THE BRISBANE Lions will be out to inflict a fourth-straight defeat for 2007 on arch-rivals Essendon this weekend, after the Bombers became the latest victim of the suddenly resurgent Kangaroos.

Kevin Sheedy's team was 3-1 headed into the annual Anzac fixture with Collingwood but has stuttered since and a 22-point loss to the Roos at Docklands on Friday night made it three losses on the trot.

The Bombers trailed at every change before making a final-term charge at the Kangaroos, but ultimately paid for kicking a wasteful 13.17. Essendon is likely to try and remedy its goalkicking woes by recalling skipper and spearhead Matthew Lloyd (hamstring) and, with Scott Lucas (five goals against the Roos) regaining form after two goalless outings, the Lions defence will have to be on its game.

The Roos, meanwhile, are flying and now have four successive wins to offset their 0-3 start to the campaign. Dean Laidley's side will have the chance to stretch its winning sequence to five when it hosts Carlton at Carrara on Saturday night.

In other weekend results, the good form of the Lions' round-nine opponents Collingwood continued, when they notched a third straight win by accounting for Carlton by 24 points at the MCG on Saturday - in a match that was notable for a spectacular quarter-time melee. Unpredictable Blues star Brendan Fevola ran through the Pies' huddle and Alan Didak and an old fashioned dust-up ensued.

Round-10 opponents Richmond remain winless, after being easily defeated by 40 points by Port Adelaide, and Melbourne is also without a victory this campaign, following another heartbreaking loss, this time to the Western Bulldogs by a single goal at Docklands on Sunday. Ex-Lion Jason Akermanis was again relatively quiet for the Dogs but did kick an important goal in the last quarter

Hawthorn made Fremantle work for its third win of the season, a grinding 16-point result at Subiaco, while Sydney's indifferent start to the season continued, when it went down to St Kilda by 26 points on Saturday night.

What would have been the surprise of the season a fortnight back turned out to be an expected outcome, with Geelong being backed off the map in pre-match betting and playing accordingly to end West Coast's unbeaten start to the season. The Cats outscored their visitors 10 goals to five in the second half en route to a 39-point win, with Cam Mooney kicking four goals for the game. The Eagles have now been replaced at the top of the standings by Port Adelaide.

It was a weekend of even individual performances across the league, with Geelong's Jimmy Bartel excelling with 32 possessions and Adelaide pair Simon Goodwin and Tyson Edwards also in great touch.

Kangaroos 18.9 (117) d Essendon 13.17 (95)

The Kangaroos now sit seventh following four straight wins, although their 22-point triumph against Essendon came at a cost - star midfielder Daniel Wells to miss six to eight weeks with medial ligament damage to his knee. Key forwards Aaron Edwards and Leigh Brown led the way for the Roos, while Scott Lucas returned to his early season form and kicked five goals for the Bombers.

Collingwood 17.17 (119) d Carlton 14.11 (95)

Carlton got the jump on Collingwood early and led by 19 points at half time. But the Magpies hit their straps after the long break and outscored the Blues 13 goals to six in the second half to post their fifth win of the season. Alan Didak kicked four goals for the winners and Brendan Fevola booted four for Carlton, but the duo's most memorable contributions might have been to a quarter-time spot of argy bargy. Both teams got heavily involved and the melee seems likely to draw heavy scrutiny from the Match Review Panel.

Port Adelaide 16.19 (115) d Richmond 10.15 (75)

The Power barely needed to get out of second gear against Richmond, assuming top spot with a 40-point win at AAMI Stadium. The Tigers scarcely resembled the side that threatened West Coast a fortnight ago, although they did at least manage to cut a 58-point three-quarter-time deficit in the final term. Port had 10 goalkickers, led by Brendon Lade with three.

St Kilda 15.7 (97) d Sydney 11.5 (71)

The Saints' shocking luck with injury continued - Brendan Goddard out for the season with a knee reconstruction - but they sit ninth on four wins after a solid 26-point win over Sydney. St Kilda led at every change, with Nick Riewoldt best afield and Fraser Gehrig kicking four goals. Sydney slipped to 3-4 and its indifferent display led coach Paul Roos to admit his side just isn't playing well.

Geelong 16.13 (109) d West Coast 10.10 (70)

Castigated after a disappointing loss to the Kangaroos two weeks ago, the Cats are now celebrated, having backed up a 100-plus point walloping of Richmond with the 39-point win that ended West Coast's unbeaten start to the season. Jimmy Bartel provided plenty of drive for Geelong, while the jobs done on key Eagles Chris Judd and Daniel Kerr by Joel Corey and Cameron Ling were influential.

Western Bulldogs 16.16 (112) d Melbourne 16.10 (106)

Jason Akermanis' quiet start to life at his new club continued, although his final-quarter goal from 50m helped the Bulldogs get home by a kick in the weekend's best game. Brad Johnson's fourth goal of the day was the sealer for the Bulldogs, in a match in which momentum see-sawed throughout. Aaron Davey was brilliant for the Demons, who could be the most talented team to ever start a season 0-7.

Fremantle 14.12 (96) d Hawthorn 11.14 (80)

Fremantle tuned up for next week's intriuging encounter with Geelong with a somewhat less than convincing 16-point win over Hawthorn. The Dockers struggled to get anything going early, then kicked five goals in a second-quarter burst to draw level at half time, before eventually out-arm-wrestling the visiting Hawks. Lance Franklin kicked only one goal for Hawthorn and Matthew Pavlich was equally well-held for the Dockers.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.