Round 23 of the AFL season was eventful, with a pair of drawn games delivering dramatic moments.

The Hawks and Pies drew again, whilst the Blues and Dogs decided a draw would do as Carlton actually played for the shared result in the last minute of footy.

The Saints and Tigers played a horror, whilst Geelong and the Kangas played a cracker.

You never know what you'll cop when you go to the footy, but the weekend’s results definitely raise some questions over whether the wildcard round will be here to stay. 

It’s around for now though and Round 24 of the AFL Season is fast approaching. The last round of the home-and-away campaign and there is plenty still hanging in the balance.

Wildcard placings, top-four spots, home finals, a Coleman Medal, All-Australian spots and a Brownlow are all to play for over the coming week (okay Brownlow is 99% surely going to Daicos, but all the rest are up for grabs).

Punters beware of players being managed out of the final round and rested for finals, a trap for the uninitiated. 

For the latest team news, analysis, and expert insights, check out our AFL Round 24 predictions and preview below.

St Kilda Saints vs Gold Coast Suns

Thursday, August 20, 7:30pm AEST - Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

Well, this scheduling has gone sideways on the AFL with both squads falling down the ladder in the last part of the season.

For the Suns, the drop has been catastrophic and places them in sharp focus into 2027. The coach claimed the list was almost ready to go but the back end of this season has been disastrous.

For the Saints, things should be better placed than they are, but the talent is assembling. Hall has been immense, especially in Wanganeen-Milera's absence. Bradley Hill is a nice way to play, as he's racked up possessions at will since sliding to half back.

The game is prime time in regards to TV but the performances of both have been genuinely short of that.

Head-to-head prediction: Gold Coast Suns by 11 points.

Betting tip: Gold Coast win H2H.

Collingwood Magpies vs Brisbane Lions

Friday, August 21, 7:40pm AEST - MCG, Melbourne

Line-ups will be key here as Collingwood stand likely to rest a few with their Wildcard placing and venue locked away.

That also gives Brisbane a leg-up to secure their place inside the top four and another crack at premiership glory for a third straight season. The Lions have handled their business, coming into this having won nine of their last 10 games.

Nick Daicos should have the Brownlow all sewn up by this stage on the Monday night of Grand Final week, but imagine the drama if a Bontempelli or Dawson is in the rearview mirror and the 'Pies champ has rested here.

Head-to-head prediction: Brisbane Lions by 25 points.

Betting tip: Brisbane Lions -18.5.

Carlton Blues vs Fremantle Dockers

Saturday, August 22, 1:15pm AEST - Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

The Blues' charge to this point of the season has been epic.

And seeing them willingly play for a draw was something I'm not sure I've ever seen a team do at AFL level. But a draw was all they needed to secure themselves a place in the 10.

From awful to awesome with such quantum shifts in performance across individuals and the way the team has performed. Marvel Stadium has become a mini-fortress for the Blues, with its fans willing to pack out the roofed arena and get behind their boys.

The line-ups again will be interesting, with the Dockers having sewn up that home qualifying final but with the Wildcard weekend allowing them a break, they'll likely arrive here at full capacity.

From a Blues perspective, resting a few seems a likely outcome. Cripps, Walsh, big Harry and young Jagga could all do with the week off before the big one.

Head-to-head prediction: Fremantle Dockers by 30 points (given the Blues resting a few).

Betting tip: Josh Treacy 3+ goals.

Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs

Saturday, August 22, 4:15pm AEST - MCG, Melbourne

The Dees went to Adelaide needing to do a job and the job was done with emphasis.

Problem is, it came at a cost with Jacob Van Rooyen copping a suspension for a round arm. He'll miss three weeks (at time of writing), which will include a couple of finals. That means more will be needed from Fritsch, who we know is super capable, along with Jefferson and the reborn Harry Petty.

The Western Bulldogs end up where they always end up. The Wildcard is likely the only thing that saves them from watching on from the outside as the finalists compete for glory.

And with injuries and form woes, it's hard to see them doing any real damage. It has to be clear to all by now that Richards, Bontempelli and a few others is simply not enough.

The MCG factor has been immense all season for the Dees, losing only one at the big house, and it's hard to see that record being damaged here.

Head-to-head prediction: Melbourne Demons by 23 points.

Betting tip: Kysaiah Pickett 24+ disposals and 1+ goal.

Geelong Cats vs Richmond Tigers

Saturday, August 22, 7:45pm AEST - GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

Geelong gets a lovely warm-up here before a Wildcard weekend date or a weekend off heading into a home Elimination Final.

The Tigers celebrated Broad and Prestia last week and will likely play without much spark down the highway, giving Geelong a big chance to win by a gigantic margin.

All eyes will be on Jeremy Cameron and whether he is ready to go, or whether they'll roll him out fresh in a big final.

Margins and stats are about all that's on show here.

Head-to-head prediction: Geelong Cats by 81 points.

Betting tip: Ollie Henry 4+ goals.

Adelaide Crows vs GWS Giants

Saturday, August 22, 8:10pm AEST (7:40pm ACST) - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Adelaide went to WA and fell short. Again.

They were honest and gritty but again came up short of a very good opponent.

They get to come home and should deal with GWS without too much trouble before landing a Wildcard clash at Adelaide Oval.

I've said this before: a home finals loss for Adelaide will be catastrophic and might cast large doubt over the coach and whether someone else can bring out more in this group.

Head-to-head prediction: Adelaide Crows by 28 points.

Betting tip: Riley Thilthorpe 3+ goals.

Essendon Bombers vs Port Adelaide Power

Sunday, August 23, 12:20pm AEST - Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

The Bombers were blown away by a rampant Sydney in Q1 last week before playing really strong footy for two quarters against a powerful unit.

They conceded nine goals in the opening term but found a way to claw themselves back into the fight. Former skipper and one of their recent greats, Zach Merrett, likely plays his last game in the red and black, whilst a few others might also be in the sash for the last time.

The Power's season has plummeted in the backend.

A 76-point home loss to the Dees followed a 97-point loss to the Swans the week previous. At 15th, with a 6-16 record and their best player out the door, the immediate future looks a tricky one for the Power on and off the field.

Head-to-head prediction: Essendon Bombers by 11 points.

Betting tip: Zach Merrett 30+ disposals.

Sydney Swans vs North Melbourne Kangaroos

Sunday, August 23, 3:20pm AEST - SCG, Sydney

The Swans handled their business inside 30 minutes last week before, frankly, playing some poor footy for the next hour or so.

There were some video game numbers posted, as Gulden had 47 touches, Heeney had 29 and kicked three, Warner had 23 and three, and Grundy managed 25 disposals, 12 score involvements, nine clearances and 101 Fantasy points for the Fantasy footy geeks.

The Kangas began almost as well as the Swans did last week before falling hard in Q2 against Geelong. From 44-6 at quarter time to a seven-point deficit inside 30 minutes of footy. What a fall. And being there, you could sense Geelong's momentum going into halftime and the Roos' angst at coughing up a monster lead.

Charlie Curnow probably has stitched up his third Coleman, but with King and Amiss having played he will know the tally he needs to secure the award.

Head-to-head prediction: Sydney Swans by 30 points.

Betting tip: Callum Mills 24+ disposals.

West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn Hawks

Sunday, August 23, 7:20pm AEST (5:20pm AWST) - Optus Stadium, Perth

The Eagles look a tired squad.

Guys like Shanahan, Reid and especially Duursma look out on their feet. Something you can understand given the miles on the bird and the load these young men have had to carry in an emerging team.

Now, these Hawks.

My question is, how many times do you play in games you "should have won" before you realise you're not as good as you thought you were?

The Pies on the weekend, hammered by Brisbane when they went in choc full of belief. The Dees in Tassie. The Dogs at The 'G in Round 13, and the Dees earlier in Round 10.

All losses, and a draw, in games where the market and pundits expected the Hawks to do the job.

Sicily, Weddle, Amon, Barrass, Meek, Morrison, Day and a few others are all out of form and all need to recapture something like their best, otherwise a sombre September awaits.

Head-to-head prediction: Hawthorn Hawks by 41 points.

Betting tip: Karl Amon 24+ disposals.

Odds are subject to change. *