The 10 certainties for the rest of Round 12

Back for another week, the SEN.com.au team gives you an insight into how every game will play out across the weekend.

Labelling something a ‘certainty’ in any sport is fraught with danger.

But we’ll attempt to find some anyway.

Here is what we consider certainties for the five remaining games in Round 12.

Hawthorn versus Adelaide

Sicily to have 20+ disposals and 7+ intercept possessions

James Sicily's return has been a big part of Hawthorn's recent success, and he'll be key if they're going to keep it up on Saturday.

The 2023 All-Australian member is still putting up impressive numbers, averaging a stellar 20 touches and eight intercept possessions for the season and has been quietly building on these stats in recent weeks.

He's likely to match up against one of Taylor Walker or Darcy Fogarty today, and with both drawing numerous aerial entries inside 50, Sicily will have plentiful opportunities to get his hands on the Sherrin.

Dawson to have 25+ disposals, 7+ score involvements and a goal

Despite a relatively slow start to the season, Jordon Dawson’s recent form has been up there with the best in the competition and the Crows have needed it, especially with Isak Rankine on the sidelines.

The Adelaide skipper will be hoping to build upon a near career best game against West Coast last week which saw him gather 32 touches alongside two goals, which saw his season averages rise to an impressive 25.8 disposals and 6.6 score involvements.

Coming into a must-win game for the Crows if they want to play in September, expect Dawson to put his best foot forward on a sunny afternoon at the G’.

Harry Attiwill

West Coast versus St Kilda

Waterman boots at least two goals

Has there been a more unstoppable player this season than Jake Waterman at home?

The forward is averaging a monstrous four goals per game at Optus Stadium in 2024, having booted multiple majors in all bar one of his appearances in front of the Eagles faithful this season.

Waterman was held in check last week against the Crows, however we’re not anticipating that will happen in back-to-back weeks.

Wanganeen-Milera collects 25+ touches

Despite St Kilda’s struggles so far in 2024, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is having himself an excellent year.

The young gun is averaging a career-high 25.9 disposals per game this season, and has had 29 or more possessions in his last four appearances.

Taking on West Coast, there will certainly be touches available to rack up, so it wouldn’t be a shock if Nasiah fills up on Saturday.

Jack Makeham

Geelong verus Richmond

Stewart for 20+ disposals

Tom Stewart has played some of the best games of his career against Richmond and he will feast on the understrength Tigers.

Stewart has been tagged in recent weeks, but will enjoy some greater freedom this weekend and is a lock for 20 touches.

Lefau kicks a goal

Lefau has quickly emerged as a player the Tigers can persist with long-term. He's kicked a goal in four of his last five weeks and is growing week on week.

Expect him to hit the scoreboard again this weekend against a Geelong side that has not been at its best for a month now.

Nic Negrepontis

Melbourne versus Fremantle

Pickett to kick a birthday goal

It’s Kysaiah Pickett’s birthday on Sunday! And we’re backing him to celebrate with a goal.

Pickett is the only Demon to kick goals in every game he’s played in 2024 and last week had four shots at the sticks.

The soon-to-be 23-year-old boasts an impressive record in the humid Alice Springs conditions and has kicked five goals in his last two games against Fremantle.

Lock him in to kick at least one and keep the streak alive.

Clark to gather 25+ disposals

The fourth-year Docker is coming off the best fortnight in his career and enters Round 12 in sublime form.

Jordan Clark had picked up 64 impactful touches in his last two games and is influencing in multiple ways.

He’ll again be given the licence to run and gun in the hot conditions and Clark would expect to be one of the fittest on the park.

25 touches should prove a mosey for the type of performances he’s putting forward.

Seb Mottram

Gold Coast versus Essendon

Long to kick a goal

Ben Long is flying under the radar in recent weeks, kicking two goals a game from Round 9 onwards.

He proved strong in the air last week against the Blues but lively at ground level in his new role and is starting to find his feet inside 50.

Playing as a permanent forward and with the temperament to match, Long will have the opportunity to get on the end of a few at home.

Durham for 20 disposals, 10 contested possessions

Only one Bomber has been able to consistently take it up to the toughest midfields in the competition.

Enjoying a breakout season in 2024, Durham is racking up contested possessions for fun. He’s gone to Adelaide and Perth to produce strong performances and would be eying something similar on the Gold Coast.

Durham has had at least 21 disposals in seven of his last eight games with a contested possession rate hovering around 50 per cent.

Watch out for the 22-year-old to take it up to a stacked Suns midfield.

Seb Mottram

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