As the days get closer to finals in many leagues, the stakes continue to rise. Here are some big games you can tune into this week.

 

AFL

Essendon v GWS Giants, Metricon Stadium, 7/8, 7:50pm (free-to-air)

The Bombers and the Giants both sit in the middle of the pack in what has been an extremely tight battle for top eight spots. Can Essendon bounce back after a dreadful loss against Brisbane, or can GWS get the job done without Toby Greene and Matt de Boer?

Port Adelaide v Richmond, Adelaide Oval, 8/8, 4:35pm

Round 11 begins with a huge game between the ladder leaders Port Adelaide and fourth-placed Richmond. Key forward Charlie Dixon has been in outstanding form for the Power, while star Dustin Martin has led the Tigers up the ladder in recent weeks.

Brisbane Lions v Western Bulldogs, Gabba, 8/8, 7:40pm (free-to-air)

The second game of a Saturday doubleheader features two star-studded midfields. Lachie Neale leads a Lions midfield featuring the likes of Jarryd Lyons, Dayne Zorko and Hugh McCluggage, while Marcus Bontempelli leads a Dogs midfield featuring the underrated Jack Macrae, Josh Dunkley and Bailey Smith.

St Kilda v Geelong Cats, Gabba, 10/8, 6:10pm

The Saints have surprised many this season, led by the breakout season of midfielder Jack Steele. Can Patrick Dangerfield and the Cats cool them down, or will the Saints continue their winning streak?

All games can be seen on Foxtel, Kayo and AFL Live Pass. Free-to-air games can be seen on Channel Seven.

 

NRL

Newcastle Knights v Wests Tigers, McDonald Jones Stadium, 8/8, 5:30pm

The second of three Saturday games features two teams battling for top eight spots. A crucial game for the seventh-placed Knights and the 10th-placed Wests Tigers.

Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders, Panthers Stadium, 8/8, 7:35pm

The Panthers are in red-hot form, having won their last seven games. Can the Raiders slow them down, or will Penrith continue their torrid run?

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Parramatta Eels, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 9/8, 4:05pm (free-to-air)

A big game between two top eight sides as the Eels look to get closer to the top spot, while a win for the Sharks would help solidify a spot in the finals.

All games can be seen on Foxtel, Kayo and NRL Live Pass. Free-to-air games can be seen on Channel Nine.

 

A-League

Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC, ANZ Stadium, 10/8, 7:30pm

It’s a big game between two top four sides, as the dominant Sydney FC, sitting comfortably at first, take on the fourth-placed Roar. A win for Brisbane would really help their top four chances.

Melbourne City v Adelaide United, ANZ Stadium, 11/8, 7:30pm

The lone game on Tuesday is a big one, as the second-placed Melbourne City take on the sixth-placed Adelaide. A win for Adelaide would be huge in keeping a spot in the finals.

All games can be seen on Foxtel, Kayo and My Football Live. Free-to-air games can be seen on ABC.

 

Super Netball

The second round of Super Netball features double-headers tomorrow and Sunday.

GIANTS vs Adelaide Thunderbirds, Nissan Arena, 8/8, 1:00pm (free-to-air)

Queensland Firebirds vs Melbourne Vixens, Nissan Arena, 8/8, 3:00pm (free-to-air)

Sunshine Coast Lightning vs Collingwood Magpies, USC Stadium, 9/8, 1:00pm (free-to-air)

NSW Swifts vs West Coast Fever, USC Stadium, 9/8, 3:30pm

The third round follows shortly after, with double-headers on Tuesday and Wednesday.

GIANTS vs West Coast Fever, Nissan Stadium, 11/8, 5:00pm

Queensland Firebirds vs Collingwood Magpies, Nissan Stadium, 11/8, 7:30pm

NSW Swifts vs Adelaide Thunderbirds, USC Stadium, 12/8, 5:00pm

Melbourne Vixens vs Sunshine Coast Lightning, USC Stadium, 12/8, 7:30pm

All games can be seen on Telsra TV and Netball Live, while free-to-air games can be seen on Channel Nine.

 

NBA

The second week has begun in the Orlando bubble, and there are some huge games that will be extremely important in playoff positioning.

Boston Celtics @ Toronto Raptors, 8/8, 11:00am

It’s always a good game when the Celtics and Raptors match up, and this one should be no different. Regular season games between these two have seen big performances from key players in Boston’s Jaylen Brown and Toronto’s Kyle Lowry. The Raptors currently sit second in the Eastern Conference, while the Celtics are in third. The Raptors have not missed a beat since seeding games began, and a win would help secure second spot. For the Celtics, a win would be huge in avoiding a drop to fourth and a potential second round series against the Bucks.

Milwaukee Bucks @ Dallas Mavericks, 9/8, 10:30am

It should be a fun game to watch, with Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo taking on Mavericks stars Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. The stakes aren’t as high with each team’s position in the standings secure, but as long as those stars are playing, it should be an enjoyable game.

Toronto Raptors @ Milwaukee Bucks, 11/8, 8:30am

It’s an early game featuring a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference Finals. Can the Raptors put the clamps on Antetokounmpo again, or will the Bucks be too good this time around?

Portland Trail Blazers @ Dallas Mavericks, 12/8, 7:00am

Another early game, but well worth the watch. Damian Lillard has been on a mission in the bubble to lead the Blazers to the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Can Doncic and the Mavericks play spoiler and stop Portland?

LA Clippers @ Denver Nuggets, 13/8, 11:00am

It’s a star-studded match up, with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Clippers taking on Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. The Clippers currently sit second in the West, while the Nuggets are third. Both teams will be looking to hold their spots and avoid a drop to fourth and a potential second round series against the Lakers.

Games can be seen on Foxtel (ESPN) and Kayo.

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Photo: Sunny Stadium by Michael Coghlan available HERE and used under a Creative Commons Attribution. The image has not been modified.