Not much of a break this week. King’s Birthday barely cooled down and we’re already rolling straight into Thursday night footy again.
Last week’s tips? Let’s just say they didn’t exactly land. Hawthorn shocked everyone, and outside of Tyson Stengle giving us something to hang our hat on, it was a lean one for The Huddle. But footy keeps moving, and so do we.
Let’s take a look at Round 14.
For the latest analysis, news, odds, and betting tips for all this week’s action, check out my AFL round 13 tips and predictions below, or follow me on the feed and see them there!
St Kilda vs Western Bulldogs Prediction
Thursday, June 13, 7:30pm AEST - Marvel Stadium
The Dogs were flat last week. No pressure, no energy, and their support cast completely disappeared. Davidson, Freijah, and McNeil all need to rediscover some form to ease the load on the big names.
The Saints were sharp in Alice Springs. Their back half was electric, with Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera in All-Australian form and Jack Sinclair doing what Jack Sinclair does.
Aaron Naughton’s been out of sorts, but he loves playing the Saints. If there’s ever a week to snap back into it, it’s this one.
The Dogs are walking into Marvel with questions hanging over them. They’ll need answers by the final siren.
Head-to-head prediction: Bulldogs by 10 points
Betting tip: Jack Sinclair 30+ disposals
Hawthorn vs Adelaide Prediction
Friday, June 13, 7:40pm AEST - UTAS Stadium
Off to Tassie for a spicy little matchup between two sides that landed big wins last week.
The Hawks were composed and clinical, taking down the Dogs. Adelaide… Well, they left it late, but their surge past Brisbane said a lot. This one has all the ingredients if the weather holds up.
Rachele and Keays are doing the scoreboard damage lately, while Fogarty needs to lift. Conor Nash playing on Jordan Dawson could be a game-shaping matchup, and the key forwards will have a say too.
This should be a ripper.
Head-to-head prediction: Hawks by 13 points
Betting tip: Riley Thilthorpe 2+ goals
Brisbane Lions vs GWS Giants Prediction
Saturday, June 14, 1:20pm AEST - The Gabba
The Lions are copping a few headlines, but it’s probably a bit over the top. They’ve been there or thereabouts for years, and tend to peak when it matters most.
GWS on the other hand… they’re in a bit of strife. Losing Perryman, Cumming, and Peatling hurts, and that’s before you even get to Callaghan, Ward, and Coniglio. The squad’s running on fumes.
The Giants are still dangerous, but the Lions won’t want to leave anything to chance after coughing one up last week.
Head-to-head prediction: Lions by 23 points
Betting tip: Will Ashcroft 30+ disposals
Essendon vs Geelong Prediction
Saturday, June 7, 4:15pm AEST - MCG
Let’s be honest. The Cats have owned this matchup. Seven wins on the trot and none of them close.
Tom Hawkins might be in the commentary box now, but Jeremy Cameron remains a nightmare matchup for the Bombers. Dangerfield was quiet last week, and Jezza was held goalless, so you get the feeling both are due.
Essendon is hanging in. There’s young talent and energy, but they’ve struggled to land a blow on Geelong in recent years.
Time to find out if that’s changing.
Head-to-head prediction: Cats by 14 points
Betting tip: Jeremy Cameron 3+ goals
North Melbourne vs Fremantle Prediction
Saturday, June 7, 7:35pm AEST - Optus Stadium
North sold two games to WA, and it’s starting to feel like a bad idea.
They barely got over the line against West Coast in Bunbury, and now they’re facing a fresher, cleaner Freo outfit in Perth. Brayshaw is purring, and the Dockers are looking more settled with every round.
Zurhaar and Simpkin had some big moments last week, but you’d want to see a whole lot more to tip them away from home.
Head-to-head prediction: Dockers by 22 points
Betting tip: Andrew Brayshaw 30+ disposals
Port Adelaide vs Melbourne Prediction
Sunday, June 8, 3:20pm AEST - Adelaide Oval
Typical Port. Written off, under the pump, then bang — a statement win out of nowhere.
Now they’re back at home, hosting a Melbourne side that’s on the short backup from Monday. The Dees still aren’t convincing, but Max Gawn is dragging them forward with sheer willpower.
Neither of these two look like September threats right now, but the winner here buys a bit of belief.
Head-to-head prediction: Demons by four points
Betting tip: Max Gawn 25+ disposals
West Coast vs Carlton Prediction
Sunday, June 8, 6:10pm AEST - Optus Stadium
The Eagles are better. No question. But they’re still not getting the job done.
Carlton, meanwhile, simply can’t afford to let this one slip. They need a big win, not just a win. Otherwise, the pressure builds again and the season starts to slip away.
It’s a banana peel game. Lose here, and it could get ugly on the Monday news cycle.
Head-to-head prediction: Blues by 24 points
Betting tip: Jesse Motlop 2+ goals
Collingwood, Gold Coast, Sydney, Richmond- BYE
Whose bright idea was it to schedule the bye rounds over five weeks?
Anyway, four more teams get a breather this week.
The Pies put their feet up, looking at the rest below them, knowing they cannot be usurped from the top on their week off.
The Suns have hit a mini mid-season skid dropping a couple in a row. If they don’t want the same narratives spoken about them in the second half of the year, it would be a busy bye-week for them you’d hope.
The Swans will get a much-needed boost, with some important troops back after their week off - Mainly needed for coach Dean Cox more than the players, While the young Tigers get a chance to refuel and see how they can finish this year off and maybe steal some more wins along the way.