<p>At long last… the bye rounds are over! We can finally sink our teeth into a full round of footy again.</p> <p>It was a big week all round @ Sportsbet. We landed our monster over and under disposal play on Sportsbet’s Feed… paying $43.&nbsp;</p> <p>Here on The Huddle, Kane Farrell (literally) kicked us off nicely way back when as he strolled past 20 disposals against the woeful Blues. Sammy Darcy kicked three 24 hours later, and Benny Long kicked the pair of goals we needed for his Suns.</p> <p>Then, the bad luck. Dylan Moore had 15 touches midway through Q3 before being tactically subbed (aka rested), and Nick Daicos had 34 touches and one goal… of course, we took 35 and one goal.</p> <p>Sunday was less profitable, but all in all, it was a massive week for The Huddle’s followers.</p> <p>On we go. Here are my thoughts and tips ahead of round 17. For the latest analysis, news, odds, and betting tips for all this week’s action, check out my AFL round 16 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>North Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, July 3, 7:30pm AEST - Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Kane Cornes Cup…&nbsp;</p> <p>The Roos have been around the mark for a couple of months but went and copped a merciless beating in Tasmania against the Hawks.</p> <p>The problem is, the Dogs have been the masters of handing out hidings this season. We must not tolerate back-to-back horror losses from North.</p> <p>Joel Freijah stole the show in Bont’s 250th last week as the Dogs overcame the Swans - and the SCG surface - in a stunning individual display. 23 disposals and four goals for the young gun Bulldog.</p> <p>The Roos have talent around the ball, and they’ll need it all to combat the Dogs run and gun game.</p> <p>And then there’s Sam Darcy… and how you stop him is anyone’s guess.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/north-melbourne-v-western-bulldogs-9340329">Dogs by 22 points&nbsp;</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Sam Darcy 4+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Carlton vs Collingwood Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, July 4, 7:20pm AEST - MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Could the arch rival force the hand of the wayward Blues?</p> <p>Another pounding loss for the Blues at the hands of Collingwood would make the ’sack Voss’ preachers very loud.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Pies possess everything Carlton does not. Speed, system, composure, calmness, kicking and running power, despite some of their best players being well north of 30 years old.</p> <p>These Blues/Pies clashes rarely disappoint. There’s almost always drama, but if there’s to be drama in this renewal, it feels like we all know what it will be.</p> <p>The Blues must get more from Curnow and Cripps. Or this will be ugly.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/carlton-v-collingwood-9340328">Pies by 33 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Jamie Elliott 3+ goals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast vs GWS Giants Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, July 4, 8:20pm AEST - Optus Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The nightcap is West Coast and Greater Western Sydney.</p> <p>Also known as a remarkable chance for the Giants to fix up their poor percentage and boost their finals hopes.</p> <p>The Eagles hung tough against Collingwood and have shown signs of life in recent weeks. The Giants cannot afford to sleepwalk their way across to the west, expecting an easy night.</p> <p>Jesse Hogan will be a handful, as usual. He’s a nice starting point for goals, whilst we’ve seen Aaron Cadman emerge. Jake Riccardi, Jake Stringer, and Captain Toby make up a hefty forward six.</p> <p>Tom McCarthy is a monster find for the Eagles. Another 29 disposals for a man who was playing state league footy a month ago.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/west-coast-eagles-v-gws-giants-9340330">Giants by 31 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> SGM - Toby Greene 2+ goal &amp; Finn Callaghan 25+ disposals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs Gold Coast Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 5, 7:40pm AEST - MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dons and Suns clash twice between now and the end of the season, to make up for the postponed cyclone clash of Opening Round.</p> <p>The Suns got the ship back on track with a more than comfortable win over the Dees. You’d be expecting them to take care of these Bombers in both contests, meaning they are oh so close to a maiden finals berth.</p> <p>Essendon’s woes continue, with three soft tissue issues arising over the bye. The tide surely must turn at Tullamarine… at some point soon.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction</strong>: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-gold-coast-suns-9340333">Suns by 28 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Noah Anderson 30+ disposals &amp; anytime goal</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong vs Richmond Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 5, 4:15pm AEST - GMHBA Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Life gets harder and harder for the young Tiger cubs. And the ageing Tigers, too.</p> <p>A trip to Geelong for a clash with the rested and revved up Cats, who will be keen to avenge a hammering at home against Brisbane before the break.</p> <p>Tom Lynch will miss through suspension, meaning Geelong’s defenders will be up against an all-Tiger cub forward line.</p> <p>Around the ball, Taranto and Hopper will need to be driving forces against Smith and Holmes.</p> <p>Jeremy Cameron leads the Coleman Medal… and he might lead it by a whole heap more after this one.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/geelong-cats-v-richmond-9340331">Cats by 53 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Jeremy Cameron 4+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Lions vs Port Adelaide Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 5, 7:35pm AEST - The Gabba</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Power has made a name for itself when it comes to winning in unlikely scenarios.</p> <p>That fits the brief here, but these Lions need to click up a gear as ladder positions begin to become vital in the run home. Winning another premiership from outside the top four seems an insurmountable task.</p> <p>I love when Rayner and Bailey are heavily involved, and I’m sure Chris Fagan is desperate to keep those two engaged in the game. Great things happen when they get the ball in the Lions' attacking half.</p> <p>It’d be nice to see Charlie Cameron back amongst the goals, too. His season has been spluttering along for too long. The Lions need him.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction</strong>: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/brisbane-lions-v-port-adelaide-9340332">Lions by 27 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>: Charlie Cameron 2+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St Kilda vs Hawthorn Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 5, 7:40pm AEST - Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Saints were admirable in WA, pushing Fremantle all four quarters and almost having a chance to steal an unlikely draw in a game few gave them a chance.</p> <p>The short turnaround after the travel back from Perth is one task, the high and mighty Hawks are another! The Hawks thumped North in Launceston, with Jack Gunston booting seven and most getting in on the act.</p> <p>And you get the feeling Marvel Stadium will work wonders for the free-wheeling and potent Hawks' offensive weaponry.</p> <p>The Saints know how to squeeze and suffocate, but I doubt they know how to win 2025 AFL games - and beyond.</p> <p>So, do they slow the game and save the game, or try to fight fire with fire against these Hawks?</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/st-kilda-v-hawthorn-9340335">Hawks by 25 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Jack Ginnivan 2+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney vs Fremantle Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, July 6, 1:10pm AEST - SCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I believe the Swans' season is done…. But how do they feel about that? That’s more important.</p> <p>Gulden and Papley are back, but the season might already be lost. Time to work out who can help take you forward and who might not make the grade.</p> <p>The Dockers scraped past the Saints, but will arrive here with some confidence. Especially after what they’ve done the last couple of times they came to Sydney and on the road this year.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Darcy/Jackson ruck combination continues to be in the headlines, but last weekend, those headlines had to be positive.&nbsp;</p> <p>Darcy had 17 disposals, 41 H/O and a fourth quarter goal, whilst Luke Jackson had 15 touches, eight tackles and kicked two of his own.</p> <p>Positively, Caleb Serong was quelled, just 18 disposals, but the Dockers found a way.</p> <p>Sydney will be a tricky outing for everyone they see on the run home, but they’ve done their dash. At 6-9 with a poor percentage, they’d need a minor miracle to make the eight.</p> <p>And of course… we all cross our fingers and pray that the SCG turf is in AFL condition to host a game…</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/sydney-swans-v-fremantle-9340334">Freo by 10 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Shai Bolton 2+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide vs Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Sunday, July 6, 3:15pm AEST - SCG</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I was there live as Adelaide did as they pleased against Richmond at The ‘G.</p> <p>Daniel Curtin emerged, Josh Worrell continued his form, whilst Jordan Dawson roamed freely around the home of footy. And big Riley Thilthorpe kicked a bag - as followers of mine on Feed would know!</p> <p>This is a similarly juicy scenario for the Crows. The Dees conceded goals to key forwards and were blown away early last week on the Gold Coast.</p> <p>Melbourne is 5-10 with a percentage of 86.7. It’s grim.</p> <p>The remainder of the season is likely all about working out who will be there in season 2026… and who will be elsewhere.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-crows-v-melbourne-9340336">Crows by 41 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Darcy Fogarty 3+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>&nbsp;</h2>