AFL Preview: Round 5

Peter Walsh and Roger Wills preview Round 5 of the AFL.

Round 5 of the AFL is an extended weekend of matches, with games running from Thursday through to Tuesday.

The round kicks off with the now traditional Easter Thursday match between Brisbane and St Kilda at the Gabba.

Both teams are desperate to record their first win after struggling so far in 2011.

The Saints have key big man Justin Koschitzke back in the line up for the first time this year, and his addition should give the 2010 Grand Finalist enough firepower for a win.

Saturday afternoon the struggling Gold Coast Suns make their inaugural trip to Football Park, taking on Port Adelaide at 2:40.

The Power are reinvigorated after their stunning Showdown win, and they should be far too strong for the Suns.

The other SA team, the Crows, will be looking to turn their form around when they travel for the first time in 2011, heading to Docklands to play Carlton in the evening.

The Blues are looking like a potential top 4 team this year, so the injury hit Crows will have their work cut to try to win their first match since Round 1.

There is just the one match on Sunday with both Richmond and North Melbourne looking to break through for their first win this season.

The Tigers have looked good at times this year without getting the 4 points, while the Roos are coming off the draining trip to west.

Anzac Day sees the traditional blockbuster between Essendon and Collingwood at the MCG.

Not only is the match seeped in history, but this year it is shaping up as a match of real consequence, with the Pies undefeated and the Bombers impressing all and looking to press for a top 4 spot under new coach James Hird.

This year Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs will also play on Anzac Day, meeting at Subiaco Monday evening.

The Dockers have once again started the year in form, but a few injuries have started to have an impact on their list, while the Dogs have had a quiet start to the year and have yet to show if they really are a force this year.

The extended round finally wraps up on Tuesday with Hawthorn and Geelong meeting at the MCG.

The Cats have sailed through the opening rounds of the season with little fanfare racking up 4 straight wins and showing that they have lost little with the departure of Gary Ablett.

Their opponent on Tuesday - the Hawks - have also started the season with purpose and their narrow win last start has given them 3rd spot on the ladder.

AFL Broadcast details on 891 ABC Adelaide and Digital Radio

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