<p>Last week turned out to be an absolute beauty, among the best we’ve seen this season.</p> <p>Saturday was a magical day of footy with Port rolling Freo (again) by three points, the Crows securing a desperately needed win by two points over the previously unbeaten Blues and GWS hanging onto a one-point win against a rallying Saints squad.</p> <p>The Dockers seven days of South Australian pain continued with the dramatic loss to Carlton in Gather Round and then conceding a late lead to the hometown Power with Jason Horne-Francis kicking the sealer – which was also handy for the best bet followers of this article.</p> <p>Speaking of winners, we found a few! Jamarra 3+ and Charles Curnow 4+ were the highlights. Let’s see if we can find some more in round 6.</p> <p>For the latest analysis, news, odds, and betting tips for all the AFL’s upcoming 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>St Kilda vs Western Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, April 18, 7:30pm AEDT – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>What to make of this clash? The Saints excuses are beginning to mount up. They have a negative record so far for the season with an ugly win over Richmond but a couple of admirable losses to quality teams.</p> <p>Perhaps this is their lot in life for now, with some of the young talent emerging and the older heads trying to hang on to keep this squad moving forward.</p> <p>Max King’s knee will remain a watch as his presence in the Saints forward fifty is key to their game style and ball use.</p> <p>Also, what on earth do we do with these Dogs?</p> <p>I’d hate to be an All-Australian at the Dogs because Bailey Dale, Caleb Daniel and Jack Macrae (all former All-Australians) have worn the sub vest this season whilst some strange decisions have been made elsewhere.</p> <p>Ball use out of the back half has been a woe, hence my confusion on Dale and Daniel, whilst the midfield group needs to get more potency. Accumulation is great for Fantasy AFL and our SGM but not for winning premiership matches.</p> <p>You have to take the team you trust more here and that team – believe it or not as of round 6 – is St Kilda.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/st-kilda-v-western-bulldogs-8152001">St Kilda by 11 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Jack Sinclair 30+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide Crows vs Essendon Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, April 19, 7:40pm AEDT – Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Crows season is back on track – somewhat. They avoided what would’ve been a black hole at zip-and-five with a spirited win over the Blues in Melbourne.</p> <p>Not only was the win crucial, but they also won a road game against a top eight team – something Matthew Nicks’ Crows have struggled mightily to do.</p> <p>Taylor Walker and Izak Rankine were the main men in the victory. Tex banged through four and Rankine was everywhere in the front half of the ground for the Crows.</p> <p>Elsewhere, the Dons were superb in the second half running all over the Dogs. A seven-goal to three second half, gave the world hope that the ‘Essendon Edge’ is in fact back, we will see whether the edge makes it across the border against the Crows in front of 45,000 South Australians.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-v-essendon-8152003">Adelaide Crows by 17 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Josh Rachele 15+ disposals and anytime goal.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood vs Port Adelaide Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 20, 1:45pm AEDT – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This looks like a lovely round 6 contest on a Saturday afternoon at the home of footy. The Pies and Power – both premiership aspirants – will collide under the autumn sun.</p> <p>Collingwood looked back to their very best in the first half of Gather Round before almost coughing up an unthinkable lead to the Hawks – eventually hanging on by a whisker!</p> <p>Port escaped against Fremantle and get to 4-1 but I’m not sure it’s a dominant position yet. A win over the Pies at the MCG would add a proper level of dominance to their season.</p> <p>I want to see more from the Port forwards, especially Todd Marshall. Just eight touches and one goal last week, his team needs him to stand up and be a big reason why the Power pinch this one, if they can.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip</strong>: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/collingwood-v-port-adelaide-8152002">Collingwood by 10 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Todd Marshall 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Carlton vs GWS Giants Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 20, 4:35pm AEDT – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Match of the weekend type stuff here with the Blues hot under the collar after coughing one up to Adelaide.</p> <p>They’re now squaring off at that same Docklands venue with the unbeaten GWS Giants in this AFL round 6 blockbuster.</p> <p>Giant gun defender Sam Taylor misses this one with concussion, meaning Jack Buckley will likely need to take big Harry whilst dynamic athlete, Connor Idun, may get the job on the B2B reigning Coleman medallist. Those two contests may very well decide the game.</p> <p>In the middle, Tom Green and Josh Kelly will be the major focus from George Hewett from a defensive mid perspective.</p> <p>Nic Newman up against Toby Greene is a foregone conclusion and it’s a battle we’ve seen before – and one we want to see this weekend. Both players are outstanding at their respective positions.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/carlton-v-greater-western-sydney-8152004">Carlton by 5 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Toby Greene 3+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Lions vs Geelong Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 20, 7:30pm AEDT – The Gabba</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>AFL round 6 keeps on giving. A back-in-form Brisbane play host to the unbeaten Pussycats in Southeast Queensland.</p> <p>The Lions key playmakers got things going against the Dees last week and they’ll need to maintain the rage against Geelong’s balance of trusted system and potent talent.</p> <p>Tom Hawkins will return to the forward fifty, but Jeremy Cameron barely missed his running-mate against the Roos – bagging six and collecting 21 disposals in a best on field display.</p> <p>Cameron will cop Ryan Lester this week, with Harris Andrews and Jack Payne looking to drop off and assist where possible.</p> <p>Max Holmes is emerging as a genuine game-breaker for the Cats and reports of $1m contract offers would be right around the mark.</p> <p>Cannot wait to see this one play out! The Lions look back in business and Geelong, well, are they ever out of business?</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/brisbane-v-geelong-8152005">Brisbane by 13 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Lions big win little win 1-39.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast Eagles vs Fremantle Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 20, 8:10pm AEDT – Optus Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The western derby has a shade more juice with West Coast coming in off a win.</p> <p>Jake Waterman exploded, 13 marks and six snags whilst Elliot Yeo was back to his very best with 27 touches and 15 clearances.</p> <p>Meanwhile Harley Reid is getting better and better with every contest he gets to. The Dockers are the superior team but will need to bring something close to their best to win.</p> <p>Jordan Clark is not far off All-Australian form at half back whilst Alex Pearce should be a lock in the defensive group after a handful of games.</p> <p>Luke Jackson was hammered in the ruck hit-outs but picked up 21 disposals and had seven clearances. He was in the AA44 last season and is backing that form up in 2024. He should have his way with the understrength Eagles ruck duo.</p> <p>This will be a spirited Derby – they all are – but the Dockers should be fuming should they come away with anything other than a convincing W.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/west-coast-v-fremantle-8152006">Fremantle by 25 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Andrew Brayshaw 25+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Swans vs Gold Coast Suns Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, April 21, 1:00pm AEDT – SCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Swans needed to rectify a few things last week after indifferent form leading into their bye.</p> <p>Back in round 3 they lost to the Tigers at The ‘G (how does that loss look now!?) and in Gather Round, the Eagles pushed them hard for three-quarters.</p> <p>Their best looks as good as anyone in the AFL, but that form has been largely missing since the opening fortnight of the season.</p> <p>Isaac Heeney is not to blame. He’d be leading the Brownlow at this point whilst the usual suspects have been good – Gulden, Blakey, and Grundy.</p> <p>They do need Amartey, McDonald, and McLean to keep getting better as a unit up front, however.</p> <p>I believe in the trio, but they need to keep delivering, especially when the supply is so deadly from Errol and co.</p> <p>The Suns handled the Hawks easily, as expected. Anderson, Flanders, Rowell, and Miller were sensational, and Jack Lukosius looked comfortable at half back.</p> <p>The young Suns are emerging fast – real fast! Sam Clohesy is my personal favourite. 18 disposals in game two for the athletic utility highlights how good these Suns youngsters are.</p> <p>The Suns always play the Swans tough and have actually won three out of five against them at both venues.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/sydney-v-gold-coast-8152007">Sydney by 15 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Tom Paplley 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Hawthorn Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, April 21, 4:00pm AEDT – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>You’ll be forgiven for tuning out after the Swans and Suns, but the true footy fan will endure the Roo Boys and the Hawks.</p> <p>Both are screaming out for a W to kickstart the win column, but neither could be overly confident.</p> <p>Hawthorn’s form has been awful. 53 points to Gold Coast, 36 points on Easter Monday against Geelong and 55 against the Dees and Sam Mitchell spent his post-game press conference talking about training standards and doing extras. Worrying stuff!</p> <p>North Melbourne are also miles off but I like a few things they’re doing.</p> <p>Charlie Comben looks ultra-talented as a tall defender and Blake Drury had a breakout game with 17 touches, 11 marks and two goals.</p> <p>I’ve got plenty of time for Paul Curtis ahead of the ball – perhaps they could use him around the ball in a role similar to Izak Rankine or Cam Rayner?</p> <p>The Hawks will be under intense scrutiny if they drop this, whilst the Roos have enough tools to steal the maiden win for the campaign.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/north-melbourne-v-hawthorn-8152008">North Melbourne by 10 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Paul Curtis 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFL Premiership Odds 2024</h2>