For the first time in 2022 we have a new premiership favourite in Geelong ($3.25) after winning nine in a row and sitting a game clear on top of the ladder.
Melbourne have now won just three of their last eight and, with a tough run home, are at risk of dropping out of the top 4.
The Dees head west to take on Fremantle to kick start the round on Friday night in a crucial clash for both sides.
Brisbane attempt to break their MCG drought against Richmond on Sunday and there are plenty of games to look forward to.
Our full AFL Round 20 Tips & Preview can be found below.
It wasn’t the result they would have wanted, but the two points that Fremantle gained after their draw with Richmond last weekend may prove crucial.
The Dockers now sit half a game outside the top 4 which makes this clash against Melbourne all the more important.
There were many declaring Melbourne premiers earlier in the season after they won their first 10 games of the season but they have faltered since then.
Three wins from their last eight games means they have dropped from top spot and with a tough run home, they are not guaranteed the double chance.
Freo have won their last nine straight games against Melbourne in Perth and I’m predicting a low scoring and tough, finals-like contest.
The ride continues for Craig McCrae and Collingwood as they push for a double chance come September.
The Pies won with a kick after the siren to secure their ninth win in a row, all of which have been by a margin of 1-39 points.
Port Adelaide’s season ended with their loss to Geelong last weekend despite putting up a good fight in front of their home fans.
They have now lost three of their last four and head to the MCG against a very confident Collingwood who must feel invincible right now.
Port have failed to cover the line in three of their last four interstate games and I think that trend will continue.
The Sydney Swans have won their last three in a row and are now favoured to finish inside the top 4 ($1.40) with a favourable run home.
They sit on the third line in premiership betting behind Geelong and Melbourne with Collingwood the only current top eight team they face to end the regular season.
Their cross-town rivals GWS come into this clash having lost their last three by 55, 40 and 36 points.
The scoring has dried up from the Giants, something that was not an issue for them earlier in the season.
They have averaged just 47 points in the last three weeks.
Tom Papley has kicked two or more goals in four of his last five games and Chad Warner has collected 25+ disposals in his last four straight games.
The Hawks have put together three wins in a row but those wins have been against the bottom three sides.
This is to discredit the wins because the Hawks can play an exciting brand of football when things start to go right for them.
St Kilda kept their season alive with an unconvincing win over West Coast in Perth on Sunday but the main thing was the four points.
Jack Steele continues to improve, collecting 40 disposals in his team’s win and Dan Butler’s five goals was crucial in a team that struggles with targets up forward.
The Saints have won their last four straight against Hawthorn and simply have more to play for.
The Western Bulldogs find themselves inside the top eight after knocking of last year’s premiers Melbourne by 10 points on Saturday night.
It was a real team performance from the Dogs who were well serviced by Marcus Bontempelli, Bailey Smith and young gun Jamarra Ugle-Hagen who booted five goals including the sealer.
Melbourne’s forward pressure was non-existent which allowed the Dogs to walk out of their defensive 50 and cut the Dees up through the middle of the ground.
They won’t get that luxury against the Cats this weekend in Geelong.
The Cats lost a grand final in 2020 and there were many of the opinion that their list was too old and had missed their opportunity which was completely fair.
Enter Jeremy Cameron, Isaac Smith, Tom Atkins, Sam De Koning, Brad Close, Max Holmes and others into the starting 22 and it shows how quickly things can be rejuvenated.
The key to victory for Geelong is to provide a heap of pressure on the ball carrier when the Dogs have the football, something that they have been superb in doing during this string of wins.
The Dogs will be desperate to stay in the eight with a win but that won’t be enough down at the Cattery.
Despite losing their fifth game in a row there was much to like about the performance of Adelaide against Sydney.
They lost the game by 33 points in the end but refused to give up throughout the contest.
Rory Laird and Sam Berry were excellent for the Crows but there are simply too many Crows players that are struggling to impact the game of footy.
Things didn’t all go to plan for Carlton against the Giants on Sunday but they ran away with the game late to win by six goals.
The top four is within grasp for Carlton but they close out the season with games against Brisbane, Melbourne and Collingwood.
This is a must win.
The Gold Coast have been competitive without winning recently and they come into this clash with just one win from their last five games.
They were right in the contest against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba last week but ultimately lost by 17 points.
West Coast are a similar story. Competitive without winning.
They suffered their fourth loss in a row to St Kilda at home last round and they have just two wins to their name in season 2022.
Four of West Coast’s last five matches have gone OVER the total match points line and they have gone up huge outsiders in this game which is not justified in my opinion.
The Lions sit in third spot on the AFL ladder at 13-5 as we enter the last few rounds of the season.
It wasn’t a convincing win against the Suns, but they secured the four points as they look to get a double chance in September.
Richmond squandered another opportunity to get into the top eight when they drew with Fremantle last weekend.
They continue to have trouble at clearances and their accuracy in front of goal is hurting them.
Brisbane has a horrible record at the MCG where they have now lost their last 10 straight which is a monkey they will desperately be hoping to get off the back before finals begin.
It’s now or never for Richmond and they simply have more to play for in this one.
Three wins in a row was ended for Essendon in the most brutal way when they lost via a Jamie Elliot kick after the siren on Sunday afternoon.
Just like in seasons past, the Bombers are finding some form late in the year but it is too little, too late.
North Melbourne are planted to the bottom of the AFL ladder with just two wins in season 2022.
They suffered a 46 point loss to Hawthorn last weekend which is the 12th time in 14 games that they have lost by 40+.
Zach Merrett collected 38 touches against the Pies and continues to find the footy and Peter Wright is capable of getting a hold of the Kangaroos defence.