Round 19 had a bit of everything and the Big Win Little Win bracket was our sweet spot, with Fremantle, Melbourne and Brisbane all landing there, so props to them. 

The Hawks were our other winner too, easily accounting for Richmond at the -50.5 line as expected. 

Round 20 is already knocking on the door and this week we get the full slate: all eighteen clubs in action with no byes to worry about.

With just five rounds to go, Wildcard places and top four finishes are on the line as we head into a massive weekend of footy. 

Highlights of the round include a Sydney showdown between the Giants and Swans - and a high-stakes contest as Saints and North Melbourne do battle.

For the latest team news, analysis and expert insights, check out our expert AFL tips and predictions for Round 20 below.

Adelaide Crows vs Collingwood Magpies

Thursday, July 23, 2026 - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

These two only know how to play thrillers. Adelaide accounted for the Pies back in Round 1, and we can all still picture Collingwood's dramatic win on the road in last season's Qualifying Final. 

A win slides the Crows up towards the top four, while a Pies win lands them at the front of the Wildcard queue.

Two of the game's best step into the ring, with Nick Daicos, the third-rated player in the competition, up against Jordan Dawson, the eighth-rated.

Ed Allan will be walking towards Dawson at the opening bounce and we dare say James Peatling might attempt the task on tagging Daicos.

Darcy Fogarty misses through suspension, so Tex Walker slides back in and his first goal will be his 700th. Izak Rankine has been at his ball-winning best and the Thrill Seeker found some form with a game-sealing goal against the Swans.

With both sides in-form at the right time, we think the Crows have the firepower to get it done in this one. 

Head-to-head prediction: Adelaide Crows by 13 points.

Betting tip: Jordan Dawson under disposals.

Melbourne Demons vs Geelong Cats

Friday, July 24, 2026 - MCG, Melbourne

This becomes massive for Melbourne's top-four chances as they go from surprise packet to genuine sleeper in the premiership pack.

Geelong's hopes of a September splash get harder with another superstar down, as no Holmes and no Cameron for the rest of the regular season will really hurt.

Max Gawn will be a handful for whoever the Cats throw at him and Melbourne keep unearthing avenues to goal, with Matt Jefferson booting four last week.

The market says coin toss, but without Cameron and Holmes we struggle to see a way for Geelong to snap the Demons' perfect MCG record for 2026.

Head-to-head prediction: Melbourne Demons by 20 points.

Betting tip: Max Gawn 22+ disposals and Lawson Humphries 22+ disposals.

Fremantle Dockers vs West Coast Eagles

Friday, July 24, 2026 - Optus Stadium, Perth

The Eagles were gallant last week against the defending champs, keeping it competitive deep into the second half.

Freo just did what needed to be done in Adelaide against Port, managing a few player loads in-game and leaving Shai Bolton at home.

The young Eagles are exciting and 2027 promises to be another positive year for them. But how can you not be up for a Derby? Both sides will be ready, though class should prevail.

This Derby will be all dressed in purple.

Head-to-head prediction: Fremantle Dockers by 28 points.

Betting tip: Murphy Reid 23+ disposals.

Carlton Blues vs Gold Coast Suns

Saturday, July 25, 2026 - Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

After seven wins on the spin, the Blues need another to keep the Wildcard dream alive and they meet a defeated group on an eight-game slide with no sign of remedying it.

Gold Coast began the year as contenders and are ending it as pretenders and it shapes as a long summer in southeast Queensland.

The Blues were well beaten by the Pies. They challenged at times, but Collingwood's professionalism and class shone through and Nick Daicos did his thing without enough attention from a Blue.

It's beyond last-chance saloon for the Suns, but here we are giving them another crack.

But the Blues should be just desperate enough to take this one out - any other result is likely to sink their season. 

Head-to-head prediction: Carlton Blues by 7 points.

Betting tip: Bodhi Uwland 23+ disposals and Zeke Uwland 21+ disposals.

Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers

Saturday, July 25, 2026 - MCG, Melbourne

The Hawks hammered Richmond and even though Essendon finally got some reward for effort last week, you'd expect a hammering here too. Hawthorn are sharpening the blade for the run into September, while no one would be surprised to see a young Bomber group forget to re-engage after that epic win over GWS.

The Hawks have endless avenues to goal, plenty of playmakers up the ground and will welcome back quality reinforcements.

Co-captain James Sicily remains an interesting character, though and it'd be no surprise to see him relieved of the duty in 2027, with Newcombe and Day to share the role.

Head-to-head prediction: Hawthorn Hawks by 51 points.

Betting tip: Jack Gunston 4+ goals.

GWS Giants vs Sydney Swans

Saturday, July 25, 2026 - ENGIE Stadium, Sydney

The Sydney Showdown looms large for both sides. The Giants dropped a game only they can drop last week against Essendon, while the Swans have had back-to-back defeats and carry a terribly ordinary defensive profile against the best teams.

Unless Curnow fires, this forward line can struggle and defensively they've given up too many big scores. There are genuine worries for Dean Cox's men.

Pleasingly for Swans fans, they've held the wood over their little brothers from the west and skipper Toby Greene likely misses this one with a quad issue.

Drop this one and everything comes into question for Sydney.

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

Betting tip: Brodie Grundy 20+ disposals.

Western Bulldogs vs Richmond Tigers

Saturday, July 25, 2026 - Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

The Dogs went to Gold Coast and did themselves a solid. Despite an awful percentage and an awful overall profile, they win the games they need to and keep themselves ahead of those chasing from beneath the Wildcard seedings.

Marcus Bontempelli is the number-one-rated player in footy and he'll waltz his way through this one. He'll have some friends too, as Richmond are at breaking point with their performances.

Pressure will only build on Adem Yze into next season unless there's sharp improvement.

Head-to-head prediction: Western Bulldogs by 41 points.

Betting tip: Judd Busslinger 18+ disposals (taking kick-ins).

Brisbane Lions vs Port Adelaide Power

Sunday, July 26, 2026 - The Gabba, Brisbane

The Lions went west and handled their business. Nothing too glorious and nothing too painstaking, just a win, but one soured by a hamstring query over veteran Dayne Zorko. His health will be key into September, knowing how crucial he is to the Lions' ball movement.

Port were down their three best players but gritted hard and hung tough against the ladder leaders. Away from home, we wouldn't be surprised to see them cop a hiding here.

Oscar Allen might need some more VFL action, but he's healthy and the pressure for spots is on as the chase for the three-peat looms.

Head-to-head prediction: Brisbane Lions by 57 points.

Betting tip: Charlie Cameron 4+ goals.

North Melbourne Kangaroos vs St Kilda Saints

Sunday, July 26, 2026 - Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

Maybe the most interesting and crucial game of the weekend. Two Marvel Stadium tenants, two teams clinging to Wildcard dreams, two teams needing a win like never before.

The Saints are 8-10, North are 8-10. The Kangas have dropped their last three, while the Saints were ambushed by Geelong in Geelong and never threatened.

In Round 21 last season the Saints won by nine points, but both teams look very different now. The ruck clash between Xerri and Marshall is massive, while Finn O'Sullivan will attempt to emulate Oisin Mullin and clamp Nasiah the Messiah.

Win and you're alive; lose and you'll be the focus of the Monday footy analysis and so much further from a Wildcard berth.

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

Betting tip: Jack Higgins 2+ goals.

Odds are subject to change.*