Michelangelo Rucci looks at five games with special themes in AFL Round 9

Michelangelo Rucci looks at five games in the AFL’s Round 9

• Power in for the long haul
• AFL is world-wide spectacle
• Odd couple: Round 9 issues

GIANT LEAP

North Melbourne v GWS, Hobart

NORTH Melbourne has won 12 of 16 games at the old Bellerive Oval in Hobart where it started its Tasmanian adventure against Greater Western Sydney on April 8, 2012. The Kangaroos won that game by 129 points ... a record that is unlikely to be rewritten even with all the injury concerns that have made the Giants so vulnerable.

Both teams start Round 9 outside the top eight - the Kangaroos having fallen to 10th despite pushing AFL premier Richmond on Mother’s Day; the Giants are ninth and taking a battering on many fronts while failing to put goals on the scoreboard.

One of the strengths in the Kangaroos line-up today is Port Adelaide recruit Ben Jacobs, who has become a master shutdown player at a time when taggers were supposed to be unfashionable. Giants midfielder Stephen Coniglio might find a shadow that refuses to fade in this game.

HOME AGAIN

Sydney v Fremantle, SCG

SYDNEY in recent weeks has beaten Geelong at Kardinia Park and Hawthorn at the MCG ... but lost to Adelaide, Port Adelaide and North Melbourne at home. This is most un-Sydney like and leaves some pondering if the Swans are not longer suited to their round-shaped SCG.

Sydney did beat Fremantle by 104 points at the SCG in August - and the Swans have not conceded points to the Dockers at home since their draw in 2013.

Still no power forward Lance Franklin to give the Swans a major scoring option ... although everyone will be looking for an encore from last week’s seven-goal hero Ben Ronke.

Also fascinating will be how Sydney coach John Longmire deals with the outstanding form of Fremantle captain and Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe who is delivering in contested football.

Sydney captain Josh Kennedy plays his 200th game for the Swans.

LAST CHANCE

St Kilda v Collingwood, Etihad Stadium

ST Kilda cannot score enough (nor accurately enough). Collingwood (4-4, 11th) cannot afford any more players taking residence in the medical rooms where the Magpies are challenging Adelaide for the greatest pain from a hamstring curse.

The loss of Darcy Moore and Jamie Elliott to hamstring strains limits Collingwood’s scoring potential, but this might not be so concerning against the Saints. The challenge is for the Magpies’ midfielders to finish off more work.

Collingwood continues to have a fascination with handball - a style that was so effective in upsetting Adelaide at Adelaide Oval and has made the Magpies the AFL’s No. 1 team for handpassing with a game average of 192.

St Kilda, after seven consecutive losses, needs to deliver an upset ... if only to stop the weight of the world falling on Alan Richardson’s shoulders.

BLUE HEAVEN

Carlton v Melbourne, MCG

CAN the Blues hastily organise another premiership reunion? The Blues suitably honoured their 1968 VFL premiership team with a surprising win against Essendon in round 8. Backing up this result with an upset of sixth-ranked Melbourne would be extraordinary.

Carlton has pushed the Demons in recent matches - losing twice last season by eight and 22 points after the Blues won low-scoring encounters in 2016 and 2015.

Melbourne does have the cards to lock away the four premiership points with ruckman Max Gawn setting the tone for a more physical Demons midfield that should dictate the battle for the contested ball. Should ... but is there a more frustrating team that Melbourne this season for doing the opposite to the expected?

Melbourne’s Max gawn battles with the Gold Coasts Jarrod Witts in round 8 at the Gabba. Picture: Jono Searle/Getty

TOP SHELF

West Coast v Richmond

HERE is a surprise. Richmond has not faded after its premiership success last year. And West Coast is the major contender - by its second placement on the ladder - to the Tigers’ crown.

This top-of-the-table clash at the new Perth Stadium should rewrite the record for the best attended AFL game in Perth (currently 56,521 from the recent Western Derby) - and certainly should be the best-attended West Coast home game (surpassing the 54,535 against Geelong, also at the Perth Stadium).

Is this the game that makes everyone believe West Coast is indeed the real deal this season?

Brownlow Medallist Dustin Martin’s response after being held up by North Melbourne locksmith Ben Jacobs - along with the return of West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui from suspension - will make for a must-watch in this game of many intriguing possibilities.

Richmond’s record as the AFL’s best last-quarter team should have the Eagles on edge.