<p>There’s little time between the Easter weekend of footy and Gather Round for us to catch our breath.</p> <p>Geelong remained unbeaten last Monday and now just three days later we get to see the Adelaide Crows and high-flying Dees open the second-ever Gather Round.</p> <p>We moved swiftly from the penthouse of round 2 where the results went our way to the doghouse in round 3 where everything we touched turned to ash.</p> <p>Anyhow – Gather Round is a new dawn, and we can attack the weekend with hope and vigour!</p> <p>For all your Gather Round news, analysis, odds, and betting tips check out my AFL round 4 tips and predictions below or <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/feed/profile/view/56/ist_ambassador_deeplink_action">follow me on the Feed</a> and see them there!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide Crows vs Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, April 4, 7:40pm AEDT – Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Crows exploded to life last year thanks to a scintillating burst of footy to open Gather Round against the Blues.</p> <p>They’ll require a similar explosion here to get their season started and off life support.</p> <p>However, standing between them and victory is a team with steely resolve and in the zone. Melbourne upended the Power in Adelaide last weekend and have remained in South Australia for the week to prepare for this clash.</p> <p>Steven May’s presence – or lack of – will be key. I’m anticipating Adelaide to attack the game much more than they did last week in Perth where they managed just four goals against Freo.</p> <p>Tex Walker will find his legs for this one and you’ve got to imagine Matthew Nicks is planning to get Izak Rankine and Josh Rachele more involved.</p> <p>Reilly O’Brien has a large task. I thought he lowered his colours to Luke Jackson and taking down the Dees skipper would go a long way to giving the Crows the result they seek.</p> <p>Jordan Dawson’s form – and kicking – is off so a move to halfback might be the catalyst to getting him rolling.</p> <p>A healthy Ben Brown gives Melbourne an extra goal kicking threat, alongside Bailey Fritsch, the two are dead eyes and take their chances.</p> <p>I’ll side with Adelaide one last time before we consider jumping ship for good.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-v-melbourne-8113655">Adelaide Crows by 10 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Josh Rachele 15+ disposals and to score anytime.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Lions vs North Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, April 5, 5:10pm AEDT – Norwood Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>What on earth is going on in Brisbane? From the sublime to the ridiculous, from last year’s big dance to winless in 2024.</p> <p>They lost their Grand Final rematch to the Pies last week, despite being at home and despite Collingwood yet to book a win up to that point either.</p> <p>North Melbourne are currently one of the few teams who actually sit below them in the standings and if they can’t win this one, I’m not only out of answers, but I’m also putting a thick red line through their season just four rounds into 2024.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/brisbane-v-north-melbourne-8113656">Brisbane Lions by 11 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Under total match points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Port Adelaide vs Essendon Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, April 5, 8:10pm AEDT – Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Power failed a big test last weekend dropping a home clash with the Dees. We know Melbourne are good, but Port will be judged on big games and finals this season and that was their maiden test in 2024.</p> <p>Todd Marshall was nowhere in game 100 and he was not alone. The midfield mix for Port is fascinating with Ollie Wines and Travis Boak seemingly on the outside looking in as Butters, Rozee and Drew seem to be the preferred group.</p> <p>The Dons took down St Kilda in a spirited display. Sure, many will claim the Saints should’ve won but footy is about winning or losing – reasoning rarely matters.</p> <p>The defensive rebounding triple threat of Nic Martin, Andy McGrath and Mason Redman is a good one for Essendon and makes the game much easier for its forwards.</p> <p>Also, Jake ‘The Package’ Stringer is delivering as he chases a new deal for 2025 and beyond.</p> <p>Should Port drop this, alarm bells ring but I do think they’ll be charged up enough to take care of Essendon. Even if the Essendon Edge is in effect!</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/port-adelaide-v-essendon-8113657">Port Adelaide by 21 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Willie Rioli 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast Eagles vs Sydney Swans Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 6, 1:30pm AEDT – Adelaide Hills</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s Groundhog Day for West Coast in 2024 as they once again find themselves fixed to the foot of the ladder with little hope of moving up.</p> <p>They were demolished by the Doggies last week to the tune of 64 points and now must face Sydney.</p> <p>Up until their thrilling and unexpected loss to Richmond last week, the Swans were looking like genuine top four contenders. This Gather Round match should prove to be the perfect tonic for the Red and Whites to take flight and resume their charge up the ladder once again.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/west-coast-v-sydney-8113658"> Sydney Swans by 42 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Issac Heeney early 1st goal scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Fremantle vs Carlton Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 6, 4:20pm AEDT – Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>After restricting pre-season darlings and known goal hounds Adelaide to just 34 points last week, Freo could be on to something in 2024.</p> <p>Carlton will be a different kettle of fish however and after getting their eye in against North Melbourne last week, should test Fremantle’s defensive resolve.</p> <p>What a match up this should be, as it stands, I’m picking up what Freo are putting down and I’m going to keep backing them until they let me down.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/fremantle-v-carlton-8113659">Fremantle by 9 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Fremantle 1-39 big win little win.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Western Bulldogs vs Geelong Prediction</h2> <p><strong>Saturday, April 6, 8:10pm AEDT – Adelaide Oval</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>What a cracker we have here at Adelaide Oval on a Saturday evening. The Dogs are still largely unknown, despite wins over Gold Coast and West Coast in their past two games.</p> <p>The forwards are up and about with Jamarra, Naughton and Weightman all looking good at stages. Sam Darcy looks a player as well – but he may have Tom Stewart for company this week and the gun Cat likes to play on a lesser-known forward and have his way.</p> <p>The on-ball battle here is also key. The Dogs can mix it with the very best when on and Geelong’s mid group is beginning to take shape – even without Dangerfield.</p> <p>Tanner Bruhn is taking giant leaps and Brandon Parfitt has added something with his pressure and contest work. Max Holmes also looks like he’s having a breakout season as rival clubs begin to circle.</p> <p>The Dogs' issue will be slowing Hawkins, Cameron, and Ollie Henry. Henry is the one that slips under the guard. He’s kicked 7.3 in his three games this season and is regularly too good for the opposition’s No. 3 defender.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/western-bulldogs-v-geelong-8113660">Western Bulldogs by 4 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Tri bet – either team by -15.5 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast Suns vs GWS Giants Prediction</h2> <p><strong>Sunday, April 7, 12:30pm AEDT – Adelaide Hills</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>They’ll soon be joined by the Tassie Devils, but for now the Suns and the Giants are still technically the freshest AFL clubs in the land.</p> <p>Ok, so we’re years removed from their inceptions, and both are part of the furniture, but they’ll always be babies in my eyes.</p> <p>Well maybe not. The pups have grown fangs as they say and GWS sit loud and proud on top of the pops.</p> <p>The Suns aren’t chopped liver either under Dimma, and both will be fully rested after having last week off.</p> <p>All things considered it’s impossible to tip against the Giants and their formidable forward rotation at the moment, so I will be doing nothing of the sort.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gold-coast-v-greater-western-sydney-8113661">GWS Giants by 21 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Winning margin 1-24.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Richmond vs St Kilda Prediction</h2> <p><strong>Sunday, April 7, 3:20pm AEDT – Norwood Oval</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Richmond are coming off a win they weren’t expected to get, while St Kilda are coming off a loss few saw coming too.</p> <p>What happens here in this round 4 showdown? Well, if Richmond can rally like they did against the Swans, they can certainly snatch another win here.</p> <p>However, the injury problems they won in spite of, have now deepened even further with Tom Lynch now in doubt after leaving the field late in Q4 against Sydney.</p> <p>If he plays, Richmond can win, if not I’ve got to side with the Saints. Keep an eye on the game day line up for this one.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/richmond-v-st-kilda-8113662">St Kilda by 7 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Tri bet – either team by 15 or less.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood vs Hawthorn Prediction</h2> <p><strong>Sunday, April 7, 5:10pm AEDT – Adelaide Oval</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Hawks have real problems, and they may be about to pile up as Collingwood arrive having rediscovered some of their premiership mojo last week.</p> <p>The pressure game was back for the Black and White with the forwards reaping the rewards off turnovers and slicker ball use.</p> <p>Jamie Elliott banged through four, but others were as involved in the impressive win over the hapless Lions.</p> <p>The Hawks reverted back to a more aggressive game-style against Geelong on Easter Monday but were blown away in Q1.</p> <p>From the 2nd quarter onward, the Hawks went toe-to-toe with the Cats, but the damage was already done.</p> <p>They lose Mitch Lewis and Nick Watson for this so even more pressure falls on Mabior Chol – who was excellent last week – and Jack Ginnivan – who will surely get an early free kick this week.</p> <p>This may be the most entertaining game of the round, even if it’s not the closest. The Pies will have a large crowd in attendance and will turn Adelaide Oval into Victoria Park. The Hawks must fight and scrap to keep this close and stem the bleeding.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/collingwood-v-hawthorn-8113663"> </a></strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/collingwood-v-hawthorn-8113663">Collingwood by 31 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Lachie Schultz 15+ disposals and 2+ goals.</p>

<h2>AFL Premiership Odds 2024</h2>