{"id":89427,"date":"2026-08-18T10:58:36","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T00:58:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/?p=89427"},"modified":"2026-08-19T15:12:57","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T05:12:57","slug":"2026-afl-round-24-tips-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/2026\/08\/2026-afl-round-24-tips-predictions\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 AFL Round 24 Tips & Predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s curtains on the AFL home and away season this weekend with the Top 10 on the ladder all locked in to play finals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although it\u2019s a bit of a fizzer, ladder seeding is the last bit of business left to resolve, and we have some important games set to decide the finals makeup, including Melbourne v Western Bulldogs clash. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who will finish Top 4? See where we\u2019ve landed across all nine contests ahead of Round 24! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

St Kilda vs Gold Coast Suns Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
St Kilda<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Gold Coast Suns<\/div>\n
Thursday 20th August 2026 7:30 PM (Marvel Stadium)<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

It\u2019s\u00a0only fitting that the two most disappointing clubs should meet in a meaningless game to wrap up their respective seasons.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Injuries have plagued the Saints all year, while the Suns have simply fallen off a cliff with Damien Hardwick\u00a0facing a tell-all offseason that features conversations around star midfielder, Christian Petracca.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0exactly\u00a0score for fun.\u00a0There should be an element of St Kilda hoping to give their fans something to cheer for after another lost\u00a0season, but\u00a0given their last four games against the Gold Coast have fallen Under the Total,\u00a0that\u2019s\u00a0probably the\u00a0best way to play this one.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction:<\/strong> Under 178.5 Total Points @ $1.88<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Collingwood vs Brisbane Lions Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Collingwood<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Brisbane Lions<\/div>\n
Friday 21st August 2026 7:40 PM (MCG)<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

Selections will be key to this contest, particularly from a Collingwood perspective.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Pies are assured a Wild Card final\u00a0in Melbourne\u00a0next week\u00a0regardless of the result, which means some of their older players like Jordan\u00a0deGoey, Steele Sidebottom, and Dan McStay could be due a well-deserved\u00a0spell.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Lions, meanwhile, can still finish\u00a0as low as seventh should they lose, and\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0another selection headache ahead for Chris Fagan with Ty Gallop due to return from suspension.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brisbane\u2019s top players are firing at the right time and\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0a genuine argument to be made for Will Ashcroft to earn an All-Australian jumper.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0could be a long afternoon with a depleted list.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction:<\/strong> Brisbane to Cover (-20.5 Points)\u00a0@\u00a0$1.90<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Carlton vs Fremantle Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Carlton<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Fremantle<\/div>\n
Saturday 22nd August 2026 1:15 PM (Marvel Stadium)<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

Dockers coach Justin Longmuir\u00a0has\u00a0some decisions to make ahead of Thursday as to whether he sends older names like Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw on the flight to Melbourne.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s\u00a0an argument to be made that Freo\u00a0shouldn\u2019t\u00a0even risk in-form forwards Patrick Voss or Jye Amiss for this meaningless clash against the Blues,\u00a0but as far as Carlton are concerned,\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0everything to play for with the chance of an away Wild Card trip to Adelaide still on the table.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We saw some of the old Carlton creep into last week\u2019s draw with the Dogs, but if the Dockers do give some of their top names the week off, this\u00a0shapes as\u00a0a nice game for the Blues to sharpen their skills and rebound before things get serious.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction:<\/strong> Carlton 1-39\u00a0@\u00a0$2.95<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Melbourne<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Western Bulldogs<\/div>\n
Saturday 22nd August 2026 4:15 PM (MCG)<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

It\u2019s\u00a0a straightforward scenario for these two clubs on Saturday… well, sort of.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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 7<\/span>th<\/span>\u00a0and host a Wild Card final.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For the Dogs,\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0no week off on the line, but potentially a date with Collingwood next week, depending on how results play out.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0last week\u2019s head high contact with Aliir\u00a0Aliir.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Dogs are still wounded and relying heavily on Ed Richards,\u00a0but with the last two encounters between these two being decided by no more than a goal,\u00a0this one promises\u00a0to live up to the billing.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction:<\/strong> Bulldogs to Cover (+17.5 Points)\u00a0@\u00a0$1.90<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Geelong Cats vs Richmond Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Geelong Cats<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Richmond<\/div>\n
Saturday 22nd August 2026 7:45 PM (GMHBA Stadium)<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

The Tigers have shown flashes of promise at times this season, but last week was a fair\u00a0indication\u00a0that Adam Yze\u2019s side is still a long way off competing.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Saints crept out to an early lead and never looked back, smashing Richmond in clearances and stoppages in what was\u00a0largely a\u00a0forgettable day for the yellow and black.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Things\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0get any easier with a final game in hand against Geelong, and although Chris Scott might wish to rest older names like Patrick Dangerfield,\u00a0there’s\u00a0likely too much\u00a0to play for with a win guaranteeing a Top 6 finish and a week off.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These two sides\u00a0haven\u2019t\u00a0met this season, but their dual meetings last year saw the Cats win comfortably by 6+ goals.\u00a0Back at the Cattery and looking to improve on a somewhat\u00a0close call\u00a0against North Melbourne last week,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0no surprise to find Geelong as the shortest priced\u00a0favourites\u00a0this week.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction:<\/strong> Geelong to Win & Under the Total<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Adelaide Crows vs GWS Giants Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Adelaide Crows<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
GWS Giants<\/div>\n
Saturday 22nd August 2026 8:10 PM (Adelaide Oval)<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

Plenty at stake for the Crows as they desperately watch\u00a0previous\u00a0results with a Top 6 finish still a very real possibility.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Giants are done and dusted, but\u00a0they\u2019d\u00a0relish a chance to\u00a0dent the\u00a0Crows\u2019\u00a0confidence and potentially send them back down to 8<\/span>th<\/span>, pending a Collingwood win, of course.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adelaide has been the toughest team to get a read on all season, particularly on the back of last week\u2019s flat effort against Fremantle where they gave up 60 inside 50 entries and managed only six marks in the forward half of the ground.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Giants beat up on West Coast, and although they\u00a0aren\u2019t\u00a0in contention, they have managed some recent wins against\u00a0the Cats, Dockers, Dees, and Lions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wins at the Adelaide Oval\u00a0haven\u2019t\u00a0eluded them in recent years either, and\u00a0with names like Toby Greene and Jake Stringer potentially playing their final game in orange, this\u00a0looks\u00a0a good spot to take the Giants as underdogs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction:<\/strong> Giants to\u00a0Win\u00a0@\u00a0$3.50<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Essendon vs Port Adelaide Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Essendon<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Port Adelaide<\/div>\n
Sunday 23rd August 2026 12:20 PM (Marvel Stadium)<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

Nothing on the line as far as finals are concerned, but the Bombers could at least avoid the wooden\u00a0spoon should\u00a0they\u00a0win,\u00a0and Richmond lose to Geelong.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, a win looks a long way off after another uninspiring performance last week against Sydney, although there\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0much to write home about from a Port Adelaide perspective, either.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The absence of Aliir\u00a0Aliir\u00a0down back hurts Port\u00a0defensively, 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\u00a0colours.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Scoring has been tough at times, but Port has been competitive against some tough teams and are\u00a0arguably a\u00a0better team than their current ladder position suggests. A win here would be a well-deserved result and something they can build\u00a0on into\u00a0next year.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction:<\/strong> Port Adelaide to Cover (-13.5 Points)\u00a0@\u00a0$1.90<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Sydney Swans vs North Melbourne Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Sydney Swans<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
North Melbourne<\/div>\n
Sunday 23rd August 2026 3:20 PM (SCG)<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

It\u2019s\u00a0almost impossible to get a feel for this game with the Swans scandal still playing out.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0play finals, but\u00a0North\u00a0has improved significantly this year and will no doubt be targeting finals in 2027.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Last week\u2019s 15-point loss to Geelong\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0really do them justice after playing three competitive quarters, while they showed the week prior against the Dogs that\u00a0when their young\u00a0mids\u00a0get plenty of the footy, they can challenge\u00a0just about anyone.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A scalp here over Sydney would do wonders for North\u2019s confidence, regardless of the strength of Sydney\u2019s team. Until we know more about lists though, this might just be a No Bet type of game.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction:<\/strong> No Bet<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
West Coast Eagles<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Hawthorn<\/div>\n
Sunday 23rd August 2026 7:20 PM (Optus Stadium)<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

Enormous ramifications\u00a0for the out of form Hawks, with a loss potentially sending them packing back to 7<\/span>th<\/span>\u00a0on the ladder.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A win would ensure a Top 4 finish, but a Lions victory over Collingwood would lock in a return trip to\u00a0Perth in two\u00a0weeks’ time\u00a0to face the Dockers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sam Mitchell\u2019s side has looked lifeless\u00a0at times over the last few weeks, struggling down in Launceston against North Melbourne, before a blowout loss to the Lions, and finally, last week\u2019s head scratching draw against Collingwood.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s\u00a0no one area you can point to that needs fixing, as\u00a0the Hawks\u2019 skills and polish has been lacking. Mitchell needs to find a quick fix, and\u00a0it starts with cleaning up turnover and not allowing opponents to get out to early leads.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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,\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0every chance they make this interesting.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediction:<\/strong> Hawthorn to Win & Over 181.5 Total Points\u00a0@\u00a0$2.00<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

It\u2019s curtains on the AFL home and away season this weekend with the Top 10 on the ladder all locked in to play finals.  Although it\u2019s a bit of a fizzer, ladder seeding is the last bit of business left to resolve, and we have some important games set to decide the finals makeup, including Melbourne v Western Bulldogs clash.  Who will finish Top 4? See where we\u2019ve landed across all nine contests ahead of Round 24!  St Kilda vs Gold Coast Suns Predictions 0 Days 0 Hours 0 Mins 0 Secs AFL Marvel Stadium • Thursday 20th Aug St Kilda $1.48 vs Gold Coast Suns $2.65 AFL odds correct as of 19\/08\/2026 and subject…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":89509,"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-89427","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":"18\/08\/2026","event_country":"Australia"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89427","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=89427"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89427\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":89550,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89427\/revisions\/89550"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/89509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=89427"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=89427"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=89427"},{"taxonomy":"hub_post_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hub_post_cat?post=89427"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}