PREVIEW OF REMAINING AFL ROUND-13 MATCHES (all times AEST):

FRIDAY, June 16

North Melbourne v St Kilda, at Etihad Stadium, 7.50pm

Head to Head: Kangaroos 77 Saints 76 Drawn 2

Last clash: Round 19, 2016 – Kangaroos 12.13 (85) bt Saints 8.14 (62) at Etihad Stadium

Tab Sportsbet odds: Kangaroos $1.95 Saints $1.85

William Hill: Kangaroos $1.98 Saints $1.83

Having dropped their past three matches in unimpressive style, the Saints really need to make a stand here. Big Paddy McCartin will miss the match with a knee injury, but that loss is more than covered by the return of Nick Riewoldt. Centre half-back Jake Carlisle could be a late withdrawal after struggling this week on the training track. At 4-7, the Kangaroos are walking a tightrope and can’t afford any more slip-ups if they are to remain in the finals hunt. Sam Gibson plays his 120th-straight match since debuting in 2012, bettering the club record set in the 1970s by the great Keith Greig.

Key: The ruck. The Kangaroos have again gone with Todd Goldstein rather than up-and-comer Braydon Preuss. Goldstein needs to repay the faith of coach Brad Scott. The 2015 All Australian’s clash with Billy Longer could be pivotal.

Tip: Kangaroos by 20 points

SATURDAY, June 17

Richmond v Sydney at MCG, 1.45pm

Head to Head: Tigers 106 Swans 86 Drawn 1

Last clash: Round 23, 2016 – Swans 25.14 (164) bt Tigers 7.9 (51) at SCG

Tab Sportsbet: Tigers $1.95 Swans $1.85

William Hill: Tigers $1.98 Swans $1.83

Shapes as a very big match for both sides. If the Tigers get up, then a top-four finish becomes a much more realistic prospect. A win for the Swans would keep them in the finals race, which would be no mean feat after dropping their first six matches. Kurt Tippett will spend at least one more week in the NEAFL, with speedster Gary Rohan the only inclusion for the Swans.

Key: Both coaches have flagged the prospect of all three of Richmond’s key defenders taking a turn at quelling Lance Franklin. But when the whips are cracking in the final term, it’s every chance to be the dream match-up of Alex Rance vs Buddy.

Tip: Tigers by 22 points

Port Adelaide v Brisbane at Adelaide Oval, 4.35pm

Head to Head: Power 15 Lions 15 Drawn 2

Last clash: Round 19, 2016 – Power 25.23 (173) bt Lions 11.13 (79) at Gabba

Tab Sportsbet: Power $1.05 Lions $10.00

William Hill: Power $1.04 Lions $11.00

The Power have made an art form of putting lesser clubs to the sword in 2017, which spells bad news for Brisbane. The Lions’ midfield including Dayne Beams, Tom Rockliff and Dayne Zorko is their strong suit but, even here, the Power have the edge in depth with Travis Boak, Ollie Wines, Brett Ebert, Robbie Gray and co. Forward Aaron Young is back in favour for Port after five goals and 37 possessions last week in the SANFL.

Key: Paddy Ryder is every chance to claim his first All Australian guernsey in 2017 but, in Stefan Martin, the Lions do at least have a ruckman with the size to match the Port big man.

Tip: Power by 48 points.

Gold Coast v Carlton at Metricon Stadium, 7.25pm

Head to Head: Suns 2 Blues 4

Last clash: Round 3, 2016 – Suns 13.17 (95) bt Blues 5.11 (41) at Metricon Stadium

Tab Sportsbet: Suns $1.33 Blues $3.35

William Hill: Suns $1.37 Blues $3.10

Both teams bring good recent form into this clash. The Suns are riding a two-game winning streak, while Carlton pipped flag favourites GWS by a point last weekend at Etihad Stadium. Gold Coast are getting great returns from their big three of Tom Lynch, Steven May and Gary Ablett. Similarly, the Blues’ top-end talent such as Bryce Gibbs, Marc Murphy and Matthew Kreuzer are all getting the job done on a regular basis.

Key: The Suns look to have a clear edge in the key-forward posts, where Peter Wright is proving to be an excellent foil for Lynch.

Tip: Suns by 16 points.

SUNDAY, June 18

Western Bulldogs v Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, 3.20pm

Head to Head: Bulldogs 76 Demons 85 Drawn 1

Last clash: Round 8, 2016 – Bulldogs 17.12 (114) bt Demons 12.10 (82) at MCG

Tab Sportsbet: Bulldogs $1.55 Demons $2.45

William Hill: Bulldogs $1.55 Demons $2.45

The Bulldogs could muster only 12 scoring shots in an embarrassing 46-points loss to Sydney at the SCG, prompting selectors to swing the axe. They have made at least five changes, with Travis Cloke (soreness) and Matthew Boyd (omitted) among the most-significant outs. The Demons welcome back ruckman Jake Spencer from injury.

Key: The venue. If this match was taking place at the MCG, the odds would just about be reversed. But the Demons are a much less formidable prospect at Etihad, while the Dogs save much of their best football for under the roof.

Tip: Bulldogs by 21 points