<p>Welcome to my Round 9 AFL Tips and Predictions!</p> <p>Round 8 was a wipeout for us on The Huddle, but the beauty of sport is… there’s always another opportunity to dig in – and what an amazing way to enter&nbsp;Round 9.</p> <p>The Dees and Blues renew acquaintances after an epic clash in September last season.</p> <p>A Friday double-header is also on the agenda as well as some ‘get-right’ opportunities for desperate clubs in need of a W.</p> <p>Here is how I’m seeing the weekend of footy…</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Carlton vs Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Thursday, May 9, 7:30 pm AEST – MCG</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The blockbuster of the weekend arrives first!</p> <p>We saw them play a corker last September and again, we should expect a similar scoreline with a similarly narrow result.</p> <p>In that Semi, Melbourne kicked 9.17 and kicked themselves out of the season. Last week against Geelong, they kicked 5.14 across three quarters, then managed to bang home five straight when it mattered.</p> <p>The Blues have dropped two straight but fear not Blues fans, they’ll get corrected, and they’ll get bodies back. I’m still high on them!</p> <p>Winning this for the Blues means going around Lever and May. The Cats were slowed and kicked the ball back to the Dees' defence too often. Carlton must learn from those mistakes or face the same suffocation from the AFL’s premier defensive unit.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting Tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/carlton-v-melbourne-8208491">Blues by 4 points</a></p> <p><strong>Best Bet: </strong>Sam Walsh 35+ disposals and anytime goal</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong vs Port Adelaide Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Friday, May 10, 7:10 pm AEST – GMHBA Stadium</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Power should be arriving in Geelong with their skipper back into the 23. Instead, they’re traveling to Geelong without him.</p> <p>Therefore, Zak Butters, Ollie Wines, and Jason Horne-Francis better be on song. That’s the only area I feel that the Power can get a match-winning edge on the Cats.</p> <p>Esava Ratugolea will get a look at his old mate Tommy Hawkins. Jeremy Cameron needs to spend more time inside fifty as a goal-kicking target, especially whilst Hawkins works through his form troubles.</p> <p>A Port win would be achieved by winning clearances and contested possession significantly.&nbsp;</p> <p>But I doubt they’ll roll the Pussycats without captain Connor Rozee.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting Tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/geelong-v-port-adelaide-8208490">Cats by 27 points</a></p> <p><strong>Best Bet:</strong> Jeremy Cameron 4+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Fremantle vs Sydney Swans Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, May 10, 8:30 pm AEST – GMHBA Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dockers are going along nicely enough.</p> <p>They were expected to roll the Tigers, even in Melbourne, and they did. In doing so, Sean Darcy may have niggled a calf but in Jordan Clark, Hayden Young, Caleb Serong, and Luke Ryan, the Dockers have weapons.</p> <p>And credit to him, Josh Treacy has proven me wrong and emerged as a proper key forward prospect.</p> <p>With four goals for the game and 18 on the season, Treacy is a target for the Dockers and gives them the confidence to move the ball with speed.</p> <p>I love watching the Swans move the ball. Do the math on how many gun kickers they have in their team.</p> <p>And no one seems able to slow Isaac Heeney - a man who was underachieving as a half-forward and maybe even become a Brownlow Medallist as an on-baller.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting Tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/fremantle-v-sydney-8208493">Swans by 11 points</a></p> <p><strong>Best Bet:&nbsp;</strong>Errol Gulden 30+ disposals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Hawthorn vs St Kilda Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, May 11, 1:45 pm AEST – UTAS Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Hawks are back in town.&nbsp;</p> <p>A rallying, bold win over the Dogs had the Hawthorn faithful crowing. Whilst the Saints got their much-needed ‘feel good’ win in its clash with North under the lid.</p> <p>The Hawthorn I saw live in Round 8 will challenge the Saints. Slick ball use, pressure on the ball carrier, and hunger and excitement for each other - the Hawks will fancy themselves.</p> <p>Detractors are coming for Max King - and I will not hear any of it. He’s 23, has had considerable injury layoffs, carries the Saints forward line, and is almost a 2-goals-per-game performer - despite some accuracy issues.</p> <p>With more support and more speed on the ball, King would be a 50+ goal scorer every season and he could prove to be the difference here.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting Tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/hawthorn-v-st-kilda-8208492">Saints by 17 points</a></p> <p><strong>Best Bet:</strong> Max King 3+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs GWS Giants Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Saturday, May 11, 4:35 pm AEST – Marvel Stadium</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Many feel the Bombers are moving along nicely enough. And they are, especially when you sneak a peek at the Top 8.</p> <p>But a real genuine challenge arrives here with GWS hot off a loss to their New South Wales rivals.</p> <p>The Essendon midfield has evolved and improved. Zach Merrett is among the best-performed players in the game this year, but Sam Durham is emerging with a bullet and Xavier Duursma has been a superb addition.</p> <p>Toby Greene feels like the one who may separate these two squads.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting Tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-greater-western-sydney-8208495">Giants by 18 points</a></p> <p><strong>Best Bet:</strong> Toby Greene 3+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast Suns vs North Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Saturday, May 11, 7:30 pm AEST – TIO Stadium, Darwin]</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The damn Suns. The disappointing Suns.</p> <p>I watched the entirety of the QClash and could not have been more disappointed in the Suns - whilst also admiring Brisbane’s grit.</p> <p>With three-and-a-half extra healthy bodies, Gold Coast never actually really got close to challenging their southeastern Queensland rivals.</p> <p>Rowell, Flanders, Miller, and Witts were all down. And Jack Lukosius’ career continues to cruise along without enough productivity.</p> <p>But - they get to face the AFL’s newest version of Fitzroy. Rude to say… tell me I’m wrong.</p> <p>The Roos probably played their most competitive and complete game of the season and still ended four quarters against the Saints down 38 points.</p> <p>So, the Suns will feel better about themselves after (likely) thumping the Kangas but - again - we do not truly know where the Suns are at.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting Tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gold-coast-v-north-melbourne-8208497">Suns by 51 points</a></p> <p><strong>Best Bet:</strong> Matt Rowell 25+ disposals and Ben King 4+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Richmond vs Western Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Saturday, May 11, 7:30 pm AEST – MCG</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>And you thought the fallout was massive after a Bulldog loss to the hapless Hawks…&nbsp;</p> <p>Richmond is staring at a bottom-two finish for the season, having slumped there, but under lights at The ‘G, they will give themselves a sneaky chance.</p> <p>The match winners remain but the core does not so if there is to be an upset of epic proportions, Dusty and Shai will need 50 and 5 between them.</p> <p>The Dogs kicked three before Hawthorn touched the footy but from there, it was a listless effort from the Dogs. They cannot score from turnover. Caleb Daniel anyone?</p> <p>This could be an incredibly newsworthy game or - more likely - an easy and much-needed kill for the Dogs and Bevo.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting Tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/richmond-v-western-bulldogs-8208494">Dogs&nbsp;by 24 points</a></p> <p><strong>Best Bet:</strong> Jamarra Ugle-Hagan 4+ goals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood vs West Coast Eagles Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Sunday, May 12, 1:00 pm AEST – Marvel Stadium</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Pies are back.</p> <p>Not 2023 form back, but in my view, they’re back in the chasing pack when it comes to this year’s premiership chase.&nbsp;</p> <p>Those who were just going earlier this season - De Goey, Pendlebury, Moore - are now playing great footy whilst Whispering Nick is continuing to amaze. Not even the haters can hate.</p> <p>&nbsp;The Eagles have regained the AFL’s respect. For two years we all laughed at their awful performances, but everyone now knows you must bring your best to beat them.</p> <p>The Pies take the long trip across town to Marvel to get to 4-4 before a tricky run. So, a win here against the Eagles is non-negotiable.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting Tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/collingwood-v-west-coast-8208496">Pies by 38 points</a></p> <p><strong>Best Bet:</strong> Nick Daicos 30+ disposals and Patrick Lipinski 20+ disposals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Adelaide Crows vs Brisbane Lions Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, May 12, 4:00 pm AEST – Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A really interesting contest to end Round Nine.</p> <p>The Lions were so dogged and gritty in holding out Gold Coast in QClash 22. With three men down and a debutant who had already played VFL earlier that day, the Lions were too tough, too professional, and too good for the disappointing Suns.&nbsp;</p> <p>They now travel to Adelaide for a clash with the rallying Crows. The winner has their season properly back on track while the loser is well and truly back in the mud.</p> <p>Harris Andrews’ season has been truly stunning. Without him, the Lions’ season would be over. He’s manned the fort whilst a few teammates have begun to get into something resembling their best form.</p> <p>The Crows’ defence is unheralded and performing above expectations whilst the Lions' forward line is usually potent and lethal - but has been impotent in 2024 - can they stand up and steal a win in Adelaide and kickstart the 2023 Grand Finalists season?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting Tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-v-brisbane-8208498">Lions by 13 points</a></p> <p><strong>Best Bet:</strong> Joe Daniher 3+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFL Premiership Odds</h2>