The battle between new kids on the block, GWS and Gold Coast, at Manuka Oval in Canberra is a match in this round of the AFL that Roo believes should be a terrific contest.

Both are at the bottom end of the table, and that probably won't change in the short term, but the opportunity to finally win a game will spur the two newbie sides on.

Over the last couple of weeks we've seen each side play a more competitive brand of football, with youngsters like Harley Bennell (37 disposals and three goals against Fremantle) and Toby Greene (28 disposals against Carlton) standing up in the absence of more established players.

Efforts like these will be required this week, with the Giants set to miss Dean Brogan and Setanta Ó hAilpín, and the Suns to be without book-end Nathan Bock and with large question marks still over Gary Ablett, Michael Rischitelli and David Swallow.

If those three miss, I could see the Giants registering their first ever AFL win.

However, the safer option for punters, and my bet of the round, would be backing the Giants at the line of +16.5 points (1.91).

With a man like Kevin Sheedy in charge, I expect his fierce competitive nature to rub off on his young troops and they will come to the party.

Richmond takes on the Sydney Swans at the MCG on Saturday afternoon in a game that Betfair punters have touted as a tight contest.

Richmond finally got the win they were after last weekend against Port Adelaide, but did so in less-than-convincing fashion, failing to blow Port out of the water after leading by 41 points at half-time. They'll need to lift if they want to beat the Swans, who were a kick away from keeping their winning streak intact, losing in a nail-biter to the Crows.

Sydney dominated the Crows with their tackling pressure and were able to get the ball inside their attacking 50 metre mark 22 more times than their opposition, but failed to capitalise on the scoreboard. This was particularly evident when Adam Goodes went down, and with him missing for the next six weeks Sam Reid will need to step up in his absence.

The Swans are second in the comp in contested possessions and tackles, and first for clearances, while Richmond are in the bottom four in all of these categories. It's clear the game will be won in the middle, and it's important that Sydney take their chances when they go forward. They'll also need to break their MCG hoodoo, having only won once in their past 13 attempts.

I think Sydney can win the game, and will certainly cover the line of 29.5 points (1.15).

Essendon play West Coast at Etihad Stadium Saturday night in what shapes as the game of the round.

Both sides come into the game in great form, but with injuries to key players.

Essendon will be sweating on the fitness of forward Stewart Crameri following some knee soreness, a player they'll need given the likely absence of Michael Hurley.

Similarly, West Coast will be hoping Nic Naitanui's hamstring will come up, which will enable him to support Dean Cox in a battle against Essendon's in-form ruck duo of Paddy Ryder and Tom Bellchambers.

It should be a great test for the Bombers, who are improving. I find it hard to split the sides, but if you're an Essendon believer you could back them to win ($1.68) the top tier contest.

The traditional Monday night fixture between St. Kilda and Carlton is back again this season and this shapes as another intriguing battle.

The Saints will go into the game depleted without Sam Fisher, Ben McEvoy and potentially David Armitage, while Carlton should be relatively fresh after resting stars like Chris Judd against GWS.

Make sure you check the teams before you have a bet, but I think Carlton ($1.27) should win this game convincingly.