<p>We bounced back from a disappointing run with a rock-solid round of tipping last weekend, where we landed 5/9 best bets.</p> <p>Noah Anderson having 29 (of course we needed 30) and Charlie Curnow kicking 3.7 (we needed 4 goals) were the only real hard luck stories from the weekend.</p> <p>Anyway, AFL round 19 is now calling our name - OTTNO.</p> <p>For the latest analysis, news, odds and betting tips for all of this week’s action, check out my AFL round 19 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>Essendon vs Adelaide Crows Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, July 19, 7:40pm AEST – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>You might roll your eyes at this game being the kick off point for AFL round 20 but there is more interest in this one than may meet the eye.</p> <p>Essendon secured a gritty win over the old foes, the Pies, but could not capitalise on the weekend – going down to the rallying Dees.</p> <p>The Bombers had more than 400 possessions on a rainy night at the ‘G, which tells me they never truly adapted to the conditions and went in with an incredibly tall forward mix. There’s a distinct lack of pressure inside the Dons forward fifty.</p> <p>The travelling raiders, Adelaide, did the job in equally slippery conditions over the Saints and arrive with confidence.</p> <p>Despite a dismal season, when there’s little to lose, teams can become genuine banana peel opponents for those looking to secure positions high up inside the eight.</p> <p>Adelaide will likely go tall this week, with Tex Walker and Darcy Fogarty but former No. 2 overall pick Riley Thilthorpe is also expected to play a full game after coming on and impacting as a sub.</p> <p>Ben McKay – who was one of few good Essendon performers last week – Jordan Ridley and the likely to return Jayden Laverde will have their hands full.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-adelaide-8383998">Essendon by 11 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Taylor Walker 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St Kilda vs West Coast Eagles Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 20, 1:45pm AEST – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The sudden sugar rush of a new coach is gone, and the Eagles now need to keep making calls on those that can help into the future and those that cannot.</p> <p>Jack Darling was relieved of his duties and the forward line looked alright against Brisbane, with Jake Waterman and Oscar Allen the big pairing.</p> <p>Five goals and six marks inside fifty between them sets the Eagles up with a dominant attacking line-up.</p> <p>The Saints will be on the rebound after delivering an awful effort in Adelaide, scoring just five goals against the Crows.</p> <p>A bright spark has been Mattaes Phillipou who has responded to some time in the VFL with 20 and a goal last week and 26 and 1.1 the week previous.</p> <p>With little on the line for both (except a few playing for contracts), this will be one we can shoulder arms to.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/st-kilda-v-west-coast-8384000">St Kilda by 23 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Jack Higgins 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs Gold Coast Suns Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 20, 1:45pm AEST – Sydney Showground</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This version of the Expansion Cup could be the best yet, with a bunch on the line for both.</p> <p>GWS did the job in Melbourne last week, therefore landing themselves inside the eight but hot on their heels are the 9-8 Suns, who keep winning at home but keep losing on the road.</p> <p>Toby Greene found goal kicking form and Jesse Hogan kept on rolling, with the pair combining for eight snags. More of that will be needed as Collins, Andrew, Ballard and Uwland form a really staunch defensive crew.</p> <p>GWS have benefitted from adding Callaghan, Ash and Bedford to the on-ball mix. More spark and dash around the contest compliments the big bodied Tom Green at clearance. Kieran Briggs also keeps on impressing. The big Giant laid 14 tackles last week and kicked a goal.</p> <p>This game may be hidden in the early hours of Saturday afternoon, but this could be the game of the weekend.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/greater-western-sydney-v-gold-coast-8383997">Gold Coast Suns by 4 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Ben King 3+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Hawthorn vs Collingwood Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 20, 4:35pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This could well be a survive and advance contest at the MCG.</p> <p>The Pies are 8-7-2 whilst Hawthorn are 9-8 off the back of a gripping win in Tassie over the Dockers.</p> <p>The Pies possess a superior percentage, but the winner probably keeps their season alive, and the loser falls into a deep dark hole. Injuries persist at Collingwood, but reinforcements may be on the horizon.</p> <p>In Gather Round, the Hawks made a late rally to pinch victory from the Pies only to fall less than a goal shy. Blake Hardwick went wild in that one, kicking four, whilst Dylan Moore kicked a few.</p> <p>Jordan De Goey was best afield with 31 and a goal and his best form looks close after a long layoff. Conor Nash could be set for him.</p> <p>Lachie Schultz misses with concussion, which robs the Pies of yet another goal scorer so names like Elliott, Hill and Richards will need to strike on the scoreboard.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/hawthorn-v-collingwood-8383999">Collingwood by 5 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Jordan De Goey 25+ disposals and anytime goal.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong vs Western Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 20, 7:30pm AEST – GMHBA</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A really fascinating contest awaits us down the highway with the pussycats back in town and the Dogs flying high after a big win over the Blues.</p> <p>The market gives the Dogs little chance, but I give them a mammoth chance of solidifying a place inside the eight with a road win.</p> <p>Bailey Dale will be one the Cats must clamp, although defensive forwards are not something they’ve used previously. Tom Atkins tried to run with Nick Daicos last week, but he’s likely outsized when it comes to keeping Marcus Bontempelli under wraps.</p> <p>Geelong’s tall defenders have not been in sparkling form this season, hence why Sam De Koning is in the middle, so a replica performance from Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will have Jack Henry and Jake Kolodjashnij nervous.</p> <p>Young guns Ollie Dempsey, Shannon Neale and Lawson Humphries have added plenty for Geelong and will enjoy the comforts of home.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/geelong-v-western-bulldogs-8384001">Geelong by 8 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Max Holmes 25+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Port Adelaide vs Richmond Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 20, 7:30pm AEST – Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Again, Port failed a test on the road against a fellow September aspirant.</p> <p>Here, they return home against a depleted Richmond squad looking to find the finish line on a tough season.</p> <p>Tim Taranto will miss, giving the Power an even bigger edge around the seed. Horne-Francis was possession-less in Q1 last week and became frustrated to the point where he gave away free kicks and 50m penalties. Here, I reckon he bounces back hard.</p> <p>Zak Butters was equally frustrated but performed strongly. 35 disposals and a goal for his efforts.</p> <p>Todd Marshall went down last week but Georgiades will be back, meaning they still have a decision to make in regard to their best aerial attack.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/port-adelaide-v-richmond-8384002">Port Adelaide by 51 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Jason Horne-Francis 20+ disposals and 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Lions vs Sydney Swans Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, July 21, 1:10pm AEST – The Gabba</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>We have a serious one on our hands here, folks.</p> <p>The Lions are rolling but the Swans arrive at the Gabba after knocking up a thumping at home against the Kangas.</p> <p>Chad Warner and Errol Gulden – the usual suspects – they all went big, while Tom Papley may have been best on field with 19 touches and four goals.</p> <p>Lachie Neale is rolling. 36 and 3 a fortnight ago, 34 and 2 on the weekend. You can also add to that six Brownlow votes. James Jordon surely comes his way.</p> <p>Conversely, Josh Dunkley will be attempting to make Isaac Heeney’s resumption a difficult one.</p> <p>Meanwhile, the Swans big forwards job will be equally spread across taking marks and kicking goals as well as preventing Harris Andrews from dominating the game as an intercepting big man.</p> <p>Should the Lions win, we may well have ourselves another contender!</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/brisbane-v-sydney-8384003">Sydney Swans by 8 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Brodie Grundy 20+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Fremantle vs Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, July 21, 3:20pm AEST – Optus Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The penultimate game of AFL round 19 should be a treat for punters and spectators alike.</p> <p>Freo were rolling before they became the latest side to contribute to Hawthorn’s mid-season revival, while the Dees have slid into 8th after taking care of the Bombers last week.</p> <p>Still out west, with the top four still firmly in their sights, I’ve got to stick with those boys in purple and that tall timber up top – Josh Treacy.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/fremantle-v-melbourne-8384005">Fremantle by 17 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Josh Treacy 3+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Carlton vs North Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, July 21, 4:40pm AEST – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Blues cop a real banana peel clash with the Roos needing to rebound from a hiding in the Harbour City.</p> <p>The growth has been there, but the scoreboard speaks for itself and that was a hammering from the big dogs to those toward the bottom-end of the table.</p> <p>Charlie Curnow was an accurate radar away from an epic performance last week. 13 score involvements, six marks inside fifty and 10 scoring shots. What matters also is the queries on his health can be put to the side. He’s all good.</p> <p>I also reckon these Blues will get back to being all good as well. This is the Roos home deck, but these Navy Blues do also love an afternoon under the lid.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/carlton-v-north-melbourne-8384004">Carlton by 31 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Sam Walsh 30+ disposals and Charlie Curnow 4+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFL 2024 Premiership Odds</h2>