<p>Gather Round was more like Scatter Round.</p> <p>Powerful performers Darcy Fogarty and Cam Rayner did the job for us kicking the two each we sought. GWS also got it done against the Saints, whilst James Sicily was on his way to 20 touches before shifting forward, but he got there anyway.</p> <p>There were a few misses sprinkled in there too, but anyhow, Gather Round 3.0 is done and dusted and AFL round 6 has arrived, as has Easter.</p> <p>For the latest analysis, news, odds and betting tips for all of this week’s action, check out my AFL round 6 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>Brisbane Lions vs Collingwood Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, April 17, 7:30pm AEST – The Gabba</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>What more can we say about Brisbane!?</p> <p>I’ve been a believer for years and, sure, the premiership felt good for the Lions backers, but this season has been simply amazing to this point.</p> <p>I walked into Norwood Oval at halftime last week, disappointed to see the Lions down badly. What I witnessed next was breathtaking – 14 goals in sixty minutes of dominant footy.</p> <p>Eric Hipwood went wild and kicked five, Rayner and Bailey took over at half forward and Harris Andrews kept Sam Darcy in check.</p> <p>This Lions squad is fully loaded, as deep as can be and have unwavering and undeniable belief in everything they do.</p> <p>The opponent, Collingwood would surely smell an opportunity. I mean, how many times can a team come back? And can they come back against the seasoned and sturdy Pies?</p> <p>An upset will not surprise me here as Easter footy gets going.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/brisbane-lions-v-collingwood-9107378">Collingwood by 4 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Levi Ashcroft 20+ disposals (and Rising Star winner at season’s end)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Carlton Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, April 18, 3:20pm AEST – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A fascinating game with the Blues looking to spring board off the easy-beats - West Coast - and North again needing to respond to a terrible performance in Gather Round.</p> <p>Only Richmond and West Coast give up more scores than the Roos, with Corr and Logue in strife down back.</p> <p>Charlie Curnow will again be the focus, despite a wasteful game last week. Harry McKay misses with a head knock, and we’ve seen Curnow explode in this fixture before.</p> <p>The crowd will arrive; the kids will come along for a magnificent cause and I hope both teams do, too.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/north-melbourne-v-carlton-9107379">North Melbourne by 13 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Cam Zurhaar 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast Eagles vs Essendon Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, April 18, 6:10pm AEST – Optus Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A hard schedule for Essendon, with the weekend in Adelaide followed up with a short turnaround to Perth. Luckily, it’s to face the Eagles and not Fremantle.</p> <p>Aside from a cracking three quarters in Brisbane, the Eagles have been beaten by 71, 81, 38 and 87. Ugly.</p> <p>I doubt this will be a similar scoreline but there’s almost no doubt who will be winning this one.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/west-coast-eagles-v-essendon-9107381">Essendon by 44 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> SGM - Zac Merrett 30+ disposals &amp; Issac Kako 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne vs Fremantle Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 19, 1:20pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>What on earth is left to make of Melbourne!?</p> <p>I’ve been off them since the beginning of last season, but I did not see them falling this far this quick. They’re almost at a stage where they need to consider a garage sale to acquire picks. It’s that bad.</p> <p>They’re near last at clearance, so forget the ‘they’ve got Gawn, Viney, Petracca and Oliver’ discussion and they’re easily the worst for scoring.</p> <p>Freo allowed Richmond to hang around before Josh Treacy took over with six snags and Hayden Young reminded us how good he was returning from injury.</p> <p>It’s hard to imagine the Dees can turn things around this swiftly and Freo are beginning to get some kind of groove going, averaging 102.5 in the past fortnight.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/melbourne-v-fremantle-9107382">Fremantle by 21 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Michael Frederick 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide Crows vs GWS Giants Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 19, 4:15pm AEST – Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A massive round 6 clash here as Adelaide look to erase a two-game losing skid and GWS arrive with their tails up and confidence strong.</p> <p>We all know Jesse Hogan is among the premier key forwards in the game. Well, let’s not forget Toby Greene whose season has been incredibly strong to this point</p> <p>Add in some Jake Stringer and the stars up the ground and you’ve got a real genuine premiership contender.</p> <p>The Crows looked to explode into Gather Round, taking a five-goal lead in the second quarter before copping a match-winning display from former Crow, Patrick Dangerfield.</p> <p>Off a five day break and warm weather, there’s a chance the Crows stopped to a walk and Geelong took control. Disappointing nevertheless.</p> <p>The contest between Adelaide’s marking forwards - Fogarty, Thilthorpe and Walker - versus the rebound of Whitfield, Ash and Himmelberg will likely decide the game.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-crows-v-gws-giants-9107384">Adelaide Crows by 11 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Lachie Ash 25+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Richmond vs Gold Coast Suns Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Saturday, April 19, 7:35pm AEST – Marvel Stadium</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Gold Coast arrive here at 4-0 for the first time in their history and get a golden chance to extend the ledger to five-zip.</p> <p>I saw them live last week as they dismantled North in the final quarter with their run, punch and power around the ball and ahead of the game.</p> <p>Ben King had six disposals for five goals whilst Ben Long continues to be an inspired acquisition, with 15 disposals and three majors.</p> <p>Rowell, Anderson, Miller and others might be the best midfield in the game and Sam Collins rebounded into form with a dominant display of spoils and body work.</p> <p>Richmond hung around with Freo for a while before getting overwhelmed. A common theme for them this season, it seems.</p> <p>I doubt the Marvel Stadium atmosphere will be electric this week, but it’s a good test for the Suns when it comes to bringing effort and intensity despite the conditions and opposition.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/richmond-v-gold-coast-suns-9107383">Gold Coast Suns by 48 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Ben King 4+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Swans vs Port Adelaide Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, April 20, 3:20pm AEST – SCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Credit to Port. Ken wound them up and they delivered in spades, knocking off the upstart Hawks in convincing fashion.</p> <p>Now, all of a sudden, they might get a chance to ambush Sydney - who have a few issues of their own. Joel Amartey goes down and the Grundy/Ladhams experiment seems farcical.</p> <p>Connor Rozee will be interesting. Do they keep him at half back or move back inside where James Jordon will be waiting? Zak Butters also deserves some consideration when it comes to Jordon’s tag.</p> <p>The Swans are missing Tom Papley, but it was fantastic to see Isaac Heeney back to his best in the loss to the Pies.</p> <p>Power forward Mitch Georgiades is close to tearing a game apart and he might be too shifty and nifty for Tom McCartin.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/sydney-swans-v-port-adelaide-9107386">Sydney Swans by 13 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Kane Farrell 20+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, April 20, 7:20pm AEST – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Easter Sunday evening footy is a cracking contest as the Dogs and Saints both look to get back on track.</p> <p>The Dogs were sensational at Norwood in the opening half then conceded 14 goals to four as Brisbane ran rampant on The Parade. They look like a team needing some of the stars to return and they tell us Bontempelli and Treloar are making progress.</p> <p>St Kilda hung tough against GWS before the orange tsunami took hold and Toby took charge. Wanganeen-Milera and Sinclair were both damaging but it was some of the role players who failed to fire. Ruckman Rowan Marshall also had a very quiet day.</p> <p>Marcus Windhager will go to Tommy Liberatore in what will be an intense clash. So keep your eyes on that match up.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/western-bulldogs-v-st-kilda-9107385">Western Bulldogs by 14 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Jack Sinclair 30+ disposals.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong vs Hawthorn Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Monday, April 21, 3:20pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Geelong took arguably the win of Gather Round in an inspiring comeback via Patrick Dangerfield’s brilliance whilst the Hawks failed to fire in what was supposed to be the game of the weekend.</p> <p>The Hawks forwards misfired as well. Chol 5 disposals, Watson goalless, Ginnivan goalless and out of form. It was only veteran Jack Gunston who offered something with his six majors.</p> <p>The Hawks big backline will look to take charge against Cameron and Neale, so speed on the ball from Holmes and Bailey Smith will be the keys to bypassing the likes of Barrass, Battle and Weddle.</p> <p>If I were the coach I’d be leaving Sicily forward for this one. He’s an incredibly good one-on-one performer!</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> Hawthorn by 21 points.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> James Sicily 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFL 2025 Premiership Odds</h2>