<p>Stop the rollercoaster! I need to get off for five.</p> <p>Across the AFL, the good teams are now wayward and the teams who were once stuck in the mud are now charging with maximum velocity.</p> <p>Hawthorn began zip-five. They’ve won 11 of the next 14. The Dogs were considering the future of the coach a while back, now they’ve peeled off wins against Carlton, Geelong in Geelong and Sydney in Sydney.</p> <p>Meanwhile at the opposite side of the coin, Essendon, Carlton and Sydney have fallen badly.</p> <p>What’s in store this week? Here is how we’re attacking AFL round 21.</p> <p>For the latest analysis, news, odds and betting tips for all of this week’s action, check out my AFL round 21 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>Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, August 2, 7:15pm AEST – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>At this stage of the season, giving teams five-day breaks is unreasonable, but that’s exactly what the Dogs face.</p> <p>Coming off a sparkling win in Sydney, the Dogs will enter locked and loaded but we saw what a five-day turn did to the Blues last week, with their second half performance looking nothing like the first half.</p> <p>The Dees shot out to a handy lead against GWS in front of no one at the ‘G before conceding that margin and looking gone midway through the last term.</p> <p>Goals to Van Rooyen, Chandler, Pickett and Neal-Bullen gave them a minute to snatch a crucial victory but the men in orange held firm.</p> <p>This becomes a must-win for the Dees. Steve May and Jake Lever will have a tall task - in every sense of the word.</p> <p>That task will be keeping Naughton, Darcy and the explosive Jamarra Ugle-Hagan under wraps. JUH has erupted in the past three weeks, kicking a dozen goals.</p> <p>Around the ball, the Dogs have evolved massively. The captain is doing his thing, but Adam Treloar is in career-best form and Ed Richards’ move into the midfield has really given them more bite.</p> <p>The Dogs smashed Sydney all over the ground. Aerially, contested possession, loose ball gets - the works. Melbourne will need to bring their absolute A-game to compete - or rely on the fatigue of a five-day break.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/western-bulldogs-v-melbourne-8420948">Western Bulldogs by 18 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> SGM – Ed Richards 20 disposals, Adam Treloar 30+ disposals and Cody Weightman 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast Eagles vs Gold Coast Suns Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, August 2, 8:30pm AEST – Optus Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The AFL have buried a second game deep into Friday evening so I’ll pay it as much attention as the viewers on the East Coast will.</p> <p>Simply put, the Suns must win this game on the road. You’ve heard it all before, but the sentiment remains.</p> <p>West Coast are competitive and dangerous at home, but Gold Coast are still pursuing a September campaign so winning is the only acceptable outcome.</p> <p>Often coming off a Derby you can see a downswing in form from Freo and the Eagles, so be wary of that, especially considering the spite and spark in last week’s in-state clash.</p> <p>Sam Collins, Mac Andrew and Charlie Ballard against the Eagles’ combo of Waterman and Allen will be fun but around the ball. Anderson, Rowell, Flanders and whoever else the Suns want to inject in there must get the ascendency.</p> <p>A Suns loss here might see Damien Hardwick make his men walk back to the Coast.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/west-coast-v-gold-coast-8420949">Gold Coast Suns by 13 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Ben King 3+ goals (backing the man to kick straight this week).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Richmond Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 3, 1:45pm AEST – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The spoon is up for grabs. Well, I guess the more accurate term is the spoon is up to be avoided - by winning.</p> <p>The Roos have looked really promising across the past two months, despite not knocking up too many wins.</p> <p>The midfield looks superb, and Charlie Comben’s move forward looks one worth pursuing. He and Larkey will stretch the young Tigers backs.</p> <p>Dusty turned down the Roos way back in 2017 and may again kick them in the guts if he plays and helps the Tigers claim the win - thus likely handing the Roos the spoon.</p> <p>Richmond will need the very best of Taranto, Hopper and Baker to compete with young guns Wardlaw, Sheezel, Davies-Uniacke and the returning McKercher.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/north-melbourne-v-richmond-8420951">North Melbourne by 14 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Luke Davis-Uniacke 30+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong vs Adelaide Crows Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 3, 4:35pm AEST – GMHBA</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Cats did the business in Tassie and now get a look at the Crows down the highway.</p> <p>Adelaide were simply destroyed in the second half last week against the rampaging Hawks. A 66-point loss was obvious when you read the Crows were beaten in clearance, inside fifty, marks, tackles inside fifty and conceded 10 goals to two in the second half.</p> <p>They’ll be wound up by Matthew Nicks for an assault on the Cats, but you’d doubt they have the weaponry to execute.</p> <p>Ollie Dempsey is edging closer to securing an unlikely Rising Star gong whilst Tyson Stengle is also creeping toward a second All-Australian blazer with his recent form.</p> <p>The Crows will get another look at the tall targets, Fogarty, Walker and Thilthorpe when it comes to deciding whether Tex is a part of the mix in 2025.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/geelong-v-adelaide-8420950">Geelong by 24 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Max Holmes 25+ disposals and Jeremy Cameron 3+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood vs Carlton Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 3, 7:30pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Congrats to Pies legend Scott Pendlebury for hitting game 400! Scarily for Blues fans, you’d imagine the emotion and hype of this achievement will carry them a long way.</p> <p>Carlton’s job is to block out the hype and perform to expectations. Their clearance game has fallen, largely on the back of Tom De Koning’s injury, but also through some levelling off from Sam Walsh. His form has dipped ever so slightly, and they need him back.</p> <p>I’d also be rolling Adam Cerra back through the middle as they need more run and polish.</p> <p>Harry McKay’s resumption is key, and the Blues need more from Saad and Newman, whose form has slipped.</p> <p>Nick Daicos ran rampant last week as Richmond paid no attention to the superstar, and I doubt Michael Voss will make the same mistake.</p> <p>Alex Cincotta seemingly prefers to tag half backs, but his preferences will need to be cast aside so he can quell Daicos. Brother Josh will also demand attention out on the wing.</p> <p>Charlie Curnow threatened to win the game for the Blues last week but lacked support and lacked quality delivery. Having big H back should be the tonic the Blues need to correct the late-season skid.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/collingwood-v-carlton-8420952">Carlton by 11 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Harry McKay 3+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Port Adelaide vs Sydney Swans Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 3, 7:30pm AEST – Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>We’ll all cast major judgements off the back of this one. Sydney win and they’re back. Crisis averted and maybe the Power are not that good after all.</p> <p>Port win and some will anoint them as premiership contenders whilst writing off the Swans in the same sentence.</p> <p>The Power will go in tall, and the Swans are lacking size down back. A major opportunity exists for the Power key forwards after we saw Ugle-Hagan dominate last week with Naughton and Darcy also having moments ahead of the ball. Nick Blakey will likely have to play undersized again.</p> <p>Chad Warner had his worst game of the season last week, contributing just 11 disposals. He will want revenge.</p> <p>Big Brodie Grundy looks like he needs a spell but all of a sudden, the grip on the minor premiership looks slim for the Swans and another loss here would have anyone cheering for the red and the white panicking.</p> <p>I’ll back in the Swans to get things straightened up and - let’s face it - I’ve knocked Port all season long so why stop now.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/port-adelaide-v-sydney-8420953">Sydney Swans by 5 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Chad Warner 25+ disposals and anytime goal.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs Hawthorn Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 4, 1:10pm AEST – Manuka Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Two teams closing in on a finals place, clash in the Nation’s Capital. The Hawks arrive as confident as any team in the AFL.</p> <p>Back-to-back travel games in the last two rounds is interesting but it seems it’ll take more than that to slow this brown and gold freight train.</p> <p>Eight individuals kicked two goals last week and 11 collected 18 or more disposals. The spread of contributors is stunning.</p> <p>GWS overcame a 27-point deficit at quarter-time to eventually escape the MCG with the four points over the Dees.</p> <p>Again, Jesse Hogan and Toby Greene were the match-winners, kicking seven goals between them. They’ve combined for 21 goals across the past three weeks.</p> <p>From a match-up perspective, Sam Frost likely cops Hogan whilst Greene’s opponent looks less obvious.</p> <p>A Giant win sees them heading for a top four finish whilst a Hawk win will finally see them land inside the eight and continue on this epic run of form.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/greater-western-sydney-v-hawthorn-8420954">GWS Giants by 14 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Toby Greene 3+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs Fremantle Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 4, 3:20pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Bombers keep copping slippery matchups. But at some point you need to accept your fate, square up to the target and execute the business.</p> <p>Freo will not beat themselves. They will not cough up a horror performance. The Dons will have to go and beat them - something they are capable of, but you wonder where the group is at mentally at this point.</p> <p>They need a captain’s effort from Zac Merrett. They need more from Sam Draper in the ruck. They need more from Redman, McGrath and Langford.</p> <p>All in all, the leaders need to stand tall, and the effort needs to be at the level where no one can question them. Because that’s exactly what Brad Scott did last week.</p> <p>All of a sudden, the Dockers can eye a home qualifying final with the slip-ups from Carlton and Sydney.</p> <p>A win here keeps that push going. Few players are in better form than Caleb Serong whilst Josh Treacy’s unlikely push for All-Australian continues.</p> <p>Jordan Clark also has claims on a blazer as the former Cat keeps racking up metres gained and disposals from defence.</p> <p>Freo have won the past couple over Essendon, with Andy Brayshaw doing most of the damage in both.</p> <p>The how is of little relevance for Essendon in this one, all that matters is collecting the win and rescuing a drowning season.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-fremantle-8420955">Essendon by 4 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Luke Ryan 25+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St Kilda vs Brisbane Lions Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 4, 4:40pm AEST – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The upstarts Saints wish to be the finals Grinch and are acting accordingly.</p> <p>They’ve knocked off Essendon and Sydney across the past month, but many will wonder where this type of form was when the season was up for grabs.</p> <p>Their opponents, Brisbane, arrive in as good a form as anyone in the AFL. To be frank, they probable deserve to be premiership favourite considering where they’ve come from and the improvements they’ve shown since the terrible beginning to 2024.</p> <p>Cam Rayner has exploded, Harris Andrews remains impassable and his presence will be appreciated.</p> <p>Will Ashcroft has given them more buzz and Dayne Zorko has to be an All-Australian small defender given the consistency and prolificness of his season.</p> <p>Cal Wilkie was massive last week, and he will tackle one of the Lions big guns up front - likely Joe Daniher.</p> <p>For a team wishing to upend those chasing finals positions, this is a perfect clash for the Saints but one gets the feeling the Lions will relish the twilight zone under the roof at Docklands.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/st-kilda-v-brisbane-8420956">Brisbane Lions by 30 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Josh Dunkley 25+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFL 2024 Premiership Odds</h2>