PREVIEW OF AFL ROUND 11 MATCHES (all times AEST)
FRIDAY, May 31
North Melbourne v Richmond at Marvel Stadium, 7.50pm
Head to head: Kangaroos 72 Richmond 82 drawn 2
Last clash: Round 8, 2018 - Tigers 12.10 (82) bt Kangaroos 11.6 (72) at Marvel Stadium
The impact of North's coaching changeover will be fascinating though caretaker Rhyce Shaw has a tough first-up challenge against the Tigers, who are defying injuries and welcome back captain Trent Cotchin who has been out since round three with a hamstring injury.
Key: Kangas spearhead Ben Brown - touted as a trade candidate as he's one of few Roos with genuine market value - will need to kick a bag of goals for North to win.
Tip: Tigers by 36 points
SATURDAY, June 1
Collingwood v Fremantle at MCG, 1.45pm
Head to head: Magpies 19 Dockers 11
Last clash: Round 23, 2018 - Magpies 11.10 (76) bt Dockers 9.13 (67) at Optus Stadium
The Dockers are eighth but the jury remains out. If they can cause a boilover against the hot Pies, Ross Lyon's mob might be taken seriously as a finals contender. But can they kick a winning score? Only five clubs have scored less than Freo this season.
Key: Crunch time for Fremantle's Rory Lobb, who comes up against Brodie Grundy, the best ruckman in the competition. Can Lobb at least break even?
Tip: Magpies by 42 points
Greater Western Sydney v Gold Coast at Giants Stadium, 1.45pm
Head to head: Giants 7 Suns 4
Last clash: Round 12, 2018 - Giants at 20.14 (134) bt Suns 4.2 (26) at Giants Stadium
The third-placed Giants are motoring nicely with seven wins and, on paper, a mismatch against the 17th-placed Suns. But Gold Coast are proving a tougher nut to crack than in past years, though still chasing a four-quarter performance.
Key: Can the Suns contain Giant Jacob Hopper, who is quietly turning in a stunning season, leading his club for contested possessions and is ninth in the key stat in the league.
Tip: Giants by 38 points
Geelong v Sydney at GMHBA Stadium, 4:35pm
Head to head: Cats 122 Swans 101
Last clash: Round 16, 2018 - Cats 8.23 (71) bt Swans 9.5 (59)
The Swans are one of few clubs with a fine recent record at Geelong, with three consecutive wins on the Cats' home ground. But they're long odds to continue the streak against the ladder-leaders, who are not only the highest-scoring team but also the best defensively in terms of points conceded.
Key: Sydney star Lance Franklin is the man most likely to cause a boilover, but many eyes will be on rejuvenated Cat Gary Rohan playing his former club for the first time.
Tip: Cats by 24 points
Brisbane v Hawthorn at the Gabba, 7:25pm
Head to head: Lions 15 Hawks 17
Last clash: Round 17, 2018 - Lions 15.8 (98) bt Hawks 9.11 (65) at University of Tasmania Stadium
The sixth-placed Lions have lost just once at home this year and can entrench themselves in finals reckoning by defeating the Hawks, who have been solid yet inconsistent this season - they're yet to bank consecutive wins and remain outside the top eight on percentage.
Key: Can Hawthorn put the clamps on gun Lion recruit Lachie Neale, who is averaging 33 disposals and eight clearances a game?
Tip: Lions by 15 points
Melbourne v Adelaide at TIO Stadium, 7.40pm
Head to head: Demons 15 Crows 24
Last clash: Round 19, 2018 - Demons 13.12 (90) bt Crows 10.17 (77) at Adelaide Oval
The Crows have lost consecutive games to slip back into the middle rungs of the ladder. But they'll be wary of 16th-placed Melbourne who will be looking to cash in on Max Gawn's ruck dominance against Adelaide novice Reilly O'Brien.
Key: Can Crows co-captain Taylor Walker hit the scoreboard? He has just 16 goals from 10 games.
Tip: Crows by 8 points
SUNDAY, June 2
St Kilda v Port Adelaide at Adelaide Arena, Shanghai, 1.20pm
Head to head: Saints 10 Power 19
Last clash: Round 16, 2018 - Power 12.14 (86) bt Saints 7.8 (50) at Adelaide Oval
The Power have won twice in Shanghai against Gold Coast, but now meet a Saints outfit on level-pegging - both clubs have five wins and losses this season. Massive clash for the finals aspirations of both clubs.
Key: Saint Tim Membrey has booted more goals (20) than any other player of the two clubs and his duel with Port defender Tom Clurey could swing the result.
Tip: Power by 11 points
Essendon v Carlton at MCG, 3.20pm
Head to head: Bombers 117 Blues 124 drawn 6
Last clash: Round 8, 2018 - Blues 14.7 (91) bt Bombers 10.18 (78) at MCG
Essendon have lost four of their past five games and another loss here to their arch rival and last-placed Carlton will put coach John Worsfold in the hot seat. The Bombers have won only 18 of 40 quarters this season - just one more than the battling Blues.
Key: Can the Bombers silence Blues gun Patrick Cripps? If they can't nullify his influence around the packs - he leads the league for contested possessions - an upset might be brewing.
Tip: Bombers by 18 points
West Coast v Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium, 5.20pm
Head to head: Eagles 35 Bulldogs 18 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 18, 2018 - Eagles 14.16 (100) bt Bulldogs 6.10 (46) at Optus Stadium
The Eagles have won four in a row while the Bulldogs have lost consecutive games. Hard to make a case for those trends to reverse in this fixture in Perth, where the Dogs have won just once in their past 13 visits.
Key: How do the Dogs restrict the defensive rebound created by Eagles captain Shannon Hurn, who is averaging 287 disposals and 7.4 marks a game?
Tip: Eagles by 40 points
