<p>The goal scorers landed big blows for us last week. Nick Blakey went bang from downtown, Cody Weightman pinged through three and Jack Ginnivan kicked a couple - just as we’d hoped.</p> <p>Elsewhere, despite a terribly average team performance, we landed a nice SGM featuring Lachie Ash, Finn Callaghan and Toby Greene.</p> <p>That was then though, and this is now. Here’s how things shape up ahead of AFL round 17.</p> <p>For the latest analysis, news, odds and betting tips for all of this week’s action, check out my AFL round 17 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>Collingwood vs Essendon Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, July 5, 7:40pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Game of the round, no two ways about it. Sixth vs fourth. Traditional powerhouse clubs. Both coming off a loss. Friday night footy.</p> <p>The Pies almost came back from the dead last week before Gold Coast held them off late and Essendon had every chance to beat a Geelong team who simply has their measure.</p> <p>The Pies got a few back and they’ll all be better for the run. De Goey, Daicos and Pendlebury back through the middle begins to look good and they’ll need to be. Merrett, Caldwell and Durham have become a formidable crew.</p> <p>The pressure goes on Sam Draper in the ruck. More smoke and bark then fire and bite at the moment and his opponent, Darcy Cameron, goes about his business quietly - but very efficiently.</p> <p>Kyle Langford is one the Dons need to get going. Just three goals from his past four games is unbecoming of an All-Australian forward.</p> <p>This shapes as game of the year type stuff in front of a mammoth MCG crowd with millions watching on TV.</p> <p>The winner surges toward a top four position and the loser is stuck back in the mud, wrestling and scrapping for a place inside the eight.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/collingwood-v-essendon-8349863">Collingwood by 3 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Nick Daicos 30+ disposals and anytime goal.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Gold Coast Suns Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 6, 1:45pm AEST – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>No more excuses. Just win, Gold Coast. Just win on the road.</p> <p>Unbeaten at home, winless away, the time has come for these Suns to stake a claim and there’s no better opportunity than this.</p> <p>Problem is, the Roos have improved in the past month. A win over West Coast and some quality form across games against the Pies, Dees and Dogs.</p> <p>No George Wardlaw helps, because North are building a lethal mid group. Big Jarrod Witts is back in form, and he will get another chance to impact the game opposed to Tristan Xerri - who may be sneakily in the All-Australian ruck conversation.</p> <p>Charlie Comben is exploding as an intercept marking star down back for the Roos and he will need to pick a few off with Sun Ben King is goal kicking form.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/north-melbourne-v-gold-coast-8349864">Gold Coast by 18 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Ben King 4+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Port Adelaide vs Western Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 6, 1:45pm AEST – Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Power went to Melbourne on a hit and run mission last week and landed the blow they needed.</p> <p>She was ugly and gritty, but the win was acquired and that’s all that matters for Ken’s men. Jason Horne-Francis was immense, and he will need to repeat the dose with Bont in town.</p> <p>Rory Lobb’s move down back looks an early success. He can air assist alongside Liam Jones.</p> <p>Port’s tall forwards are all at sea at the moment. Todd Marshall was subbed from the game whilst Lord and Georgiades are still trying to build their respective careers.</p> <p>There will be 20+ games which feel like win and you’re in or lose and you’re at risk in the run into September and this is one of them.</p> <p>Port did not tag Lachie Neale a fortnight back and paid heavily. They’ll need to go after Bontempelli to win here.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/port-adelaide-v-western-bulldogs-8349865">Western Bulldogs by 10 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Marcus Bontempelli 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong vs Hawthorn Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 6, 4:35pm AEST – GMHBA</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Old rivals clash with plenty on the line. Geelong surprised a few (me) by beating Essendon in the rain and re-established a place within the eight, whilst the Hawks simply keep winning. Their form since round 5 has been stunning.</p> <p>The Hawks’ small forwards will give Geelong headaches. Moore, Ginnivan and MacDonald are all lethal around goal and have improved when it comes to creating for others.</p> <p>Lloyd Meek was big against the Eagles and without a recognised ruck in the Cats’ line-up, he may dominate stoppages again here.</p> <p>Sam Frost vs Jeremy Cameron could decide the game. Frost has been in super form and Cameron always has the capability to break a game open.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/geelong-v-hawthorn-8349866">Hawthorn by 11 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Jack Ginnivan 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs Carlton Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 6, 7:30pm AEST – Sydney Showground</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Orange Tsunami is more like a muddy puddle at the moment.</p> <p>Demolished in a quick goal scoring display by Adelaide, the Giants never recovered and again fell down the ladder after at one stage being premiership favourites alongside the Swans.</p> <p>They miss Sam Taylor for sure, but there are more issues for them. Across the board, their usual performers are 10% down on productivity.</p> <p>Meanwhile, the Blues are rampaging and are, to me, equal premiership favourites with the Swans.</p> <p>They’ll face a few personnel changes this week but with Cripps and Walsh simply dominating, I doubt the Giants can get back on track here.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/greater-western-sydney-v-carlton-8349868">Carlton by 13 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Adam Cerra 25+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Fremantle vs Richmond Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Saturday, July 6, 8:10pm AEST – Optus Stadium</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The mighty Dockers. The giant killers. They now go home, and face 17th placed Richmond with a chance to fully establish themselves inside the top four.</p> <p>I must say, I doubt many expected them to be in this position during prediction season.</p> <p>Tracy and Amiss are a lovely 1-2 punch and Sam Sturt has added goal scoring to the forward mix. He’s certainly eased the departure of Lachie Schultz.</p> <p>Richmond were decent last week, eventually overpowered by the Blues but this feels like one where they’ll be outgunned and undermanned.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/fremantle-v-richmond-8349867">Fremantle by 34 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Luke Jackson 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne vs West Coast Eagles Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, July 7, 1:10pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dees were gallant in Brisbane but coughed up a game because they did not score a single goal in the final term.</p> <p>They get an opportunity to get back onto the winners list with West Coast arriving at The ‘G.</p> <p>Jack Viney was huge last week and without Petracca in there, he may need to lead the charge if there is a charge at all.</p> <p>Petty, Van Rooyen and Turner looked dangerous at times against Brisbane and will need to fight hard against Barrass and McGovern who can intercept anything and everything.</p> <p>Big Max has had a couple of down weeks, I expect him to light up.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/melbourne-v-west-coast-8349870">Melbourne by 24 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Max Gwan 20+ disposals and anytime goal.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St Kilda vs Sydney Swans Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Sunday, July 7, 3:20pm AEST – Marvel Stadium</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Life keeps getting hard for Ross Lyon’s men with Sydney arriving at Docklands off a loss.</p> <p>Even in a loss, the Swans scored 98, something the Saints have barely ever done this season. Add to that, Heeney, Warner and Gulden were all kept somewhat quiet, and you’d expect a Sydney outfit breathing fire.</p> <p>Max King has been copping it from all angles. But I doubt Tony Lockett or Gary Ablett Sr would do much damage in this Saints forward line the way the ball moves slowly and sideways.</p> <p>Jack Steele will go to Heeney and Windhager will attempt to man-handle Warner which likely leaves Gulden out there doing maximum damage.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/st-kilda-v-sydney-8349869">Sydney by 33 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Errol Gulden 30+ disposals and anytime goal.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Lions vs Adelaide Crows Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, July 7, 4:10pm AEST – The Gabba</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Even though their opponents arrive off a win, Brisbane gets another golden chance to charge toward September action in the final game of AFL round 17.</p> <p>Currently 8th, the Lions have won four on the spin and went all the way with Adelaide in Adelaide only a couple of months ago, ending in a draw.</p> <p>The Crows got some life thanks to Izak Rankine. Just under 30 disposals as well as two goals highlighted his elite talent.</p> <p>He had 21 in the first half when the Crows put GWS away. Jarrod Berry likely goes his way.</p> <p>Charlie Cameron enjoys facing his old mob and Joe Daniher looks to have a favourable aerial match-up against Murray, Keane or Butts.</p> <p>A Lions win and top four is seriously back on the agenda. A loss means the top eight is entirely at risk. Massive game.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/brisbane-v-adelaide-8349871">Brisbane by 22 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Charlie Cameron 3+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFL 2024 Premiership Odds</h2>