started to show signs of a bit of instability within the playing ranks in the way the whole Jake Lever departure was handled.

I'll be looking out for any signs of emotional scarring that might hold them back this year.

I expect the Bombers to make the most of the home state advantage, though the manner of an Adelaide loss will be the talking point if they go down in a bad way.

Essendon by 19 points.

St Kilda vs Brisbane:

Saturday, March 24
Etihad Stadium

St Kilda would want to show that they're breaking out of the holding pattern in which they've found themselves in recent years. On the other hand, Brisbane will want to show that the steps they've taken both on and off the field are resulting in on-field improvement.

St Kilda by 23

Port Adelaide vs Fremantle:

Saturday, March 24
Adelaide Oval

Two sides that are hard to predict as far as this season goes, so this will be an interesting game to start to gauge some sort of form line for these sides.

Fremantle have been flat for a few years now and have been building from the ground up, giving experience to their youth.

Port Adelaide have traded aggressively and on paper have improved their list significantly, and will fancy their chances at success this season.

Port Adelaide by 30 points.

Gold Coast vs North Melbourne:

Saturday, March 24
Cazaly's Stadium

Two of the sides expected to more or less have terrible seasons get to meet right at the beginning for all of us to gauge just how terrible these sides are in comparison to one another.

It's quite puzzling that Gold Coast would start their season playing on neutral territory and give up a home game in that way. They've only ever won two games out of seven attempts at Cazaly's Stadium and I'm afraid that this decision will probably cost them one of few wins they were going to have this season

North Melbourne by 8 points.

Hawthorn vs Collingwood:

Saturday, March 24
Melbourne Cricket Ground

This should actually be a pretty good game. Hawthorn has had the wood over Collingwood for a number of years. Both sides are hoping to prove critics wrong and show that they can be relevant in 2018.

I feel that Collingwood is starting to turn their tide in well, being under Hawthorn's thumb for so long. Hawthorn has lost some experience players so I expect them to stagnate if not further decline.

Collingwood by 24.

Greater Western Sydney vs Western Bulldogs:

Sunday, March 25
UNSW, Canberra

Another puzzling example of a side beginning their season playing on foreign ground for their home game. I might be wrong but I can't find any example of GWS having played here before, so this could cost them.

They're a better side than the Bulldogs and want to show that they're recovering from their premiership hangover last season.

GWS will want to show that they have the maturity and leadership needed to dominate the competition and win the flag, as many have been expecting them to be in a position to do this by now.

GWS by 15 points.

Melbourne vs Geelong:

Sunday, March 25
Melbourne Cricket Ground

Melbourne will be hungry to avenge their heartbreak at the end of last season, and Geelong have their holy trinity in action (if Dangerfield gets up). Both sides should be more or less around for finals this season and I think this should be a pretty good game.

Melbourne by 12 points.

West Coast vs Sydney:

Sunday, March 25
Optus Stadium

West Coast will be wanting to welcome their new home with a win and Sydney will be fancying their chances to be a force this year. I personally think the Swans won't quite be top-four material this season and the home-ground advantage and atmosphere will help the Eagles over the line.

West Coast by 15 points.

_{Cover photo credits: By Flickerd (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons}

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_{Author: @farq
Editor: @liberty-minded}

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