West Coast and Hawthorn both prevail to keep their premiership dreams alive and only a fool would write either of them off.

I’m still tipping a Collingwood vs Geelong grand final but I wouldn’t be surprised if there is at least one upset this weekend.

The Hawks are full strength with Buddy ok and the Eagles just keep getting the job done – is it possible they could come from wooden spooners to holding up the cup in 12 months?

They are certainly playing like they think they can and self belief is a very good thing in a playing group. One must also remember they took Collingwood down the wire two weeks ago.

If they get past Geelong on Saturday night you’d give them half a chance against the Pies (if they win) due to having a far dominant rucking duo. Cox and Naitanui will cream Jolly and Brown (who’s not a ruckman).

Imagine if Collingwood fall at the final hurdle for failing to secure a decent backup ruckman – let’s cross that bridge when we come to it...

The coaching merry-go-round was eye-opening over the past week with Ross Lyon pulling off a coup to end up in Freo. I don’t think anyone saw that coming!

Outgoing coach Mark Harvey has every right to feel shafted after he spent all that time blooding those kids and now he’ll only get to see the fruits of his labour from the plasma.

Adelaide, Western Bulldogs and Melbourne all went for untried senior coaches but are all long serving assistants in winning programs. The only vacant coaching position not filled is now St Kilda and they can’t speak to Malthouse until his year is over.

Collingwood vs Hawthorn (Fri MCG)

The Hawks will be brave and throw everything they have at the Pies but Collingwood's depth and rotations will slowly wear them down.

Pies by 22, BOG – Pendelbury.

Geelong vs West Coast (Sat MCG)

The week off will give the Cats the extra legs to shake off a gallant Eagles outfit. This one will go down the wire and the winner of it will win the flag the week after.

Cats by 3, BOG – Chapman. I’m looking forward to the Selwood brothers tagging each other!

This week's winners
Darren Lockyer; How good is this bloke?
West Coast; I wonder what it was paying to bet the Eagles made the Preliminary rounds 12 months ago? A lot (any ideas Kerry?).
Hawthorn; Please beat Collingwood!

This week's losers
Chris Judd; His worst game for the year on the stage where it all began for him.
Sydney Swans; Never looked in it.
Wallabies; Ireland – WTF?