<p>We’re back for another week of AFL Tips &amp; Predictions for Round 12!</p> <p>Saturday afternoon was a lovely afternoon to be an underdog.</p> <p>Greater Western Sydney celebrated Toby Greene’s 250th with a win over the Blues at Docklands. How they were the outsiders in that contest I’ll never, ever know.</p> <p>Then across town, Brisbane reminded a few of their genuine versatility and power with an emphatic win over the Hawks.</p> <p>Betting-wise, Jake Melksham and Ben Long kicked the snags we needed in an otherwise average weekend.</p> <p>Onto Round 12 we go. It’s the start of the bye rounds, but still plenty of action this week. Particularly on Friday night at the G.</p> <p>For the latest analysis, news, odds, and betting tips for all this week’s action, check out my AFL round 12 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>Brisbane Lions vs Essendon Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Thursday, May 29, 7:30pm AEST - The Gabba</em></strong></p> <p>The Lions reminded any doubters of their considerable roar last week at The ‘G against a fellow contender.</p> <p>Cal Ah Chee, Charlie Cameron, Cam Rayner, and Logan Morris all kicked majors in a dominant third-quarter display.&nbsp;</p> <p>A weakened but spirited Essendon should be an easy enough night at the office for the team that I think can go back-to-back.</p> <p>The Dons' ball movement needs to speed up. And needs much more venom and direction through the corridor. I’m sure Brad Scott is pleading for as much.</p> <p>There might be 250 uncontested marks in this one, but what there almost certainly will be is a Lions victory.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/brisbane-lions-v-essendon-9229216">Lions by 28 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>: Zac Bailey 2+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood vs Hawthorn Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, May 30, 7:40pm AEST - MCG</strong></em></p> <p>We have a monster clash here.&nbsp;</p> <p>And it may be a real fork in the road for the Hawks. Are they among the league’s best or still a season away from being considered as such?</p> <p>The Pies have been - and still are - missing a few bodies but others have risen. Ned Long is one that explodes in productivity when given maximum opportunity.</p> <p>For the Hawks, too many are down on 2024 form. Dylan Moore is probably leading that charge alongside the skipper James Sicily. Both can - and likely will - recapture their best form, but need to do so very soon.</p> <p>Jamie Elliott is in rare form, maybe career-best, and will need monitoring from someone like Jack Scrimshaw.</p> <p>And surely Sam Mitchell learns from his old coach Al Clarkson’s mistake and tags Nick Daicos?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/collingwood-v-hawthorn-9229217"> Hawks by 4 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Jai Newcombe 25+ disposals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast vs Fremantle Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, May 31, 1:20pm AEST - People First Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>The Suns are rolling beautifully and will love some home-cooking after a fortnight in Darwin and a trip to Marvel to handle the Saints.</p> <p>Their opponents, Freo, finally strung a fortnight of form together and will march into Carrara with some confidence.&nbsp;</p> <p>Luke Jackson is going as well as any ruckman since taking over as the No.1 man.&nbsp;</p> <p>Cooper Sharman and Mitch Owens were very good for the Saints last week, meaning Sammy Collins will be looking to rebound hard.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gold-coast-suns-v-fremantle-9229218">Suns by 21 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> John Noble 25+ disposals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs Richmond Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, May 31, 4:15pm AEST - ENGIE Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>The Giants celebrated arguably their best-ever player in style last week.&nbsp;</p> <p>Toby Greene also led the celebrations for his own milestone with 28 disposals and 3 snags.</p> <p>Crucially, GWS got in front of the ledger and now has a platform to build from with the young Tigers in town.</p> <p>Richmond will give effort for some time but the kids wear down and the veterans wear out.&nbsp;</p> <p>Lachie Ash and Lachie Whitfield might combine for 70 in this one.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gws-giants-v-richmond-9229219">Giants by 41 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Lachie Whitfield 30+ disposals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney vs Adelaide Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, May 31, 7:35pm AEST - SCG&nbsp;</strong></em></p> <p>I’m making a declaration here - well, two, actually.</p> <p>Sydney’s season is done and because of that, Adelaide must turn up at the SCG and show no mercy. Win the game.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Crows are yet to make a statement and this standalone Saturday evening fixture provides them that opportunity.&nbsp;</p> <p>The big boys of Adelaide have been a handful but now it’s resting midfielders and small forwards doing damage. Josh Rachele, Jordan Dawson, Izak Rankine and Ben Keays are a dangerous proposition in the forward fifty.</p> <p>Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner are playing well but not too many other Swans can say the same. A proper Grand Final hangover from The Bloods.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/sydney-swans-v-adelaide-crows-9229220">Crows by 11 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Rory Laird 25+ disposals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne vs St Kilda Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Sunday, June 1, 3:20pm AEST - TIO Trager Park</em></strong></p> <p>Alice Springs takes centre stage as the in-form Dees collide with a floundering Saints squad.</p> <p>St Kilda is 4-7 and going nowhere fast, despite having some genuine talent in Wanganeen-Milera, Phillipou, and Owens. The problem is, they need much more.</p> <p>Kozzie Pickett is playing as well as anyone in the AFL, whilst Clayton Oliver displayed some signs of life last week in the Dees thumping of Sydney.&nbsp;</p> <p>Jake Melksham has added plenty to that forward mix, too, kicking goals and making life hard on attacking intercept defenders.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/melbourne-v-st-kilda-9229221">Dees by 10 points&nbsp;</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Caleb Windsor 20+ disposals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast vs Geelong Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Sunday, June 1, 7:20pm AEST - Optus Stadium</em></strong></p> <p>Geelong heads west for a clash with West Coast.</p> <p>Who they pick and who they play may be two totally different things - with some aging stars maybe getting a spell.&nbsp;</p> <p>Thankfully, Dempsey, Miers, Mannagh, Neale, Holmes, and Humphries are more than able when asked to step up and cover the load.</p> <p>The Eagles hung in there with Adelaide before copping 11 goals in the second half.</p> <p>Geelong will have similar plans and similar execution.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/west-coast-eagles-v-geelong-cats-9229222">Cats by 38 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Ollie Henry 3 + goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Carlton, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs - BYE</h2> <p>The midpoint of the season sees the first week of the bye rounds with four sides taking a well-deserved and in some cases much-needed break.</p> <p>No doubt there will be plenty of soul-searching at the Blues and the Power as to how their campaigns have gone so badly wrong to date.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Roos will be taking on the growing pains of recent weeks, while the Dogs will take the week to recharge, maybe re-sign their coach, and plan their assault on the second half of the season.</p>