The final bye week of the home and away season has arrived, with the Dogs, Cats, Saints, and Dees all putting their feet up.
Another seven-game feast of footy awaits, starting on Thursday night with what could be an early sneak peek of the Grand Final between the Lions and Swans at the Gabba.
The hits keep coming on Friday with the Hawks and Giants writing another chapter in their modern-day rivalry, while the stakes are just as high on Sunday afternoon for the hapless Gold Coast Suns, who face a must-win game in Perth against top-of-the-ladder Fremantle.
Brisbane Lions vs Sydney Swans Predictions
Such an important game between two sides with plenty of recent history against one another.
The fact both return fresh from the bye adds a bit of extra spice, but there’s no getting around the initial surprise when you view the market and find the Lions as favourites.
Yes, they have home field advantage, but Chris Fagan’s side has looked everything but their usual selves over the last six weeks, playing only once decent quarter of footy in the win over Richmond between the week off.
Sydney is a beast and firing on all cylinders, led by serious Brownlow contender, Isaac Heeney. With Errol Gulden finally making his long-awaited return back into the side, and the Lions now missing Hugh McLuggage alongside Dayne Zorko, the price for Sydney outright feels like a steal.
Prediction: Swans to Win @ $1.98
Value: Swans to Win & Under 185.5 Total Points @ $3.70
Player Pick: Errol Gulden Anytime Goal Kicker @ $2.30
Hawthorn vs GWS Giants Predictions
Another genuine rivalry between a pair of sides that tend to fire up when they meet.
The individual battle between serial pests James Sicily and the most fined man in football, Toby Greene, adds another element to this 3rd vs 13th clash, alongside the fact the Hawks are still without James Gunston.
Speaking of absences, Josh Weddle was handed a three-match ban, and there’s also a bit of a watch on James Impey and Connor Nash after both pulled up sore following last week’s win over the Gold Coast.
The Giants have everything to play for in this one after a slow start cost them last week against the Blues. Adam Kingsley’s side were equally as poor in the final term when allowing Carlton to kick four unanswered goals, and it remains incredibly difficult to feel confident in the orange tsunami on a weekly basis.
With that in mind, plus Hawthorn’s knack for switching off during periods, it’s worth having a bet each-way in this one.
Prediction: Either team to win by less than 24.5 points @ $2.10
Value: Giants to Win @ $3.30
Player Pick: Jesse Hogan 2+ Goals @ $2.05
Carlton vs West Coast Eagles Predictions
The Blues are riding high on the back of four straight wins, but they can’t afford to get complacent against a West Coast looking to respond to a devastating one-point loss to North Melbourne before the bye.
The Eagles have turned a corner and are looking to notch a few wins before the season ends, while there’s still a minor question mark on Carlton’s ability to score after registering less than 90 points over their last three games.
At the same time, Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh have finally found some form, and it just feels like the Blues have rediscovered how fun it is to play footy since Michael Voss was given the heave-ho.
Defender Jacob Weitering is a big in for the Blues as they look to extend their winning streak over the Eagles – which dates right back to 2022 – to seven on Saturday.
Prediction: Carlton 1-39 @ $2.20
Value: Harry McKay First Goal Kicker @ $9
Player Pick: Patrick Cripps 30+ Disposals @ $2.30
Collingwood vs Richmond Predictions
The Pies ran out 26-point winners over Port last week in an ugly game of footy, keeping their faint hopes of finals alive.
Whether it’s in their best interests to play through to September is up for debate, but it’s clear their top names are still trying each week with Nick Daicos racking up 40 touches and Jordan deGoey slotting three goals.
The Tigers have been much-improved over the last fortnight, although the effort isn’t exactly translating into wins for Adam Yze.
The game got away from them after half time in the 25-point loss to North, but on a positive note, Jayden Short and James Trezise continue to get plenty of the footy.
Veteran Scott Pendlebury figures to factor into this one and disrupt some of the Tigers’ hard work through the middle of the ground, but all in all, this should be another grindy, less-than exciting Collingwood win.
Prediction: Under 170.5 Total Points @ $1.88
Value: Collingwood to Win & Under 170.5 Total Points @ $2.05
Player Pick: Jordan de Goey 2+ Goals @ $2.00
Port Adelaide vs Adelaide Crows Predictions
The second Showdown of the year looms large as the Crows look to make it four on the bounce against their long-time rival.
Only a point separated the pair in what stands out as a genuine ‘Game of the Year’ contender; Brayden Cook slotting a goal with 10 seconds on the clock to put a dagger in the Power’s late comeback effort.
Since then, the Crows have lost only once to Hawthorn, while Port has gone close to knocking off serious finals hopefuls like the Bulldogs and Sydney Swans in recent weeks.
This one figures to be a typically high-spirited affair, but there’s no getting around the loss of Port’s key defender Esava Ratugolea – who’s season is now done with a serious knee injury.
Prediction: Crows to Cover the Line (-22.5 Points) @ $1.90
Value: Crows 40+ @ $2.85
Player Pick: Taylor Walker 3+ Goals @ $3.30
North Melbourne vs Essendon Predictions
The Roos continue to hang around the Wild Card picture, and they can strengthen their position even further with a win over embattled Essendon to kick off the Sunday slate.
It was touch and go in the first half, but North did well to take care of business against rebuilding Richmond last week, notching back to back wins for the second time this season.
The Dons had a week off as they continue their search for a long-time Brad Scott replacement, but there’s some big news on the injury front with top midfielder Archie Roberts and Kyle Langford set to miss this game after picking up injuries in the loss to Melbourne a fortnight ago.
Isaac Kako’s inclusion is a big positive for a team that has struggled to score all year, but against a North team that has allowed the second-fewest kicks and handballs to opponents on the season, this might turn into a tough afternoon for the Bombers.
Prediction: North Melbourne to Cover (-14.5 Points) @ $1.90
Value: North Melbourne 1-39 @ $2.15
Player Pick: Cooper Trembath 2+ Goals @ $1.90
Fremantle vs Gold Coast Suns Predictions
It’s a hard road ahead for Damien Hardwick and the Gold Coast Suns, and it doesn’t get any tougher than a road trip to face a ruthless Fremantle side on Sunday afternoon.
In the midst of a four-game skid, the Suns suddenly look like the favourites to drop out of the finals race entirely after being smacked around the centre clearances last week against the Hawks.
It’s feast or famine coming out of the middle of the ground right now for the Gold Coast, and they need to come up with an answer in a hurry with pressure firmly mounting on their talented list.
Unfortunately, the Dockers take no prisoners, particularly at home where they’ve outscored opponents by an average of 33 points this year.
With a couple of key names like Matt Rowell needing to lift, and Ben King looking very one dimensional up forward, it’s tough to see the Suns knocking off the current flag favourites.
Prediction: Fremantle to Cover (-28.5 Points) @ $1.90
Value: Fremantle 40+ @ $2.40
Player Pick: Caleb Serong 25+ Disposals @ $2.10