Was Round 19 the weekend that a couple of finals contenders fell out of contention – including the reigning Premiers? Maybe, although in a season like this one it’s hard to be too sure of anything given how much changes from week to week. The Magpies’ loss to the Hawks put them a game and a half out of the eight and their opponents withing a game, while elsewhere, the Bombers’ own chances took a big hit courtesy of a loss to Adelaide, the Lions put their flag halfway into the ground as a top four team with an incredible win over Sydney, while the Dockers furthered their credentials as a legitimate Premiership hopeful. This weekend will no doubt see plenty more changes occur on the ladder, with big games littered across the round kicking off with a Blues vs Power clash at Marvel Stadium on Friday night. Take a look at our previews of every game set to take place over three big days of action below.
AFL 2024 Round 24
Carlton Blues vs Port Adelaide Power
After two consecutive losses the Blues badly needed a win, and though they were not exactly at their most convincing, they did what they needed to do in securing an 18-point win over the Kangaroos. That win kept them in second spot, though with the Lions and Dockers both picking up big victories they are just two points clear from both 3rd and 4th, and only a game clear of the team that they play this weekend, Port Adelaide, way down in 7th.
The Power also had an easy kill last week when they host the bottom-placed Tigers, and though the visitors hung around for a long time – as we have come to expect – they were ultimately outclassed, the home team running out 41-point winners. That made it three wins in the Power’s last four games and moved them into 7th spot, but with a game separating them from both 2nd in one direction and 11th in the other, there is a good chance they will bounce around plenty over the remaining few weeks of the season. All year the criticisms surrounding the Power has been their inability to beat the best teams in the business, and a win on the road against the Blues to potentially jump into the top four would be a good way to dispel many of those concerns. But those concerns exist for a reason. Port have been a much better team at home than on the road this year, particularly against good teams, and the Blues are exactly that. The home side should be able to secure a solid victory on Friday night.
Predicted Squads
Carlton Blues: B: L.Cowan, J.Weitering, A.Cincotta HB: N.Newman, S. Durdin, A.Saad C: O.Hollands, P.Cripps - C, B.Acres HF: E.Hollands, C.Curnow, M.Kennedy F: L.Fogarty, H.McKay, J.Motlop FOLL: M. Pittonet, S.Walsh, A.Cerra I/C: G. Hewett, M. Cottrell, M. Owies, J. Binns, D. Cuningham EMG: J. Boyd, J. Martin, B. Kemp
Port Adelaide Power: B: E.Ratugolea, B.Zerk-Thatcher, M.Bergman HB: L.Evans, A.Aliir, D.Houston C: T.Boak, O.Wines, W.Drew HF: D.Byrne-Jones, M.Georgiades, W.Rioli F: C.Dixon, T. Marshall, C.Rozee - C FOLL: J.Sweet, J.Horne-Francis, Z.Butters I/C: J.Mead, J.Burgoyne, L. Jones, F.Evans, K. Farrell EMG: J.Sinn, J.McEntee, Q. Narkle
North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Geelong Cats
The Kangaroos are far from the easybeats that they once were. After five consecutive weeks of either winning or going very close against good teams, they endured a blowout the likes of which was so common early in the season against the Swans, but bounced back impressively last week. Though they once again did not get the chocolates, they were very much in the game against potentially the second best team in the league in the Blues last weekend, and a 19-point loss was far from a disaster for the side sitting in 17th and which hasn’t won more than four games in a season since 2019. The Roos’ much improved form will mean the Cats will need to be very wary on Saturday afternoon, particularly given how they played last weekend.
Geelong had put in three consecutive very impressive performances prior to last weekend’s game against the Bulldogs, beating the Bombers and Hawks easily and then holding off the Magpies, but they were no match for their visitors last weekend. A 47-point loss was not the result many expected, and rather than jumping into the top four – which they would have done with a victory – they dropped down to 6th spot and just a game ahead of the Hawks in 11th. They have a very friendly run home and should be able to secure a spot in the top eight, if not the top four, if they play even close to the level they did in the three weeks prior to the Bulldogs game, but their form has been topsy turvy to say the least this year. Another performance like the Dogs game and the Kangaroos will take it up to them, but the Cats really should be able to pick up a decent win here.
Predicted Squads
North Melbourne Kangaroos: B: A.Corr, C.Comben, L.McDonald HB: J.Archer, H.Sheezel, Z.Fisher C: B.Scott, L.Davies-Uniacke, C.McKercher HF: D.Tucker, B.Teakle, E.Ford F: P.Curtis, N.Larkey, C.Zurhaar FOLL: T.Xerri, G.Wardlaw, J.Simpkin - C I/C: G. Logue, T. Powell, J. Stephenson, L. Shiels, D. Stephens EMG: T. Pink, R. Hansen Jr, W. Phillips
Geelong Cats: B: J.Henry, S.De Koning, J.Kolodjashnij HB: M.Duncan, T.Stewart, Z.Guthrie C: J.Bowes, M.Holmes, O.Dempsey HF: T.Stengle, B.Close, G.Miers F: S.Mannagh, S. Neale, J.Cameron FOLL: M.Blicavs, P.Dangerfield - C, T. Bruhn I/C: Z.Tuohy, G.Rohan, L.Humphries, T. Atkins, O.Henry EMG: R.Stanley, M. Knevitt, B. Parfitt
Gold Coast Suns vs Brisbane Lions
It was a wildly different Round 19 for these two teams. The Suns’ extraordinary season continued; a year which has seen them literally unbeatable at home and literally unable to win away. Boasting a 9-0 record at home, they travelled to ENGIE Stadium to take on the Giants last weekend, and lo and behold, their then-0-8 record proved to be a pretty good indicator of what was to come. They were beaten soundly by their fellow expansion team, ultimately putting up just 50 points in a 39-point loss. They now head home where history would suggest they will bounce back with a win, but their form on the Gold Coast will be put to the test in one of the sternest possible ways against the Lions.
It's now seven wins on the trot for the reigning Grand Finalists, and last weekend’s might have been the best one yet. In a game which looked every bit worthy of a spot in late September, they held off the best team in the league in the Swans to win by two points in one of the best games of the season. Having knocked off a couple of meeker opposition relatively unconvincingly in the fortnight prior, that win was a stern reminder to the rest of the competition of just how good this team can be. With the win they jumped into 3rd place but need to keep winning to stay there, and based on the Suns’ home record that will be tough this weekend. But as good as Gold Coast have played at home, there is no denying the Lions at the moment. What’s more, the visitors obviously don’t have to travel far to get there, so it’s not nearly as daunting a prospect for them as it may be for some other teams. Having won seven in a row Brisbane is looking like perhaps the best team in the league outside of the Swans, and they can finally end the Suns’ extraordinary run of home wins and away losses with a victory at People First Stadium.
Predicted Squads
Gold Coast Suns: B: S.Collins, W.Powell, M.Andrew HB: L.Weller, B.Uwland, J.Jeffrey C: N.Holman, N.Anderson - C, S.Clohesy HF: B.Humphrey, J.Walter, M.Rowell F: B.Long, B.King, J.Lukosius FOLL: J. Witts, S.Flanders, D.Swallow I/C: A.Sexton, C.Ballard, W.Graham, C.Budarick, R. Atkins EMG: L. Johnston, B.Fiorini, T.Berry
Brisbane Lions: B: D.Zorko, D.Joyce, R.Lester HB: D.Wilmot, C. McKenna, B.Starcevich C: Z.Bailey, C.Rayner, W.Ashcroft HF: C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, H.McCluggage F: K.Lohmann, J.Daniher, L.Morris FOLL: O.McInerney, J.Dunkley, L.Neale - C I/C: C. Ah Chee, J. Berry, H. Smith, S. Brain, B. Reville EMG: D. Robertson, N. Answerth, L. Morris
The Eagles have lost their last four games by an average of 50 points. - The Blues beat the Power by six goals last time they met, and have improved since then – and that game was played in Adelaide.
- The Demons have only beat two sides currently in the top eight all year, and one of those was a couple of weeks ago against a Bombers team which may very well soon slip out.
Multi of the Week
| Legs | Odds |
| Dockers 40+ | $2.05 |
| Blues -15.5 | $1.90 |
| Giants to win | $1.95 |
| Bet $10 for $75.95 with PlayUp | |
St. Kilda Saints vs Essendon Bombers
No one is getting too excited about a big win over the Eagles, but wins have been fewer and further between than the Saints might have expected this season. Their 72-point defeat over West Coast last weekend doesn’t really mean a whole lot, though given the criticism that they would have been on the receiving end of had they failed to dispose of their opponents, it was nonetheless a welcome result. They have now won two of their last three games following a string of losses, and have a chance to make it three of four against an out of form Bombers unit this weekend.
The Bombers managed to set up shop inside the top four for a fairly large portion of the season, but a more demanding fixture was always on the horizon and as many might have picked, the losses have begun to pile up. Having lost two of their last three they really needed a win at home against the Crows last Friday night, and though the game might have been entertaining for neutrals it would have made for hellish viewing for Brad Scott and the legion of Essendon fans watching around the country. After conceding eight straight goals they booted seven in a row of their own and looked home and hosed with a few minutes to go, but a late run of goals – punctuated by a Josh Rachele major to put the Crows in front in the final minutes – saw the Crows snatch victory by two points. Essendon now sit precariously in 8th spot, and with a feeble percentage – though given they have a draw that may not be relevant. They desperately need to win this weekend against a team that won’t play finals, and while Essendon’s recent form doesn’t exactly inspire confidence, they should be able to eke out a win on Saturday evening.
Predicted Squads
St. Kilda Saints: B: J.Battle, D.Howard, C.Wilkie HB: L.Stocker, N.Wanganeen-Milera, J.Webster C: B.Hill, J.Sinclair, M.Wood HF: R.Byrnes, D. Butler, M.Owens F: J.Higgins, T.Membrey, C.Sharman FOLL: R.Marshall, J.Steele - C, Z.Jones I/C: H.Clark, A. Schoenmaker, D.Wilson, H.Garcia, R.Bonner EMG: P. Dow, A.McLennan, M.Heath
Essendon Bombers: B: J.Ridley, B.McKay, J.Laverde HB: N.Martin, M.Redman, A.McGrath C: X.Duursma, D. Parish, M.Guelfi HF: H.Jones, N.Caddy, S.Durham F: J.Stringer, K.Langford, T.Goldstein FOLL: S.Draper, J.Caldwell, Z.Merrett - C I/C: J.Gresham, N.Cox, A.Perkins, D. Shiel, D. Heppell EMG: B.Hobbs, P.Wright, J. Menzie
Melbourne Demons vs Greater Western Sydney Giants
After a resounding win against the Eagles was followed by a more impressive one over the Bombers, the Demons were brought thudding back to earth by an impressive Dockers team on the weekend. They lost that game by 50 points in Perth, but it could easily have been a hell of a lot more. The Demons found their way in the third quarter, but a 30-point margin at half-time should probably have been ten goals given the home side’s dominance, and once challenged Fremantle quickly responded with a strong final quarter. The Demons’ finals hopes are well and truly in jeopardy, but as much as they have struggled the past couple of months they are still just two points back from 8th spot and a win against the Giants this weekend would put them right back in the finals frame.
But that will not be easy to achieve. The Giants appear to be on the way back having notched up three consecutive wins, their latest a pretty cruisy 39-point win over the Suns in Sydney. That took their record to 11-7, placing them just half a game outside of the top four – but while it feels as though they are in the frame for the double chance and the Demons are up against it to play finals, incredibly there is only a game separating them. The Giants don’t get all that many opportunities to play on the MCG, and have not historically enjoyed all that much success there. But while they will be aware of that, most of those losses have nothing to do with this individual game. Both of these have had their troubles at various points this season, but those of the Demons look likely to be a little more enduring. They should get Max Gawn back for this clash which will be a huge addition, but their midfield is a shadow of what it once was and against the might of that of the Giants, the visitors can rack up an important win in a tight game.
Predicted Squads
Melbourne Demons: B: T.McDonald, S.May, J.McVee HB: C.Salem, J.Lever, A.Moniz-Wakefield C: E.Langdon, C.Oliver, T.Sparrow HF: K.Pickett, J.van Rooyen, K.Chandler F: A.Neal-Bullen, B.Fritsch, J.Melksham FOLL: M. Gawn, J.Viney - C, T.Rivers I/C: C. Windsor, J. Billings, J. Bowey, K. Brown, H. Petty EMG: A. Tomlinson, B. Laurie, K. Tholstrup
Greater Western Sydney Giants: B: C.Idun, J.Buckley, S. Taylor HB: L.Whitfield, H.Himmelberg, L.Ash C: C.Ward, T.Green, J. Peatling HF: B.Daniels, J.Riccardi, T.McMullin F: T.Greene - C, J.Hogan, D.Jones FOLL: K.Briggs, F.Callaghan, S. Coniglio I/C: T.Bedford, A.Cadman, H.Thomas, X.O’Halloran, H. Perryman EMG: C.Stone, L.Keeffe, R.Angwin
Fremantle Dockers vs West Coast Eagles
There have been plenty of memorable Western Derbies over the years, but this doesn’t exactly shape as one of them with these two teams trending in the complete opposite directions. The Dockers haven’t been given the respect they deserve for much of the year, but the AFL world is finally beginning to take notice of what they are doing. They were brilliant against the Demons, dominating out of the middle while doing what they always do defensively en route to a 50-point win. They moved into 4th spot with that win, and with a strong percentage and given how they have been playing they may very well remain in the top four for the rest of the year, particularly considering they get a great chance to boost that percentage even more this weekend.
The Eagles have had their moments this year, putting in a handful of performances that suggest there has at least been some improvement to a team which has been among the worst in recent history over the last couple of years. But those moments have become increasingly rare as the season has worn on, and they have now lost eight games on the trot, many of them heavily. Their only moderately admirable loss really came a fortnight ago against the Lions in Jarrad Schofield’s first game as coach, but normal programming resumed in his second last weekend when they went down by 72 points to the Saints. The same ineptitude and uncompetitiveness which has so defined them over the past couple of years has returned, and that does not bode well against a team as strong and professional as the Dockers. This should be a big win for Fremantle, who can further solidify their spot in the top four on Saturday night.
Predicted Squads
Fremantle Dockers: B: H.Chapman, J. Draper, B.Cox HB: C.Wagner, L.Ryan, J.Clark C: J.Sharp, N.Fyfe, H.Young HF: B.Banfield, S.Switkowski, M.Frederick F: J.Treacy, J.Amiss, L.Jackson FOLL: S.Darcy, C.Serong, A.Brayshaw I/C: S. Sturt, J. O’Meara, M. Walters, J. Aish, B. Walker EMG: W. Brodie, P. Voss, K. Worner
West Coast Eagles: B: B.Hough, T.Barrass, A.Witherden HB: T.Cole, J. McGovern, J.Hunt C: R.Ginbey, H.Reid, J.Cripps HF: L.Edwards, J.Williams, L.Ryan F: J. Waterman, O.Allen - C, R.Maric FOLL: B.Williams, E. Yeo, T.Kelly I/C: C.Chesser, J.Petruccelle, J.Jones, H. Edwards, Z. Trew EMG: D.Sheed, A.Reid, J.Darling
Collingwood Magpies vs Richmond Tigers
After last weekend’s dreadful loss to the Hawks, the Magpies season may well be over. They are now a game and a half out of the top eight and have the worst percentage of the bunch of teams vying for those bottom spots in the finals, but more important than the mathematics is the fact that they have lost four games on the trot and don’t look good enough to turn things around. Their previous defeats were at least competitive, but against Hawthorn the reigning Premiers looked nowhere near it. What’s more, they have an incredibly difficult run home to come, with the Blues, Swans, Lions and Demons awaiting in their last month. It’s hard to imagine them winning enough out of that lot to work their way back into the top eight, and they certainly need to get over the top of the Tigers this weekend if they are to have any chance whatsoever.
Richmond’s season has been one to forget and they fell to 2-16 on the weekend, though as they have been fairly often this year they were competitive in defeat. They ultimately lost by 41 points to the Power in Adelaide, but the undermanned bottom-of-the-ladder Tigers were right in the game up until three-quarter time, which has been a pretty consistent tale for them this year. They don’t have the experience or perhaps ability to hang with decent teams for the full four quarters, but they certainly make their opposition work for their spoils – at least most weeks. This won’t be the most enthralling Magpies vs Tigers game we’ve ever seen, and while the Tigers will dig in their heels, the Pies should be able to overrun them in the second half.
Predicted Squads
Collingwood Magpies: B: B.Maynard, D.Moore - C, I.Quaynor HB: J.Noble, O.Markov, N.Daicos C: S.Sidebottom, S.Pendlebury, J.Daicos HF: B.Hill, D.McStay, J.Howe F: J.Richards, P.Lipinski, J.Elliott FOLL: D.Cameron, J.De Goey, J.Crisp I/C: M. Cox, R.McInnes, W.Hoskin-Elliott, L. Schultz, B. McReery EMG: B.Frampton, F.Macrae, J.Bytel
Richmond Tigers: B: B.Miller, N.Broad, N.Balta HB: J.Short, N. Vlastuin, D.Rioli C: H.Ralphsmith, D.Prestia, K.McIntosh HF: R.Mansell, S.Campbell, L. Baker F: M. Rioli Jr, S.Bolton, J.Koschitzke FOLL: S. Ryan, T. Taranto, J.Hopper I/C: T.Dow, T.Brown, J. Trezise, S.Banks, S. Green EMG: N.Cumberland, M.Coulthard, J.Blight
Sydney Swans vs Western Bulldogs
Clearly the best game on Sunday is this one – at least it has the potential to be, with the up and down Doggies getting the ultimate litmus test when they head to Sydney to take on the Swans. It’s hard to believe that the Swans have lost three of their past four games, but it really hasn’t done too many damage to their credentials as the runaway Premiership favourite. They will still almost certainly finish on top of the ladder, and those three losses have been by a combined total of five points. The latest of them, against the Lions, was one of those games in which the winner was just whoever happened to be in front when the final siren blew, and the Swans certainly didn’t let themselves down in what was an incredibly high quality game. But they will nonetheless be very keen to get back on the winners’ list, and while they will be favourites for this Sunday’s game they’ll need to be on their guard against a dangerous Bulldogs team.
Consistency remains the biggest concern for the Dogs, but at their best they are tough to stop and that best has been displayed a lot more often than not for a couple of months now. After beating the Blues a fortnight ago they backed that up with a big win over Geelong at the Cattery, and a defeat against the Swans in Sydney would round out an extraordinary three weeks for them. Of course, prior to these two consecutive wins they lost by eight goals to the Power, so we know what they are capable of dishing up at the other end of the spectrum too, and if they do that against Sydney they will get absolutely pummelled. But while those poor performances do still rear their ugly heads now and again, they are becoming more and more rare. The Doggies of the past two weeks could make this a really good game, and while it’s tough to tip anyone against the Swans in Sydney, the Bulldogs can make it a competitive affair.
Predicted Squads
Sydney Swans: B: A. Francis, T.McCartin, H.Cunningham HB: O.Florent, N.Blakey, M.Roberts C: J.Lloyd, Ch.Warner, E.Gulden HF: J.Jordon, L.McDonald, R.Fox F: S. Wicks, J.Amartey, W.Hayward FOLL: B.Grundy, T.Adams, I.Heeney I/C: L. Melican, L. Parker, B. Campbell, H. McLean, Co. Warner EMG: C. Mitchell, A. Sheldrick, S. Reid
Western Bulldogs: B: T.Duryea, B.Khamis, N.Coffield HB: L.Bramble, R.Lobb, B.Dale C: L.Vandermeer, E.Richards, B.Williams HF: A.Treloar, A.Naughton, J.Ugle-Hagan F: C.Weightman, S.Darcy, R.West FOLL: T.English, M.Bontempelli - C, T.Liberatore I/C: J.Freijah, J.Macrae, L.McNeil, C.Poulter, R.Sanders EMG: R.Garcia, A.Jones, A.Keath
Adelaide Crows vs Hawthorn Hawks
It’s too little too late for the Crows, but over the past month they have finally begun to play like the team most expected them to be this season. It’s not going to be of any use to them this year, but with three wins from their last four games at least they appear to be picking up some momentum to take into 2025. Having beaten the Giants and Saints and lost in a close one to the Lions, they won a see-sawing affair against the Bombers last Friday night, and will pose a stern test for the Hawks in the last game of the round next weekend.
Of course, the Hawks are in some pretty good form of their own and have been for a lot longer than the Crows. They have won 10 of their last 12 games, and last Saturday’s was one of the best of the lot. In a virtual Preliminary Final against the reigning Premiers this young side was absolutely dominant, storming out to an early lead and never looking back. The 66-point victory they ended up with might have been their best in a very impressive season, and though they remain a couple of spots out of the top eight they are now just half a game behind the Bombers in 8th and a full game behind the Giants in 5th. They have proven themselves good enough to beat anyone on their day, and it’s hard to see them failing to at least go close in this one. But the Crows have been impressive on their home deck in the past month, beating the Giants by 16 points – and it should have been more – and then pounding the Saints. This one could very easily go down to the wire, but on their home deck the Crows can play spoiler to the Hawks’ finals chances with a tight win.
Predicted Squads
Adelaide Crows: B: M.Keane, N.Murray, J. Worrell HB: M.Michalanney, L.Nankervis, B.Smith C: L.Sholl, S.Berry, B.Dowling HF: B.Keays, T. Walker, J.Soligo F: E.Himmelberg, R.Thilthorpe, D.Fogarty FOLL: R.O’Brien, R.Laird, J. Rachele I/C: B.Cook, Z.Taylor, L. Murphy, M.Hinge, W. Hamill EMG: J.Borlase, D.Curtin, L.Gollant
Hawthorn Hawks: B: J.Impey, S.Frost, K.Amon HB: W.Day, J.Scrimshaw, J.Sicily - C C: F.Maginness, D.Moore, C.Macdonald HF: J.Worpel, B.Hardwick, M.Chol F: J.Ginnivan, C.Dear, J.Ward FOLL: L.Meek, C.Nash, J.Newcombe I/C: L.Breust, C.Jiath, J.Weddle, N.Watson, M.D’Ambrosio EMG: J.Gunston, H.Morrison, C.Mackenzie
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