{"id":88850,"date":"2026-07-30T11:14:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T01:14:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/?p=88850"},"modified":"2026-07-30T11:14:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T01:14:09","slug":"2026-afl-round-21-tips-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/2026\/07\/2026-afl-round-21-tips-predictions\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 AFL Round 21 Tips & Predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Punters are treated to some massive games in Round 21 of the AFL this week, none more so than Collingwood vs Geelong to start things on Thursday night. It\u2019s a stacked week, with St Kilda vs Geelong, Hawthorn vs Melbourne, and Carlton vs Brisbane headlining a big Saturday card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We preview every game on the AFL Round 21 schedule with our 2026 AFL Round 21 best bets<\/a> and predictions below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collingwood vs Geelong Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
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\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
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Collingwood<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Geelong<\/div>\n
Thursday 30th July 2026 7:30 PM<\/div>\n
Geelong @ $1.88<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

Last year\u2019s finalists have looked strong over the last couple of weeks, and Geelong could take a big scalp in the opening game this week. Things weren\u2019t looking good for them after three consecutive losses, but wins over St Kilda and Melbourne have put them back on track.<\/p>\n

However, they\u2019re still outside the top eight, and they\u2019ll be looking to trade places with Collingwood in an epic battle at the MCG. Collingwood is playing well, having beaten Adelaide last week, but Geelong is a physical side, and the Cats could prove to be too strong on the road.<\/p>\n

The $1.88 odds are a good price for Geelong, and they could get the week started on a high for punters.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Bet Now<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n

Fremantle vs Western Bulldogs Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
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\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Fremantle<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Western Bulldogs<\/div>\n
Friday 31st July 2026 8:10 PM<\/div>\n
Fremantle -32.5 @ $1.90<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

We\u2019re not discounting how good the Western Bulldogs can be at times, but a lack of consistency is worrying. That\u2019s why we are backing Fremantle to cover the -32.5 spread, as they haven\u2019t shown us many weaknesses.<\/p>\n

With only one recent loss to speak of, the Dockers are firing on all cylinders. They lost to GWS but fired back with three straight wins, and the Bulldogs will do well to keep up with them at Optus Stadium.<\/p>\n

Their last meeting resulted in Fremantle winning by only eight points, but it was a good comeback to win, and we expect them to get off to a much faster start and cover the spread.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Bet Now<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n

St Kilda vs Sydney Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
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\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
St Kilda<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Sydney<\/div>\n
Saturday 1st August 2026 1:05 PM<\/div>\n
St Kilda @ $2.67<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

Despite sitting second on the AFL table, we don\u2019t have enough faith in Sydney to win this week. There is much better value in backing St Kilda to win at $2.67, and those odds are better than we predicted.<\/p>\n

The Saints love getting off to a fast start during the day, having won the first quarter in their last 10 day games. That bodes well against a Sydney team with three losses from its last five games, and the Saints could take advantage of an early lead, which will put pressure on the Swans.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re a value bet in head-to-head markets.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Bet Now<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n

Hawthorn vs North Melbourne Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
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\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
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Hawthorn<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
North Melbourne<\/div>\n
Saturday 1st August 2026 1:35 PM<\/div>\n
Jack Darling 2+ Goals @ $1.91<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

A close game is expected between Hawthorn and North Melbourne, despite the Kangaroos being underdogs. They\u2019re struggling to win games, but an improved performance wouldn\u2019t be surprising.<\/p>\n

Looking to head the charge is Jack Darling, who kicked three goals in a losing effort against St Kilda. If he has a good game in front of goal again, North Melbourne should be competitive.<\/p>\n

Darling has shown consistency throughout the season. He has 2+ goals in four of his last five games, so this is a good exotic bet for punters to include in AFL predictions.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Bet Now<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n

Port Adelaide vs GWS Giants Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
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\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Port Adelaide<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
GWS Giants<\/div>\n
Saturday 1st August 2026 6:35 PM<\/div>\n
GWS @ $1.96<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

We\u2019re starting to see money trickle in for GWS after opening at $2.03. The GIANTS have been one of the most inconsistent teams in 2026, so it\u2019s hard to know what they\u2019ll deliver, but the risk is worth taking this week.<\/p>\n

They come up against a Port Adelaide team trying to get through a tough schedule, including losses to Brisbane and Fremantle over the last two weeks. That tough schedule could take its toll against GWS, which defeated Fremantle and Geelong in Rounds 17 and 18.<\/p>\n

If the real GWS turns up, it could be a comfortable win for the visitors. It\u2019s a tough game to predict, but with Port Adelaide going through the motions, GWS could strike as the betting underdog.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Bet Now<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n

Carlton vs Brisbane Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Carlton<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Brisbane<\/div>\n
Saturday 1st August 2026 7:40 PM<\/div>\n
Carlton +25.5 @ $1.90<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

It\u2019s a desperate time for Carlton, which got through a rough start to the year before posting some quality wins. However, after losing to Hawthorn and Collingwood, they now need to win the majority of their games to have a chance of making the finals.<\/p>\n

They got started with a win over Gold Coast last week, which is a step in the right direction. If the Blues can play to that level, they have a good chance of keeping the scoreline close against the firing Lions.<\/p>\n

Brisbane is on a 7-0 winning run in its bid for consecutive premierships, but if Carlton plays up to its best level, it could be a tight contest.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Bet Now<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n

Richmond vs West Coast Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
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\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Richmond<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
West Coast<\/div>\n
Sunday 2nd August 2026 1:10 PM<\/div>\n
West Coast @ $1.85<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

It\u2019s not quite the battle of the bottom, with West Coast being in 16th spot on the ladder, but it may as well be. It has been another long year for Richmond and West Coast, but there can be only one winner of this game.<\/p>\n

Our money is with West Coast, which has looked like the better team for the most part. Both teams come off losing streak but the Eagles played well enough against Brisbane in Round 19 to warrant attention.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t break the bank with this game, but include West Coast in AFL selections.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Bet Now<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n

Gold Coast vs Melbourne Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
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\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Gold Coast<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Melbourne<\/div>\n
Sunday 2nd August 2026 3:15 PM<\/div>\n
Melbourne -5.5 @ $1.90<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

Finding reasons to bet on Gold Coast is proving difficult. The SUNS are on a nine-game losing streak, and their confidence levels have dipped to an all-time low. It\u2019s not a good sight for Gold Coast fans, and Melbourne could capitalise.<\/p>\n

We thought Melbourne would be at much shorter odds than $1.73. They weren\u2019t too bad against Geelong in Round 20, and a similar performance should be enough to defeat Gold Coast with ease.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a line worth taking before punters lose complete faith in Gold Coast.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Bet Now<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n

Essendon vs Adelaide Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
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\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Essendon<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Adelaide<\/div>\n
Sunday 2nd August 2026 4:40 PM<\/div>\n
Adelaide -45.5 @ $1.90<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

We wouldn\u2019t touch Essendon with stolen money at this point. The Bombers pulled off an almighty upset against GWS, but followed it with a heavy loss to Hawthorn last week, so they\u2019re not a profitable bet.<\/p>\n

Adelaide is enjoying a much more consistent season, despite losing to Collingwood last week. It was a rare off performance from the Crows, who continue to be one of the best high-pressure teams.<\/p>\n

Beating Essendon by 46+ points shouldn\u2019t be too hard.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Bet Now<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
<\/div><\/section>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Punters are treated to some massive games in Round 21 of the AFL this week, none more so than Collingwood vs Geelong to start things on Thursday night. It\u2019s a stacked week, with St Kilda vs Geelong, Hawthorn vs Melbourne, and Carlton vs Brisbane headlining a big Saturday card. We preview every game on the AFL Round 21 schedule with our 2026 AFL Round 21 best bets and predictions below. Collingwood vs Geelong Predictions 0 Days 0 Hours 0 Mins 0 Secs AFL MCG • Thursday 30th Jul Geelong Cats $1.75 vs Collingwood $2.10 AFL odds correct as of 30\/07\/2026…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":54,"featured_media":88387,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[33],"hub_post_cat":[],"class_list":["post-88850","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-australian-rules","tag-afl-tips"],"acf":{"md_tip_date":"","md_tip_date_end":"","md_market_url":"","tip_date":"30\/07\/2026","event_country":"Australia"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88850","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\/54"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=88850"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88850\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":88874,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88850\/revisions\/88874"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/88387"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=88850"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=88850"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=88850"},{"taxonomy":"hub_post_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hub_post_cat?post=88850"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}