TWO CLOSE results in the past two weeks and a few injury concerns have some people starting to doubt the Cats, but I don't think they'll have too much trouble accounting for Carlton tonight.

The Blues have been okay this year, though they're still lacking that little bit of experience across the ground which means you are going to see some ups and downs from them.

When they come up against a hardened team like Geelong that inexperience is likely to be shown up.

Carlton has struggled at times on the big stage this year, but that's all part of the development of a young side. They’ve been doing pretty well against middle to lower-ranked sides, but they need to start making some inroads against teams like Geelong.

Even if they don't win, a result within three goals should be regarded as a plus for their development.

Big Fev is the key with Matthew Scarlett and Harry Taylor out. He's going to have to kick eight or nine and without those two key defenders there he might be a chance. But he might not see the ball down his way too often if Geelong's midfield gets on top as I suspect they will.

Down the other end Cam Mooney has had some issues with his goal kicking this year, but with Michael Jamison out of a defence already missing Jarrad Waite, I think Moons will thrive against some Carlton backs he will have the edge on strength-wise.

Hawthorn v St Kilda
This game was made all the more interesting with all the outs for the Saints, but I still think they'll win.

It will be a real test to see how low they bat and that's the question that every team has to answer at some point. Once you lose some of your key players, how well will the younger players that come in stand up?

If this happens come finals time, can Ross Lyon trust these guys who haven’t been regulars throughout the season?

The outs are obviously all quality players but when you look at the inclusions, Michael Gardiner has been in magnificent form, Luke Ball is a class player who has something to prove and Zac Dawson has been a revelation down back this year.

Youngsters Jack Steven and Jarryn Geary will be desperate to have an impact as well with the side poised to make a strong run at the flag.

Ball's omission has baffled me a little bit. Twelve months ago if you had have said that he would be playing in the twos because they didn't have a spot for him you just would have shook your head. It will be interesting to see how he goes.

The Hawks haven't had a great year and they struggled again last week against Port. Footy is such a confidence game, the Saints have plenty of it and they come up against a team that doesn’t seem to be playing with much confidence at all.

The key will be early in the game. If St Kilda can lead at quarter time then I think that will put the Hawks back on their haunches a bit and that self-doubt will start to creep in.

Sam Fisher's late withdrawal evens this one up further again. People have been waiting for the Saints to stumble all year and they’ll be kept waiting again.

Fremantle v Port Adelaide
When you look at Fremantle's team there is still enough quality there to get over the line. Matthew Pavlich, Paul Hasleby, Chris Tarrant, Aaron Sandlilands and David Mundy are all good players and I think they can give the Power a shake.

This is probably their final and I reckon they'd love the opportunity to put a dent in Port's finals chances.

Peter Burgoyne's year has been an interesting one. He's a quality player, but he's just gone missing at times and if he makes it into the squad he'll be desperate to reassert himself. He'll be a really important player in the finals if Port were to make it.

Brett Ebert also falls into that category a bit, but being a small forward you tend to cut him more slack because it's very hard to be consistent in that position.

On their day the Power can beat just about anyone, but when they're off, they're a mile off. Eighth is probably a fair indication of where they're at, but it remains to be seen which Port side will show up on Sunday.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.