<p>The best weekend of footy is locked in, and we are all in for some type of treat!</p> <p>Inside 24 hours, 190,000 people will converge on The MCG as four great teams throw down for the opportunity to play in the 2025 AFL Grand Final.</p> <p>The preliminary final is the last hurrah. It’s the last real game of footy for these teams - for us all.</p> <p>The Grand Final is such a beast, such a different build-up and preparation that this preliminary weekend will be rolled gold for these 92 players who get to partake.</p> <p>Who will edge themselves into folklore? Let’s lock in for the best weekend of the year.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the latest analysis, news, odds, and betting tips for all this week’s action, check out my AFL preliminary finals 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!&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong vs Hawthorn Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, September 19, 7:40pm AEST - MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The old enemies are also modern enemies.&nbsp;</p> <p>The good old days, when Dermie and Dipper were assaulted by Geelong heavies, only to rise from the ashes and claim yet another cup.</p> <p>2008, when Geelong looked set to go back-to-back before a bunch of young Hawks stole the show.</p> <p>Geelong has collected four premierships since 2007, and the Hawks have four of their own to show as well.</p> <p>The chance for one of these sides to add a fifth crown since the turn of the century is tantalising.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The Hawks arrive fully airborne.</p> <p>Jai Newcombe looks like Dustin Martin in brown and gold. Jack Gunston has wound back the clock, maybe even going above and beyond anything he’s ever done in his Hall of Fame career.</p> <p>And the newcomers are emerging before our eyes. Watson, Weddle, Ward, and others.&nbsp;</p> <p>Across the road, hardened and seasoned Geelong are primed for this and are laying in wait.&nbsp;</p> <p>This team won a premiership only three years ago, in truly emphatic fashion. Sixteen straight wins, smashing Brisbane in a prelim and obliterating Sydney on the big day.&nbsp;</p> <p>They missed in 2023 and were a whisker away in ’24. Now they’re back for more and they can run.</p> <p>There’s not a plodder in this team. We know Bailey and Max can run, but every single member of this Geelong squad can run and run and run. They’ll need to as well, because the Hawks are slick themselves.</p> <p>Experience counts for something. And I think it’ll be the only thing between these two great teams.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/geelong-cats-v-hawthorn-9616955">Cats by 10 points</a></p> <p><strong>Best Bet: </strong>Tom Stewart 21+ disposals &amp; 8+ marks</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood vs Brisbane Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, September 20, 5:15pm AEST - MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Pies wobbled their way into September before ambushing Adelaide in Adelaide.</p> <p>A fortnight on, and in horse racing terms, that win looks less impressive than it did in the moment.</p> <p>The health of this squad is improving, and key types like De Goey and McCreery have made a world of difference.&nbsp;</p> <p>No longer is it just Whispering Nick carrying the load.</p> <p>And we know, in big moments, Steele and Pendles will stand tallest. We know this club is never knocked down… You need to knock them clean out or be willing to go the distance.</p> <p>Not so long ago, these Lions did arrive here at the MCG, and they did just that.&nbsp;</p> <p>In Round 21, Brisbane dished out a 27-point whooping. McCluggage, Dunkley, and Will Ashcroft all shone in that one, and Logan Morris kicked a bag.</p> <p>Zac Bailey and Cam Rayner did nothing in the first half of that one and then took the game over in the second. The Pies will have plans for both.</p> <p>The 2023 Grand Final was epic. These two know how to get to work; they believe they are the best, and one will get back to yet another Grand Final.</p> <p>For Collingwood, a chance at two premierships in three seasons. For Brisbane, three straight Grand Finals at a shot at being the back-to-back champs.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/collingwood-v-brisbane-lions-9620745">Lions by 11 points</a></p> <p><strong>Best Bet:</strong> SGM: Zac Bailey 2+ goals, Kai Lohmann 2+ goals &amp; Will Ashcroft 27+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>2025 AFL Premiership Odds:</h2>