Round 14 was a solid weekend for us on the punting front as Josh Rachele, Lachie Ash, Lachie Whitfield and the mighty Roos all did the job beautifully across the ledger.

We managed to hunt down some serious value, but as we roll deeper into the winter months, finding winners looks to be getting trickier.

Aside from all those excuses, we go again, as we roll toward the main course of AFL Season 2026. 

For the latest team news, analysis and expert insights, check out our expert AFL tips and predictions for Round 15 below.

Fremantle Dockers vs Geelong Cats

Thursday, June 18, 8:10 pm AEST - Optus Stadium, Perth

The Dockers are deserving premiership favourites right now, but they face a fellow flag aspirant as the round commences in the west.

Geelong have been queried by many critics lately, but they remain a dangerous threat to most opponents with a premier midfield unit and a highly potent forward mix.

Fremantle have hardly missed a beat this season, though they will remember their Round One clash vividly.

The Dockers were far too lethal in the early stages of that game before the Cats lengthened the ground and ran them down in a thriller.

Justin Longmuir’s men will have learned plenty from that tactical fade-out, and we reckon they will be fully prepared to defend their deck this time around.

The ruck battle will be an absolute beauty. Luke Jackson has been enormous all season around the ball, but Sam De Koning has been excellent covering the ground as a mobile ruckman too.

That might turn into a much tighter contest than most people think. This result will not surprise us either way, nor will we be shocked if Fremantle steamrolls another quality opponent to assert their dominance.

Head-to-head prediction: Fremantle Dockers by 11 points.

Betting tip: Shaun Mannagh 17+ disposals.

Gold Coast Suns vs Hawthorn Hawks

Friday, June 19, 7:40pm AEST - People First Stadium, Gold Coast

It is getting real noisy on the Gold Coast right now with intense media questions surrounding personnel, coaching stability, and whether player relationships are where they need to be.

Only one thing quietens that kind of external noise, and that is winning football matches.

The problem is a very good opponent rolls into town also needing to rediscover some of their own great form.

The Hawks are a fantastic football team, but they have dropped a couple of winnable games lately and are fighting hard for a spot in the third and fourth positions alongside six other clubs.

Despite the big names in Gold Coast red, Jai Newcombe, Will Day, and Cam Mackenzie will be incredibly bullish on winning the midfield battle and giving their forwards a superb look in southeast Queensland.

For the Suns' on-ball crew, it is about time they get to work and actually deliver on the talent that is written down on paper.

The Suns would do well to realise the game is played on grass, not on paper, but we think home turf helps them edge it in a tight one.

Head-to-head prediction: Gold Coast Suns by two points.

Betting tip: Gold Coast Suns 1-39 points.

Adelaide Crows vs Melbourne Demons

Saturday, June 20, 1:15pm AEST - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

The Crows host the Dees on to open Saturday afternoon footy at the Adelaide Oval.

Adelaide will be full of confidence after good wins over the Cats and Dogs have them sitting comfortably in 6th place. 

With Thilthorpe back in the side, they have close to their best team fit and firing - his presence inside the attacking fifty keeps the scoreboard ticking over and defences on notice. 

The clash of the ruckies is a fascinating one, Lachlan McAndrew has been stringing together some strong performances for the Crows - but it’ll be interesting to see how he fares against Maxy Gawn in this one. 

The Dees are sitting pretty at fourth on the ladder, but their work on the road has been poor.

This one could go either way, but with the Crows seemingly on the up - and the Dees allergic to winning away; we’ve got Adelaide pulling off a win at home. 

Head-to-head prediction: Adelaide Crows by 9 points. 

Betting tip: Kozzy Pickett 2+ goals. 

GWS Giants vs Carlton Blues

Saturday, June 20, 4:15pm AEST - Engie Stadium, Sydney

The reinvigorated Blues travel to western Sydney for a high-stakes date with the hard-to-read Giants. 

Under Josh Fraser, the Blues have discovered exactly how to defend with the ball, show immense composure under pressure and attack lanes to kick a winning score.

It has been an unbelievable run from Carlton, and that momentum might just continue here.

On the other hand, GWS are the one team across the competition that we have absolutely no clue about from week to week.

One week they will look like the absolute best team in the AFL, and the next week they will get rolled while looking completely disinterested.

Personnel-wise, we would be making a big call and rolling with the youth of big Max Gruzewski ahead of veteran Jesse Hogan.

They run the risk of losing the talented youngster unless he plays every single week, and he looks like a player with genuine promise. Hogan is an out-and-out star in Giant orange, but his body simply keeps letting him down.

Head-to-head prediction: GWS Giants by 23 points.

Betting tip: Finn Callaghan 28+ disposals.

Collingwood Magpies vs Port Adelaide Power

Saturday, June 20, 7:35pm AEST - MCG, Melbourne

The Pies and the Power arrive at the MCG with the exact same recent form lines, having both recorded one win and four losses from their past five outings.

Port Adelaide have been incredibly staunch defensively, but unless their star playmakers light up inside fifty, it has been incredibly hard work for them to kick a winning score.

Zak Butters remains the absolute talk of the town with his pending free agency, while his on-field form stays absolute first class. Whatever the Power gets for him in the future will simply not be enough.

There is also a worrying watch on their forward line as rumors swirl about players wanting to move back home to Western Australia.

For this specific tactical battle, Harry Perryman looks a great chance to keep Butters company through a tight tag, while Willem Drew will go to work attempting to quell Nick Daicos.

Many midfielders try to stop the baseline damage of Daicos, but not many succeed. We fancy the Pies to get the job done in front of a passionate home crowd.

Head-to-head prediction: Collingwood Magpies by 13 points.

Betting tip: Ollie Wines 20+ disposals.

Richmond Tigers vs North Melbourne Kangaroos

Sunday, June 21, 1:10pm AEST - MCG, Melbourne

The Kangaroos had to win one match over in Western Australia to justify their commercial arrangement, and they did exactly that. It was only just, but a win is a win.

Now they return home to Victoria and get a fantastic look at securing another victory with Richmond standing in their way.

The Tigers are going okay relative to expectations, despite the massive injury crisis that has completely taken over their 2026 campaign.

They have managed to find a dynamic forward option in Jasper Alger, and we really like the look of their young tall forwards competing in the air.

The Roos were woeful against Fremantle but showed far more competitive intent against the Eagles. Intent is the entire name of the game here.

North Melbourne need to get after the young Tigers early and slot quick goals to silence the yellow and black crowd.

Luke Davies-Uniacke, Harry Sheezel, George Wardlaw, and their star ruckman should be far too much for Richmond's ball-winners, presenting ample opportunities to kick a winning score.

Head-to-head prediction: North Melbourne Kangaroos by 21 points.

Betting tip: Zane Duursma two+ goals.

St Kilda vs Western Bulldogs

Sunday, June 21, 3:15pm AEST - Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

A pair of passionate Marvel Stadium tenants throw down in what should be a spectacular way to finish off the weekend.

The Bulldogs were completely ambushed and obliterated in the first quarter against Adelaide last week, and they will be desperate to rebound strongly.

Meanwhile, the Saints had to win on home soil against the Giants last week, and they got the job done.

One quick look at the ladder tells you everything you need to know about the stakes, as both teams desperately need these four premiership points.

Both clubs find themselves sitting right in the wildcard mix as things stand.

The Bulldogs will likely play a dangerous game of Russian roulette by allowing Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera free reign out of the back half.

On the flip side, Ross Lyon may also back his defensive system completely when it comes to slowing down the star power of Marcus Bontempelli and Ed Richards.

Only a win will do here, regardless of what the football looks like.

Head-to-head prediction: St Kilda Saints by seven points.

Betting tip: St Kilda 1-39 points.

Odds are subject to change.*