Photo credit: Zero Hanger

Geelong

Melbourne

Thursday 7:20pm AEST.

GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

Geelong will host Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday night, in the top two clash.

It what looms the game of the season, Melbourne sitting on top of the ladder with a 12-3 record. Facing Geelong in second with an 11-4 record.

Melbourne have won three of the last five clashes with Geelong, including the last three consecutively. These games have also included round 23 last year, where Melbourne fought back from 44-points down and Max Gawn’s goal after the final siren secured a first minor premiership for Melbourne since 1964. Also, last years preliminary final where Melbourne destroyed Geelong by 83-points to reach their first Grand Final since 2000.

Melbourne head into this game with two consecutive wins, most recently defeating the Adelaide Crows by 29-points on Saturday. Geelong haven’t loss since their defeat to St Kilda in round 9, winning their last six clashes. Most recently they walloped North Melbourne by 112-points on Saturday night.

Key Players:

• Max Gawn
• Luke Jackson
• Ben Brown

Geelong:

• Jeremy Cameron
• Patrick Dangerfield
• Tom Hawkins

Geelong vs Melbourne Prediction:

Melbourne by 15-points. Melbourne have proven they can be the best team in the competition, they don’t fear playing in Geelong, as shown in round 23 last year. They will go two games clear on top of the table.

Geelong vs Melbourne betting preview:

Melbourne start favourites at $1.84 to Geelong $1.96.

Sydney Swans

 Western Bulldogs

Friday 7:50pm AEST

SCG in Sydney

Sydney will host the Western Bulldogs in a Friday night special at the SCG. The Swans currently holding onto their top in the top 8 on percentage, with a 9-6 record. The Bulldogs in 10th position with an 8-7 record.

The Dogs have won three of the last five clashes with Sydney, including a thrilling 11-point win over Sydney in round 3 this year. Sydney are looking to rebound from a disappointing nine-point loss to Essendon last Saturday. The Dogs were outclassed by the Brisbane Lions by 41-points last Thursday night.

Key players:

Sydney:

• Lance Franklin
• Luke Parker
• Issac Heeney

Western Bulldogs:

• Adam Treloar
• Jack Macrae
• Aaron Naughton

Sydney vs Western Bulldogs prediction:

Sydney will win a close contest by 15-points. They will be hungry to bounce back to their disappointing loss to the Bombers last week.

Sydney vs Western Bulldogs betting preview:

Sydney start favourites at $1.59 to the Dogs $2.32.

   Collingwood

   North Melbourne

Saturday 1:45pm AEST

MCG, Melbourne

Collingwood will host North Melbourne on Saturday afternoon at the MCG. Collingwood in 6th position with a 10-5 record. North Melbourne in 18th position with a 1-14 record (the worst currently in the league).

Collingwood have won four of the last five clashes with North Melbourne. Collingwood have won their last six games, they have been in incredible form. They came from behind late to defeat the Gold Coast Suns by five-points last Saturday night. North’s last win came all the way back in round 2, last week Geelong smashed them by 112-points on Saturday night.

The end of the season simply can’t come fast enough for North, David Noble’s job is well on the line. Collingwood if they continue this form will play finals.

Key players:

Collingwood:

• Jack Ginnivan
• Jordan De Goey
• Steele Sidebottom

North Melbourne:

• Aaron Hall
• Jy Simpkin
• Jaidyn Stephenson

Collingwood vs North Melbourne prediction:

Collingwood will continue their current form, they will make light work of a struggling North, they will win by 70-points or more.

Collingwood vs North Melbourne betting preview:

Collingwood start hot favourites at $1.02 to North $13.oo

  Gold Coast Suns

  Richmond

Saturday 4:35pm AEST

Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast

Gold Coast will host Richmond in an interesting clash on Saturday afternoon. Gold Coast have impressed most this year, currently sitting in 11th with a 7-8 record. Richmond sit in 7th with a 9-6 record.

Richmond have won four of the last five clashes with the Gold Coast. Richmond come into this clash following their 35-point win over West Coast last Sunday. Gold Coast were gallant against Collingwood, but blew a two goal lead late, loosing by five-points.

Key players:

Gold Coast:

• Touk Miller
• Noah Anderson
• Izak Rankine

Richmond:

• Dustin Martin
• Jack Riewoldt
• Tom Lynch

Gold Coast vs Richmond prediction:

Richmond by 25-points. The Suns have shown a lot of promise, but Richmond are in a bit of better form right now, they will prove too strong for a young Suns outfit.

Gold Coast vs Richmond betting preview:

The sides start with even odds, both paying $1.92.

St Kilda

  Fremantle

Saturday 7:25pm AEST

Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

St Kilda will host Fremantle at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night. It could be another huge game with St Kilda sitting in 9th with a 9-6 record. Fremantle in 4th with an 11-4 record.

St Kilda have won three of the last five clashes with Fremantle. St Kilda come into this clash following an upset 15-point win over Carlton last Friday night. Fremantle held off Port’s strong challenge to win by eight-points last Sunday.

It will be a high scoring affair one would imagine, the Saints showed what they can do with their full strength side back, as last week they got back to the form they showed before their two week slump against Essendon and Sydney.

St Kilda vs Fremantle prediction:

Saints will win again, in front of their home fans, their top 8 hopes on the line the next couple weeks as they sit outside it only on percentage. Saints by 15-points.

St Kilda vs Fremantle betting preview:

The sides start with even odds, both paying $1.92.

  Port Adelaide

GWS

Saturday 19:30

Adelaide Oval

Port Adelaide will host GWS on Saturday night. Port sitting in 12th with a 7-8 record. GWS in 13th with a 5-10 record. GWS have won three out of the last five clashes with Port. But Port have won the last two.

Port had a horror start to the season, but have now won seven games as of round 17 and are still in the hunt. They were gallant against Fremantle, but came up short by eight-points. GWS showed promise with

Key players:

Port Adelaide:

• Ollie Wines
• Travis Boak
• Robbie Grey

GWS:

• Josh Kelly
• Jesse Hogan
• Stephan Coniglio

Port Adelaide vs GWS prediction:

Port Adelaide will be strong at home, they will get the job done by 30-points.

Port Adelaide vs GWS tipping preview:

Port start favourites at $1.36 to GWS $3.19.

Brisbane Lions

  Essendon

Sunday 1:10pm AEST

The Gabba, Brisbane.

Brisbane will host Essendon at the Gabba on Sunday afternoon. Brisbane siting in 3rd with an 11-4 record. Essendon in 16th with a 4-11 record.

Brisbane have won three of the last five clashes with Essendon, including the last three consecutively. Brisbane come into this match following a 41-point win over the Western Bulldogs last Thursday. Essendon caused a major upset, defeating Sydney by nine-points last Saturday.

Brisbane will want to kick a high score to beat Essendon this week and will have plenty of fire power.

Key players:

Brisbane:

• Charlie Cameron
• Joe Daniher
• Lachie Neale

Essendon:

• Peter Wright
• Jake Stringer
• Zach Merrett

Brisbane vs Essendon prediction:

Brisbane have made the Gabba their fortress, they will be far to strong at home. They will cruise to a 40-point win.

Brisbane vs Essendon betting preview:

Brisbane start favourites at $1.23 to Essendon $4.20

Hawthorn

  Adelaide Crows

Sunday 3:20pm

Marvel Stadium, Melbourne.

Hawthorn will host the Adelaide Crows on Sunday. Hawthorn in 15th with a 4-11 record. Adelaide in 14th with a 5-10 record.

Hawthorn have won three of the last five clashes with Adelaide. Hawthorn are looking for their first win since round 10. They are coming off a 22-point defeat to GWS last Sunday. Adelaide looking to rebound from their 29-point loss to Melbourne last Saturday night.

Key players:

Hawthorn:

• Tom Mitchell
• James Sicily
• Luke Breust

Adelaide:

• Taylor Walker
• Rory Laird
• Ben Keays

Hawthorn vs Adelaide prediction:

Hawthorn are due for a win, at home they should win by 15-points.

Hawthorn vs Adelaide betting preview:

Hawthorn start favourites at $1.53 to Adelaide $2.52

  West Coast

Carlton

Sunday 4:40pm AEST

Optus Stadium, Perth

West Coast will host Carlton at Optus stadium on Sunday. West Coast in 17th with a 2-13 record. Carlton in 5th with a 10-5 record.

West Coast have won every clash with Carlton dating back to 2014, winning the last seven clashes. One would think that should end this weekend.

West Coast are confident they can win, they have been in better form since the start of the season. They beat Essendon, then competed well against Richmond in their 35-point defeat last Sunday. Carlton are looking to bounce back from their disappointing 35-point loss to St Kilda last Friday night.

Carlton will be bolstered by the return of Jacob Weitering to their line up. Carlton will need to hold up defensively. But, have plenty of power down forward with Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay.

Key players:

West Coast:

• Josh Kennedy
• Tim Kelly
• Luke Shuey

Carlton:

• Charlie Curnow
• Sam Walsh
• Patrick Cripps

West Coast vs Carlton prediction:

Carlton will be challenged no doubt, but they should get the win by 25-points.

West Coast vs Carlton betting preview:

Carlton start favourites at $1.37 to West Coast $3.11