<p>Let’s not beat around the bush, last week was all bad. Essendon coughed one up that could cost them badly. Geelong got rolled at home – again, and Collingwood’s season may have been shifted from life support to a terminal diagnosis.</p> <p>We could not get warm on the tip, either!&nbsp; So, it’s OTTNO, and bring on AFL round 20. Yes, round 20 is here already.</p> <p>For the latest analysis, news, odds and betting tips for all of this week’s action, check out my AFL round 20 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 Port Adelaide Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, July 26, 7:40pm AEST – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Blues cop a five-day turnaround at a crucial point in the season. They also cop Port Adelaide, who got a nice confidence building win over the Tigers in Adelaide last time out.</p> <p>The Power’s performance was far from convincing, but it was a win all the same and one that entrenches them inside the eight.</p> <p>The two midfield groups are among the best in the AFL but they go about their business in different manners.</p> <p>Port have Rozee, Butters and Horne-Francis who are dynamic, have fast feet and creative skills. The Blues have the power of Cripps, Walsh and De Koning plus the runners in Cerra and the Hollands brothers.</p> <p>Brandon Zerk-Thatcher will cop the Curnow test whilst Esava Ratugolea will be assigned big Harry.&nbsp;</p> <p>Where to deploy Alex Cincotta will be a major discussion point for the Blues’ coaching crew. Does he quell Rozee or Butters? Do you send him to the kicking machine in Dan Houston? Could he go and eliminate Jason Horne-Francis? Glad I’m no coach!</p> <p>The Power have an excellent Marvel Stadium record, but we know big Charles plays phenomenally well there too.</p> <p>Buckle up. The winner is back in the premiership push. The loser has more questions than answers.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/carlton-v-port-adelaide-8401923">Carlton by 18 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Charlie Curnow 4+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Geelong Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 27, 1:45pm AEST – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Roos are a handful for most and Tasmania adds a goal or two to their performance.</p> <p>Geelong arrive in what looks to be a survive and advance race to positions three and four on the table. They did the job against the limping Pies but then were manhandled and comprehensively taken down by the Dogs at GMHBA Stadium.</p> <p>Removing Shannon Neale because of rain proved a bad decision as Lobb and Khamis combined for 23 intercepts and 11 intercept marks. I’ll say this again, in wet conditions you need your big bodies more, not less.</p> <p>What do we make of Ollie Henry’s form slump? 41 goals last season, just 23 through 16 games this season. That includes just one goal from his past five games as he’s spent some time as a sub and even out of the team. He’s about the only one who has suffered with the removal of Tom Hawkins.</p> <p>All in all, Geelong need this more. They have the stock, and they have the know-how. Go get the job done and keep your double-chance hopes alive.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/north-melbourne-v-geelong-8401924">Geelong by 13 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Max Holmes 25+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St Kilda vs Essendon Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 27, 4:35pm AEST – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This round 20 fixture can be seen as another banana peel for the Bombers to slip on or an opportunity to correct the downward trajectory of the season.</p> <p>Essendon were handled by Adelaide on a couple of occasions, ultimately conceding a game-winner to Josh Rachele and sending Bombers fans home from Marvel Stadium in tears.</p> <p>The Saints want to be the end-of-season grinch. Those were the words of Ross Lyon. Upending Essendon would be another example of that but playing the role of the grinch is a long way from the home Elimination Final they earned in 2023.</p> <p>The onus must go on Sam Draper against Rowan Marshall. Draper looked good at times last week, but missed a comically easy shot for goal from 20m - which proved costly. Marshall had 26 disposals and 10 clearances in the Saints smashing of West Coast.</p> <p>The job is simple for the Dons - by any means necessary. Survive and advance. Lose and the 7,000+ day joke rolls on.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/st-kilda-v-essendon-8401926">Essendon by 14 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Mason Redman 20+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast Suns vs Brisbane Lions Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 27, 4:35pm AEST – Heritage Bank Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Lion Kings look back in business. What an epic win over the Swans in the Queensland sunshine.</p> <p>Rayner and McCluggage were massive, as were many of the Lion cubs who have improved each and every week.</p> <p>The Suns slipped up on the road, again. But we know what Gold Coast can offer up on home soil. I doubt the Lions will be too concerned with the 77km drive down the motorway.</p> <p>Charlie Cameron continues to be a headache for his fans and perhaps the Lions’ brass. He was again well held in a season where he keeps threatening but never explodes.</p> <p>However, with Joe, Eric, Rayner, Bailey, Lohmann and Ah Chee up front, Cameron can be afforded a few quiet ones.</p> <p>Ben King was wayward in the windy western Sydney conditions last week but will pose a genuine threat, as always.</p> <p>Gold Coast land at 9-9. This one is, simply put, a must win.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gold-coast-v-brisbane-8401925">Brisbane Lions by 10 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Charlie Cameron 3+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne vs GWS Giants Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 27, 7:30pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dees want no part of Freo, but life gets no easier with GWS coming to the big smoke. The Dees next handful also gets no easier - GWS this week, then the Dogs, Port, Suns in Queensland and Collingwood at The ‘G.</p> <p>Jacob Van Rooyen was a bright spark for Melbourne out west, 17 disposals and 2.2 with eight marks. But there was very little else to be excited about. Some of the midfield numbers were astoundingly bad.</p> <p>The Dees were -13 inside fifties, -38 hit outs, -31 clearances, -9 centre clearances, -36 contested possession and led for all 18 minutes.&nbsp;</p> <p>Ask plenty and they’ll tell you GWS are fully back. 11-7, scoring freely and with their big guns back in form, there is much to like about the Orange Tsunami, but they’ll need Sam Taylor and Josh Kelly back to threaten for the premiership cup.</p> <p>Middle-rung performers like Ash, Callaghan, Idun, Perryman and Darcy Jones are all performing well.</p> <p>Whilst Briggs keeps dominating in the middle. Also, without a big man in the Dees line-up, Kieran Briggs could go off this week. Keep him in your line-ups Dream Team coaches.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/melbourne-v-greater-western-sydney-8401927">GWS Giants by 21 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Kieran Briggs 20+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Fremantle vs West Coast Eagles Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, July 27, 8:10pm AEST – Optus Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Another Derby on the cards but unlikely to be one with any real venom.</p> <p>West Coast were walloped last week by the Saints, who are far from world beaters, whilst the Dockers cemented themselves inside the top four with a hammering of the Dees.</p> <p>Josh Treacy continues to be a wildcard All-Australian candidate after 18 disposals, 12 marks and three snags. Jye Amiss is back in form and the on-ball brigade is collecting disposals like stamps.</p> <p>The Eagles need to offer some resistance because after all, this is a derby, but Fremantle are rolling along toward September action and the Coasters are looking for the end of the road.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/fremantle-v-west-coast-8401928">Fremantle by 34 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> SGM - Luke Jackson 15+ disposals and 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood vs Richmond Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, July 28, 1:10pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>When the schedule dropped, 80,000 people probably had designs on arriving at The ‘G for one of footy’s oldest rivalries.</p> <p>But, the Pies’ season is all but over and Richmond are playing to avoid a wooden spoon. How fortunes can change, quick.</p> <p>The Tigers are probably not that far from sending a few in for operations and calling time on 2024.</p> <p>They’ll also be keen to keep exposing young players to AFL standard, which could see them cop some hidings.</p> <p>I called this a few weeks ago. No Mihocek, no Collingwood and without a key focal point, the Pies look impotent up front.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/collingwood-v-richmond-8401930">Collingwood by 21 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>SGM - Nick Daicos 30+ disposals and an anytime goal.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Swans vs Western Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, July 28, 3:20pm AEST – SCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dogs arrive chock-full of confidence on the back of a big win over the Blues and a thumping of the pussycats in Geelong.</p> <p>Rory Lobb and Buku Khamis are all of a sudden, the second coming of Mal Michael and Justin Leppitsch whilst Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has exploded for eight goals in a fortnight.</p> <p>We all know what the Swans are, especially in Sydney. A scoring force who can dominate stoppage, move the ball with ease from end-to-end and use a variety of avenues to goal.</p> <p>They’ve copped a few injuries, with Dane Rampe gone through a calf complaint. Papley and Hayward also copped ankle rolls in that epic clash with Brisbane.</p> <p>This week it’s the explosion of Heeney, Gulden and Warner versus the interior force and quick hands from Bontempelli, Libba and Treloar. Ed Richards has also added spark, his 29 and two against the Cats last time out was sensational.</p> <p>Should the Dogs win this, maybe we are talking contenders but rolling the Swans on the SCG is no easy task.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/sydney-v-western-bulldogs-8401929">Sydney Swans by 18 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>SGM - Isaac Heeney 25+ disposals and an anytime goal.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide Crows vs Hawthorn Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, July 28, 4:10pm AEST – Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Crows - like the Saints - can keep playing grinch whilst the high-flying Hawks are dead set rolling.</p> <p>Jack Ginnivan and Nick Watson are polarising for opposition fans but electric for the Hawks. 31 and two goals for niggling Jack, whilst Watson kicked three of his own as his season is beginning to come alive.</p> <p>The Hawks had eight players with 25+ disposals against Collingwood, whilst Nick Daicos topped the Pies tally with 24. Despite the rain, this was an utter belting.</p> <p>Despite life being considerably harder in Adelaide as opposed to the MCG, these Hawks fear no one.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-v-hawthorn-8401931">Hawthorn by 10 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>SGM - Dylan Moore 20+ disposals and an anytime goal.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFL 2024 Premiership Odds</h2>