AFL Semi Finals Tips & Predictions

<p>The AFL finals got off to an electric start that saw four games of the highest quality.</p> <p>Collingwood pipped Melbourne in a thriller, with late season heroes Carlton following suit against the Swans.</p> <p>That meant last year’s grand finalists Sydney are done for the year, while the Saints also marched home with their tails between their legs after going down to GWS.</p> <p>Finally, the Power short circuited against the Lions at the Gabba, meaning they have to fight for their survival this week against the aforementioned Giants.</p> <p>Who will be joining Collingwood and Brisbane in the preliminary finals and who needs to start planning for Mad Monday? Check out our expert AFL semi finals tips and predictions below.</p>

<h2>Melbourne v Carlton Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, September 15, 7:50pm AEST – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The AFL semi finals get underway with a <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/melbourne-v-carlton-7620707">blockbuster between rivals Melbourne and Carlton at the MCG.</a></p> <p>Carlton’s miraculous late season revival continued as they shot down the Swans in one of the great elimination finals in recent memory.</p> <p>Sitting 15th after 15 rounds, Carlton are now just two games away from the Grand Final and their performance against Sydney showed just how far they’ve come.</p> <p>They exploded out of the blocks to get off to a fast start and when things started to turn against them, showed their resilience to hold their nerve in the final quarter.</p> <p>The Carlton that choked in the final round of last season are now just an afterthought of their once tortured supporters. This Blues outfit is the real deal.</p> <p>Now they must turn their attention to heavyweights Melbourne, who were involved in a thriller of their own last week, but unfortunately for them, one they ended up on the wrong side of.</p> <p>The Dees shortened Collingwood’s 25-point three-quarter-time lead to just seven points by full-time, coming agonisingly short of an epic comeback.</p> <p>Now facing a straight sets exit for the second year running, Melbourne are allegedly considering recalling exiled star Brody Grundy.</p> <p>Whether Grundy’s inclusion will be what the doctor ordered for Melbourne remains to be seen, but as far as picking a winner goes in this one, it just feels like this is Carlton’s fairytale. One the Dees will simply be another chapter in.</p>

<h2>Port Adelaide v Greater Western Sydney Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, September 16, 7:40pm AEST – Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This weekend’s second semi final takes place at <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/port-adelaide-v-greater-western-sydney-7622376">the Adelaide Oval between the Power and GWS.</a></p> <p>GWS put an end to St Kilda’s overachieving this year with a dominant 24-point victory. Toby Bedford and Josh Kelly did most of the damage for the Giants as the ”Orange Tsunami” washed over the Saints.</p> <p>Under first-year coach Adam Kingsley, the Giants have returned to the finals after finishing 16th last season and have won 10 of their last 12 games to find themselves two games away from a possible Grand Final appearance.</p> <p>This week however, they face a different caliber of opponent, in a cauldron that has been a graveyard for visiting teams this season.</p> <p>Port have been different gravy at home this season and while they were blown away by Brisbane at the Gabba, they should be an entirely different proposition at the Adelaide Oval.</p> <p>Yes, their stocks have dropped somewhat in recent weeks, but who can forget their 13-match winning streak earlier this season?</p> <p>If they can recapture that form, there is no reason why they can’t be walking out at the MCG come Grand Final day.</p> <p>First things first though, they have to try and successfully surf the Orange Tsunami, and they will need to fix their defence ASAP or risk wiping out.</p> <p>As things stand, Port are the favourites in the H2H market and we’re siding with them and their impressive home record. But if they defend like they did against the Lions, the Giants have the attacking weapons at their disposal to spring a major upset.</p>