Photo Credit: AFL.com

We have expert tips and predictions for AFL round 20. Beginning tonight with Fremantle hosting Melbourne. A massive top eight clash. It could be one of the games of the round.

We have a big Saturday of footy. Collingwood will look to make it 10 straight wins when they host Port Adelaide at the MCG. The Swans taking on their cross town rivals GWS. St Kilda a chance to continue their top 8 chances when they host Hawthorn at Marvel on Saturday evening.

A big Saturday night of football includes when Geelong hosts the Bulldogs at their traditional home GMHBA stadium. Adelaide will host the Blues, who have a must win contest to ensure they put themselves in a good enough position to continue pressing for their spot in the finals.

Sunday football begins with the Gold Coast Suns hosting the West Coast Eagles. Another match of the round could potentially be when Richmond host the Brisbane Lions at the MCG. The round will wrap up with Essendon hosting North Melbourne.

Fremantle vs Melbourne

Friday 8:10pm AEST

Optus Stadium, Perth

Fremantle will host Melbourne tonight at Optus Stadium.

Fremantle in fifth position with a 12-5 record. Facing the second placed Melbourne, with a 13-5 record. Melbourne have three out of the last five clashes with Fremantle. However Fremantle came from behind to end Melbourne’s 10-game unbeaten run in 2022 in round 11 by 38-points.

If Fremantle lose tonight, it could be a difficult task for them to make top 4, as Collingwood will go eight-points clear of them if as expected they beat Port Adelaide tomorrow. If Melbourne can’t win this one, they’re hopes of finishing top of the ladder will be all the more harder. As Geelong can go two games clear on top with three games remaining if they beat the Bulldogs.

Fremantle played a thrilling draw with Richmond last Friday night, where if Noah Cumberland hadn’t played on, they could’ve been beaten after the final siren. Melbourne gave up a 27-point lead to go down to the Bulldogs by 10-points on Saturday night.

Key players:

Fremantle:

• Rory Lobb
• Andrew Brayshaw
• Hayden Young

Melbourne:

• Angus Brayshaw
• Clayton Oliver
• Luke Jackson

Fremantle vs Melbourne prediction:

Melbourne will win a close contest by 15-points. They will get back to winning ways and set up a top 2 finish potentially.

Fremantle vs Melbourne betting tip:

Melbourne start favourites at $1.72 to Fremantle $2.10

Collingwood vs Port Adelaide

Saturday 1:45pm

MCG, Melbourne

Collingwood will host Port Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

Collingwood in fourth position with a 13-5 record, facing the 11th placed Port Adelaide with an 8-10 record. Port have won three out of the last five clashes with Collingwood, including three consecutively.

Collingwood defeated Essendon by four-points after the final siren last week, Jamie Elliot the hero as he denied Essendon a 37-point comeback. As Collingwood moved into the top 4, they will be aiming for their 10th consecutive victory. Port Adelaide lost a thrilling game against Geelong by 12-points, after nearly coming from behind from 34-points down to win. If they can’t beat Collingwood tomorrow, it really could be season over for Port.

Key Players:

Collingwood:

• Jamie Elliot
• Jack Ginnivan
• Josh Daicos

Port Adelaide:

• Robbie Gray
• Jeremy Finlayson
• Charlie Dixon

Collingwood vs Port Adelaide prediction:

Collingwood will be too strong for Port this time. They simply can’t be stopped at the moment and they are the masters of winning close games. They will win by 40-points.

Collingwood vs Port Adelaide betting tip:

Collingwood start favourites at $1.66 to Port $2.17.

Sydney Swans vs GWS

Saturday 2:10pm

SCG, Sydney

Sydney Swans will host their cross town rivals GWS at the SCG on Saturday afternoon.

Sydney in sixth position with a 12-6 record. GWS in 15th with a 5-13 record. Sydney have won three out of the last five clashes with GWS.

The Swans took care of the Adelaide Crows by 33-points last weekend, whilst GWS went down to Carlton by 36-points.

Key Players:

Sydney:

• Lance Franklin
• Sam Reid
• Luke Parker

GWS:

• Jesse Hogan
• Toby Greene
• Josh Kelly

Sydney Swans vs GWS prediction:

Sydney to get the job done by 3o-points.

Sydney Swans vs GWS betting tip:

Sydney start favourites $1.22 to GWS $4.15

St Kilda vs Hawthorn

Saturday 4:35pm AEST

Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

St Kilda will host Hawthorn at Marvel stadium on Saturday evening.

The Saints in ninth position with a 1o-8 record, taking on the 13th placed Hawks with a 7-11 record. The Saints have won four out of the last five clashes with Hawthorn, including the last four consecutively.

St Kilda enter this clash following a 28-point win over West Coast in Perth. Hawthorn have won their last three games, last week they comfortably took care of North Melbourne by 46-points.

Key players include:

St Kilda:

• Max King
• Tim Membrey
• Brad Crouch

Hawthorn:

• Mitch Lewis
• Jack Gunston
• Tom Mitchell

St Kilda vs Hawthorn prediction:

St Kilda to get the job done by 25-points and stay in the finals hunt.

St Kilda vs Hawthorn betting tip:

St Kilda start favourites at $1.65 to Hawthorn $2.20

Geelong vs Western Bulldogs

Saturday 7:25pm AEST

GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

Geelong will host the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night at GMHBA Stadium.

Geelong in first position with a 14-4 record, taking on the eighth placed Bulldogs with a 10-8 record. Geelong have won four out of the last five clashes with the Bulldogs.

The Cats got out of jail last week, surviving a 34-point comeback to defeat Port Adelaide by 12-points. Winning their ninth straight game. This week they have a massive opportunity to make it 10 straight wins. The Bulldogs upset Melbourne, coming back from 27-points down to overrun them in the end by 10-points.

There is no shortage of firepower between these sides. Both have the ability to kick big scores.

Geelong vs Western Bulldogs prediction:

Geelong should be good enough at home to win by 25-points, but don’t count the Bulldogs out just yet.

Geelong vs Western Bulldogs betting tip:

Geelong start favourites at $1.30 to the Bulldogs $3.40

Adelaide vs Carlton

Saturday 7:30pm

Adelaide Oval

Adelaide will host Carlton at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

Adelaide in 16th with a 5-13 record, taking on the seventh placed Blues with a 12-6 record. Carlton have won three out of the last five clashes with Adelaide.

The Crows put up a gallant fight against Sydney but went down by 33-points last weekend. Carlton face a tough challenge from GWS, but overcame them by 36-points.

It is simply a must win for Carlton if they are serious about playing finals this year, with three very tough final games to come, it is essential they get this win to put them in a good position to make finals. They are close to their best 22 now, with key ruckman Marc Pittonet making his senior side return.

Key players:

Adelaide:

• Taylor Walker
• Ben Keays
• Brodie Smith

Carlton:

• Charlie Curnow
• Harry McKay
• Sam Walsh

Adelaide vs Carlton prediction:

Carlton to get the job done by 36-points. They may face a scrappy contest as the Crows have been competitive the last few weeks, but Carlton should be good enough to get a crucial win for their finals ambitions.

Adelaide vs Carlton betting tip:

Carlton start favourites at $1.39 to Adelaide $2.84

Gold Coast vs West Coast

Sunday 1:10pm AEST

Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast

Gold Coast will host West Coast on Sunday afternoon.

Gold Coast in 12th with an 8-10 record, West Coast in 17th with a 2-16 record. West Coast have won three out of the last five clashes with Gold Coast.

The Suns put up a competitive performance, but went down to Brisbane by 17-points last weekend. West Coast were competitive against St Kilda, but the Saints ran away to a 28-point victory.

Gold Coast vs West Coast prediction:

Gold Coast to get the job done at home by 35-points.

Gold Coast vs West Coast betting tip:

Gold Coast start strong favourites at $1.14 to Brisbane $2.o4

Richmond vs Brisbane

Sunday 3:20 AEST

MCG, Melbourne

Richmond will host the Brisbane Lions on Sunday afternoon.

Richmond in 10th position with a 9-8 record, taking on the third placed Lions with a 13-5 record. Richmond have won three out of the last five clashes with Brisbane.

Richmond come into this game following a thrilling draw with Fremantle last Friday night. Brisbane faced a strong challenge from the Gold Coast Suns, but ultimately came out on top by 17-points in the end.

This game could be Richmond’s last genuine attempt to keep genuine finals hopes alive. Brisbane however will have to win against the kings of the MCG, where they haven’t won in eight years.

Key players:

Richmond:

• Tom Lynch
• Jack Graham
• Jack Riewoldt

Brisbane:

• Charlie Cameron
• Joe Daniher
• Lachie Neale

Richmond vs Brisbane prediction:

Richmond have the advantage at the MCG, their season might come down to this game. They will win a close contest by 20-points. But don’t be suprised if Brisbane can finally put the MCG demons behind them and grab an all important win to keep them in the top 4.

Richmond vs Brisbane betting tip:

Richmond start slight favourites at $1.81 to Brisbane $2.04

Essendon vs North Melbourne

Sunday 4:40pm AEST

Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

Essendon will host North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Sunday evening. Rounding out round 20.

Essendon in 14th position with a 6-12 record. North in 18th position with a 2-16 record. Essendon have won the last seven clashes with North Melbourne, dating back to 2017.

It would seem unlikely North will win its first game against Essendon since 2016, given the fact Essendon gave Collingwood, a top 4 contender a run for its money. Only to be undone with the last kick of the game from Jamie Elliot after the final siren to go down by four-points. Before this, Essendon had won three consecutive games, so they are in a good run of late season form. North despite upsetting Richmond two weeks ago, struggled to maintain it against Hawthorn. Going down soundly by 46-points in the end.

Key Players:

Essendon:

• Peter Wright
• Jake Stringer
• Sam Draper

North Melbourne:

• Cameron Zurhaar
• Nick Larkey
• Jack Ziebell

Essendon vs North Melbourne prediction:

Essendon should be able to continue its run of form lately, they will win by 40-points.

Essendon vs North Melbourne betting tip:

Essendon start hot favourites at $1.11 to North Melbourne $6.70