<p>You just never know what you’ll get when you go to the footy – and that’s why Australia is in love with the AFL.</p> <p>I was working on the radio for the Pies and Roos clash and driving in I was wondering, ‘Pies by how many?’</p> <p>An hour or so later and the Kangas were up by 54-points and could do no wrong. The reigning premiers were asleep at the wheel with no sign of awakening.</p> <p>Then awaken they did. Despite major controversy and confusion, the Pies truly are football’s grim reaper!</p> <p>Let’s hope one of the six matches scheduled for AFL Round 15 can even remotely live up to that legendary contest.</p> <p>From a tipping and betting perspective, we landed a few and missed on a few last time out.</p> <p>Luke Jackson kicked a couple for us, but I was keen on Fremantle, and they spewed up.</p> <p>The Heeney-Gulden-Amartey SGM felt like finding money and Lachie Schultz kept kicking goals for us – we needed 3 and he delivered 4.</p> <p>Let’s see what’s in store this week. For the latest analysis, news, odds and betting tips for all of this week’s action, check out my AFL round 15 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>Carlton vs Geelong Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, June 21, 7:40pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>&nbsp;</strong></em></p> <p>A blockbuster to welcome the Blues and Geelong back into season 2024.</p> <p>The Blues (2nd) and the Cats (6th) are both chasing personnel health and consistency with a couple of months to sharpen up before everything goes on the line.</p> <p>Most weeks it feels like a midfield mismatch against the Cats. Bruhn, Clark and Conway will be good players, but an AFL midfield is a beast of a thing and you need look no further than Cripps, Walsh, Hewett, De Koning and Acres for proof.</p> <p>The heat must go on Sam De Koning and his key defensive buddies down back as Curnow and McKay await.</p> <p>Elsewhere, will Roaming Jerry be shelved? Cameron kicked five in Round seven as a stay-at-home forward.</p> <p>Jacob Weitering will keep Hawkins busy therefore Cameron must be the one to make Carlton defenders – and fans – nervous.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/carlton-v-geelong-8314872">Carlton by 17 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Tom De Koning 20+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Port Adelaide vs Brisbane Lions Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, June 22, 1:45pm AEST – Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This game will be as telling as any across the weekend when looking for contenders and pretenders.</p> <p>Port were incredibly lethargic (Ken Hinkley’s words) against GWS coming off a bye.</p> <p>The bye is one of the AFL’s great mysteries and I’ve been a part of teams who have moved heaven and earth to perform better off a bye – all to little avail.</p> <p>The Power have problems ahead of the ball and now problems behind it. The early-season synergy between Ratugolea, Aliir and Zerk-Thatcher appears nothing but a distant memory and the big man personnel up front keeps changing but the results don’t. Time for Todd Marshall to stand up and take the forward line by the scruff!</p> <p>The wins and losses look decent enough but I’m still not seeing the same Lions we saw in 2023.</p> <p>Charlie Cameron simply cannot get involved and the ability to kill teams in 20-minute bursts seems to be gone.</p> <p>But they are winning, and they are on the up. Young guys like Lohmann and Morris will make this team better in the long run.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Dayne Zorko is the ultimate proof the game is easier in defence. As a hard-running mid/forward he was tweaking calves and struggling with Achilles issues – as a general down back he’s not missing a beat and collecting 30 per week.</p> <p>In my next life I’m coming back as a sweet-kicking small half back!</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/port-adelaide-v-brisbane-8314874">Brisbane Lions by 23 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Logan Morris 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs Sydney Swans Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, June 22, 4:35pm AEST – Sydney Showground</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I would not call GWS’ win over fellow September aspirant, Port, a powerful performance but it was a win nonetheless and one that was very much required.</p> <p>Tom Green returned to somewhere near his best with 30, Whitfield similar with 28 off half back.</p> <p>Due to injuries elsewhere, Finn Callaghan has had more midfield minutes and looks a potential star of the future. Josh Kelly is also so important to this team’s chances down the line. His 27 touches mean more than most.</p> <p>Toby Greene and Jesse Hogan had 10 shots at goal between them but only registered a goal each. Replicate those attempts most weeks and the men in orange will be fine.</p> <p>Their opposition is a furlong ahead of the competition. Yes, it’s a long period of time to be airborne but, for now, these Swans are absolutely flying.</p> <p>Adelaide gave them some grief but in one fell swoop, the margin was eroded, and match-winning lead was created.</p> <p>My man Brodie Grundy has to be the leading contender for All-Australian ruck. Big Max Gawn has better overall numbers, but the Dees are scratching around the bottom half of the top eight and Grundy has been key in Sydney’s dominance in 2024.</p> <p>The Sydney Derbies always have heat and always have spice. This will be no different!</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/greater-western-sydney-v-sydney-8314871">Sydney Swans by 11 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Logan McDonald 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne vs North Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, June 22, 7:30pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dees will not be sure what to make of the Roos after last week. Will they be emotionally shot after losing the seemingly unlosable? Or will they be keen to replicate the stunning burst of footy that saw them take a 54-point lead on the reigning premier?</p> <p>From Melbourne’s perspective, who really knows where they stand? They’re free-falling down the ladder and showed next to no response on the King’s Birthday after getting hammered in the Alice against Freo.</p> <p>The bye will have given them an opportunity to rest, reset and attempt to fix a few mechanical problems they’ve been plagued by.</p> <p>Nick Larkey booted four in the opening quarter last week and Steve May has been down on form across the past few weeks – like most of his mates – so that contest will be telling.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/melbourne-v-north-melbourne-8314873">Melbourne by 24 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Alex Neal-Bullen 20+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs West Coast Eagles Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, June 23, 1:00pm AEST – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dons resume off the bye with a lovely opportunity to cement themselves inside the top four.</p> <p>The Eagles have largely been smacked on the road and Essendon’s speed will trouble them under the lid at Docklands.</p> <p>Whilst many of the 2024 accolades have gone to skipper Zac Merrett and emerging Sam Durham, some love must go to former Giant, Jye Caldwell, who has also risen to prominence as a tough inside mid.</p> <p>Ben McKay will have his hands full with Eagles spearhead, Jake Waterman. The key Eagle is a tricky match-up with his blend of work rate, agility and power on the lead.</p> <p>The Bombers should win and comfortably at that, but that’s what I thought when I drove inside Marvel Stadium last week for the corresponding 1pm clash between North and the Pies.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-west-coast-8314869">Essendon by 38 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Kyle Langford 4+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Fremantle vs Gold Coast Suns Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, June 23, 4:00pm AEST – Optus Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Another opportunity presents for these Suns to do something, anything, on the road. Problem is they’ll be running into a Fremantle football side coming off a reasonably embarrassing road loss to the Dogs.</p> <p>The on-ball contest is one to watch with Serong, Brayshaw, Jackson and Darcy and Hayden Young all looking to rebound from a smacking at the hands of Bontempelli and co.</p> <p>Touk Miller has struggled with the tag so he will need to get rolling at stoppage and play proactively if Young comes his way.</p> <p>Ben King’s health is a major priority for these Suns. His knee is a scary prospect!</p> <p>Sam Collins and Charlie Ballard have been a formidable defensive duo, now we can add the electric Mac Andrew to the mix.</p> <p>Sam Flanders had 42 touches the last time the Suns played but most were sideways dink kicks.</p> <p>With the strength of the Suns’ tall backs and the calibre of kickers back there, the Suns must take the game on to have any chance of penetrating Freo’s rock-solid defensive system.</p> <p>Jordan Clark is one we’ll avoid as I like Nick Holman to go and get the shutdown job on the All-Australian-chasing half back.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/fremantle-v-gold-coast-8314870">Fremantle by 18 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Luke Jackson 15+ disposals and an anytime goal.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFL 2024 Premiership Odds</h2>