AFL 2024 Round 21 – Betting Tips, Odds & Predictions

James Salmon
By: James Salmon
03/08/2024
AFL Betting Tips
AFL 2024 Round 21

Each and every weekend in the run home to the AFL finals is going to cause major upheaval to the ladder, and Round 20 was no exception. While a couple of the Premiership favourites suffered unexpected losses up the top of the ladder and the finals chances of the Bombers and Demons took a big hit, the Dockers and Lions furthered their respective flag cases, while the Power, Bulldogs and Hawks secured hugely impressive wins to tighten things up even further in the bottom half of the top eight. With their loss to the Lions, the Suns are all but cooked, but the Magpies’ win kept them just in the hunt for September to leave us with 12 potential finalists less than a month out from the end of the home and away season. Five of this weekend’s nine games will involve two teams in that mix, kicking off with a Bulldogs vs Demons clash on Friday night, while elsewhere the Magpies take on the Blues in a huge Saturday night fixture, the Power host the struggling Swans, and the Giants take on the surging Hawks in Sydney. Take a look at our previews for each and every one of this weekend’s games below.  

Round 21 Fixtures

FixturesInfo (AEST)Home OddsAway Odds
Bulldogs vs DemonsFriday, 2nd of August at 7.15pm AEST$1.32$3.40
Eagles vs Suns Friday, 2nd of August at 8.30pm AEST$2.70$1.47
Kangaroos vs Tigers Saturday, 3rd of August at 1.45pm AEST$1.65$2.25
Cats vs CrowsSaturday, 3rd of August at 4.35pm AEST$1.30$3.50
Magpies vs BluesSaturday, 3rd of August at 7.30pm AEST$2.65$1.48
Power vs SwansSaturday, 3rd of August at 7.30pm AEST $1.90$1.90
Giants vs HawksSunday, 4th of August at 1.10pm AEST$1.74$2.10
Bombers vs DockersSunday, 4th of August at 3.20pm AEST$2.40$1.57
Saints vs Lions Sunday, 4th of August at 4.40pm AEST $2.55$1.52
Bulldogs vs Demons
Info (AEST)
Friday, 2nd of August at 7.15pm AEST
Home Odds
Away Odds
Eagles vs Suns 
Info (AEST)
Friday, 2nd of August at 8.30pm AEST
Home Odds
Away Odds
Kangaroos vs Tigers 
Info (AEST)
Saturday, 3rd of August at 1.45pm AEST
Home Odds
Away Odds
Cats vs Crows
Info (AEST)
Saturday, 3rd of August at 4.35pm AEST
Home Odds
Away Odds
Magpies vs Blues
Info (AEST)
Saturday, 3rd of August at 7.30pm AEST
Home Odds
Away Odds
Power vs Swans
Info (AEST)
Saturday, 3rd of August at 7.30pm AEST 
Home Odds
Away Odds
Giants vs Hawks
Info (AEST)
Sunday, 4th of August at 1.10pm AEST
Home Odds
Away Odds
Bombers vs Dockers
Info (AEST)
Sunday, 4th of August at 3.20pm AEST
Home Odds
Away Odds
Saints vs Lions 
Info (AEST)
Sunday, 4th of August at 4.40pm AEST 
Home Odds
Away Odds

Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne Demons

tip!

The Bulldogs have suffered their fair share of criticism throughout the course of this season, but they are beginning to look scary heading towards September. They have now won five of their last six games and three on the trot, with those wins coming against the Blues, Cats and Swans – the latter two by heavy margins. Prior to last Sunday’s clash against the Dogs, Sydney hadn’t lost a game since last year by more than a goal; but that trend was emphatically ended by the Bulldogs, who systematically dismantled this year’s most dominant team en route to an 87-48 win. The Doggies’ midfield is firing on all cylinders while their talented but at times dysfunctional forward line, and as for criticisms of their backline – well, they’ve conceded 96 points total in the past fortnight against two of the top five teams in the league in terms of points for. Despite all of these wins the Dogs have still only managed to work their way up to 8th spot, but their excellent percentage means that they are just a game from 4th. If they keep playing the way they are they could easily win three or four of their last four games, and top four would be very much on the cards if they do that.  
 
Next on their list is the Demons, who despite sitting just a game behind the Dogs, are trending very much in a different direction. Their dwindling finals hopes took another hit last Saturday night when they went down to the Giants in heartbreaking fashion, climbing their way back from more than four goals down late in the game to lose by just a couple of points. But gallant though that performance might have been, at this point in the year they will take little heart from competitive losses. They need wins, and if they don’t get one this weekend they will end the round two games and percentage out of the top eight with three games to go – in other words, all but out of the finals race. The Demons are capable of pulling something out of the box and there is always the possibilities of a down performance from the Bulldogs, but they’ve been nothing but impressive over the past three weeks and really for much of the last couple of months. An upset win to the Dees certainly isn’t out of the realms of possibility, but based on the way both of these teams have been playing of late, the Doggies should be continuing their charge towards the top four with another strong win. 

BookmakerJames’ TipOdds
playup-betting-siteBulldogs to win$1.35
bet365-logo-betting-sitesBulldogs -19.5$1.91
topsport-whiteBulldogs 25+ $2.10

Predicted Squads

Western Bulldogs AFLWestern 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: R. Garcia, L. Jones, L. McNeil, C. Poulter, C. Daniel EMG: J. Macrae, J. Freijah, O. Baker

Melbourne Demons AFLMelbourne Demons: B: T. McDonald, S. May, J. McVee HB: J. Bowey, J. Lever, A. Moniz-Wakefield C: E. Langdon, C. Oliver, C. Windsor HF: K. Pickett, J. van Rooyen, J. Melksham F: K. Chandler, B. Fritsch, H. Petty FOLL: M. Gawn - C, J. Viney, T. Rivers I/C: J. Billings, B. Laurie, A. Neal-Bullen, T. Woewodin, T. Sparrow EMG: B. Howes, D. Turner, K. Brown

West Coast Eagles vs Gold Coast Suns

tip!

The Eagles’ losing streak extended to nine games last Saturday night, a 35-point loss in the second Western Derby of the year sending their record to 3-16. They were competitive in that game and led for a long time, but the Dockers were always going to take over at some point and that is exactly what they did in the second half. There is not a whole lot to say about the Eagles’ season at this point; they are not good, the path forward is not particularly clear, and they have little to play for over the remaining month of the season under interim coach Jarrad Schofield.  
 
Unfortunately, the Suns have probably joined them after a second consecutive loss and their first at Peoples First Stadium for the year last weekend. They were no match for the charging Lions in the QClash, going down by 28 points and falling two games and a whole lot of percentage out of the top eight in the process. Once again, they appear destined for the kind of season which they have had all too often in recent times; good enough to hang around the top eight for much of the year, but not good enough to play finals. They do actually have a pretty cushy last month, but they will need to win all four games to make the top eight and even then wouldn’t be guaranteed of a finals spot. Still, they can at least keep things moderately interesting for their sparse supporter base with a win this weekend, and ideally a big win given they will likely need a bit of a boost in percentage if they are to make an unlikely charge into September. Their form away from home has been atrocious this year, but needing to win to keep any sort of finals hopes alive, they should be able to knock off the hapless Eagles pretty easily on a Friday night game which will very much play second fiddle to its Dogs vs Demons predecessor. 

BookmakerJames’ TipOdds
playup-betting-siteSuns to win $1.47
bet365-logo-betting-sitesSuns -14.5 $1.91
topsport-whiteSuns 25+$2.25

Predicted Squads

West Coast Eagles AFLWest Coast Eagles: B: T. Cole, T. Barrass, H. Edwards HB: J. Hunt, J. McGovern, B. Hough C: R. Maric, T. Kelly, L. Edwards HF: L. Ryan, J. Waterman, J. Cripps F: J. Darling, O. Allen - C, J. Williams FOLL: B. Williams, E. Yeo, H. Reid I/C: R. Ginbey, D. Sheed, A. Witherden, J. Hutchinson, J. Culley EMG: Z. Trew, J. Petruccelle, J. Rotham

Gold Coast Suns AFLGold Coast Suns: B: S. Collins, W. Powell, M. Andrew HB: L. Johnston, C. Ballard, J. Jeffrey C: T. Miller, N. Anderson, S. Clohesy HF: B. Humphrey, W. Graham, L. Weller F: B. Long, B. King, J. Lukosius FOLL: J. Witts, S. Flanders, M. Rowell I/C: A. Sexton, D. Swallow, N. Holman, M. Rosas, T. Berry EMG: A. Sexton, J. Walter, C. Budarick

North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Richmond Tigers

tip!

There are plenty of games that will attract a lot of attention this weekend, but this probably isn’t chief among them. Granted there is a little bit on the line – potentially the number one pick – but a clash between the 17th placed Kangaroos and the 18th placed Tigers, who have won a combined total of four games this season, isn’t likely to set the world on fire. The Roos have actually shown plenty of improvement this year, specifically over the past six weeks or so, though a couple of tough matchups in the last three weeks have seen the hefty defeats which were a weekly ritual for them over the first half of the season return. Against the Tigers, however, they should certainly be able to avoid another one.  
 
Adem Yze’s first season as head coach of the Tigers certainly hasn’t gone to plan, though with the number of injuries he has had to deal with it’s very hard to make any sort of judgement about him or the team at this point in time. Certainly no one expects them to bounce back all that strongly next year, but they should be a lot better than they have been in 2024 with closer to a full list to choose from. But as for the remainder of this season, there is little for them to gain aside from more game time for their plethora of young kids. As they have been for a lot of the year, they were competitive without being particularly competitive against the Magpies last weekend, and like the Roos, now have a great opportunity for a rare win this weekend. This isn’t a particularly easy game to pick, but while the Tigers have generally been competitive in most games, the Kangaroos have been playing better over the past month or two. In a low-scoring game which won’t set any records for quality, they can pick up their third win of the season.  

BookmakerJames’ TipOdds
playup-betting-siteKangaroos to win $1.65
bet365-logo-betting-sitesKangaroos 1-39 $2.30
topsport-whiteKangaroos 1-24$3.35

Predicted Squads

North Melbourne AFLNorth Melbourne Kangaroos: B: A. Corr, C. Comben, G. Logue HB: J. Archer, H. Sheezel, L. McDonald C: B. Scott, L. Davies-Uniacke, D. Stephens HF: D. Tucker, Z. Duursma, J. Stephenson F: P. Curtis, N. Larkey, C. Zurhaar FOLL: T. Xerri, T. Powell, J. Simpkin - C I/C: G. Wardlaw, L. Shiels, W. Phillips, R. Hansen Jr, F. Maley EMG: M. Bergman, T. Pink, C. Lazzaro

Richmond Tigers AFLRichmond Tigers: B: B. Miller, N. Broad, N. Vlastuin HB: J. Short, J. Blight, D. Rioli C: H. Ralphsmith, D. Prestia, K. McIntosh HF: R. Mansell, L. Baker - C, S. Campbell F: N. Balta, S. Bolton, J. Koschitzke FOLL: T. Nankervis, T. Taranto, J. Hopper I/C: T. Dow, T. Brown, S. Banks, D. Martin, J. Trezise EMG: T. Sonsie, J. Bauer, M. Coulthard

  • listen-to-james-aflThe Eagles have lost their last six games by an average of more than 44 points 
  • The Hawks have won 10 of their last 12 games, and while the Giants have won four on the trot, they haven’t exactly been emphatic victories
  • The Crows haven’t won in Geelong since 2003, losing 13 times there in that time, and have lost their last nine games there by at least 22 points.  

Multi of the Week

LegsOdds
Suns -14.5 $1.90
Hawks 1-39 $2.65
Cats 25+ $2.02
Bet $10 for $101.71 with PlayUp

Geelong Cats vs Adelaide Crows

tip!

The Cats did what they needed to do last weekend, bouncing back from a disappointing loss to the Bulldogs with a comfortable 40-point win over the Kangaroos to keep themselves right on the edge of the top four. There are still a whole lot of possibilities for the remainder of their season, with just half a game separating them from 2nd spot but also just a game separating them from 9th, but their draw over the last month of the season is relatively easy and barring a disaster, they should be able to negotiate their way into the finals and potentially the top four. But with a game in Perth against Fremantle to come, an upset loss this weekend could very quickly set the alarm bells ringing, so they need to be on their game against a potentially dangerous Crows unit in Geelong on Saturday.  
 
Dangerous Adelaide certainly was not last weekend as they were pumped by the Hawks to the tune of 66 points on their home turf, though prior to that they had been in a pretty good patch of form. It’s been a disappointing year for the Crows but they still have reason for optimism moving forward, and three wins in four games prior to last weekend – including defeats of the Giants and Bombers – reminded us of what they can do at their best. But they have nothing to play for over the last month of the season and it showed against the irrepressible young Hawks, who toyed with their fellow bird of prey after a competitive start to that game. At their best the Crows are a dangerous team, but they have a hell of a lot less to play for than the Cats this weekend. Geelong haven’t been quite as formidable at home this year as they have been in season’s past, but with plenty on the line they should be more than good enough to get the four points.  

BookmakerJames’ TipOdds
playup-betting-siteCats to win $1.32
bet365-logo-betting-sitesCats -20.5 $1.91
topsport-whiteCats 25+ $2.00

Predicted Squads

Geelong Cats AFLGeelong Cats: B: J. Henry, S. De Koning, J. Kolodjashnij HB: J. Bews, M. Duncan, Z. Guthrie C: M. Holmes, T. Bruhn, O. Dempsey HF: T. Stengle, B. Close, G. Miers F: S. Neale, J. Cameron, O. Henry FOLL: M. Blicavs, P. Dangerfield - C, T. Stewart I/C: L. Humphries, T. Atkins, S. Mannagh, J. Bowes, T. Clohesy EMG: R. Stanley, Z. Tuohy, B. Parfitt

Adelaide Crows AFLAdelaide Crows: B: C. Jones, M. Keane, L. Nankervis HB: M. Michalanney, J. Borlase, M. Hinge C: L. Sholl, H. Bond, B. Dowling HF: B. Keays, R. Thilthorpe, J. Soligo F: L. Murphy, T. Walker, D. Fogarty - C FOLL: R. O’Brien, R. Laird, J. Dawson I/C: J. Rachele, E. Himmelberg, Z. Taylor, B. Smith, S. Berry EMG: J. Worrell, N. McHenry, B. Cook

Collingwood Magpies vs Carlton Blues

tip!

Games between the Magpies and the Blues are generally pretty heated, so with just four weeks to go and each side’s seasons very much in the balance, this Saturday night’s clash will likely make for compelling viewing. Expect close to 90,000 if not more to pack the MCG for a game which both sides desperately need to win, albeit for slightly different reasons. The Magpies find themselves with their backs well and truly against the wall as they fight to play finals the year after winning the Premiership, and with a really difficult last month of games to come they are far more likely than not to miss out on September action. A win against their arch nemesis, however, would keep them right in the hunt. After their win over the Tigers last weekend, Collingwood sits a game and percentage outside the top eight and a loss against the Blues would probably spell the end for their season, but if they get up and a couple of other results go their way they could feasibly find themselves just percentage out of the eight by round’s end.  
 
The Blues are far more comfortably positioned up in 4th, but they are not sitting nearly as pretty as they were a couple of weeks ago when they appeared destined to lock up 2nd spot. They have lost three of their last four games, the only win coming in relatively unconvincing fashion against the Kangaroos, and though they are still just half a game out of 2nd spot, they are also just a game and a little bit of percentage inside the top eight. With games against the Eagles and Saints to come they would need to really capitulate to miss out on the finals, but given where they sat a couple of weeks ago, their aspirations this season are a lot loftier than just making finals. This is a side with Premiership ambition, and as we know, fulfilling that ambition is very hard from outside the top four. If they lose this game they will forfeit their handle on the double chance at least for this weekend, and are far from guaranteed to get it back. They will likely be boosted by the return of the Harry McKay, who was suspiciously absent from last week’s game with ‘illness’ after a controversially handled head knock the round prior, and with he and Curnow back together they will look a lot more potent than they did against the Power last weekend. That alone probably won’t determine this game and the Magpies, with their season on the line, will come out firing, but the Blues are the better side at the moment and should be able to eke out a hard fought win. 

BookmakerJames’ TipOdds
playup-betting-siteBlues to win $1.52
bet365-logo-betting-sitesBlues 1-39 $2.25
topsport-whiteBlues 1-24$3.30

Predicted Squads

Collingwood Magpies AFLCollingwood Magpies: B: B. Maynard, D. Moore - C, I. Quaynor HB: J. Noble, J. Howe, N. Daicos C: S. Sidebottom, N. Long, J. Daicos HF: B. Hill, L. Schultz, J. Elliott F: M. Cox, D. McStay, B. McReery FOLL: D. Cameron, S. Pendlebury, J. Crisp I/C: P. Lipinski, J. Bytel, W. Hoskin-Elliott, O. Markov, L. Sullivan EMG: B. Frampton, O. Markov, C. Dean

Carlton Blues AFLCarlton Blues: B: B. Kemp, J. Weitering, N. Newman HB: A. Saad, M. McGovern, A. Cerra C: O. Hollands, P. Cripps - C, B. Acres HF: E. Hollands, H. McKay, M. Kennedy F: L. Fogarty, C. Curnow, J. Motlop FOLL: M. Pittonet, S. Walsh, G. Hewett I/C: L. Cowan, A. Cincotta, D. Cuningham, J. Boyd, M. Cottrell EMG: J. Boyd, C. Marchban, L. Young

Port Adelaide Power vs Sydney Swans

tip!

There are plenty of teams whose seasons are on a proverbial knife’s edge, and the Power are just about the poster child for that group of teams. For much of the season they have been precariously placed; seemingly perennially one loss away from falling out of the eight and having Ken Hinkley unceremoniously marched out of the city, while at the same time being just a good win away from jumping into the top four and establishing themselves as an actual Premiership contender. Five weeks ago they were a lot closer to the former than the latter, but they have gone and won four of their last five games to keep the critics at bay. Their latest was a hugely impressive road win over the Blues last Friday night, and though it didn’t actually change their ladder position and they still sit in 7th, they are just half a game from second and suddenly in some pretty good form. They now have to face the top of the table Swans, but there could hardly be a better time to get them, and if Port can notch up another win they will potentially put themselves right in the top four and be one of the in-form teams in the league.  
 
The Swans still almost certainly have top spot sewn up, but four losses in their last five games is not exactly the form they would have hoped to be displaying this close to the finals. Of course, the first three of those losses were by a combined total of five points and two of them came against the teams currently in 2nd and 3rd spot on the ladder, but last weekend was the first time that they were beaten comfortably since last year. They looked nowhere near it against the impressive Bulldogs, booting just seven goals en route to a 39-point loss. But out of form they may be, this was the best team in the league for the first four months of the season for good reason. Another loss here will actually spell a little bit of danger for their position on top of the ladder, so for the first time in some time there is a bit on the line for the nominal Premiership favourites. The Power are playing really good footy and grow an extra leg on their home turf, but the Swans just have too much talent running around to be playing the way that they are, and with their backs against the wall for the first time all year they can bounce back with a pivotal close victory on the road.  

BookmakerJames’ TipOdds
playup-betting-siteSwans to win $1.85
bet365-logo-betting-sitesSwans 1-39 $2.50
topsport-whiteSwans 1-24 $3.50

Predicted Squads

Port Adelaide Power AFLPort Adelaide Power: B: E. Ratugolea, B. Zerk-Thatcher, M. Bergman HB: L. Evans, A. Aliir, D. Houston C: J. Burgoyne, O. Wines, W. Drew HF: D. Byrne-Jones, M. Georgiades, W. Rioli F: T. Boak, C. Dixon, C. Rozee - C FOLL: J. Sweet, J. Horne-Francis, Z. Butters I/C: J. Mead, K. Farrell, F. Evans, T. Marshall, Q. Narkle EMG: O. Lord, D. Williams, D. Visentini

Sydney Swans AFLSydney Swans: B: H. Cunningham, T. McCartin, N. Blakey HB: O. Florent, A. Francis, J. Lloyd C: M. Roberts, Ch. Warner, J. Jordon HF: E. Gulden, L. McDonald, C. Mills - C F: R. Fox, J. Amartey, W. Hayward FOLL: B. Grundy, I. Heeney, T. Adams I/C: B. Campbell, Co. Warner, H. McLean, J. Rowbottom, L. Parker EMG: S. Wicks, P. Ladhams, C. Mitchell

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Greater Western Sydney Giants vs Hawthorn Hawks

tip!

After beating the Demons last Saturday night, the Giants now have two streaks of at least four consecutive wins this year, having started the season with five in a row. Unfortunately, wedged in between those streaks was ten weeks of indifferent form and they are still not assured of a finals spot as a result, but these last four wins have come just in the nick of time. One of four teams with a 12-7 record, they sit half a game from 2nd spot but just a game clear of 9th, and have a really difficult draw to come, with this potentially their most winnable game – which is really saying something given how the Hawks are travelling. Because of that draw, the Giants desperately needed to beat the Demons last weekend and very nearly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, but they held on by two points despite conceding the last four goals of the game for a pivotal win. A loss this weekend, however, will put their finals hopes in jeopardy, and though they will enter this game as favourites they will have their work cut out.  
 
The Hawks season has been a remarkable one; after six losses in their first seven games, they are now on a 10-2 streak over the past three months, and with one of those losses coming in remarkable fashion by one point against the Power it could easily be 11-1. This young team certainly isn’t yet at the level from a talent perspective of many of the other teams in the top eight, but they don’t seem to care. They are playing with an air of abandon which is making them incredibly dangerous, and though they haven’t yet found their way into the top eight, they are right on its edge and if they do make it through to September will be a team that nobody wants to play. Their performance last weekend was one of their most impressive yet as they pumped the Crows by 66 points in Adelaide, and with games against the Kangaroos and Tigers to round out the season, if they can snatch one in their next fortnight they will be a great chance of playing finals. Every week it feels as though their irrepressible run of form will surely come to an end, and every week it doesn’t. In the last three weeks they have beaten the Dockers and demolished the Magpies and Crows, and as underdogs in this game against a Giants team which is winning but not firing on all cylinders, the Hawks look well placed to claim yet another scalp.  

BookmakerJames’ TipOdds
playup-betting-siteHawks to win $2.10
bet365-logo-betting-sitesHawks +3.5 $1.91
topsport-whiteHawks 1-39 $2.60

Predicted Squads

GWS Giants AFLGreater Western Sydney Giants: B: C. Idun, J. Buckley, H. Himmelberg HB: L. Whitfield, S. Taylor, H. Perryman C: C. Ward, T. Green, T. McMullin HF: B. Daniels, J. Riccardi, T. Bedford F: T. Greene - C, J. Hogan, D. Jones FOLL: K. Briggs, F. Callaghan, S. Coniglio I/C: M. Gruzewski, H. Thomas, L. Ash, X. O’Halloran, J. Peatling EMG: C. Stone, L. Keeffe, N. Haynes

Hawthorn AFLHawthorn Hawks: B: J. Scrimshaw, S. Frost, J. Impey HB: C. Jiath, J. Sicily - C, F. Maginness C: D. Moore, J. Newcombe, K. Amon HF: J. Ginnivan, W. Day, N. Watson F: M. Chol, B. Hardwick, C. Mackenzie FOLL: L. Meek, J. Worpel, J. Ward I/C: M. D’Ambrosio, J. Weddle, L. Breust, C. Dear, C. Macdonald EMG: C. Mackenzie, J. Gunston, H. Morrison

Essendon Bombers vs Fremantle Dockers

tip!

There may not have been a more disappointing performance than what the Bombers dished up last weekend all season. Nobody expected them to hang onto the spot in the top two that they held for a number of weeks earlier in the season, but their drop off has been more drastic than most expected and their effort last weekend, with their finals hopes potentially on the line, was nothing short of pathetic. Certainly the Saints have been playing better footy over the past month but they are a bottom five side, and they pounded the Bombers from pillar to post. The end result was a 53-point loss to the Bombers, who have now lost three games on the trot to fall to 10th spot and turn themselves from a potential top four team into an abject outsider to make the finals – particularly given the difficulty of their run home.  
 
It starts with a clash this weekend against the Dockers, who are doing a good job of establishing themselves as a legitimate Premiership contender. Fremantle have been really good all year, but it’s taken a little while for the AFL world to catch on. Five wins in their last six games and eight in their last ten, however, has catapulted them into 3rd spot, and no one is in the dark about their capabilities anymore. They didn’t play at nearly their best last weekend, but nor did they need to up against the Eagles, and after a slow start they still did enough to run out six goal winners. Their spot in the top four is far from assured, but they are deserving of the double chance and with a win this weekend could potentially put themselves a game and a half clear inside that top four. Trips to Melbourne have not typically been their forte and they have put in a couple of disappointing showings in Victoria this year, but by and large they have handled travel with aplomb this year. This is the best version of the Dockers that we have seen for some time, and an outfit as professional as they are should be able to take care of the struggling Bombers reasonably comfortably.  

BookmakerJames’ TipOdds
playup-betting-siteDockers to win$1.60
bet365-logo-betting-sitesDockers -9.5$1.91
topsport-whiteDockers 25+$2.70

Predicted Squads

Essendon AFLEssendon Bombers: B: J. Ridley, B. McKay, J. Laverde HB: N. Martin, M. Redman, A. McGrath C: N. Cox, D. Shiel, X. Duursma HF: J. Stringer, N. Caddy, S. Durham F: K. Langford, H. Jones, J. Gresham FOLL: S. Draper, J. Caldwell, Z. Merrett - C I/C: D. Parish, D. Heppell, T. Goldstein, N. Hind, A. Perkins EMG: B. Hobbs, P. Wright, A. Roberts

Fremantle Dockers AFLFremantle Dockers: B: L. Ryan, J. Draper, B. Cox HB: B. Walker, H. Chapman, J. Clark C: J. O’Meara, N. Fyfe, H. Young HF: S. Sturt, S. Switkowski, M. Frederick F: J. Treacy, J. Amiss, L. Jackson FOLL: S. Darcy, C. Serong, A. Brayshaw - C I/C: J. Sharp, B. Banfield, C. Wagner, T. Emmett, J. Aish EMG: C. Simpson, E. Hughes, P. Voss

St. Kilda Saints vs Brisbane Lions

tip!

Though much of the discussion about their game last week has centred around the performance of the Bombers, the Saints deserve plenty of credit for their 55-point win, even if it is ultimately all for naught. In what has been a disappointing year, they are trying to salvage something late in the season and have won three of their last four games, and though it doesn’t really mean a whole lot it does at least provide a little bit of optimism for next year. This weekend, however, it will be tough for them to continue their strong form up against a team which is in the best form in the competition.  
 
Following a slow start to the year, the Lions have worked their way into the season nicely and could not be hitting their straps at a better time. They have now won eight games on the trot to fly into 2nd position, and if they can hang onto it they will – as they did last year – have a potential path into the Grand Final without needing to leave the Gabba. After a brilliant win against the Swans a fortnight ago, they were simply too good for their intrastate rival in the Suns last weekend, winning that one by 28 points, and with a reasonably friendly fixture to come the prospects of them hanging onto 2nd spot are looking pretty good. A loss here would certainly throw a spanner in the works, but solid as the Saints form has been, they are a team with a relatively limited ceiling. The Lions are not. The sky is their limit this year and the Premiership which so narrowly eluded them last year is very much on the table this year. A top two spot would go a long way to helping them secure it, and they should be able to take an important step towards securing it with a comfortable win over the Saints this weekend.  

BookmakerJames’ TipOdds
playup-betting-siteLions to win $1.55
bet365-logo-betting-sitesLions -10.5 $1.91
topsport-whiteLions 25+ $2.50

Predicted Squads

St Kilda AFLSt. Kilda Saints:B: J. Battle, D. Howard, C. Wilkie HB: L. Stocker, N. Wanganeen-Milera, J. Webster C: B. Hill, J. Sinclair, R. Byrnes HF: M. Wood, J. Higgins, M. Owens F: A. Caminiti, T. Membrey, C. Sharman FOLL: R. Marshall, J. Steele - C, Z. Jones I/C: H. Clark, D. Butler, D. Wilson, R. Bonner, H. Garcia EMG: P. Dow, A. McLennan, M. Heath

Brisbane Lions AFLBrisbane Lions: B: D. Zorko, H. Andrews, B. Starcevich HB: D. Wilmot, R. Lester, J. Berry C: J. Fletcher, W. Ashcroft, H. McCluggage HF: C. Rayner, J. Daniher, K. Lohmann F: C. Cameron, E. Hipwood, Z. Bailey FOLL: O. McInerney, J. Dunkley, L. Neale - C I/C: C. Ah Chee, J. Prior, L. Morris, S. Brain, C. McKenna EMG: H. Sharp, D. Fort, B. Reville

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And if you want to know more about other sports, or if you’re just looking for info about the best betting sites in Australia, then we have got that covered too. We provide detailed bookmaker reviews about a range of popular bookies in Australia to help you decide where to punt, giving you information about anything and everything, from the odds and range of markets they provide through to who has the best betting apps and customer support platform. So whatever you are after, whether it’s sporting tips, the best AFL betting sites or more general info about bookies, then look no further – we’ve got you.  

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Betting Site
Promotion
Bet Now
1
Best Rated App
playup
PlayUp
5.0
Best Fixed Odds, Playup Playbook
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Best Handicap
2
betfocus
Betfocus
5.0
Very Competitive Racing Odds
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Regular money back specials
3
draftstars
Draftstars
5.0
Daily Fantasy owned by Playup
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Fantasy Sports
4
New Pick
betright-logo
BetRight
4.9
Highly competitive betting odds
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Bet Right Discord
5
PUNTERS' FAVORITE
dabble-logo
Dabble
4.8
A new way of betting on Racing and Sports
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Licensed
Copy Bets & Follow other punters
6
SPORTS PICK
bet365-logo
Bet365
4.8
Most well known bookmaker – always a solid experience
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Best Bet Builder
7
New Pick
questbet-logo
QuestBet
4.7
Fun new Australian sportsbook
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Solid Mobile App
8
elitebet-logo
EliteBet
4.7
Diverse options for Aussie racing and international sports
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Worlds Best SGM
9
Best for Greyhound
chasebet-logo
Chasebet
4.6
Comprehensive greyhound betting experience
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Licensed
Trending Bets
10
NEW
betgalaxy-logo
Betgalaxy
4.6
Offers competitive odds
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Licensed
Fun betting experience
11
wellbet-logo
WellBet
4.6
Crisp Layout, Focus on Aussie Racing
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Simple, Localised Betting
12
boombet logo
BoomBet
4.5
Great features coupled with amazing odds, sets their own odds
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Great Customer Service
13
New Pick
OldGill logo
OldGill
4.5
Good range of markets and promos
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Blended Multis
14
volcanobet-logo
Volcanobet
4.5
Slick app, global sports coverage
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Fresh betting platform
15
HOT
puntgenie logo
PuntGenie
4.5
Innovative Layout and Fresh Betting Approach
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Revolutionary Betting Interface
16
Popular Choice
puntnow-logo
PuntNow
4.4
Australia's Newest Bookie with Great Racing Promos
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
competitive odds
17
juicybet logo
JuicyBet
4.4
User-friendly layout and vibrant animations
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Swift sign-up process
18
Best For Racing
vicbet-logo
VicBet
4.4
New and improved website with a mobile app
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Racing specialists
19
betroyale-logo
BetRoyale
4.4
Competitive odds, impressive website layout
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Sleek Design
20
colossalbet
Colossalbet
4.4
Provides personalise tips with Colossalbet IQ and Greate racing odds
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Colossalbet Vault
21
winnersbet-logo
WinnersBet
4.3
Great points feature! Lovely Layout
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Daily Promotions
22
Best For Racing
midasbet logo
MidasBet
4.3
New Modern Bookmaker with a racing focus
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Opening Specials
23
BetProfessor
BetProfessor
4.3
Australian-owned, strong soccer market coverage
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Slick app
24
goldenrush
GoldenRush
4.3
Swift sign-up, standout racing odds
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Licensed
Top Bonuses
25
unibet-logo
Unibet Australia
4.3
Unibet Blog, for sport game information
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Licensed
Bet Share
26
sterling-parker
SterlingParker
4.2
Competitive odds for racing and sports
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Licensed
Quality software & layout
27
junglebet
JungleBet
4.2
Same game multis for sports betting
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Licensed
Refreshing website theme
28
puntcity
PuntCity
4.1
Racing insights with comments
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Same game multis available
29
Best for e-Sports
picklebet
Picklebet
4.0
E-sports focus with great odds
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Licensed
Engaging App
30
topsport-white
TopSport
4.0
Extensive range of markets with fair limits
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Licensed
High betting limits
31
betr
Betr
4.0
Huge promotions & Quality platform
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Licensed
Live Streaming
32
real-bookie
RealBookie
3.5
Great for serious punters
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Regular Offers
33
palmerbet
Palmerbet
3.0
Australian operated and owned
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Great Promotions
34
Best for Greyhound
betdogs-white
BetDogs
3.0
Specialised greyhound bookie, backed by Topsport
australian-flag-icon-round-32x32.webp
Licensed
Great betting odds

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