<p>The Dogs and Blue Baggers can join the other 10 AFL teams on annual leave whilst Geelong and Sydney have earned another week off – both in stunning fashion.</p> <p>We played Sportsbet SGM’s last week and went oh so close on a couple of occasions but landed a nice one with Heeney, Tom Green and Will Hayward doing the business for us.</p> <p>This week, we’ve got a pair of games with genuinely confusing form lines – especially up against semi-final history.</p> <p>Time to unpack what’s in store for us this week in both of these AFL Semi-finals. For the latest analysis, news, odds and betting tips for all of this week’s action, check out my AFL Semi-finals 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>Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, September 13, 7:40pm AEST – Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Heading into the AFL Semi-finals the Hawks are all the rage. It’s rare you see the team who comes through the Elimination Final going on the road and coming up warm favourites against the team who ended season 2024 second on the table.</p> <p>But that’s precisely what we have here. The AFL world has seemingly jumped off the Port Adelaide wagon – their own fans included.</p> <p>Zak Butters was subbed out through injury last week, Jason Horne-Francis spent too much time on the bench and in the forward line, captain Connor Rozee threw up his worst individual performance for the season.</p> <p>It was the perfect storm, but another one is incoming. The Hawks are marching. They’re charging. They hammered the Dogs last week, perhaps not fully on the scoreboard but they easily won contested ball, total disposals, inside fifties, tackles and dominated in all three phases of the game.</p> <p>Also, the way Port like to attack via the corridor and defend high, leaves them vulnerable to Hawthorn’s turnover game and speed on the way back to goal.</p> <p>You never want to be making quantum shifts in your game, but I feel Port need to tone down the middle ball use and defend with some depth this week, otherwise we’ll see Moore, Ginnivan, Watson, Morrison, Gunston and others getting out the back in space. Jordon Sweet also has a big job against the in-form Lloyd Meek.</p> <p>We often fall into the trap of liking the winner from the previous week and dismissing the loser despite the fact they’ve been the better performing team across the season.</p> <p>In this case, we’ll do the same again and go with the visiting Hawks over the mentally wobbly Power!</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> Hawthorn by 13 points.</p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>SGM – Dylan Moore 15+ disposals, Jack Ginnivan 15+ disposals, Jack Gunston 2+ goals.</p>

<h2>GWS Giants vs Brisbane Lions Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, September 14, 7:30pm AEST – Sydney Showground</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This AFL Semi-final has the potential to be the clash of September!</p> <p>We’ve seen the match-up twice this season with Lions defender Brandon Starcevich telling me on Melbourne radio this week that their loss in Canberra was the catalyst for their turnaround in form.</p> <p>In Round 22, GWS ended the Lions’ winning streak with a gritty and committed comeback from 30 points down at quarter time.</p> <p>Aaron Cadman and Jesse Hogan kicked three each in that one and Finn Callaghan was immense around the ground, collecting 24 and kicking a goal.</p> <p>The Lions dominated early and dominated key metrics (+19 contested ball, +27 marks, +6 inside fifties) but were hunted around the ball, as GWS laid 60 tackles to Brisbane’s 36.</p> <p>Tom Green had 32 last week, he will cop Josh Dunkley or Jarrod Berry this week whilst Toby Bedford’s presence will be needed to quell Lachie Neale.</p> <p>Interestingly, these two teams are meeting in Western Sydney for the first time since 2020. Meaning eight or more Lions will be making their debut at the Sydney Showground this week, for what it’s worth.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> GWS Giants by 4 points.</p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> SGM – Kai Lohmann anytime goal, Zac Bailey anytime goal, Finn Callaghan 20+ disposals, Lachie Whitfield 30+ disposal.</p>

<h2>AFL 2024 Premiership Odds</h2>