<p>A mixed bag last week. Jake Rogers as sub, voided our 2+ theory whilst a few boys missed some shots at goal.</p> <p>We did land a few, though, Jack Sinclair had 40 when all we asked for was 30 and big Tex Walker kicked four when all we needed was two. Thanks, mate.<br /> <br /> Time to look ahead to AFL round 4 as Essendon and flag favourites Hawthorn take a spell.</p> <p>For the latest analysis, news, odds and betting tips for all of this week’s action, check out my AFL round 4 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>Collingwood vs Carlton Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, April 3, 7:30pm AEDT – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s almost the very opponent I reckon Blues fans did not want to see.<br /> <br /> The arch enemy at the G with 75,000 of the black and white army hoping to potentially end your season before it's even begun.<br /> <br /> But with great risk of failure comes amazing opportunity, and that’s what Michael Voss will be relaying. ‘We can beat this mob.’</p> <p>Problem is, based on what we’ve seen, Carlton will need to dispatch Collingwood early and have this result sewn up in a tight bow by 3/4 time because the secret is out - these Blues cannot run out a game.</p> <p>Three clutch fourth quarters, just three goals to show and three poor losses beside their name.</p> <p>The Pies will be looking for chaos and speed in the game, despite their age profile. Perryman has added contest-to-contest run whilst some of the veterans are covering the ground nicely and fresh off a break you’d expect this to be the slickest version of the Pies.</p> <p>Darcy Moore will attempt to clamp Charlie Curnow, which will go a long way to dictating the outcome of the game.</p> <p>It’s hard to pick Carlton at the moment, especially when you expect them to stop to a walk as the game gets tense at the end.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/collingwood-v-carlton-9063247">Collingwood by 11 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Lachie Schultz 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong vs Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, April 4, 7:40pm AEDT – GMHBA Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Like the Blues the night before, Melbourne enter a tricky fixture with a win by any means necessary, the desired outcome.</p> <p>The Roos blew them away a fortnight ago and we expected a fierce reply back at The MCG with the visiting Suns in town.</p> <p>We got an even worse performance, and even more questions arose about the sustainability of everything at the club.</p> <p>Max Gawn made the damning comments after the Suns loss saying, ’they broke out spirit.’</p> <p>Should there be no response here, everything has to go on the table, including the job security of the coach.</p> <p>Geelong have some worries of their own. Yes, up 32 points in Brisbane against a great opposition but another cough up and some of their stars were truly MIA.</p> <p>Jeremy Cameron’s past couple have been uninspiring, and the Cats really need him inside fifty threatening to take over games as life without Tom Hawkins becomes real. Tyson Stengle will also look to rebound from a rare goal-less outing.</p> <p>The once-feared Dees’ midfield gets its chance to atone. The Cats on-ball brigade is weakened and young and premiership stars like Gawn, Viney, Oliver and Petracca need to take control before this ship sails even further off course.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/geelong-cats-v-melbourne-9063246">Geelong by 21 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Tyson Stengle 2+ points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast Suns vs Adelaide Crows Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 5, 1:20pm AEDT – Heritage Bank Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Game of the weekend anyone? Unbeaten Gold Coast cannot have looked any more impressive - but I can hear you asking me, ‘who have they beaten?’</p> <p>This will be a stern test with the rampaging Crows on deck. Adelaide’s forward line looks amazing and deep whilst the half back turnover game is serving them well.</p> <p>Rory Laird returns to half back and could be again an All-Australian small defender whilst the arrivals of Peatling, Cumming and Neal-Bullen have given them added depth, punch and run.</p> <p>Gold Coast can get an edge around the ball. Adelaide’s midfield is revamped, especially with former Sun Izak Rankine running wild, but Rowell, Anderson, Miller and Flanders are as good as we have in the AFL.</p> <p>Here’s hoping we cop bright sunshine, slick ball movement, ferocious contests around the ball and bags of goals from gun forwards like King, Fogarty, Tex and The Thrill Seeker - Riley Thilthorpe.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gold-coast-suns-v-adelaide-crows-9063248">Gold Coast Suns by 5 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> SGM – Sam Flanders 25+ disposals &amp; Darcy Fogarty 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Richmond vs Brisbane Lions Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 5, 4:15pm AEDT – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Brisbane have been making comebacks for fun but surely one is not required here.</p> <p>Richmond will perform OK at home in front of adoring and loyal fans but performances like the last couple will likely be the norm away from home and in unfamiliar and unfriendly environments.</p> <p>Across the board, Richmond are searching for players who can drive them forward for half a decade whilst the Lions have those in spades</p> <p>Lohmann, Cameron, Rayner, Bailey, Ah Chee, a pair of Ashcrofts, Dunkley, Berry, McCluggage and the co-captain Neale. The depth is scary.</p> <p>Meanwhile, down back, Harris Andrews repels everything. Assisted by Jack Payne and Ryan Lester and set up by veteran Dayne Zorko.</p> <p>With guys like Kiddy Coleman, Tom Doedee and hopefully Brandon Starcevich on the way back. Scary for opposition fans, very scary for Richmond this week.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/richmond-v-brisbane-lions-9063249">Brisbane Lions by 77 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Charlie Cameron 4+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Sydney Swans Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 5, 7:35pm AEDT – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I’ve watched the Roos closely this season and the path forward is clear - but it’s still bumpy.</p> <p>At times, they could take it to Adelaide on the road but in other moments they still looked like the rebuilders they’ve been for a decade.</p> <p>Harry Sheezel needs to remain at half back and keep the composure and accuracy of ball use coming from defence. Too many turnovers cost them too many impossible-to-defend scores against.</p> <p>Charlie Comben can become an intercepting force for them with Sheezel and Caleb Daniel distributing. Nick Larkey is rolling up front, and we know the midfield group is supremely talented. Take out the bumps and they can challenge Sydney under the lid.</p> <p>For the Swans, how do they look after a reset? Will we see a more dominant Isaac Heeney or are opposition teams onto him? Can Chad Warner keep hitting the scoreboard? Can Tommy Papley get rolling?</p> <p>All questions left unanswered, maybe even after this week, but questions that will largely need to be a big fat YES for the Swans to march back to where they wish to be when the whips really crack.</p> <p>In Sydney, I’d roll with the Swans easily. Inside the Docklands arena, the Roos are a sniff!</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/north-melbourne-v-sydney-swans-9063250">Sydney Swans by 4 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Paul Curtis 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs West Coast Eagles Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, April 6, 2:10pm AEDT – Sydney Showgrounds</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This is not a fun trip east for West Coast and I doubt it will be much more enjoyable on the way home after GWS get their hands on them.</p> <p>I liked plenty of what they did in foreign conditions in Tassie against a clearly outstanding team.</p> <p>Across the ground, they’ll have edges everywhere over the young Eagles with their young defenders likely up against a barrage of forward entries.</p> <p>Hogan, Greene, The Package and the small forwards will get many looks at goal. One or two will probably get 8+ between them. Jesse Hogan career-best 10 snags anyone?</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gws-giants-v-west-coast-eagles-9063252">GWS Giants by 75 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Jesse Hogan 6+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Port Adelaide vs St Kilda Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, April 6, 4:20pm AEDT – Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A game which might leave us excited about the Saints should they go and win in SA. A loss for Port and the jungle drums begin to thunder about this coaching handover mess.</p> <p>Port were really poor last week against Essendon with Connor Rozee extremely quiet. They clearly need more from their captain.</p> <p>Up front, Mitch Georgiades is fighting a lone hand and at times looks dangerous and like a match-winner and others, annoyed at the inconsistent supply. It’s hard to blame him.</p> <p>The Saints were strong up ending Geelong, then did the job emphatically over Richmond but this is a clearer test on where they truly stand.</p> <p>A win for the red, white and black will have many - including me - quietly reassessing where we had them pre-season.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/port-adelaide-v-st-kilda-9063251">Port Adelaide by 10 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Connor Rozee 30+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Fremantle vs Western Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, April 6, 6:10pm AEDT – Optus Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Another contender for the game of the round at the end of the weekend.</p> <p>The Dogs - or should I say the pups - are improving right before our eyes and are being led admirably by Libba, Liam Jones, Bailey Dale and even Rory Lobb.</p> <p>Lobb was out the door 10 months ago, now he looks like an All-Australian key back.</p> <p>Alex Pearce will get the toughest job in footy - keeping Sam Darcy and his long limbs in check whilst Lobb and Jones will tackle Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss - who combined for seven snags against the Eagles. This will be a much sterner test for the Freo duo.</p> <p>A Doggies win would be massive, and a huge bonus as they await the returning stars. A Freo win will have the knockers just backing up a step or two.</p> <p>Luke Jackson will be lined up ready to run rings around Tim English, so the West Australian native best be ready for the contest.</p> <p>Jackson was huge in the Derby - 17 disposals, a goal and so much explosive movement after the ruck contest. English best be ready!</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/fremantle-v-western-bulldogs-9063253">Fremantle by 13 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Jordan Clark 25+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFL 2025 Premiership Odds</h2>