<p>Last week - the penultimate round of the season - again delivered in spades. Lord only knows what AFL round 24 has in store for us.</p> <p>In regard to last week, we landed a few and missed on a few. At quarter-time, I was getting excited about taking the Hawks 100+ but the Tigers showed enough fight to avoid the dreaded margin.</p> <p>No time to dwell on what could have been however, it’s time for round 24 and we’re going for glory! Here’s how we are playing this week.</p> <p>For the latest analysis, news, odds and betting tips for all of this week’s action, check out my AFL round 24 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>Melbourne vs Collingwood Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, August 23, 7:40pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Perhaps a strange old decision to stage this game as the Friday night bonanza, considering both teams are limping to the line.</p> <p>Having said that, both the Pies and Dees collected impressive wins last start. Melbourne went on the road after a wild week and thumped Gold Coast - who we know have been almost impassable at home.</p> <p>While the Pies were at the mercy of Brisbane, who could not put them away, and ultimately allowed the black and white army back into the contest.</p> <p>Goals to Schultz (x2), McCreery and McStay pushed the Pies home in a chilling final stanza, with Collingwood sneaking home by a solitary score.</p> <p>The Dees will be wise to clamp Nick Daicos, who is making a late season push for the Brownlow Medal. Departing Demon Alex Neal-Bullen could get that job.</p> <p>Dan Turner and Jacob Van Rooyen combined for a bag of goals last week and Harry Petty chimed in with three of his own.</p> <p>With the Pies needing all sorts of luck to keep season 2024 alive, they’ll do just enough here and end a lowly season for the red and the blue.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/melbourne-v-collingwood-8474635">Collingwood by 14 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Bobby Hill 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong vs West Coast Eagles Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 24, 1:45pm AEST – GMHBA</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Cats squandered a massive chance to nab a top two place last week, falling asleep in the second half against the Saints.</p> <p>The midfield is still a major issue for Geelong, with Patrick Dangerfield no longer able to carry the group. Jack Bowes was excellent last week, but they need from all to get the job done around the ball.</p> <p>The Eagles - what do we say!? Backed mercilessly with their opponents, Carlton, under-manned and outgunned, put forth a truly dismal display at home. One of their worst in a long while - and that’s saying something.</p> <p>The pussycats should roll here, giving themselves every chance at securing a double chance.</p> <p>Then the big question arises: to play The Tomahawk, or not to play The Tomahawk?</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/geelong-v-west-coast-8474634">Geelong by 41 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Shannon Neale 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Richmond vs Gold Coast Suns Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 24, 2:10pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Whilst most of the fanfare for this contest will be about the send off for Dustin Martin, there is also a game to be played.</p> <p>Although, I reckon if you asked both to sign anonymity forms on whether they want to play the game, the overwhelming response would be no.</p> <p>Both mobs threw up awful performances last week. Richmond forgot to turn up, blasted by 47 points in the opening term whilst the Suns copped a 54-point drubbing at the hands of Melbourne, who had hardly been world beaters previously.</p> <p>The other major storylines in this game are around Shai Bolton, Jack Graham, Dan Rioli and the potentially departing Tigers.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/richmond-v-gold-coast-8474636">Richmond by 10 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Shai Bolton 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Hawthorn vs North Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 24, 4:35pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Roos threw up an ‘old’ North Melbourne performance last week.</p> <p>Absolutely hammered at the hands of the Dogs, with Slamming Sam Darcy bagging seven majors.</p> <p>The Hawks did some hammering of their own, bashing up the Tigers at the ‘G last Sunday. The corresponding game earlier this season was the Hawks first win of the season, but their form ever since has been electric.</p> <p>The Roos defensive transition will be tested to the max as Hawthorn can transition the ball with speed, ferocity and potency.</p> <p>The Hawks should secure themselves a place in September on the back of this one.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/hawthorn-v-north-melbourne-8474637">Hawthorn by 24 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Dylan Moore 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Lions vs Essendon Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 24, 7:25pm AEST – The Gabba</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Yes, these Lions coughed up their top four hopes at the MCG last week in the official Grand Final rematch but the more important thing for them is to refine and replenish their system before mounting a premiership assault from outside the main bunch.</p> <p>Essendon will give them enough opposition for the Brissy boys to be tuned up for a fortnight’s time.</p> <p>The Lions hammered Collingwood in contested ball and also won uncontested possession and broke even in basically every other metric except tackles. Just 40 tackles is not enough for Brisbane.</p> <p>Joe Daniher had another quirky yet dominant 16 disposal, four goal performance. But his tunnel vision for the big sticks is leaving a few team mates feeling empty.</p> <p>Teams have gone to school on the Lions, taking away uncontested marks through the corridor gives you a chance to defend that potent forward crew. The Pies kept Brisbane to just 86 marks. Under 100 feels the key number to target.</p> <p>All in all, Brisbane can still lock in a home elimination final whilst Essendon’s disappointing season comes to a sliding end at a venue - against an opponent - who will want blood, even though Kevin Sheedy was the one dropping the ‘if it bleeds’ line.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/brisbane-v-essendon-8474638">Brisbane Lions by 31 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Callum Ah Chee anytime goal.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Swans vs Adelaide Crows Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 24, 7:40pm AEST – SCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Like Essendon, the Crows cop less than an ideal end to season 2024 with a visit to the ladder leaders.</p> <p>Sydney threatened then eventually did break the game open against the Bombers, with Isaac Heeney doing his best work as a forward.</p> <p>Big Brodie Grundy still feels like a worry for the Swans, though. His form has waned, and I blame fatigue as the main reason. Perhaps he has a niggle, too.</p> <p>Izak Rankine will miss with a bad concussion but you’d expect to see Taylor Walker sent out in style.</p> <p>There’s been no real decision on his future (at time of writing) but the message seems to be a preference of Fogarty and Thilthorpe for season 2025 and beyond.</p> <p>Chad Warner’s status will be fascinating, particularly as we move into the finals.</p> <p>Also, what will Joel Amartey produce for an encore, after kicking nine against the Crows earlier this season? In that game, Gulden had 35, Grundy had 31 and Heeney 29 and two goals.</p> <p>The Crows would want to put some more effort into quelling those guys this time round.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/sydney-v-adelaide-8474639">Sydney Swans by 21 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Tex Walker 3+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Western Bulldogs vs GWS Giants Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 25, 12:30pm AEST – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Ballarat gets to host the biggest game of AFL round 24 with the visiting and charging Giants tackling the Dogs.</p> <p>The Dogs beat the life out of North Melbourne last weekend, with Sam Darcy banging home seven big ones.</p> <p>Jamarra, Weightman and Naughton combined for another seven goals in a display which would’ve filled the forwards with confidence.</p> <p>The Giants’ form is sensational, despite the fact they have lulls and worries in game. They have been rectifying all problems in-game and coming up big in crunch time. They again overcame a deficit at halftime against Fremantle.</p> <p>Jesse Hogan kicked 6.4 and locked away the Coleman Medal whilst the man I labelled the most underrated in footy - Brent Daniels - collected 29 touches, laid 13 tackles and kicked three majors. Hardly underrated anymore!</p> <p>Toby Bedford goes to Adam Treloar this week, as Bontempelli’s size would be too much for the former Dee to handle.</p> <p>The clash will be epic. GWS can pinch a home qualifying final with a win whilst the Dogs give themselves an outside shot at a top four berth with a win of their own.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/western-bulldogs-v-greater-western-sydney-8474642">GWS Giants by 5 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Tom Green 35+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Carlton vs St Kilda Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 25, 3:20pm AEST – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A round of applause for the Blues.</p> <p>What a win that was in the west with many men down. Sure, the Eagles were despicable, but Carlton overcame 17 injuries, including some to its stars, to grab a vital win and keep their season alive.</p> <p>The Saints were lifeless at halftime, only to explode in the second half and roll Geelong at Marvel.</p> <p>With this one strangely at Marvel as well (it’s the Blues home game), the Saints are a massive chance at ending Carlton’s season.</p> <p>A Blues win and they lock their place in for September and perhaps even a home elimination final. A loss and they might be booking holidays.</p> <p>Marc Pittonet will need to do his all to quell Rowan Marshall, who is charging toward All-Australian ruck late in the season.</p> <p>In my humble opinion, the Blues deserve to be there in September but in this brutal game, you get what you deserve, so we shall see.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/carlton-v-st-kilda-8474644">Carlton by 4 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Matt Kennedy 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Fremantle vs Port Adelaide Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 25, 6:10pm AEST – Optus Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Another dramatic finals-shaping game over in the west to close out regular season 2024. Our most epic ever!</p> <p>Port will go in without Dan Houston but have Rozee, Butters and The Hornet doing the business around the ball.</p> <p>Pleasingly, the Power kept Adelaide to just 58 in the Showdown and showed its class in a fiery clash.</p> <p>You’ll recall the drama between these two back in round 5 when the Power slipped past Freo by just three points.</p> <p>Port Adelaide kept Freo to just 66 marks in that game, never allowing them to dictate tempo and get playmakers into the contest.</p> <p>Another defensive masterclass should land them a road win and a likely top two finish. They cannot miss top four.</p> <p>For Freo, this is win or go home stuff and those desperation stakes either bring out the best - or worst - in teams and individuals.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/fremantle-v-port-adelaide-8474645">Fremantle by 5 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Caleb Serong 30+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFL 2024 Premiership Odds</h2>