The certainties for every remaining Round 18 game

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 eight remaining games in Round 18 across Saturday and Sunday.

Hawthorn versus Fremantle

Treacy 2+ goals

Fremantle forward Josh Treacy is in the form of his life.

The key tall has kicked at least two goals in each of his last five games and most recently kicked a bag of five against Richmond.

He also hasn’t gone goalless once in 2024.

Up against a likely matchup of Sam Frost, Treacy will back himself to finish two goals for the Dockers in Launceston.

Lachlan Geleit

Sydney versus North Melbourne

Papley to have 15+ disposals and kick at least a goal

Tom Papley has been quietly contributing for the Sydney Swans this season.

The small forward is averaging 15.8 disposals and 1.6 goals, reaching the 15-disposal and 1-goal marker in his last five straight.

Across his career, Papley has averaged 14.5 touches and 1.6 goals at the SCG in 78 outings and that’s about what we expect against North Melbourne on Saturday.

Papley should be getting to at least 15 touches and at least a goal should be academic considering he’s majored in 15 of 16 games this season.

Andrew Slevison

Western Bulldogs versus Carlton

Cripps and Treloar to have 55+ disposals, 10+ clearances between them

Carlton captain Patrick Cripps, who plays his 200th game, has been immense in recent weeks.

Across the last three games he has averaged 38 touches and a remarkable 13 clearances. Over the course of the season he is averaging 28.7 disposals and 7.9 clearances.

Adam Treloar’s form for the Western Bulldogs can only be described as prolific.

In 2024 he averages 31.9 disposals and 6 clearances. He’s passed the 30-touch marker in seven of his past nine.

We’re tipping the star pair to have at least 55 disposals and 10 clearances between them in what could be a midfield fill-up at Marvel.

Andrew Slevison

Adelaide versus St Kilda

Laird 25+ disposals

With Izak Rankine out of the team, a bit more rests on Rory Laird’s shoulders against the Saints.

The midfielder will be one of Adelaide’s hit-to on-ballers as a result, and as he’s already averaging 27 disposals, 25+ should be no issue for him on the Adelaide Oval.

Since Round 11, Laird has individual game disposal tallies of 31, 30, 28, 34, 23 and 27.

It’d be a surprise if he fell below 25 against the Saints.

Lachlan Geleit

Melbourne versus Essendon

Sam Draper 40+ hit-outs

Sam Draper is going to absolutely dominate in the ruck on the weekend, going up against no recognised ruckman.

Melbourne have opted to replace Max Gawn with Harrison Petty, meaning one of Petty, Tom McDonald or Jacob Van Rooyen will be rucking.

Expect Draper to completely dominate in the middle and give the Bombers first use across the afternoon.

Trent Rivers 20+ disposals

Rivers has ticked over this mark five games in a row now and it’s no surprise given he is playing predominantly on-ball.

He has flourished in the midfield and will be critical to the Dees getting over the line against Essendon.

He had 29 touches against West Coast last week and will comfortably clear 20 again this weekend.

Nic Negrepontis

Gold Coast versus Port Adelaide

Rowell to pick up 20+ disposals and 5+ tackles

With co-captain Touk Miller out of the midfield this week due to a wrist injury, it will be up to Gold Coast’s young gun Matt Rowell to rise to the occasion in an important match against the Power.

With an average of 23.4 disposals this season and 20 or more disposals in his last three matches, Rowell looks likely to find the football frequently.

An average of 8.6 tackles this season makes it probable for Rowell to lay at least 5 tackles as greater responsibility falls on his shoulders due to the absence of his captain.

Tom Williams

Richmond versus GWS

Taranto to pick up 25+ disposals

There is always a bit of extra fire in your belly when you go up against your old side and not many enjoy the challenge more than Tim Taranto.

The 26-year old loves putting on a show against the Giants, recording 36 disposals in their last meeting in June last year.

The gun Tigers midfielder has been a ball magnet this season since coming back from injury and has recorded 25 or more disposals in his last five matches with an average of 26.3 disposals per game.

Tom Williams

West Coast versus Brisbane

Neale and Dunkley to combine for 50+ disposals

Brisbane superstars Lachie Neale and Josh Dunkley are in fashionable form and have a chance to rack up some serious numbers against a less experienced Eagles midfield on Sunday.

Neale has collected statistics of 37, 29 and 36 disposals in his last three matches, and being familiar with the Perth conditions the ex-Docker should perform well.

Dunkley has also hit fine form this season with a disposal average of 26.6 and he should combine with Neale as a dynamic duo that will dominate the midfield battle at Optus Stadium.

Tom Williams

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