<p>Welcome to my AFL round 7 tips and predictions! We had some beauties last week and we’ve got some more beauties this week.</p> <p>Season 2024 is delivering nicely. The best are providing us with memorable contests, those in the middle are taking turns beating each other and the bottom-feeders are beginning to show signs.</p> <p>From a review perspective, round 6 was less productive than round 5 but nevertheless, Josh Rachele (15+ and anytime goal), Andrew Brayshaw (25+ disposals), Todd Marshall (2+ goals), Tom Papley (2+ goals) and Paul Curtis (2+ goals) all delivered nicely.</p> <p>But, as I always say, keep looking back and you’ll cop one right in the grill. To Round 7, we go.</p> <p>For the latest analysis, news, odds and betting tips for all of the AFL’s upcoming action, check out my AFL round 7 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>Richmond vs Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Wednesday, April 24, 7:25pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>AFL round 7 comes at us real quick with the Anzac Eve contest between a couple of clubs coming off a rest – the Dees and the Tigers.</p> <p>Richmond need to get healthy to have any chance against most teams, especially one as ferocious in the contest and stable behind the ball as the Demons.</p> <p>Toby Nankervis up against Max Gawn will be a spectacular battle – one which would make the ANZACS proud. Whilst at ground level, Jack Graham will be needed to quell Christian Petracca.</p> <p>Richmond are undermanned badly down back, so the Dees big forwards will get an opportunity to catch a few and kick a few and feel good about themselves moving forward.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/richmond-v-melbourne-8171009">Melbourne by 33 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Caleb Windsor 15+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs Collingwood Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, April 25, 3:20pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The largest premiership season game on the calendar has arrived. The Pies and Dons, in front of a packed MCG with millions tuning in on the television.</p> <p>Both also arrive in more than handy form. The Bombers stamped a nice runaway win over the Dogs with a gutsy interstate win in Adelaide over the complaining Crows last time out.</p> <p>Sam Durham is developing into a proper combative on-baller with size, athletic prowess and a hunger for contact.</p> <p>In Martin, Redman, and McGrath off half back, Essendon possesses a nice rebounding group.</p> <p>For the Pies, that Round 6 win over Port at the ‘G was sensational. Maybe it tells us something about where Port are truly at, but all Collingwood could do was perform – and that they did.</p> <p>Daicos and De Goey led the way whilst we saw some nice cameos from Hoskin-Elliott, Lipinski (who is a fine player) and big Mason.</p> <p>The Pies arrive off three straight wins and Essendon have won three out of their last four. This could be an epic ANZAC Day contest indeed!</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-collingwood-8171010">Collingwood by 13 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Kyle Langford 3+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs Brisbane Lions Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, April 25, 7:30pm AEST – Manuka Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Just when you’ve recovered from an outstanding ANZAC Day clash between the Pies and Dons, you’ll need to remember a couple of premiership aspirants are colliding in the nation’s capital.</p> <p>GWS have shown some vulnerabilities and (at time of writing) have some MRO issues to face. The Blues got hold of the Giants around the ball, especially at centre bounce, so Tom Green, Josh Kelly and Kieran Briggs will be desperate to atone.</p> <p>Brisbane got handled in the rain by Geelong and even though we’ve seen signs of their best form, you are what your record says you are, and a loss here sees the Lions drop to 2-5. From there… good luck!</p> <p>Again, dependent on Toby and Jesse’s MRO battles, I’ll go with Brisbane to keep their season alive.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/greater-western-sydney-v-brisbane-8171011">Brisbane Lions by 11 points</a> (providing Greene and Hogan are out).</p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Hugh McCluggage 25+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Port Adelaide vs St Kilda Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, April 26, 7:40pm AEST – Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>What do we make of these two? Port are proving we can only trust them at home against a more lowly opponent, whilst the Saints season is quickly slipping away despite the excuses Ross Lyon reminds us about.</p> <p>The Saints were atrocious against the Dogs, who were coming in with average form themselves.</p> <p>Meanwhile the Power went right out at the MCG against the Pies on a lovely Saturday afternoon.</p> <p>A 42-point loss in the end but a horrid fadeout as the Pies kicked five goals to two in the third quarter and should’ve won the game by more, if not for inaccuracy.</p> <p>Back at ‘The Portress’ however you’d expect the Power to be restored. Which means the Saints would be 2-5 and in a world of pain.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/port-adelaide-v-st-kilda-8171012">Port Adelaide by 23 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Jason Horne-Francis 20+ disposals and anytime goal.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Adelaide Crows Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 27, 1:45pm AEST – Blundstone Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I went to North Melbourne and Hawthorn genuinely thinking the Roos could win. How wrong was I?</p> <p>It was arguably the Roos worst performance of the season. Experienced players were among their worst and the young guys made mistakes along the way.</p> <p>Paul Curtis was another positive, though, as his career continues to excel in difficult working conditions.</p> <p>Now what do we do with Adelaide? Yeah, sure, you were again unlucky with an officiating decision going against you, but you were lucky to be that close to begin with.</p> <p>Too many highly rated (internally) players are underperforming. Darcy Fogarty is really struggling and guys like McHenry, Jones, Berry, O’Brien and Gollant are simply doing no damage.</p> <p>In Tassie, the Roos always play teams tough and should they upset the Crows in Hobart then every question under the sun will be asked in the City of Churches.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/port-adelaide-v-st-kilda-8171012">Adelaide Crows by 18 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Taylor Walker 4+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong vs Carlton Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 27, 4:35pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Match of the round. Make no mistake. The Blues passed a big test overcoming GWS despite an early deficit. Whilst Geelong were beyond professional and so impressive in Brisbane, rolling the Lions.</p> <p>Both teams collide here with top four aspirations perhaps riding on the result. Around the ball, you’d expect Cripps, Walsh and co. to dominate but the unheralded Cats midfield group has been going nicely.</p> <p>Max Holmes’ work off half back has been a superb coaching move as the game comes to him rather than him needing to go and take the game on from the wing.</p> <p>Sam De Koning and Jack Henry will tackle Charlie and Harry without any assistance from All-Australian regular Tom Stewart as he is out with concussion.</p> <p>The Blues will need to be wary of Jeremy Cameron, both inside the Geelong scoring zones and when he roams the ground utilising his lethal left leg.</p> <p>Whoever wins this will likely become premiership favourite, such is the size of this contest.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/geelong-v-carlton-8171014">Carlton by 7 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> SGM – Max Holmes 20+ disposals, Jeremy Cameron 2+ goals, Sam Walsh 25+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Fremantle vs Western Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 27, 7:30pm AEST – Optus Sport</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Things have dropped off for Freo in recent weeks. The ball movement is slower and looks like the early part of 2023. For the Doggies, despite missing Libba and Jamarra, they hammered the hapless Saints and will take some confidence into this one out west.</p> <p>The on-ball clash will be interesting as both groups are accumulators but not always damaging.</p> <p>Whichever group can win the contested possession count but also take the ball forward will be the group that likely sets up victory for its forwards.</p> <p>It’s hard to be too sure with either squad, but at home you’d be disappointed not to see a ferocious Freo outfit.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/fremantle-v-western-bulldogs-8171015">Fremantle by 10 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Marcus Bontempelli 30+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast Suns vs West Coast Eagles Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, April 28, 1:00pm AEST – Heritage Bank Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>West Coast arrive with a (small) swagger on the back of Harley Reid. As well as on the back of amazing form from Yeo and McGovern.</p> <p>It’s been the young and the old driving the past fortnight for the Eagles and they’ll hope that’s the new norm, rather than some of the hammerings we’ve seen in the past 24 months.</p> <p>The Suns meanwhile remain a mystery. Competitive with the big guns in Gather Round and able to handle the lowly teams but still a bridge too far when it comes to the very best.</p> <p>The loss in Sydney to the Swans last week proved there’s work to be done. That work should result in a big win here at home, despite some sizzle from the Eagles.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gold-coast-v-west-coast-8171017">Gold Coast Suns by 31 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Ben King 3+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Hawthorn vs Sydney Swans Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, April 28, 4:00pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Hawks are on the board. After a torrid time in the opening handful of weeks, they got the perfect tonic in a woeful Kangaroos last week and handled them accordingly.</p> <p>This week will be a much sterner test with the Swans in town. We know Sydney’s ball movement can punish you and that’s what the Suns copped as their team defence and defensive transition was too slow to react early last week.</p> <p>When Blakey, Gulden, Heeney, Lloyd, Florent, Campbell and McInerney are kicking the ball well with time and space, opposition teams feel the pain. Then big forwards like Joel Amartey get on the end of lovely supply.</p> <p>The Hawks’ best will push the Swans, and this could be one of the more entertaining games of the weekend.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/hawthorn-v-sydney-8171016">Sydney Swans by 22 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>SGM – Logan McDonald 2+ goals, Nick Blakey 20+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFL Premiership Odds 2024</h2>