<p>The regular season might be moving toward its climax, but for us, Round 23 will be hard to upend.</p> <p>Only six head-to-head winners, but 7/9 on the tipping front. Jack Higgins and Andy McGrath got us rolling. Saturday was a clean sweep as Rowell and Turbo Tom Green did the job on the clearances, veteran Travis Boak surpassed 21 touches, Dylan Moore went big on the kicks and handballs we asked for, and Darcy Fogarty kicked us a couple.</p> <p>The focus went to Harry Sheezel’s 54 disposals (an equal-AFL best), but we honed in on Luke Davies-Uniacke - and he rewarded us with 40 of his own.</p> <p>Onto Round 24… where she all goes on the line for a few.</p> <p>For the latest analysis, news, odds, and betting tips for all 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!&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs Carlton Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, August 21, 7:30pm AEST - MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A betting game only.</p> <p>There will be a few of these across the weekend. Their fans cannot watch them for six months, and we cannot bet on them for the same period. Some will argue that’s a good thing.</p> <p>The Blues will bounce into it off that monster win over Port Adelaide and look to end the season with some energy going into a massive off-season.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-carlton-9504807">Blues by 20 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> SGM: Ollie Hollands 20+ disposals &amp; Francis Evans 2+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood vs Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, August 22, 7:10pm AEST - MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Despite dropping five of six, the Pies might’ve restored some faith in their game with a close call in Adelaide.</p> <p>The Dees are limping to the line but would love to disrupt the Pies’ season at the death.</p> <p>The Daicos boys will not allow that to happen, and those aboard the Nick for the Brownlow train will be hoping for another helping of maximum votes.</p> <p>Is this the last time we see Petracca, Oliver, or May in a Dees jumper?</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/collingwood-v-melbourne-9504808">Pies by 24 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> SGM: Nick Daicos 31+ disposals &amp; Steele Sidebottom 21+ disposals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Port Adelaide vs Gold Coast Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, August 22, 8:10pm AEST - Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Travis Boak calls time as the Power’s longest serving player, and Kenny calls time as the longest serving coach.</p> <p>It’s a looming recipe for disaster for these Suns, who are chasing a win or two to secure their maiden appearance in the games that count the most.</p> <p>The Suns will also be scorning off last week’s home loss to GWS. They did not bring any pressure to the contest last week. So, they will be demanding some this week.</p> <p>This is the ultimate banana peel game for the Suns.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/port-adelaide-v-gold-coast-suns-9504814">Suns by 11 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Noah Anderson 32+ disposals &amp; anytime goal</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Adelaide Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 23, 1:20pm AEST - Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Adelaide is locked into hosting a qualifying final… unless they do the unthinkable here and drop one to the Roos under the lid.</p> <p>Drama has struck the Crows, but they need to keep charging toward the goal. The city is alight with excitement, and this team has the capability of being there on the last day.</p> <p>This looks like a nice tune-up with the Roos happy to engage in a fast-paced shootout. Matthew Nicks will be keen to see team defence again come to the fore, but after defending 71 entries last week, a shootout might be a nice change of pace for Keane, Worrell, and company.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/north-melbourne-v-adelaide-crows-9504815">Crows by 31 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Rory Laird 23+ disposals &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Richmond vs Geelong Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 23, 4:15 pm AEST - MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Jeremy Cameron goal watch is officially off after being held without a sausage in Sydney.</p> <p>The problem is, he could go nuclear here and put the count back into the realms of possibility.</p> <p>Aside from that, this looks like a walk-up top two finish for the mighty Cats. I call them mighty not because I root for them but because they command respect.</p> <p>Chris Scott is among the best coaches we’ve ever seen. His record says so.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/richmond-v-geelong-cats-9504816">Cats by 55 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Tyson Stengle 3+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast vs Sydney Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 23, 7:35pm AEST - Optus Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Eagles again had a crack on the weekend but fell to the merciless offensive power the Dogs possess.</p> <p>Their season ends with the Swans in town. And the Swans have been going along nicely enough despite getting handled by the powerful Cats in the second half last weekend.</p> <p>Chad Warner re-signed with the Swans earlier this season, but the Eagles will have high hopes that he will be an Eagle at some stage throughout his career. He’ll be keen to show them what they’ve missed out on.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/west-coast-eagles-v-sydney-swans-9504818">Swans by 31 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Chad Warner 24+ disposals &amp; anytime goal</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs St Kilda Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 24, 1:10pm AEST - ENGIE Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Giants reminded the doubters just how potent and threatening they can be when the game is open and spacious.</p> <p>Open and spacious are not words associated with Ross Lyon’s teams, so this promises to be an interesting tactical clash.</p> <p>Talent suggests the Giants will be too powerful, but you never know.</p> <p>And even if the Saints’ late-season streak does come to an end on Sunday… they’ve already had their biggest win of the season mid-week anyway.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gws-giants-v-st-kilda-9504819">Giants by 24 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: &nbsp;</strong>SGM: Lachie Ash 29+ disposals &amp; Toby Greene 2+ goals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 24, 3:15pm AEST - Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The organic play-in game.</p> <p>Many rallied against the idea, yet we have the exact concept right before our eyes.</p> <p>Dogs win, they’re in. Freo win, they’re in. As simple as can be.</p> <p>Out west, earlier this season, Sam Darcy kicked five, but the Dockers got the job done late. Marcus Bontempelli missed that match; he will not miss this one.</p> <p>The Dockers were bland and slow last week against the Lions, Something many have lamented about them for the better part of the season. This will take courage, conviction, and plenty of scores because the Dogs only know one way. Attack!</p> <p>For Fremantle to pinch this and slip into the September action, its boom recruits must fire. Shai Bolton and Luke Jackson were nowhere last week. They must be among the best players on the ground this week for the Dockers to advance.</p> <p>Survive and advance. An organic play-in proposition.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/western-bulldogs-v-fremantle-9504846">Freo by 5 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Jordan Clark 26+ disposals &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane vs Hawthorn Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 24, 6:10pm AEST - The Gabba</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s a big night at The Gaba with veterans Dayne Zorko (300) and Charlie Cameron (250) celebrating milestones.</p> <p>Bigger than that, even, is the prospect of a qualifying final berth for the winner.</p> <p>The Lions keep reminding us how good they are, but then keep forgetting to back up that performance with the next one. Especially when they return home from an epic win on the road.</p> <p>Injuries are attacking them at a really bad time. Hipwood and Berry go down, joining Lachie Neale on the sidelines - among others.</p> <p>The Hawks are sneaking along nicely. Jack Gunston is sneaking his way into All-Australian contention, whilst Dylan Moore’s move around the ball has been immense.</p> <p>This has got epic written all over it!</p> <p>And my man Zac Bailey might be the difference again.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/brisbane-lions-v-hawthorn-9504847">Lions by 11 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> SGM: Jaspa Fletcher 14+ kicks &amp; Josh Dunkley 10+ handballs</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast vs Essendon Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Wednesday, August 27, 7:20pm AEST - People First Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Should the Suns slip up in Adelaide to begin this bizarre Round 24, then this clash suddenly becomes much more nervous.</p> <p>Sure, Essendon is ravaged by injury and stands next to no chance, but the Suns will have the weight of the AFL world upon their shoulders. ‘</p> <p>They will know what is at stake and exactly what they need to do. A maiden finals berth, and (if they’re good enough) a top four place for the taking.</p> <p>They should get the job done easily. They'd better get the job done…&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gold-coast-suns-v-essendon-9504866">Suns by 41 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>SGM: Matt Rowell 27+ disposals &amp; Ben King 4+ goals + 6+ marks</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFL 2025 Premiership Odds:</h2>