RICHMOND and Port Adelaide open proceedings on Saturday in a battle between two teams at the lower reaches of the ladder.
Richmond (0-3) has picked up where it left off last year as it leaves fans guessing which version of the young side will turn up.
TIGERS v POWER Follow it LIVE
The Tigers started the season brightly when they gave Carlton a huge scare, but have since been well off the mark of challenging Gold Coast and Fremantle in a reality check of where they stand against the likes of the top-four hopefuls.
Port Adelaide (1-2) has missed an opportunity to make a promising start to life under new coach Josh Carr as it has been beaten by two of last year’s three bottom teams in its opening three matches.
The Power get another shot at finding form against a third team from that bracket, but with their own injuries mounting up there will be lingering concern that Richmond could pile on the pain.
Richmond v Port Adelaide at the MCG, 4.15pm AEDT
NO LATE CHANGES
The Tigers have been hit hard by injury with Noah Balta, Hugo Ralphsmith, Jasper Alger and Harry Armstrong out, and Liam Fawcett, Samson Ryan, Nathan Broad and Kane McAuliffe coming in.
Port is boosted by the returns of Ollies Wines and Miles Bergman and Mitch Zadow is in for his AFL debut, but Esava Ratugolea is out injured and Will Brodie and Jackson Mead have been dropped.
An improving West Coast hosts Sydney at Optus Stadium, looking to showcase its young talent to the footy world again.
West Coast (2-1) has shown that the future is bright as it has not only doubled its win tally from last season inside three rounds, but also claimed back-to-back victories for the first time since 2024.
EAGLES v SWANS Follow it LIVE
The Eagles now look to have a nice balance between youthful exuberance and cool-headed experience, though they will want to tidy up their starts before a tougher test against the Swans.
Sydney (2-1) fell back to the pack with a loss to Hawthorn before a bye, but can be buoyed by returning to face a West Coast outfit that it has beaten in its past five meetings by an average 49 points, as well as in 17 of their past 20 matches going back to 2008.
The Swans can also have few fears of the long trip to Perth after winning their past six matches at Optus Stadium.
The Eagles have been forced into three changes with Elliot Yeo and Jacob Newton injured and Deven Robertson out suspended, as Sandy Brock, Malakai Champion and Matt Owies come into their side.
Superstar Isaac Heeney is back in a huge boost for the Swans, replacing Caiden Cleary.