If

you haven't got pay-TV ...

 then ... scrap and scrounge to get it by 4.40pm AEST Sunday. Or find a mate who does. One of the season's most anticipated matches.

If

you've got Hipwood, Andrews, Schache and McStay ...

 then ... the spine, in a few years, may be vying to be the best in the comp. Need to keep Schache.

The Lions need to keep Josh Schache. Picture: AFL Media

If

you set up too defensively for too long ...

 then ... you're going to lose your players. Understand why Bolton did that against Power last week, but the Swans are vulnerable in round six and he needs to attack from the outset.

If

the Pies lose to the Cats ...

 then ... the round seven game against the Blues will loom menacingly.

If

James Kelly is out of this game, rested ...

 then ... we're buying that. He's 33, and into his 16th AFL season. But Aaron Francis "rested" too? That's more difficult to buy.

Aaron Francis (right) was 'rested' after his first game this season. Picture: AFL Media

If Ross The Boss can lift the Dockers to a fourth straight win ... then ... we'll conveniently forget we were considering abandoning our undying faith in him after the opening two weeks of the season.

If Hawkins keeps kicking bags ... then ... Harry will keep playing forward.

If you're already without May, Thompson and Hanley ... then ... you can ill afford to lose Swallow. Would've been a big chance against the Roos if fully fit, might still be anyway.

David Swallow is being 'managed' this week. Picture: AFL Photos

If Leon Cameron's got the keys to a Ferrari ... then ... on Friday night he'll be racing against Bevo's equally appealing American muscle car. As it was in last year's prelim final, a fascinating, tactical race awaits us.

If Clarko finally got a result he wanted after a week of punching on with journos and commentators ... then ... he'll probably plan to do it again at some stage of 2017. Look out.

If there's one thing that doesn't matter to Jesse right now ... then ... it is footy. Hope he takes every single minute he feels he needs, before again running out on an AFL venue.

Jesse Hogan should take all the time he needs before returning. Picture: AFL Photos

If you've found yourself five goals up in three of the five matches played and yet boast a 0-5 scoreline ... then ... it's a coaching issue as much as a player one.

If

Robbie Gray is indeed playing hurt ...

 then ... one can only wonder what will happen if his body repairs itself. Nothing he can't do on a footy field.

If Rance has been more than serviceable without being his 2014-15-16 brilliant best ... then ... this match against the Crows looms as one where he will personally launch into 2017.

If

the Saints are to make something of this season ...

 then ... they have to beat the Hawks. Time to stop talking.

If Buddy and the Swans need a circuit breaker ... then ... the Blues present themselves at the MCG on Saturday. Bud to boot eight.

Lance Franklin is due a big game. Picture: AFL Photos

If

the flat-trackers don't respond positively in the derby to last week's humiliation at the MCG ...

 then ... there's officially no hope of the big prize in 2017.

If your memory is good ... then ... you'll recall the last Dogs-Giants game had Tom Boyd coming of age when he covered for the injured Roughead. Boyd will need to lift to help Campbell Friday night.

And by popular request ...

If we're crystal balling ... then ... we can see a press conference next week to finally announce resolution to one of the most boring sagas of all time, the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

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Follow Damian Barrett on Twitter: @barrettdamian