<p>Last week we went big.</p> <p>6/8 winning suggested best bets including Jesse Hogan for 6+ and a cheeky SGM with Sam Flanders collecting 25+ and big Darcy Fogarty snagging a couple.</p> <p>The only misses were Charlie Cameron 4+ (he kicked 3.1) and Connor Rozee for 30 or more.</p> <p>This week, we all make the trek to my old stomping ground, Adelaide.</p> <p>The City of Churches will come alive in a big way, beginning with the home town Crows on the revenge tour against Geelong… some call it the Josh Jenkins Cup… some call it the Patrick Dangerfield Cup… I’ll let you decide.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide vs Geelong Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, April 10th, 7:40 PM AEST - Adelaide Oval&nbsp;</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>An excellent contest to kick start Gather Round but one where I reckon the market is being too kind to the visitors.</p> <p>The Crows are a free kick or mark or both away from being unbeaten whilst Geelong sneak to 2-2 but have been anything but world-beaters to this point.&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks to Chris Scott, Geelong plan and prepare as well as anyone and they’ll need to be prepped to the max to deal with the Crows three-headed goal kicking monster!</p> <p>Tex, Fogarty and The Thrill Seeker have kicked a remarkable 36 snags between them this season, with only 10 combined behinds. Their accuracy is sensational and will win them more than a game or two across the season - including this one.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl">Adelaide Crows by 20 points</a>.</p> <p><strong>Best Betting Tip: </strong>Darcy Fogarty 2+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood vs Sydney Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, April 11th, 7:40 PM AEST - Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>They’ll go close to packing out Adelaide Oval for a blockbuster clash between two in-form teams.</p> <p>The Swans are doing just as Dean Cox said, evolving into a more spirited and gritty team - a throwback to the premiership teams of 2005 and 2012.</p> <p>Their selection still baffles me, with Ladhams and Grundy co-rucking whilst Hayden McLean - who has been a No. 1 ruck himself - plays strictly as a forward alongside big Joel Amartey.</p> <p>The Pies will try and speed the game up, taking the sting out of those big boys and playing a chaotic game, despite the age of the team.</p> <p>Scott Pendlebury played a lively shoulder-to-shoulder role on Patrick Cripps and I’d expect to see him do the same to Isaac Heeney this week. It’s far from a tag but is an accountable midfield role for sure.</p> <p>I like what the Swans are doing and I’ve loved the addition of Riley Bice, as well as Caiden Cleary and Tom Hanily.</p> <p>I’ll give them the edge here in what shapes as a game of the weekend.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl">Sydney Swans by 10 points</a>.</p> <p><strong>Best Betting Tip: </strong>Swans H2H</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Gold Coast Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 12th, 12:35 PM AEST - Barossa Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Roos were awful last week.</p> <p>Some red-time goals in the first half was all that separated the two teams at halftime but effort, intensity, will and skill was what separated them after the intermission.</p> <p>Some long meetings will have been held at Arden Street this week.</p> <p>For Gold Coast, the challenge is staying at a level despite the opponent and despite the venue.</p> <p>They’ve been excellent on the road in two contests this season and handled their business in controversial circumstances against Adelaide.</p> <p>I like the Roos on the bounce back and the Suns to potentially drop a peg or two off that wild clash with the Crows. We can take North +24 and hope for an improved effort.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl">Gold Coast Suns by 17 points</a>.</p> <p><strong>Best Betting Tip: </strong>North Melbourne +24.5 into Ben KING 3+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Carlton vs West Coast Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 12th, 1:20 PM AEST - Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Lose this as the noise around Ikon Park and everyone involved will be heard from Adelaide Oval.</p> <p>Harry McKay is needed back in the line-up to partner with Charlie and give the Blues an edge in that area of the ground.</p> <p>Field kicking has been diabolical for the Blues, so any pressure the Eagles can apply will give them looks going back the other way.</p> <p>Harley Reid moved to hall back last week and looked good. His composure and strength in the contest stood out, despite the team getting hammered in western Sydney. His numbers will rise should he remain in the back half of the ground.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl">Carlton Blues by 24 points</a>.</p> <p><strong>Best Betting Tip: </strong>Harley Reid 20+ disposals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane Lions Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 12th, 4:15 PM AEST - Norwood Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I’m looking forward to a few things in this one.</p> <p>The Dogs are on the return leg from Perth in a brave but losing clash with Freo. They have the emerging superstar in league footy, Sam Darcy, but they have an emerging headache in Aaron Naughton - who has been unsighted since a powerful Round 1 effort.</p> <p>The big No. 33 has managed just 11 marks and two goals since.</p> <p>The two contests within the contest are around the ball - as always - and inside the Dogs fifty as big Jack Payne collides with Darcy.</p> <p>Payne will be locking down the length of Darcy whilst Harris Andrews aims to spring across and air assist. Darcy has been truly phenomenal to this point of the season, but Payne and Andrews are a sturdy duo.</p> <p>Around the ball, the Lions are kings. Ranked No. 1 for clearance and inside fifties, highly ranked in most other contest categories as well and it’s no wonder with guns like Berry, McCluggage, Neale, a pair of Ashcrofts and Dunkley.</p> <p>There’s a good chance Dunkley collides with his 2016 premiership team mate, Tommy Liberatore.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl">Brisbane Lions by 14 points</a>.</p> <p><strong>Best Betting Tip: </strong>Cam Rayner 2+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne vs Essendon Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 12th, 7:35 PM AEST - Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Expect a dour old affair here with two of the more modest attacking units going round.</p> <p>The Dees forward woes are well known but it’s their on-ball brigade which is failing miserably.</p> <p>Despite the names and reputations, Melbourne are ranked #18… aka last… for clearances.</p> <p>Max Gawn was again beaten and looks a shadow of the Demon great he once was. The same can be said about Jack Viney.&nbsp;</p> <p>For Essendon, they found a way to secure a desperately needed win over Port at Marvel before a bye.</p> <p>They’ll arrive here very bullish, especially around the ball. Zach Merrett is as deadly as they come with ball in hand whilst Caldwell and Durham provide the grunt and tenacity.</p> <p>A goal will be worth three in this once, folks.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl">Essendon Bombers by 5 points</a>.</p> <p><strong>Best Betting Tip: </strong>Isaac Kako 2+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Richmond vs Fremantle Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, April 13th, 12:35 PM AEST - Barossa Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dockers are back.</p> <p>They’ve levelled off at 2-2 despite a wayward beginning. Josh Treacy is airborne and gives them renewed confidence to move the ball at speed.</p> <p>I loved Richmond’s commitment to the task last week. Brisbane could’ve easily overpowered them and rolled to an 80+ margin but the young Tigers refused to concede and played all the way to the line.</p> <p>They’ll need to bring the same zest for the fight in foreign territory this week, against a team who might just be off the mark after a defiant and gallant home win.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl">Fremantle Dockers by 26 points</a>.</p> <p><strong>Best Betting Tip: </strong>Jye Amiss 3+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St Kilda vs GWS Giants</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, April 13th, 3:20 PM AEST - Norwood Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Saints are rolling.</p> <p>A cheeky win over Geelong under the lid has been backed up by a smashing of the Tigers and a road win over the floundering Power.</p> <p>They’ve remained in Adelaide for the week, giving them a chance to hang out and build on the chemistry that has got them to 3-1.</p> <p>Jack Sinclair’s season has been sensational. And there are some soldiers yet to return.</p> <p>Across the way, though, is a squad to be feared.</p> <p>GWS are potent, powerful, deep and determined.</p> <p>Jesse Hogan is the game’s best big forward, Toby Greene might be back to being the game’s best medium-sized forward and Brent Daniels may be the best small, running forward in the AFL.</p> <p>Josh Kelly, Finn Callaghan, Lachie Ash, Tom Green, Lachie Whitfield, Darcy Jones (aka the kid with the lid)… they have everything. And if Aaron Cadman can emerge, look out world.</p> <p>In true Ross Lyon style, I bet you he sends tagger Marcus Windhager to Finn Callaghan, after disputing his Saints ever went after the gun Giant.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl">GWS Giants by 21 points</a>.</p> <p><strong>Best Betting Tip: </strong>GWS -15.5</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, April 13th, 7:20 PM AEST - Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Revenge anyone?</p> <p>The Power ended Hawthorn’s season in 2024 in Adelaide with Ken Hinkley singling out Jack Ginnivan after the game, ending with a 20k fine for Kenny.</p> <p>James Sicily took offence and despite everyone talking this down all week, you can bet your bottom dollar the Hawks will arrive with an edge.</p> <p>Port will know that but at the end of the day, this looks like a reeling club with a clear lack of talent and a shifting game plan which is causing more issues than success.</p> <p>Part of me feels this could get really ugly for Port… and in turn, the coach. The current one and the next one.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl">Hawthorn Hawks by 28</a>.</p> <p><strong>Best Betting Tip: </strong>James Sicily 20+ disposals</p>