It has been a tumultuous week for the AFL, both on and off the field. Four shock results and a postponed game between Melbourne and Essendon after Bomber Conor McKenna tested positive to COVID-19. What next week brings is anybody’s guess, as the media and footy public waits for the consequences of the Essendon Football Club’s virus tests.

Last Thursday at the MCG, the Tigers took on the Hawks and lost badly, while on Friday night the Doggies humbled the Giants at Marvel stadium. The weekend was young and two unexpected results already.

Saturday wasn’t much fun for the professional tipsters either and there was trauma as Carlton after 24 years of trying finally beat Geelong at their home fortress – the Blues hung on to win by two points.

On the other side of town, the Swans defeated the punter’s favourite, North Melbourne, at Marvel Stadium.

Then came the grim news that Essendon’s favourite Irishman Conor Mc Kenna tested positive to COVID-19.

A disaster was quickly unravelling as no-one had any idea how deep the contagion infected the Club.

The League immediately postponed the Demons-Bombers clash to a later date, while the AFL investigated the situation reassuring footy fans that the show will go on.

The rest of the weekend’s games were walkovers – Brisbane defeated the West Coast Eagles by a hefty margin, Port Power beat Fremantle with an even greater result and the surprise packet, Gold Coast Suns rolled the Adelaide Crows big time.

Round 4 this week sees Sydney Swans take on the Western Bulldogs on Thursday. On Friday evening GWS Giants host Collingwood in Sydney. Expect the Magpies to notch up a fourth win with a margin of 28 points.

All things being well, Essendon will face Carlton at the MCG on Saturday night with a confident Blues running out eventual winners.  Earlier in the day, Port Adelaide taken on West Coast Eagles on the Gold Coast – it will take some doing for the Eagles to trouble the Power. Then it’s the big one of the day as St Kilda take on the stuttering premiers Richmond at Docklands. The Tigers should find some form and win what will be a tough encounter.

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On Sunday, the Crows face the Brisbane Lions on their home ground at the Gabba – with the Lions expected to feast well. Melbourne play Geelong at the MCG. The Cats licking themselves from an unexpected loss last week should give Melbourne something to think about.

The game of the day at the Marvel Stadium will see Hawthorne go head to head with the Kangaroos. North Melbourne, smarting from the loss to Sydney, could pull this one off.

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