<p>It was great to get a full round of footy last week… shame it was a complete fizzer as the top nine teams got even more separation from the bottom nine teams.&nbsp;</p> <p>But… It was a big weekend on The Huddle.</p> <p>Slamming Sam Darcy kicked the four we were after, despite being fairly well held. Jamie Elliott found the big sticks the following evening against the old foe. Toby Greene took control in front of goal without Hogan in the mix, whilst Finn Callaghan crashed through the 25 we asked for midway through the third term.&nbsp;</p> <p>Noah Anderson overcame a slow start to end with the 30 and a goal we sought. Jezza Cameron kicked his 700th, which also happened to be his fourth. And Charlie Cameron kicked a couple in the opening quarter barrage from Brisbane.</p> <p>Jack Ginnivan, Shai Bolton, and Darcy Fogarty missed the memo, but all in all, it was a monster weekend for Huddle followers.</p> <p>Now we charge toward Round 18…&nbsp;</p> <p>For the latest analysis, news, odds, and betting tips for all this week’s action, check out my AFL round 18 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 Brisbane Lions Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, July 10, 7:30pm AEST - Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Again, we face the grim reality of the beleaguered Blues on the prime-time stage.</p> <p>It did not work a fortnight ago, did not work last week, and will not work here.</p> <p>And under the lid at Docklands, if Brisbane is in a mood, this could get properly ugly.</p> <p>One thing we know the Blues struggle to do is run. Well, these Lions ran hard last week - only in spurts - but when the accelerator is pressed, not many can keep pace.</p> <p>Zac Bailey was gigantic, producing one of the individual performances of the season. 26 and five if you don’t mind.</p> <p>This is about another tune-up for the Lions, who have some enormous games ahead after this.</p> <p>It’s hard to know who will bob up for this almighty talented squad, but one thing is for sure: the class discrepancy in this one will be obvious to all.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/carlton-v-brisbane-lions-9367047">Lions by 41 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Will Ashcroft 25+ disposals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast vs Collingwood Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, July 11, 7:40pm AEST - People First Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Some people are still waiting for proof that Gold Coast is a legitimate threat in season 2025.</p> <p>A win here might shape a few views.</p> <p>The powerful Pies will arrive for some Friday night action, and you can best bet their fans will pack out the stadium in black and white.</p> <p>Hardwick’s men did enough for three quarters, then overpowered Essendon in the last, last week. Noah Anderson probably helped himself to more Brownlow votes. I hope you joined in on my Feed bet for him to win ‘Charlie’ at $34.</p> <p>The Pies' only vulnerability seems to be at the stoppages. And we know these Suns are a force at the source. Should Rowell, Anderson, Miller, and others get on top, it’ll give the Suns a chance to destabilise the No. 1 defensive system in the competition.</p> <p>For those wanting the Gold Coast to arrive, a win here would provide all the proof in the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>A loss? The doubters will remain loud.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gold-coast-suns-v-collingwood-9367048">Suns by three points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Ben Long 2+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 12, 1:20pm AEST - Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Initially slated for Ballarat, we’ll see this potentially epic clash happen indoors at Marvel Stadium.&nbsp;</p> <p>Adelaide did enough against the Dees last Sunday, potentially looking ahead to this one in the process.</p> <p>The Crows’ team defence has been among the league’s best since Round 8, and it’ll be tested here, with Darcy and Naughton both in goal-kicking form.</p> <p>Around the ball, the Dogs look to have a slight edge as well. Ed Richards looked gone for two months after colliding with Zurhaar, only to return and collect 26 disposals. Add in Bontempelli, Libba, Sanders, Kennedy, and Williams on a wing, and this is as good a midfield group as you’ll see.</p> <p>Big Timmy English is in sparkling form, too.</p> <p>Big boys have kicked goals against the Dogs, meaning Thilthorpe, Fogarty, and Walker need to strike. It’s been a while since we’ve seen them take over a game, but the overall forward mix has looked rock solid throughout.&nbsp;</p> <p>This looks to be the game of the round - and that’s saying something.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/western-bulldogs-v-adelaide-crows-9367050">Dogs by eight points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Jordan Dawson 25+ disposals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs Geelong Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 12, 4:15pm AEST - ENGIE Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Super Saturday keeps rolling with a mammoth clash in western Sydney.</p> <p>The Giants went into Geelong and did the job in Round Nine in one of the season’s very best games. Jesse Hogan kicked seven in that one.&nbsp;</p> <p>Jeremy Cameron knows this venue well, and his form has been sensational across the past two months. He’s not far from wrapping up another Coleman Medal.</p> <p>A win for Geelong, considering the fixture they have remaining, almost assures a top-four finish. A Giants' loss has them in real pain when it comes to even making September.</p> <p>Reverse that result, and GWS again look the goods to sneakily push for the double chance.</p> <p>This will be a gigantic clash.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gws-giants-v-geelong-cats-9367053">Cats by 11 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Jake Stringer 2+ goals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Richmond vs Essendon Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 12, 7:35pm AEST - MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Tigers will not see too many games where they have a realistic chance at another win.&nbsp;</p> <p>This is one, though.&nbsp;</p> <p>Essendon were gallant but ultimately out-gunned by Gold Coast last week. Thankfully, skipper Zac Merrett was back in form, collecting 40 disposals.</p> <p>Nate Caddy keeps gaining Rising Star attention, and a few more goals here might see him join Levi Ashcroft at the top.</p> <p>Both teams have lost their past five, with scoring being an issue for both.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/richmond-v-essendon-9367058">Dons by 14 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Nic Martin 30+ disposals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Fremantle vs Hawthorn Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 12, 8:10pm AEST - Optus Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Hawks jet west to tackle Fremantle.&nbsp;</p> <p>Freo were the only team in the top eight to go under last week. The Hawks did the job - in unconvincing fashion - but that was more to do with the Saints' tactics than the Hawks' issues.</p> <p>Hawthorn has some incredibly handy types rolling around at Box Hill, names like Lewis and Scrimshaw. The depth is there.</p> <p>Tom Barrass tackles Josh Treacy in a monster match-up, whilst Shai Bolton will be desperate to atone for one of his worst ever games last week against Sydney.</p> <p>Can Jack Gunston keep it rolling? 10 goals from his past two as one of the game’s most in-form forwards.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/fremantle-v-hawthorn-9367060">Hawks by 11 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Shai Bolton 2+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne vs North Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, July 13, 1:10pm AEST - MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dees hung tough in Adelaide before the powerhouse Crows did the business late in the piece.</p> <p>Of course, they’re favourites here, but the Roos will surely give themselves a big chance of repeating the early-season hammering they handed out.</p> <p>Gawn v Xerri could decide the All-Australian blazer they’ll hand out at the end of the season, too.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/melbourne-v-north-melbourne-9367061">Roos by three points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>North Melbourne + 26.5</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St Kilda vs Sydney Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, July 13, 3:15pm AEST - Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Saints have been able to keep recent games close with some less-than-aggressive methods.</p> <p>Packing up stoppages and uncontested possession has been their way, which is unlikely to win long term, but that’s where they’re at until the kids grow and the recruits arrive.</p> <p>The Swans are a revitalised group, no doubt. Gulden gives them an offensive punch, and Tommy Papley gives them a buzz. The problem is, Papley goes down with a hammy and these Swans simply cannot stay on the park.</p> <p>At Docklands, the Saints are 2-3 goals better than anywhere else, and they’ll trouble Sydney here - but for their season’s sake, the Swans must find a way.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction</strong>: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/st-kilda-v-sydney-swans-9367062">Swans by five points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Will Hayward 2+ goals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Port Adelaide vs West Coast Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, July 13, 4:40pm AEST - Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Not too much to see here in the Twilight Zone.&nbsp;</p> <p>Port Adelaide has been pretty good, all things considered. They began well last week and despite some Lions electricity, kept hanging tough.</p> <p>Mitch Georgiades is a sensational young key forward, whilst Jack Lukosius was in excellent goal-kicking form last week.</p> <p>They’ll feel the loss of Sam Powell-Pepper, however.</p> <p>West Coast never fired a bullet against GWS, eventually limping to a 59-point defeat despite the market expecting a gallant effort from them.</p> <p>This is one for the SGM players, because for pure footy fans, you’d be forgiven for forgetting it was on.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/port-adelaide-v-west-coast-eagles-9367073">Port by 22 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Mitch Georgiades 4+ goals</p>