Collingwood v Sydney, Adelaide Oval Friday, April 11, 7.10pm ACST

Last time: Sydney 13.11 (89) d Collingwood 12.14 (86), R22 2024

What it means

Collingwood (3-1) is brushing aside any concern over fielding the oldest side by average age in the history of the game with three straight wins that suggest it will again be a contender for the top four. The Magpies might not travel as much as some sides but have shown that they relish being on the road and will have few fears of taking on the Swans at a venue where they have won their past nine.

Sydney (2-2) has got its season back on track with two consecutive victories and perhaps most pleasingly for new coach Dean Cox had its slingshot game firing again in a thumping win over North Melbourne. The Swans can expect a tougher test this week though they can turn to a strong recent record against the Pies with five wins from their past six clashes.

Game shapers

Darcy Cameron has proven to be a bargain buy since moving from Sydney after a single game in 2018 to join Collingwood in exchange for pick No.56. The Magpies big man has gone on to become one of the top rucks in the competition and has taken his game to a new level ahead of his 100th match this week with career-highs for disposals (19.3), clearances (6.5) and hitouts (29.5).

Brodie Grundy has found a new lease of life since joining Sydney after a troubled ending to his decade spent at Collingwood and a lack of opportunities in a year with Melbourne. The Swans ruck made a slow start to the season but burst back into form ahead of a clash with his former side with 20 disposals and six clearances against the Roos last week.

@grayruby a lot of key players from both teams out this week … will be interesting

Pies got this. They will soar.

Let’s see how your cats fare.

Adelaide v Geelong, Adelaide Oval Thursday, April 10, 7.10pm ACST

Last time: Geelong 13.12 (90) d Adelaide 13.7 (85), R21 2024

What it means

Adelaide (3-1) has started to tick off its hoodoos as it presses for a return to finals for the first time since 2017 but a cloud remains over its recent results against Geelong. The Crows have won once in their past eight matches against the Cats but with the emerging side left seething after a contentious first loss of the season the focus will more likely turn to starting Gather Round with a bang.

Geelong (2-2) has stumbled through the early parts of the season but the signs were there that a more polished performance is not far away in a comfortable win over Melbourne. The Cats will get a better idea of how they are going against the resurgent Crows and should hold few fears of playing them on their home deck after winning five of their past six at Adelaide Oval.

Game shapers

Jordan Dawson has been a key to Adelaide’s resurgence this season as he leads the onball brigade and averages a career-high 27.5 disposals and 4.8 clearances a game. But it is in the front half where the Crows captain does the most damage with his kicking a powerful weapon as he has the most inside 50s in the competition with 31 to help fire the most potent attack.

Connor O'Sullivan has fit seamlessly into Geelong's backline since building on a single debut game last season to become a mainstay this year. The 19-year-old showed against Melbourne last week that he can be much more than a lockdown defender as he joined in attacking transitions while gathering an early career-high 23 disposals.