<p>The season keeps zinging by, and we see a couple of the big guns return off the bye - Sydney and GWS.</p> <p>The Dees stunk it up last week, so the King’s Birthday cannot come quick enough, whilst the Pies will love the long break so they can try and get some healthy bodies back.</p> <p>We kick things off in round 13 with the last Thursday night clash of the season, so let’s hook in.</p> <p>For the latest analysis, news, odds and betting tips for all of this week’s AFL action, check out my round 13 tips and predictions below, or follow me <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/feed/profile/view/56/ist_ambassador_deeplink_action">on the feed</a> and see them there!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide Crows vs Richmond Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, June 6, 7:30pm AEST – Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The last Thursday night for the season likely ends as a thumping. Adelaide will be seething from the paltry performance against Hawthorn at the ‘G last week and Matthew Nicks seems like a “bring your mouthguards” type. Which only works so often.</p> <p>The Tigers were up for the fight last week, skipping to a five-goal lead in Geelong, but the lack of experience and firepower ultimately told, as they coughed up the lead and eventually went down by five goals.</p> <p>Youngster Mykelti Lefau has shown plenty, so it’s terribly unfortunate he’s suffered an ACL rupture. Yet another injury for the Tigers.</p> <p>Reilly O’Brien, Darcy Fogarty, Josh Rachele and even skipper Jordan Dawson need a big one here. Some will have their places within the 23 under pressure otherwise, (except obviously, not Dawson).</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-v-richmond-8286965">Adelaide Crows by 55 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Josh Rachele 3+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane Lions Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, June 7, 7:40pm AEST – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This is proper last chance saloon for the Lions. Forget top four, September participation as a whole is on the line here under the lid against the Dogs, who are in some kind of form.</p> <p>Josh Dunkley will need to quell his premiership teammate, Marcus Bontempelli, for the Lions to be in the hunt. The Dogs’ skipper’s last quarter last week was as big as you’ll see.</p> <p>Alex Keath has helped stabilise the defence alongside Liam Jones and James O’Donnell keeps improving.</p> <p>Sam Darcy’s loss is big - in all ways. With Aaron Naughton already sidelined, the Lions’ defenders can focus solely on slowing Jamarra - unless want-away Rory Lobb can threaten.</p> <p>I will give Brisbane one last chance, but they’ve been incredibly inconsistent this season so an L here and I am happy to close the curtains.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/western-bulldogs-v-brisbane-8286967">Brisbane Lions by 5 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Hugh McCluggage 25+ disposals and anytime goal scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Hawthorns vs GWS Giants Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, June 8, 1:45pm AEST – UTAS</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A fascinating game with GWS sliding and the Hawks charging.</p> <p>Dylan Moore was mammoth last week with one of the best individual games of the season - 27 disposals and 5 snags. What an effort!</p> <p>Ginnivan is playing brilliant footy, as is Will Day. Last week, the Crows had the five highest ball-winners on the ground, but Hawthorn won easily. Efficiency and potency beats numbers every time.&nbsp;</p> <p>After beginning the season in style, the Giants are only 6-4 from their past ten but have got injuries all over the shop.</p> <p>Kelly, Ash, Coniglio, Buckley, Daniels, Brown and Taylor have all missed - or are missing - time. Take those bodies out of any team and you’ll instantly see a drop in productivity and wins.</p> <p>UTAS Stadium probably gives the Hawks a goal or two, but the Giants must arrive, must perform and must win - and I believe they will.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/hawthorn-v-greater-western-sydney-8286966">GWS by 13 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Tom Green 35+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast Eagles vs North Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Saturday, June 8, 4:35pm AEST – Optus Stadium</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The less said here, the better. West Coast should win again and get a fourth win inside 14 games played - a far cry from 2022 and 2023.</p> <p>They’re missing a couple of guns, but McGovern, Duggan, Kelly, Ginbey and Cripps are quality enough to outlast the hapless Roos.</p> <p>Norths do come in off the bye, but they also come in off more Al Clarkson mayhem. A distraction or driving force?</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/west-coast-v-north-melbourne-8286968">West Coast by 41 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Jamie Cripps 3+ goals (he was good to us last week).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St Kilda vs Gold Coast Suns Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, June 8, 7:30pm AEST – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Panic stations here for the loser! I rarely go that far but for the Saints - the game is up. A loss here sees them drop to 4-9. Remember, this is a team who hosted an Elimination Final last season.</p> <p>Gold Coast are winless on the road in 2024 but are hanging around in eighth place on the ladder. Therefore, a win here is almost a must if they are to be taken seriously going forward. Luckily for the GC faithful, I reckon they’ll get the job done in Melbourne.</p> <p>Ben King is equal-first for the Coleman chase, Collins and Ballard are in form down back and the midfield group is dynamic and deep. Don’t forget Mac Andrew either, who could be the most exciting man in footy at the moment.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/st-kilda-v-gold-coast-8286969">Gold Coast Suns by 24 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Sam Flanders 30+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Swans vs Geelong Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, June 9, 3:20pm AEST – SCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Swans arrive off a bye and arrive to attack the second half of the season as the genuine No. 1 overall seed.</p> <p>Their best has been easily superior to anything we’ve seen from anyone else.</p> <p>For Geelong, last week was simply about getting back into the winners list - and they eventually did.</p> <p>Jeremy Cameron is still only just ticking along. A game-breaking performance would be handy here.</p> <p>This looks a midfield mismatch. Heeney, Gulden, Rowbottom, Adams and Warner versus Holmes, Bruhn, Atkins and maybe Duncan.</p> <p>Plus, big Brodie Grundy is a dominant force and will clash with youngster Toby Conway, so you’d expect the former Pie/Dee to keep it rolling.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/sydney-v-geelong-8286970">Sydney Swans by 23 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Brodie Grundy 20+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs Carlton Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, June 9, 7:20pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This one shapes up as the match of the weekend. The Dons were beaten on the road last week, but no one has been able to master the Suns on the Gold Coast this season.</p> <p>Some of the signs were promising, though. There is reason for genuine optimism in 2024 for Essendon fans. The belief should be real.</p> <p>The Blues were always going to win in Adelaide against Port, easy for me to say now!</p> <p>Cripps and Walsh are a devastating 1-2 punch and Curnow has awoken from a mini-slumber to again become a match-winning force.</p> <p>Also, for the first time ever, we get a look at big Harry versus big Ben. The McKay twins go head-to-head in this week’s episode of Family Feud.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-carlton-8286971">Carlton by 5 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Charlie Curnow 3+ goals (could also play him for 4 and 5 goals, Bombers have no one to stand him).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood vs Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Monday, June 10, 3:20pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>King’s Birthday often delivers us an end-of-weekend present with some ferocious footy and you’d expect the Dees to arrive with real venom.</p> <p>What they served up in Alice Springs last week was mind-boggling. The Pies are battered with injury. With a target or two last week, I think they roll the Dogs and continue their march as my No. 2 overall seed.</p> <p>Melbourne’s forward mix remains a mess so dips in performance from the midfield group cannot happen - to any level.</p> <p>Big Max and co will be desperate to atone, otherwise their place in September becomes genuinely under threat.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/collingwood-v-melbourne-8286972">Melbourne by 10 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Christian Petracca 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFL 2024 Premiership Odds</h2>