If

you've got dinner plans for Saturday night ...

 then ... scrap them. Get yourself in front of a big TV by 7.40pm AEST and sit back and enjoy Showdown 42. We’ll back it in as THE game of 2017.

If

we're buying shares in a player this week ...

 then ... we're definitely investing a lot of folding on Eric Hipwood. Loving the rawness, the toughness, the ability, the awareness, the presence.

If

there's one name we want to see when Sunday teams are finalised on Friday ...

 then ... it is Harry McKay. Come on, Bolts! You've teased him, and us, long enough. Pick him. He deserves it.

If

there is a player who we're worried about this round ...

 then ... it's Henry Schade. Will be up against Sam Reid or Bud, or both. Love the fact he's getting a go as a rookie at a second club, just hope he gets enough help at the SCG.

If

Daniher and McDonald-Tipungwuti booted nine goals between them in The Replacements team of last year when the Bombers last played the Blues ...

 then ... we've got 'em down for a dozen this weekend. And that'll be enough for a third consecutive win.

If there's something we may have got really wrong this year, and last year for that matter ... then ...  it could be our undying faith in Ross The Boss. We’re now wavering. Called in the lawyers. Preparing the papers.

If you're Rhys Stanley and you're getting dropped in round three ... then ... the signs aren't great.

If we know Tony Cochrane like we think we know Tony Cochrane ... then ... despite all the legitimate emotion, he won't be allowing a smooth passage for Gaz back to the Cats. And that's fair enough. But boy, no matter what happens from here, things are going to get even more interesting.

If Ryan Griffen is to be really honest with himself ... then ... he needs to lift. Significantly.

If there's pressure on Rocket and the Suns ... then ... there's just as much, maybe more, on Clarko and his Hawks. Massive game to finish round three.

Hawks could be 0-3 for first time since 2005. Picture: AFL Photos

If Goody's done one thing since he's taken over as the main man ... then ... it's doing things his way, every time. Watts realised that in the off-season. Brayshaw realises it now.

If you succumb after a 31-point lead late in the third quarter ... then ... it's ordinary, no matter the opposition. Need to respond to that fadeout this week.

If

we've been delaying something this past fortnight ...

 then ... it is jumping on the Sam Powell-Pepper bandwagon. We'll buy seat 1A, though, if he's among the best in the Showdown.

Sam Powell-Pepper has added plenty of spice to the Power. Picture: AFL Photos

If the Tigers want to be taken seriously ... then ... they either defeat, or lose narrowly, to the Eagles. Have done what they had to do in weeks one and two, but not sure they’ve beaten any form of quality.

If

there's a team with no excuses this weekend ...

 then ... it is the Saints. Time to open the win account. Resoundingly.

If there's a more spectacular best-10-goals-of-a-career package than that created by AFL.com.au this week for Bud ... then ... it could only belong to Gaz snr, Daics, Eddie Betts, Duck, Stevie J, Blighty, Aker or Allen Jakovich..

If

Kennedy versus Rance doesn't get you excited ...

 then ... you're a full-on bore.

Josh Kennedy v Alex Rance is a mouth-watering match-up. Picture: AFL Photos

If there was one thing Trav didn't need right now after a really positive start to his new football life ... then ... it was his old man having a retrospective crack at Bucks. Last time we checked, Trav himself had classily moved on. Besides, Trav's 30 years old and can speak for himself. And didn't want you speaking for him.

And by popular request ...

If Tim Worner felt he needed to resign from his post as a Sydney Swans director in order to "relieve pressure on the board and the club and let them concentrate on the business of football" ... then ... does the AFL also need to seek to address the same issue for the same reasons with its host broadcaster, of which Worner is boss? Maybe. Maybe not.

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Follow Damian Barrett on Twitter: @barrettdamian