2026 AFL Round 24 Tips & Predictions

It’s only fitting that the two most disappointing clubs should meet in a meaningless game to wrap up their respective seasons. 

Injuries have plagued the Saints all year, while the Suns have simply fallen off a cliff with Damien Hardwick facing a tell-all offseason that features conversations around star midfielder, Christian Petracca. 

The Saints at least managed to put away the Tigers last week, but this is still a tricky game to tip between two sides that don’t exactly score for fun. There should be an element of St Kilda hoping to give their fans something to cheer for after another lost season, but given their last four games against the Gold Coast have fallen Under the Total, that’s probably the best way to play this one. 

Prediction: Under 178.5 Total Points @ $1.88

Selections will be key to this contest, particularly from a Collingwood perspective.  

The Pies are assured a Wild Card final in Melbourne next week regardless of the result, which means some of their older players like Jordan deGoey, Steele Sidebottom, and Dan McStay could be due a well-deserved spell. 

The Lions, meanwhile, can still finish as low as seventh should they lose, and there’s another selection headache ahead for Chris Fagan with Ty Gallop due to return from suspension. 

Brisbane’s top players are firing at the right time and there’s a genuine argument to be made for Will Ashcroft to earn an All-Australian jumper.  

The Pies left a lot to be desired last week in their draw with Hawthorn and even with some of their young names really starting to find their legs, this could be a long afternoon with a depleted list.  

Prediction: Brisbane to Cover (-20.5 Points) @ $1.90 

Dockers coach Justin Longmuir has some decisions to make ahead of Thursday as to whether he sends older names like Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw on the flight to Melbourne. 

There’s an argument to be made that Freo shouldn’t even risk in-form forwards Patrick Voss or Jye Amiss for this meaningless clash against the Blues, but as far as Carlton are concerned, there’s everything to play for with the chance of an away Wild Card trip to Adelaide still on the table.  

Off the field, the Blues have found their man after appointing Josh Fraser their coach for 2027 on Monday afternoon, meaning they can firmly focus on footy and the very realistic possibility of a deep finals push. 

We saw some of the old Carlton creep into last week’s draw with the Dogs, but if the Dockers do give some of their top names the week off, this shapes as a nice game for the Blues to sharpen their skills and rebound before things get serious. 

Prediction: Carlton 1-39 @ $2.95 

It’s a straightforward scenario for these two clubs on Saturday… well, sort of. 

If the Dees win, they earn themselves a Top 6 finish and a week off over Wild Card round, but a loss would see them plummet to 7th and host a Wild Card final. 

For the Dogs, there’s no week off on the line, but potentially a date with Collingwood next week, depending on how results play out. 

This the most fascinating game of the weekend for the reasons just mentioned, but it should also give us a glimpse at how Melbourne plans to play up forward with Jacob van Rooyen facing a three-week stint on the sideline after last week’s head high contact with Aliir Aliir.  

The Dogs are still wounded and relying heavily on Ed Richards, but with the last two encounters between these two being decided by no more than a goal, this one promises to live up to the billing.  

Prediction: Bulldogs to Cover (+17.5 Points) @ $1.90 

The Tigers have shown flashes of promise at times this season, but last week was a fair indication that Adam Yze’s side is still a long way off competing.  

The Saints crept out to an early lead and never looked back, smashing Richmond in clearances and stoppages in what was largely a forgettable day for the yellow and black. 

Things don’t get any easier with a final game in hand against Geelong, and although Chris Scott might wish to rest older names like Patrick Dangerfield, there’s likely too much to play for with a win guaranteeing a Top 6 finish and a week off. 

These two sides haven’t met this season, but their dual meetings last year saw the Cats win comfortably by 6+ goals. Back at the Cattery and looking to improve on a somewhat close call against North Melbourne last week, it’s no surprise to find Geelong as the shortest priced favourites this week. 

Prediction: Geelong to Win & Under the Total 

Plenty at stake for the Crows as they desperately watch previous results with a Top 6 finish still a very real possibility.  

The Giants are done and dusted, but they’d relish a chance to dent the Crows’ confidence and potentially send them back down to 8th, pending a Collingwood win, of course.  

Adelaide has been the toughest team to get a read on all season, particularly on the back of last week’s flat effort against Fremantle where they gave up 60 inside 50 entries and managed only six marks in the forward half of the ground.  

The Giants beat up on West Coast, and although they aren’t in contention, they have managed some recent wins against the Cats, Dockers, Dees, and Lions. 

Wins at the Adelaide Oval haven’t eluded them in recent years either, and with names like Toby Greene and Jake Stringer potentially playing their final game in orange, this looks a good spot to take the Giants as underdogs. 

Prediction: Giants to Win @ $3.50 

Nothing on the line as far as finals are concerned, but the Bombers could at least avoid the wooden spoon should they win, and Richmond lose to Geelong. 

Unfortunately, a win looks a long way off after another uninspiring performance last week against Sydney, although there isn’t much to write home about from a Port Adelaide perspective, either.  

That said, the Power demolished the Bombers by 10 goals when they met in March and will be eager to build towards 2027 under first year head coach, Josh Carr. 

The absence of Aliir Aliir down back hurts Port defensively, but they could receive a boost through the midfield with Zak Butters a chance at playing in what might be his final game in Power colours.  

Scoring has been tough at times, but Port has been competitive against some tough teams and are arguably a better team than their current ladder position suggests. A win here would be a well-deserved result and something they can build on into next year. 

Prediction: Port Adelaide to Cover (-13.5 Points) @ $1.90 

It’s almost impossible to get a feel for this game with the Swans scandal still playing out. 

Their list of outs could be a mile long, although there was every chance Dean Cox rested a handful of his veterans anyway with the second spot on the ladder sewn up.  

They won’t play finals, but North has improved significantly this year and will no doubt be targeting finals in 2027.  

Last week’s 15-point loss to Geelong doesn’t really do them justice after playing three competitive quarters, while they showed the week prior against the Dogs that when their young mids get plenty of the footy, they can challenge just about anyone. 

A scalp here over Sydney would do wonders for North’s confidence, regardless of the strength of Sydney’s team. Until we know more about lists though, this might just be a No Bet type of game. 

Prediction: No Bet 

Enormous ramifications for the out of form Hawks, with a loss potentially sending them packing back to 7th on the ladder. 

A win would ensure a Top 4 finish, but a Lions victory over Collingwood would lock in a return trip to Perth in two weeks’ time to face the Dockers. 

Sam Mitchell’s side has looked lifeless at times over the last few weeks, struggling down in Launceston against North Melbourne, before a blowout loss to the Lions, and finally, last week’s head scratching draw against Collingwood.  

There’s no one area you can point to that needs fixing, as the Hawks’ skills and polish has been lacking. Mitchell needs to find a quick fix, and it starts with cleaning up turnover and not allowing opponents to get out to early leads. 

A game in hand against the hapless Eagles could be what the doctor ordered, but with West Coast hoping to give their fans something to feel good about after another tough year, there’s every chance they make this interesting. 

Prediction: Hawthorn to Win & Over 181.5 Total Points @ $2.00