<p>The regular season is in the books and the real fun is about to begin! Welcome to the 2024 AFL Finals.</p> <p>&nbsp;Eight teams arrive with both eyes on the big prize – the premiership cup.</p> <p>For some – Port Adelaide, Brisbane, Carlton – winning the flag would see them break growing droughts. For Greater Western Sydney, it would be their maiden Cup.</p> <p>With four epic encounters on the cards there is so much at stake with so little room for error. So, no more wasting time, let’s get stuck in.</p> <p>For the latest analysis, news, odds and betting tips for all of this week’s finals action, check out my AFL Finals Week 1 tips and predictions below, or follow me <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/feed/profile/view/56/ist_ambassador_deeplink_action">on the feed</a> and see them there!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Port Adelaide vs Geelong Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, September 5, 7:40pm AEST – Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The advantages look clear and obvious here. The Power possesses an almighty on-ball brigade with the explosiveness of Jason Horne-Francis, the tenacity of Zak Butters and the silk of captain Connor Rozee.</p> <p>Then there’s Wines, Drew and Boak following suit. The Cats midfield cannot match that – at least on paper – but their own skipper, Patrick Dangerfield, has found something like his best footy.</p> <p>Jeremy Cameron, fresh off All-Australian honours, looks a headache for Ken Hinkley’s squad. Brandon Zerk-Thatcher gets first shot but Cameron’s movement and agility will give the former Bomber trouble.</p> <p>Max Holmes and Tom Stewart will both demand attention from the Power half forwards. Jackson Mead is the one for Stewart and Willem Drew could go with Holmes if he’s around the ball.</p> <p>Power forward Mitch Georgiades is the one who looks most likely inside fifty. Jack Henry probably gets first crack at the athletic Port gun.</p> <p>In 2021, we saw Geelong travel to Adelaide and face the Power in a qualifying final and with the assistance of some Tom Hawkins inaccuracy, Port got through and earned the home preliminary final.</p> <p>The aim is the same, the opponent is the same and I’d expect the result to be the same. Too much firepower around the ball as well as the assistance of a wild home crowd.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong>Port Adelaide by 11 points.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>SGM - Patrick Dangerfield 20+ disposals, Tyson Stengle 2+ goals, Connor Rozee 25+ disposals, Port Adelaide 1-39.</p>

<h2>Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, September 6, 7:40pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Perhaps the neutral fans’ pick of the weekend. The humming Hawks, with their selfies and their brashness, against the star-studded top-enders from the Dogs.</p> <p>Hawthorn have strength in numbers. Names like Moore, Macdonald, Mackenzie, Ginnivan, Watson, Newcombe, Worpel, Chol, Dear, Frost and Meek – all contributing to a high level.</p> <p>From zip-and-five to one of the hottest teams in the competition. Not bad.</p> <p>Their opponents had to work until the end to secure a place in September (as did the Hawks), but with names like Bontempelli, Ugle-Hagan, Treloar, Richards, Jones, Lobb, Naughton and English, we have no shortage of talent in the red, white and blue jumpers.</p> <p>The Hawks will look to run and gun across the MCG. They’re superb at making the ground spacious when they’ve got the ball in hand, allowing runners to get downhill and get into scoring positions.</p> <p>The Dogs have only seen the MCG twice in 2024 with the most recent a 91-point hammering of Richmond.</p> <p>Aerially, the Dogs will look to control the game, down back and up front with Lobb and Jones intercepting forward thrusts and Naughton, Jamarra and Sam Darcy taking clunks up front.</p> <p>We know the Hawks will want to run. Run hard, run fast and wind up the adoring Hawks faithful in the process.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> Hawthorn by 13 points.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>SGM – Adam Treloar 30+ disposals, Aaron Naughton 2+ goals and Nick Watson 2+ goals.</p>

<h2>Sydney Swans vs GWS Giants Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, September 7, 3:20pm AEST – SCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A Sydney Showdown will be my highlight of the weekend. I love the way both squads go about it, the Swans with their slick ball use and midfield power whilst GWS – who can be erratic in-game – have depth across the deck with playmakers all over!</p> <p>You’d imagine Dane Rampe gets first crack at Toby Greene, while big Tom McCartin will tackle Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan.</p> <p>Toby Bedford has been an inspired run-with option for the Giants and Chad Warner looks to be his target in this one.</p> <p>Conversely, James Jordon loves tagging from outside the centre bounce, meaning Lachie Whitfield might be his go-to.</p> <p>The winner of this contest is the outright premiership favourite for mine. Buckle up, this should be a beauty.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong>Sydney Swans by 5 points.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> SGM - Isaac Heeney 25+ disposals, Tom Green 30+ disposals &amp; Will Hayward 2+ goals.</p>

<h2>Brisbane Lions vs Carlton Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, September 7, 7:30pm AEST – The Gabba</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Lions arrive as the weekend’s shortest-priced favourite, but the Blues will roll into The Gabba with plenty of confidence.</p> <p>Big names are back and as you’d recall, Carlton can play some very nice football on Brisbane’s home deck.</p> <p>Jarrod Berry or Josh Dunkley will take on Brownlow fancy, Patrick Cripps, whilst you have to imagine Michael Voss and the crew are planning on shutting down Lachie Neale.</p> <p>Jacob Weitering coming up against Joe Daniher will be worth the price of admission alone and perhaps whoever wins that individual clash will help their squad win the game.</p> <p>At the other end, it’s advantage Harry and Charlie, even with Harris Andrews as a road block. This will be closer than most think. Do not discount the rallying Blues.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;</strong>Brisbane Lions by 10 points.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> SGM – Charlie Cameron 2+ goals, Hugh McCluggage 25+ disposals and Sam Walsh 25+ disposals.</p>