<p>&nbsp;Welcome back to my AFL Tips &amp; Predictions for Round 12 of the AFL season.</p> <p>The past fortnight has been a lovely time to be following our AFL picks and tips on The Huddle. 6/9 for best bets across Round 10 and 7/9 on our betting plays in Round 11.&nbsp;</p> <p>FILL-UP!</p> <p>Onto Round 12 we go…</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Port Adelaide vs Carlton Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, May 30th, 7:30 PM AEST – Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>The final two Thursday night games will be held in South Australia with the first - Carlton meeting Port Adelaide - an absolute beauty.</p> <p>Is the Power for real? Are the Blues back in business?</p> <p>I guess we’ll play the game and find out.</p> <p>Charlie Curnow - coming off four second-half goals against Gold Coast - will prove a problematic matchup for Port. Esava Ratugolea will take big Harry McKay, but Curnow’s ground game and athletic prowess will be a handful for his likely opponent, Brand Zerk-Thatcher.</p> <p>Port’s dynamic mids will equally prove a difficult task for the biggest bulls from the Blues.</p> <p>Connor Rozee, Zak Butters, and Jason Horne-Francis are electric around the ball and borderline impossible to tackle whilst Paddy Cripps, Matty Kennedy, and George Hewett are more about physicality and brute strength.</p> <p>Sam Walsh is the one who can work in the phone box, as he did last week with 32 touches.&nbsp;</p> <p>Whichever group wins around the ball wins the game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction</strong>: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/port-adelaide-v-carlton-8266013">Blues by 5 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>: SGM — Mitch McGovern 20+ disposals and Harry McKay 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood vs Western Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, May 31st, 7: 40 PM AEST – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>Are the Pies the AFL’s No. 2 seed? I’m not sure that’s even a question when you take a look at their form since beginning the season 0-3.</p> <p>The Pies have not lost a game since the poor start but have picked up two draws. And they’ll get personnel back soon.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dogs were OK without having the star-studded synergy that Sydney had to begin Round 11.</p> <p>They’ll miss Aaron Naughton, but this Dogs' forward line has looked potent with one less tall at different stages in 2024.&nbsp;</p> <p>Around the ball - as always - is key. Former Pie Adam Treloar has been on a ball-winning tear. He’s had 30+ since Round 7.&nbsp;</p> <p>Who gets more of the footy? Nick Daicos or Adam Treloar…&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction</strong>: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/collingwood-v-western-bulldogs-8266012">Pies by 14 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>: Patrick Lipinski 20+ disposals and anytime goal</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Hawthorn vs Adelaide Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, June 1st, 1:45 PM AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>This is a genuinely good game of footy at the ‘G.</p> <p>The Hawks’ form since a horror beginning to the season has been superb, despite coughing one up in Adelaide a fortnight ago. They get a good look at the Crows - who arrive off a 99-point hammering of the Eagles.</p> <p>Jack Gunston, Mabior Chol and young Calsher Dear are proving an unlikely but productive key forward trio. They combined for 9 goals against Brisbane. Gunston wound back the clock with 4 snags of his own.</p> <p>Darcy Fogarty deserves some love.</p> <p>I was beginning to wonder about his place in the Crows’ team, but he’s found his work rate and consistency across the game, not only relying upon goals scored to be effective.</p> <p>His 20 disposals were an equal career-high in Round 11.</p> <p>There are prolific ball-winners galore here for your Sportsbet SGM’s. Jai Newcombe, Conor Nash, James Worpel, Karl Amon, Will Day, Rory Laird, Matt Crouch, Jordan Dawson, Jake Soligo, and Lachie Sholl are out on the wing.</p> <p>So many options.</p> <p>Early on a Saturday afternoon, this clash could sneak under the radar but I’m telling you, this will be a beauty.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction</strong>: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/hawthorn-v-adelaide-8266009">Crows by 11 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>:&nbsp;SGM — Matt Crouch 25 disposals, Rory Laird 25 disposals, Conor Nash 20 disposals, Taylor Walker 2+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast Eagles vs St Kilda Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, June 1st, 4:35 PM AEST – Optus Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>Not sure what to tell you, other than we’ve got 15th visiting 16th in the twilight zone.</p> <p>The Saints are rudderless at the moment. Their offensive scheme and system are lost and even the better ball users like Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Riley Bonner are making poor decisions with ball in hand.</p> <p>Max King and Jack Higgins did a good job to combine for five goals last week, considering the stagnant ball use.</p> <p>The Eagles will be on the rebound. That 99-point loss was a reminder that whilst they’ve improved significantly, they’re not out of the woods when it comes to severe hidings - particularly on the road.</p> <p>They get the comforts of home in this one and, remarkably, go in as favourites - something that has been rarer than the Lochness Monster for a few years.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction</strong>: &nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/west-coast-v-st-kilda-8266010">Eagles by 11 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>: Jamie Cripps 2+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong vs Richmond Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, June 1st, 7:30 PM AEST – GMHBA Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>Geelong peeled off seven straight dubs and have since dropped four on the bounce.</p> <p>What in the world!?!</p> <p>Surely the Cats get things in order with a visit to The Cattery from Richmond - who are slumping hard but did offer some real fight against Essendon last weekend.</p> <p>The Tigers are trying to find out about their kids and who can be long-term AFL contributors to their next premiership push.</p> <p>Geelong is struggling around the ball. They’ll regain Dangerfield at some point but aside from Max Holmes, most guys in there are only plugging away.</p> <p>Jeremy Cameron needs to park the ‘Roaming Jeremy’ role for a month and get inside fifty and dominate.</p> <p>He’s only kicked 21 goals this season, with 11 coming in two games. The Coleman Medallist needs to play as a genuine key forward and kick 15+ across the next month to get the Cats season back on track.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction</strong>: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/geelong-v-richmond-8266008">Cats by 38 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>: Jeremy Cameron 4+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne vs Fremantle Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, June 2nd, 1:00 PM – TIO Traeger Park, Alice Springs</strong></em></p> <p>The Dees were truly dominant in their clash last weekend with the lowly Saints.</p> <p>Almost 400 total disposals, 124 marks versus just 72 for the Saints. They won clearances, contested possession, had more tackles, and 26 more inside fifties.</p> <p>The mids and flankers all struck the scoreboard as well, seeing the Dees manage 100 points - a big tick for them.&nbsp;</p> <p>Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy arrive to tackle Max Gawn, who was simply stunning last week. 27 disposals, 34 hitouts, a goal, and a bunch of clearances.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dockers duo must quell his dominance otherwise the Dockers will be trying to move the ball from the back half all afternoon in the red centre, Alice Springs.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction</strong>: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/melbourne-v-fremantle-8266007">Demons by 13 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>:&nbsp;Hayden Young anytime goal&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast vs Essendon Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, June 2nd, 4:00 PM – People First Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>A nice acid test for both Essendon on the road and Gold Coast returning home from a loss on the road (again).</p> <p>Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson, and Touk Miller were beaten up by Cripps, Walsh, and co last weekend so the bounce-back performance will be on.</p> <p>No Sun managed more than 21 disposals after Anderson (42), Sam Flanders (37), Rowell (35), and Miller (32) went ham the week previous.</p> <p>The Dons have a magnificent defensive quartet beside the big man, Ben McKay. The combo of Nic Martin, Andy McGrath, Mason Redman, and Jordan Ridley provides an amazing balance between rebound, creativity, and the ability to defend when needed.</p> <p>When those boys collect 100+ disposals between them, good things will happen for the boys from The Hangar!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction</strong>: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gold-coast-v-essendon-8266005">Suns by 10 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>: SGM — Andy McGrath 20 disposals, Nic Martin 25 disposals, Redman 15 disposals, Jordan Ridley 20 disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Lions – Bye</h2> <p>It’s an unusual place to be for the Lions at this point of the year. It certainly hasn’t been the year they envisaged after the Grand Final last year. Some time to take much-needed stock and find some more players.</p> <h2>North Melbourne – Bye</h2> <p>Take a deep breath Roos fans. You cannot lose this week! Sit back and relax.</p> <h2>Sydney Swans- Bye</h2> <p>Everything is going perfectly for the boys in the harbour city. Playing brilliant footy and a couple of games clear on top of the ladder. Easy, stress-free bye week coming up.</p> <h2>GWS Giants - Bye</h2> <p>Unconfirmed reports that they will use this bye week to build a Leek Aleer statue after his game-saving double act in Geelong on Saturday night. Watch this space.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFL Premiership Odds:</h2>