{"id":86172,"date":"2026-05-19T14:47:22","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T04:47:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/?p=86172"},"modified":"2026-05-22T07:44:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T21:44:39","slug":"2026-afl-round-11-tips-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/2026\/05\/2026-afl-round-11-tips-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 AFL Round 11 Tips & Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Another monster weekend of finals-like footy awaits with Tassie firmly in the spotlight in more ways than one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UTAS Stadium in\u00a0Launceston\u00a0plays host to Thursday Night Footy between the Hawks and the Crows, before the annual Dreamtime at the \u2018G clash follows on Friday between cellar-dwellers Richmond and Essendon.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heavyweights Geelong and Sydney meet on Saturday in a serious Top 4 battle, while footy fans everywhere prepare to celebrate Scott Pendlebury when he steps out to set the new all-time games record against West Coast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, it could be\u00a0lights\u00a0out for Bevo and the Bulldogs on Sunday against the red-hot Dees, and as always, you can find our complete list of AFL Round 11 tips in our preview!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Hawthorn<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Adelaide Crows<\/div>\n
Thursday 21st May 7:30 PM (UTAS Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tip: Hawks 1-39 @ $2.10 <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

We\u2019re<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>almost at<\/span>\u00a0the halfway point of the season, and this sure feels like an important game for both sides as far as finals are concerned. The Hawks have made\u00a0<\/span>Tassie<\/span>\u00a0their fortress, but their lack of forward half targets in recent weeks and depth through the midfield\u00a0<\/span>makes this a tough matchup. In positive news, Mabior Chol and Jack Gunston are set to play, while Will Da<\/span>y is due for his first hit-out in the VFL this weekend.\u00a0<\/span>There\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0no timetable on Riley Thilthorpe\u2019s return for the Crows, and they\u00a0<\/span>sure\u00a0<\/span>could use another big body up front given their road woes in recent\u00a0<\/span>times<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>The Hawks need to clean up their turnovers and start winning some\u00a0<\/span>centre<\/span>\u00a0clearances, but with some big names back in the side, they\u00a0<\/span>look<\/span>\u00a0a good bet to end their slump.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Hawks vs Crows<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Richmond<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Essendon<\/div>\n
Friday 22nd May 7:45 PM (MCG)<\/div>\n
Tip: Under 175.5 Total Points <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

Dreamtime at the \u2018G looms large for two coaches planted firmly on the hot seat. The Bombers were atrocious for three quarters against the Dockers last week, while the Tigers fell behind by three goals early in another low-scoring display against St Kilda.\u00a0<\/span>It will be fascinating to see if Brad Scott makes a\u00a0<\/span>cut throat<\/span>\u00a0decisions ahead of Thursday\u2019s selections, while Adam Yze will be leaning on the available talent he has with Campbell Gray and Sam Cumming both copping injuries last week.\u00a0<\/span>The last four meetings between this pair have all gone Under the Total, and given recent form, it feels like\u00a0<\/span>that\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0exactly the way this one is heading.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Tigers vs Bombers<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Fremantle<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
St Kilda<\/div>\n
Friday 22nd May 8:30 PM (Optus Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tip: Fremantle to Win & Under 176.5 Total Points @ $2.35 <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

The Dockers can momentarily find themselves on top of the ladder on Friday night if they take care of business against the Saints. Patrick Voss and Josh Treacy led the way in last week\u2019s mauling over the Bombers,<\/span>\u00a0which started with some brilliant tackling pressure through the middle of the ground. The Saints are yet to fully prove themselves as a genuine contender\u00a0<\/span>and had big issues stopping the likes of Luke Jackson and Caleb Serong when they last met. The Under is tempting given the way these two sides play, but with the Dockers red hot and back on their home deck, the double is\u00a0<\/span>definitely in<\/span>\u00a0play.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Dockers vs Saints<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
North Melbourne<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Gold Coast Suns<\/div>\n
Saturday 23rd May 1:15 PM (Marvel Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tip: Suns to Win & Under the Total @ $2.90 <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

The\u00a0<\/span>Roos<\/span>\u00a0are another big watch at the selection table this week following last Saturday\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>humiliating<\/span>\u00a011<\/span>\u00a0goal loss to the Crows. The Suns could receive a boost with Ned Long and Jamarra\u00a0<\/span>Ugle<\/span>-Hagan likely to play, but how they handle heading straight to Melbourne following a couple of comfortable weeks up north in the Darwin heat is a fair question.\u00a0<\/span>Gold Coast thumped North by eight goals in their lone meeting last year and are averaging\u00a0<\/span>nearly 11<\/span>\u00a0intercept marks more than the\u00a0<\/span>Roos<\/span>\u00a0at this point. After holding thei<\/span>r last three opponents to under 80 points each, the Suns back line might be the difference in this one.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Roos vs Suns<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Geelong Cats<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Sydney Swans<\/div>\n
Saturday 23rd May 4:15 PM (GMHBA Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tip: Geelong 1-39 @ $2.30 <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

It\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0been a minute since the Swans last visited the\u00a0<\/span>Cattery,<\/span>\u00a0a\u00a0<\/span>venue\u00a0<\/span>they\u00a0<\/span>won\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0hold particularly fond memories of after being pumped 93 points in 2023. This current Sydney squad is much different<\/span>, but their last meeting\u00a0<\/span>wasn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0much better, going down by 63 points at the SCG last August. The Cats have seemingly turned a corner with three blowout wins in a row, the latest coming against the Lions last week at the Gabba \u2013 which is more than we can say for a Swans side that has cut it close against North and Collingwood in recent weeks. This is the first of a long stretch of games in Melbourne for Geelong, and\u00a0<\/span>for a team that is currently allowing opponents the second-fewest marks in the\u00a0<\/span>competition,<\/span>\u00a0home field advantage should be the difference in this top four clash.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Cats vs Swans<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Collingwood<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
West Coast Eagles<\/div>\n
Saturday 23rd May 2026 4:35 PM (MCG)<\/div>\n
Tip: Collingwood to Cover (-44.5 Points) @ $1.90 <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

Should be close to a full house as the legendary Scott Pendlebury steps out to\u00a0<\/span>break the all-time games record on Saturday<\/span>. Elsewhere, the Pies are set to welcome Darcy Moore and Darcy Cameron back from injury, a huge boost against a plucky Eagles\u00a0<\/span>side\u00a0<\/span>that\u00a0<\/span>kicked four goals in the final term to knock off GWS<\/span>\u00a0last week.<\/span>\u00a0As the odds suggest, a West Coast win would be a monumental upset given the\u00a0<\/span>circumstances, and<\/span>\u00a0given how well Cra<\/span>ig McRae coaches his side through these types of moments,\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0hard to see it happening.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Pies vs Eagles<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Port Adelaide<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Carlton<\/div>\n
Saturday 23rd May 7:35 PM (Adelaide Oval)<\/div>\n
Tip: Port Adelaide to Cover (-9.5 Points) @ $1.90 <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

They were far from great, but former head coach Michael Voss had to be a little sick watching his old side give some\u00a0<\/span>serious effort<\/span>\u00a0in last week\u2019s win over the Bulldogs. Looking ahead, the Blues are a tough team to get a read on after playing competitive footy in patches for most of the year, while the same can be said of Port Adelaide, who\u00a0<\/span>fought back to trim the margin late against the Suns last week. The Power were huge around the clearances in the final term, also winning the inside 50 count 17-10. T<\/span>hey say\u00a0<\/span>you\u2019re<\/span>\u00a0only as good as\u00a0<\/span>last<\/span>\u00a0your game, but if the Power can pick up where they left off back on their home deck, they are one of the better bets of the weekend \u2013 and the bookies seem to agree.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Power vs Blues<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
GWS Giants<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Brisbane Lions<\/div>\n
Sunday 24th May 12:30 PM (ENGIE Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tip: Lions to Cover (-14.5 Points) @ $1.90 <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

Lions coach Chris Fagan\u00a0<\/span>isn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0known for making rash decisions, but\u00a0<\/span>a big selection<\/span>\u00a0change before this trip to Western Sydney\u00a0<\/span>wouldn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0shock. Brisbane\u00a0<\/span>were<\/span>\u00a0slow out of the gates in last week\u2019s Grand Final rematch against the Cats, and as Alastair Lynch and Tom Rockli<\/span>ff said on this week\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span>neds<\/span>\u00a0AFL Unpopular Opinions\u00a0<\/span><\/span>podcast, question marks are starting to be asked of Cam Rayner and a few others. A couple of down games from Harris Andrews\u00a0<\/span>hasn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0helped, but\u00a0<\/span>there is hope on the horizon with veteran Dayne Zorko set to return\u00a0<\/span>on Sunday<\/span>. Against a wounded GWS effort missing some serious fire power through the middle, not even Jesse Hogan\u2019s return is enough to move the needle<\/span>\u00a0here against the reigning\u00a0<\/span>champs<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Giants vs Lions<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Western Bulldogs<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Melbourne<\/div>\n
Sunday 24th May 3:15 PM (Marvel Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tip: Melbourne to Win @ $1.83 <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

Hands down<\/span>\u00a0one of the tougher markets to work out with the Dogs\u00a0<\/span>going close to even in the betting<\/span>. There\u2019s hope Tim English can return to the ruck, and\u00a0<\/span>he\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0sorel<\/span>y ne<\/span>eded with Marcus Bontempelli\u00a0<\/span>operating<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>as a\u00a0<\/span>one\u00a0<\/span>man<\/span>\u00a0ba<\/span>nd in r<\/span>ecent weeks. The Dees\u00a0<\/span>were clinical at times in last week\u2019s win over the Hawks and will look to\u00a0<\/span>showcase<\/span>\u00a0t<\/span>heir pri<\/span>stine ball use to take full advantage of a Bulldogs back line that\u00a0<\/span>is looking<\/span>\u00a0everythin<\/span>g but sound.\u00a0<\/span>English\u2019s return will level things up around the ruck, but the price on offer here for Melbourne feels too good to ignore.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Bulldogs vs Dees<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Another monster weekend of finals-like footy awaits with Tassie firmly in the spotlight in more ways than one.  UTAS Stadium in\u00a0Launceston\u00a0plays host to Thursday Night Footy between the Hawks and the Crows, before the annual Dreamtime at the \u2018G clash follows on Friday between cellar-dwellers Richmond and Essendon.\u00a0 Heavyweights Geelong and Sydney meet on Saturday in a serious Top 4 battle, while footy fans everywhere prepare to celebrate Scott Pendlebury when he steps out to set the new all-time games record against West Coast.  Finally, it could be\u00a0lights\u00a0out for Bevo and the Bulldogs on Sunday against the red-hot Dees, and as always, you can find…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":86174,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,10157],"tags":[33],"hub_post_cat":[],"class_list":["post-86172","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-australian-rules","category-afl-tips","tag-afl-tips"],"acf":{"md_tip_date":"","md_tip_date_end":"","md_market_url":"","tip_date":"19\/05\/2026","event_country":"Australia"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86172","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=86172"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86172\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/86174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=86172"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=86172"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=86172"},{"taxonomy":"hub_post_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hub_post_cat?post=86172"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}