<p>Last week was OK for The Huddle’s AFL followers!</p> <p>Will Ashcroft and Jordan Dawson found enough of the footy to land the 25+ bets, whilst we found some goalkickers in Stringer, Bolton, and Hayward.</p> <p>Our bad bet was Mitch Georgiades for 4+ snags…. He kicked 3.5 on a day he could have made big inroads to the Coleman Medal race.</p> <p>Alas, we move on. Round 19 is upon us with an exciting few games ahead…let’s go!</p> <p>For the latest analysis, news, odds, and betting tips for all 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 GWS Giants Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, July 17, 7:30pm AEST - Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>We've somehow landed a struggling team in prime time again.</p> <p>Essendon’s injury list is longer than your arm, and that’s a real excuse, but the game style is worrying, too. I’m hoping it’s a method Brad Scott is using to protect his young, inexperienced group, rather than one he thinks will be successful long term.</p> <p>In GWS’ case, no one has a winning month like they do. Wins over Brisbane in Brisbane, Geelong, and Gold Coast across the past four weeks. Incredibly impressive.</p> <p>This should be a walk in the park, and I expect guys like Ash, Callaghan, Whitfield, and Tom Green to rack up the pill.</p> <p>And Jake Stringer will be more than eager to remind the Dons they should’ve kept him around.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-gws-giants-9386451">Giants by 51 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> SGM - Lachie Ash 27+ disposals, Tom Green 28+ disposals, Finn Callaghan 26+ disposals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane vs Western Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, July 18, 7:40pm AEST - The Gabba</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>There’s capacity for this to be the game of the round in southeast Queensland.</p> <p>The Dogs have simply not stacked up against the best this season. They are 10-7 and have been as aesthetically pleasing as any team we’ve seen, but all that damage has been done against the easy beats.&nbsp;</p> <p>The time is now for them to stand up and upend a fellow aspirant.</p> <p>Brisbane is the real deal. Potent and now experienced. Deep and versatile.</p> <p>They’ll be ready… will the Dogs be as prepared?</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/brisbane-lions-v-western-bulldogs-9386452">Lions by 17 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Lachie Neale 28+ disposals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Hawthorn vs Port Adelaide Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 19, 1:20pm AEST - UTAS Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Port is now officially banged up.</p> <p>Injury issues to Rozee, Horne-Francis, and a few others who are already on the sidelines mean there are no excuses here for the Hawks.</p> <p>They looked OK in WA against the Dockers, but when the crunch came, they were unable to cope with what the Freo squad had to offer up.</p> <p>I have my concerns about this Hawk midfield, but that query is unlikely to be dealt with here. They should roll past Port Adelaide in a breeze.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/hawthorn-v-port-adelaide-9386453">Hawks by 24 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> &nbsp;Dylan Moore 2+ goals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney vs North Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 19, 4:15pm AEST - SCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Swans are not all the way back, but they certainly look more like 2024 than any stage this season.</p> <p>Brodie Grundy is charging toward more All-Australian glory, Errol Gulden’s return has given them class, and I’ve enjoyed the role changes for Campbell and Lloyd as half forwards. Lloyd kicked a career-best three goals last week.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Roos were disappointing in the end against the Dees. To go down by 26 points and concede 12 goals in the second half is borderline unacceptable. But something we’ve come to expect from them.</p> <p>With Tristan Xerri suspended, expect Grundy to go big. Real big</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/sydney-swans-v-north-melbourne-9386463">Swans by 44 points&nbsp;</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> &nbsp;Brodie Grundy 22+ disposals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Carlton vs Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 12, 7:35pm AEST - MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Saturday night might be movie night.</p> <p>A pair of grim-looking games, despite this one looking like a marquee fixture back in March.</p> <p>The Blues might get a few back, but more than a few others desperately need to get back into form.</p> <p>The Dees smacked North last Sunday. And the Blues might be easy to score against for periods of the game.&nbsp;</p> <p>Jake Melksham is in career-best form. But the Dees need more from Van Rooyen as he fights for his career long term.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/carlton-v-melbourne-9386464">Demons by 13 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Bayley Fritsch 2+ goals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast vs Richmond Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 19, 8:10pm AEST - Optus Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>17th v 18th on the slate.</p> <p>The Tigers' kids are going well. Taj Hotton debuted and showed more than enough. Faull, Campbell, Banks, and Trainor all look good.</p> <p>The Tiger Cubs will go across with plenty of enthusiasm about another win, whilst West Coast might still be reeling after Jack Graham’s issues of last week.&nbsp;</p> <p>Not one I’d be pencilling into the diary, folks.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/west-coast-eagles-v-richmond-9386466">Tigers by 2 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Sam Banks 20+ disposals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong vs St Kilda Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, July 20, 1:10pm AEST - GMHBA Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Saints trouble Geelong - typically at Marvel Stadium.</p> <p>Fortunately for Cats fans, this one will be contested at GMHBA Stadium - advantage Geelong.&nbsp;</p> <p>Marcus Windhager went big last week without a tagging role; he amassed a career-best 36 disposals. You’d think he’s on his way to Max Holmes, after keeping him to 19 disposals earlier in the season during an upset Saints win.</p> <p>Max Hall has breathed life into the Saints' attack, whilst Jack Higgins’ form has waned.</p> <p>The Cats were ran rampant by Callaghan, Whitfield, and Ash last week and will be keen to return to The Cattery to maintain their top four chances.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>A loss here would be surprising and catastrophic for the Cats.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/geelong-cats-v-st-kilda-9386467">Cats by 24 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Tyson Stengle 2+ goals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood vs Fremantle Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, July 20, 3:15pm AEST - MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Freo handled a mini-temperature test with the Hawks in town on the weekend.&nbsp;</p> <p>Serong, Brayshaw, and Clark led the way, and the Dockers kept their September hopes alive.</p> <p>This week, the Dockers jet to Melbourne for a clash with Collingwood at the MCG. What a proper test!&nbsp;</p> <p>The Pies were unbelievably admirable in fighting back from a goalless first half last week, highlighting how special their spirit and belief really are.</p> <p>&nbsp;They’ll regain some managed stars and be fired up to recover from just their third loss of the season.</p> <p>Most expect the Pies to rebound, not many expect Freo to travel east and upset… but in the AFL, we now know to expect the unexpected.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/collingwood-v-fremantle-9386468">Pies by 10 points&nbsp;</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Josh Treacy 3+ goals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide vs Gold Coast Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, July 20, 4:40pm AEST - Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>There are enormous ramifications for both teams and their Qualifying Final hopes.</p> <p>The Crows were huge in rolling the Dogs under the roof last week, with the big forwards firing. 11 goals and a whole heap more marks and score involvements between Thilthorpe, Fogarty, and big Tex.</p> <p>Sam Collins’ presence is a must! Mac Andrew will renew his battles with The Thrill Seeker, too. Their last clash was must-see TV.</p> <p>Adelaide’s on-ball group is solid but not as good as some of the very best groups. The Gold Coast is one of the very best groups. Rowell and Anderson were gigantic last week in the Suns' big win over the Pies, with both having major impacts in that all-important final term.</p> <p>The Suns never tag, so Jordan Dawson can go big, but who else can go with him? Soligo and Berry have yet to really stamp themselves as AFL performers.</p> <p>We’ve got to wait all weekend, but the game of the round is likely to arrive here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-crows-v-gold-coast-suns-9386470">Crows by 18 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Riley Thilthorpe 3+ goals</p>