Six from nine on the best bets last week and seven from nine on the head-to-head. The momentum must continue. 

Round 21 of the AFL season serves up some bangers as Collingwood and Geelong open proceedings at the MCG on Thursday night in a genuine top-four decider. 

Meanwhile, Fremantle welcome the Western Bulldogs to Optus Stadium and Carlton take on Brisbane on Saturday night with Wildcard Weekend ambitions on the line.

At the other end of the table, Richmond and West Coast meet in what shapes as the season's most consequential draft-pick clash, while Essendon host Adelaide on Sunday afternoon in a game with only one believable outcome.

For the latest team news, analysis and expert insights, check out our Round 21 AFL tips and predictions below.

Collingwood Magpies vs Geelong Cats

Thursday, 30 July 2026, 7:30pm AEST - MCG, Melbourne

The clash of the weekend is the opener to Round 21 - the scorching Pies and the relentless Cats.

Collingwood are airborne thanks to Nicholas Daicos and some cameos in the forward line. Credit to Dan McStay who is in career-best form, too.

Some have written Geelong off a few times this season but their win over the Dees proves once again you can never really fully count them out. Are they a premiership team? In my view, no, but it's hard to fully write them off.

The Pies attack is back, especially from half back which was what catapulted them to a premiership in '23. Some of that is back via Crisp, Daicos, Daicos, Pendlebury, Lipinski and De Goey.

Shannon Neale bagged five last week and his presence is large, with Bill Frampton ready to go.

The winner clings onto some hope of fourth position, the loser probably guarantees themselves a Wildcard Weekend game.

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

Betting tip: Bailey Smith under disposals (Ed Allan tag).

Fremantle Dockers vs Western Bulldogs

Friday, 31 July 2026, 8:10pm AEST - Optus Stadium, Perth

The Dogs scrounged away for a half before thundering away from Richmond at Docklands last week but this looms as a very different proposition.

The ladder-leading Dockers wait and unless there's a lack of focus from Freo, the Dogs have got some work to do. Ed Richards and Marcus Bontempelli led the way as usual and you'd imagine Justin Longmuir will have a plan or two for those game-breakers.

The Dogs might have a problem or two or three with Treacy, Amiss and Voss up front and that'll likely decide the game.

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

Betting tip: Voss and Treacy 5+ combined goals.

St Kilda vs Sydney Swans

Saturday, 1 August 2026, 1:05pm AEST - Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

The Saints did the job they simply had to do last weekend in beating the Kangas.

Now they face the in-form Swans at Marvel Stadium. The Swans will enjoy the trip to Melbourne and enjoy an indoors date with the Saints.

James Jordon looks set for a large afternoon, trying to quell a man that went for 46 disposals and four goals last week. Simply staggering numbers. Good luck to JJ.

The Saints will need to have their own plans for Warner and Heeney as well as Gulden, who had 41 against GWS last week.

Rowan Marshall was a late out last week, leaving Tommy De Koning to do the job and do the job he did. With Marshall likely back, they'll tag-team Brodie Grundy who returned to his best with 23 disposals and seven clearances.

The Saints can make a gigantic statement. They've beaten everyone below them but not touched anyone above them. This is the perfect opportunity.

Head-to-head prediction: Sydney Swans by 22 points.

Betting tip: Isaac Heeney 2+ goals.

Hawthorn Hawks vs North Melbourne Kangaroos

Saturday, 1 August 2026, 1:35pm AEST - University of Tasmania Stadium, Launceston

The Hawks hammered Essendon and will likely give the Roos a battering, too.

Should this game have been at the MCG, I reckon we'd have seen a Hawk hammering but maybe the Kangas can squawk in Tasmania. The last time the Hawks were there the Dees got ahold of them in a big way.

The Hawthorn midfield is rolling behind Newcombe, Day, Ward, Mackenzie and the guys on the periphery. Impey looks an All-Australian screamer whilst Amon will be back to assist at some stage.

The Roos are almost always competitive but never beating anyone of any substance. It's a winless record against the best teams under Al Clarkson. That's a record that will need to improve otherwise the four-timer will be under pressure into next season.

Head-to-head prediction: Hawthorn Hawks by 33 points.

Betting tip: Nick Watson 4+ goals.

Port Adelaide Power vs GWS Giants

Saturday, 1 August 2026, 6:35pm AEST - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Talk about games without any meaning… eek!

Port Adelaide hung as tough as possible in the Queensland sun before the Lions roared and sent them packing. I'll concede the Power have been competitive and have showed an ability to defend most teams they face. They'll need to add enormously to the offensive side of the ball heading into next season.

For GWS, they - again - were slaughtered by their big brothers from Bondi. A 51-point margin which threatened to become triple figures across the evening. Gulden had 41, Warner had 32 and a goal, Heeney 25 and a goal, Blakey 24 and a goal whilst Grundy had 23, seven clearances, 29 H/O and a goal of his own.

Adam Kingsley's post-game comments suggested this is a group that needs remoulding. And I'd say they will across the off-season.

The market can barely split them and maybe the game might be close and gripping. But it's hard to read that on paper.

Head-to-head prediction: Port Adelaide by two points.

Betting tip: Port Adelaide H2H.

Carlton Blues vs Brisbane Lions

Saturday, 1 August 2026, 7:40pm AEST - Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

The Blues were happy to engage in a shootout against Gold Coast and did the job nicely. They got goals from all over the place as Hayward, Hewett and Byrne kicked three each. Walsh, Smith and Cripps all managed 30+ on the day.

And here come the Lions.

Port hung around for three quarters before the big boys got to work. The Lions booted 14 goals in the second half as Morris, Lohmann, Cameron and Bailey all kicked three goals. Zorko overcame last week's weird hammy query and had 34 off half back, Ashcroft dominated with 30 and a couple and finally Hugh McCluggage got back to his very best with 29 and a goal.

This looms as the ultimate test for the Blues and a win probably gives them a puncher's chance at Wildcard Weekend.

Head-to-head prediction: Brisbane Lions by 13 points (but an upset would not surprise).

Betting tip: Carlton +24.5 points.

Richmond Tigers vs West Coast Eagles

Sunday, 2 August 2026, 1:10pm AEST - MCG, Melbourne

Some draft pick positions on the line here as Richmond probably gets its last look at a win for season 2026. I was warm on them coming into the season but injuries and a query on the game plan have meant it's been a woeful campaign.

For the Eagles, I've jumped ship and am keen on their chances moving into 2027. I love Shanahan, Duursma, both Reid boys and mid-season draftee Marcus Herbert looks a steal.

This looms as a magnificent opportunity to get to the MCG and pinch a win on the road. A really rare occurrence from the Eagles since its 2018 glory days.

Head-to-head prediction: West Coast Eagles by 21 points.

Betting tip: Harley Reid 25+ disposals.

Gold Coast Suns vs Melbourne Demons

Sunday, 2 August 2026, 3:15pm AEST - People First Stadium, Gold Coast

The Petracca Cup comes at an interesting time with the actions of the weekend between the man himself and youngster Leo Lombard.

The Suns were sharp at times against Carlton but fell in a hole in each quarter the longer the term went. Their tackle numbers remained low, as they have all season long.

For the Dees, I felt their clash with Geelong was a rolled gold opportunity to upend the Cats on a big stage. And they jumped them, then fell in an offensive hole and could not stop Neale and Henry from kicking goals.

This might be a high-scoring game, too. Which presents opportunities for both. The problem is, Gold Coast's season is as shot as can be and now the focus will shift to which guys want to be there and which guys want out, again.

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

Betting tip: John Noble 28+ disposals.

Essendon Bombers vs Adelaide Crows

Sunday, 2 August 2026, 4:40pm AEST - Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

Adelaide coughed one up last week against the Pies when you consider where the game was at midway through Q2. From there, it was all Collingwood and the Crows coaches were left to pick up the pieces of a poor week and a poorer two hours in the box.

They'll make amends here with a Marvel Stadium date with Essendon. It's also an excellent opportunity for them to keep refining their offensive game and willingness to be bolder and braver with the ball. Unless they can, they will not be winning anything this season.

The Bombers were wiped from the park at different stages against the Hawks and the best version of Adelaide could do the same - problem is we simply do not know how good, or great, this South Australian squad is.

Head-to-head prediction: Adelaide Crows by 41 points.

Betting tip: Riley Thilthorpe 4+ goals (it's time big boy).

Odds are subject to change.*