A really nice weekend for The Huddle’s loyal and large AFL followers where we went 5/7 on best bets across the games.

Murphy Reid was painless as he surpassed 24, Luke Parker the same as he cleared our bet by six disposals. Nick Daicos began slow and 33 and 2 looked unlikely but he got rolling and ended with 37 and 3.

Then we made some solid tips on the reliable Jai Newcombe (26+ disposals) and Brisbane head-to-head which rounded out a strong week of tipping!

Onward to Round 17, we’re banking on another strong week!

For the latest team news, analysis and expert insights, check out our expert AFL tips and predictions for Round 17 below.

Geelong Cats vs Brisbane Lions

Thursday, July 2, 7:30pm AEST - GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

Last season, this clash felt like the moment Brisbane reminded everyone who the big boss was with a commanding win in Geelong.

The Lions again may have done so with its hammering of Sydney on home soil last week and this game arrives at the perfect moment.

Geelong also needs this test.

Geelong’s midfield group will need to be on its toes as Neale, W and L Ashcroft and Zac Bailey have rediscovered their form and look like a dangerous squad again.

Cam Rayner’s goal kicking arrival also sends shivers down the spines of the rest of the competition. He kicked goals against Geelong last season, too.

The winner might walk away a standout second favourite for the premiership whilst the loser loses ground on the top four and even back into the top six mix.

Head-to-head prediction: Brisbane Lions by 7 points.  

Betting tip: Cam Rayner 2+ goals.

Sydney Swans vs Western Bulldogs

Friday, July 3, 7:40pm AEST - SCG, Sydney

The Swans get home and hopefully get some bodies back for a clash with a refreshed Dogs squad. 

More than a few Swans were humbled in Queensland last week. And they’ll need to rebound strong here as the Dogs have a decent recent record against Sydney.

Whether the Swans can successfully keep Marcus Bontempelli quiet is key whilst Joel Freijah was on-song against them last time, too.

Charlie Curnow booted seven majors earlier this season against Khamis and co.

This looms as a pressure clash for the Swans BUT one they should handle with some ease, in my humble.

Head-to-head prediction: Sydney Swans by 23 points.

Betting tip: Isaac Heeney 2+ goals and Nick Blakey 18+ kicks.  

West Coast Eagles vs Adelaide Crows

Friday, July 3, 8:10pm AEST - Optus Stadium, Perth

The “invisible game” appears out west with West Coast back home hosting an Adelaide side needing to rebound from a poor Showdown.

The Crows were unbelievably poor against Port Adelaide and maybe just expected things to happen.

This is a similar situation because the Eagles have been a handful at Optus Stadium this season.

The crowd gets behind Harley, Duursma and big Jake Waterman when he’s on song.

Bazzo and Young will get the task of keeping Fogarty, Thilthorpe and Walker under wraps and those three big boys need to get going.

And this presents as an opportunity to do so with Ginbey down.

Head-to-head prediction: Adelaide Crows by 23 points.

Betting tip: Riley Thilthorpe 3+ goals.

Hawthorn Hawks vs Melbourne Demons

Saturday, July 4, 1:15pm AEST - UTAS Stadium, Launceston

The Dees hammered the Hawks at The ‘G earlier this season but down in Tasmania this looks a different version.

The Hawks are a freight train when on song. I love their ball use and ability to run as a group. The forwards are versatile and the backs are rock solid.

Melbourne are winless in away games and have barely done a thing away from The MCG, so this is the moment.

Head-to-head prediction: Hawthorn Hawks by 22 points.

Betting tip: James Sicily 8+ marks.

GWS Giants vs Fremantle Dockers

Saturday, July 4, 1:35pm AEST - Corroboree Group Oval, Canberra

The Dockers are due for a loss but they just keep finding a way to win.

14 in a row is rare air and something only teams who have gone onto make Grand Finals have done since way back when.

Luke Jackson says resting is a no-no but I say yes-yes. Twice I played through a season with a niggle with the desire to play every game and charge onto September footy.

Problem is, you get worn down and despite being emotionally enthused about what’s to come, your body resents not getting more rest and you are 1% off where you need to be and often that 1% is what comes back to haunt you.

With eight games remaining and a home qualifying final on their racquet, I’d be looking at resting every one of their best 7-10 players at least once.

GWS can provide a worry here but with Daniels, Hogan, Max G and others absent through injury, there’s more chance of another Freo smashing than a GWS win.

Head-to-head prediction: Fremantle Dockers by 31 points.

Betting tip: Shai Bolton 2+ goals.

Gold Coast Suns vs Collingwood Magpies

Saturday, July 4, 4:15pm AEST - People First Stadium, Gold Coast

This clash was an epic last season, as the Suns stormed to a 35-point halftime margin. One in which the Pies had not even registered a goal at the main break.

Via Josh Daicos, the Pies charged home only to miss by a goal.

Here, we cop 10th v 11th with both desperate to win to cling onto Wildcard seedings.

The Suns are in free fall with reports now emerging about a disconnect between players and coaches.

Collingwood scored freely after quarter time, kicking 15 goals in an effortless display.

This will be harder but they’ll fancy themselves against a vulnerable group on the Gold Coast.

Head-to-head prediction: Gold Coast Suns by 4 points.

Betting tip: Wil Powell 17+ disposals and Bodie Uwland 21+ disposals.

Richmond Tigers vs Carlton Blues

Saturday, July 4, 7:35pm AEST - MCG, Melbourne

The Blues keep marching on.

And now they should march toward victory No. 7 under the stand-in coach.

The fixture has remained friendly but there have been strong wins in there, too. Which is why we keep hearing the push for Josh Fraser from those inside and outside the club.

The Tigers have had excuses and been disappointing. I think both things can be true.

But with Cumming, Hotton, Retschko, Grlj, Alger and Mansell, there is something worth watching between now and season’s end. 

Head-to-head prediction: Carlton Blues by 33 points.

Betting tip: Francis Evans 2+ goals.

Essendon Bombers vs St Kilda

Sunday, July 5, 3:15pm AEST - Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

Essendon really needs a win under Dean Solomon to give those backing him any type of ground to stand on.

Problem is, they’ve won 1/27 and barely look like troubling teams and this feels no different.

The Saints have been solid and have beaten almost every team around them on the table. They’ll be hard for Essendon to handle here.

The younger core, Hall, Wilson, Garcia and hopefully Phillipou are enough to makes Saints fans excited. But the back end of the season is important for the foundations of what’s hopefully to come.

Head-to-head prediction: St Kilda by 34 points.

Betting tip: Callum Wilkie 24+ disposals.

Port Adelaide Power vs North Melbourne Kangaroos

Sunday, July 5, 4:40pm AEST - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Sportsbet have the Roos as large underdogs here. I disagree.

Whilst Port’s win in The Showdown was immense, it felt like a real Josh Carr wind ‘em up special that’s unlikely to be replicated.

The Roos go across as three-goal ‘dogs. Yes, they were embarrassed the last time they went to Adelaide Oval and yes their record in Adelaide is woeful but the time is now. Stand up and take a scalp on the road.

Take away Zak Butters and slow down Jason Horne-Francis (your old teammate who left you high and dry) and you’ll win.

Head-to-head prediction: North Melbourne Kangaroos by 8 points.

Betting tip: North Melbourne Kangaroos. +17.5 points.