IF
 
THEN
 
Adelaide
 
it was a pipe dream five weeks ago ...... it is real now. After a 40-scoring shot game against the Roos, Crows entitled to think very, very big for 2016.
Brisbane Lions
 
Daniel Rich takes the big money ...... the onus is on him to perform. Can expect a hard tag against the Tigers, and needs to work through it.
Carlton
 
there is an injury more painful than a split testicle ...... we can't imagine what that would be. Rest up, Dennis.
Collingwood
 
Holden pulls its sponsorship of the Pies based on the Eddie McGuire matters of this week ...... we'll be mightily surprised.
Essendon
 
you're having seven shots at goal before half-time against a quality opponent ...... it is beyond dispute that you've got serious ability. Orazio Fantasia needs to back that up now.
Fremantle
 
Pav maintains last week's form ...... the Dockers will win their fourth straight.
Geelong
 
we look ahead to the week after the Cats' bye ...... we see Mitch Clark back in the seniors. And if it's not that week, it'll be the one after. Extraordinary comeback in the making.
Gold Coast
 
there was one player the Suns didn't want to see among the Hawks' ins this week ...... it was Luke Hodge. Been like a caged wild animal the past fortnight.
Greater Western Sydney

 
we look at the Giants' fixture from this point ...... we don't see another loss coming. Well, maybe not till round 23 anyway. Look out.
Hawthorn
 
there's a record which won't be broken this weekend ...... it's the Hawks' unbeaten record against the Suns. Suns will have to wait until at least 2017 to try for win No.1 against this mob.
Melbourne
 
Bernie Vince hasn't yet bought a lotto ticket since escaping a suspension for his hit on Luke Parker ...... he should. Maybe the good bloke factor set him free.
North Melbourneyou lose four of your past five, the most recent via a 17 to 40 scoring shot differential ...... you've got a lot of soul searching to do during the bye.
Port Adelaide
 
there is any hope of a revival post-bye ...... we'll know if it is real by late July. Richmond next Friday, followed by Hawthorn, North, GWS. Highly unlikely.
Richmond
 
you want to ban Triple M on a matter of ethics ...... we fully respect that decision. But not sure the Tigers have earned the right to trailblaze such a positive action.
St Kilda
 
Riewoldt, McCartin and Bruce all get going at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night ...... the Saints might be a sneaky chance.
Sydney Swans
 
you're getting placed onto the long-term injury list at the round 14 stage of a season ...... things are far from ideal. Not sure the Swans can win a flag without Tippett.
West Coast
 
the flat-trackers do what they normally do at home in their next two matches (Essendon, North) ...... they should be nicely placed by Round 21. Last three games (GWS, Hawks, Crows) loom as reality checks.
Western Bulldogsyou remove the loss in round 21 last year to West Coast, and maybe the one two weeks later to the Lions ...... last week's mauling by Geelong was the Dogs' worst performance since Beveridge started as coach.


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Follow Damian Barrett on Twitter: @barrettdamian