Three massive AFL games headline Saturday\u2019s action. Can North Melbourne upset Adelaide at Adelaide Oval? Can Melbourne maintain their perfect MCG record? And what response will Carlton produce after Michael Voss\u2019 resignation?<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not convinced Adelaide are travelling quite as well as the market suggests heading into this matchup.<\/p>\n
The Crows battled for three quarters against Richmond last week and were fortunate to escape with a win over Port Adelaide the round before.<\/p>\n
Adelaide have covered the line just once in five home games this season and are yet to cover as favourites in 2026.<\/p>\n
North Melbourne, meanwhile, have covered in six of their seven games as underdogs this season and look capable of pushing this right to the line.<\/p>\n
Finn O\u2019Sullivan is now fully entrenched in North Melbourne\u2019s midfield setup.<\/p>\n
Playing as the defensive-minded midfielder, O\u2019Sullivan has recorded 20+ disposals in five straight games while his centre bounce involvement continues to rise.<\/p>\n
Last week against Sydney he attended 82% of centre bounces, and if he gets similar midfield exposure against Adelaide he should comfortably clear this line again.<\/p>\n
The Crows continue to allow opposition midfielders to find plenty of football.<\/p>\n
Chandler has quietly become one of Melbourne\u2019s most consistent performers this season and continues to hit the scoreboard regularly.<\/p>\n
He has kicked a goal in eight of nine games in 2026, with 11 goals for the season overall.<\/p>\n
Hawthorn head into this clash without Sam Frost, Jack Gunston and Conor Nash, leaving major holes across both their spine and midfield depth.<\/p>\n
That should allow Melbourne to generate plenty of scoring opportunities, with Chandler likely to capitalise again.<\/p>\n
With Josh Fraser stepping into the senior coaching role following Michael Voss\u2019 resignation, this feels like the perfect opportunity to unleash Jagga Smith through the midfield.<\/p>\n
Smith has only been used sparingly at centre bounce level this season, but he\u2019s still consistently found the football.<\/p>\n
The young Blue has recorded 20+ disposals in six of nine games this season and narrowly missed in two others with 19 disposals.<\/p>\n
Coming off 25 touches last week, expect Fraser to give Smith even more midfield responsibility.<\/p>\n