What a round that was. Four of last weekend’s games were decided by under a kick, the Premiership favourites conceded 71 points before scoring against the Power, while both the Kangaroos and Eagles picked up just their third and fourth wins of the season respectively. While a couple of teams were all but booted from the finals race, thrilling wins to the Magpies and Bombers kept them right on the tail of the teams currently in the top eight. Just a game separates 3rd from 8th and another game back to 11th, while top spot is now up for grabs too after the Swans’ inexplicable fall from grace. They will kick off the Round 22 action on Friday night when they host the Pies, while other highlights across the weekend include the Lions vs Giants, Dockers vs Cats and Blues vs Hawks. Take a look at our preview of all nine games below.
AFL 2024 Round 22
Sydney Swans vs Collingwood Magpies
If the alarm bells weren’t sounding in Sydney a couple of weeks ago following three tight losses in the space of a month, they certainly are now. A fortnight ago was their first genuinely bad loss since last year when the Dogs beat them by 39 points, but even having seen that performance nobody could have predicted what was to transpire at Adelaide Oval last Saturday night. The Swans, the unequivocal best team in the league all season, conceded an extraordinary 71 points to the Power before they even scored, with that 71-0 scoreline surely one of the more bizarre in the game’s history. And even once they did get on the board things didn’t get much better, the final result a 112-point defeat which left them just half a game ahead of Brisbane on top of the ladder. All of a sudden they need to win to hang on to not just that spot, but the top two spot which will yield them a home Qualifying Final and potential path to the Grand Final without having to leave the SCG, and even at home their matchup against the Magpies this Friday night is far from a sure thing.
Collingwood have shown plenty of times over the past couple of years what they are capable of with their backs to the wall, and while this team does still by and large look a notch or two below the side that won last year’s Premiership, last Saturday night’s win was monumental in the course of their season. In Scott Pendlebury’s 400th game they outplayed the Blues for much of the game only to fall in a heap over the last 15 minutes or so, but a wayward Mitch McGovern shot after the siren ensured they held on by four points and kept their finals dreams alive. They are now just a game behind the Dogs and Blues in 7th and 8th, but with a very rough draw over the last month they are going to have to beat a lot of good sides to play finals. Of course, they could hardly be getting the Swans at a better time, and if Sydney continues to play as they have over the past fortnight then the Magpies will be putting their hat right in the ring to play finals. This should be a hell of a lot closer than it might have been a month ago, but as pathetic as they were last weekend, the Swans’ talent has not just disappeared. The likes of Errol Gulden, Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and co have been toying with opposition teams for fun all year, and while their recent form suggests they will be made to work for their spoils in this one, they should be able to earn a much-needed victory in a tight game.
Predicted Squads
Sydney Swans: B: D. Rampe, T. McCartin, N. Blakey HB: O. Florent, L. Melican, J. Lloyd C: M. Roberts, Ch. Warner, J. Jordon HF: E. Gulden, H. McLean, C. Mills - C F: T. Adams, P. Ladhams, W. Hayward FOLL: B. Grundy, I. Heeney, J. Rowbottom I/C: R. Fox, H. Cunningham, A. Francis, L. McDonald, L. Parker EMG: B. Campbell, C. Cleary, Co. Warner
Collingwood Magpies: B: B. Maynard, D. Moore - C, I. Quaynor HB: J. Noble, J. Howe, N. Daicos C: S. Sidebottom, J. Crisp, J. Daicos HF: B. Hill, L. Schultz, J. Elliott F: B. McCreery, D. McStay, W. Hoskin-Elliott FOLL: D. Cameron, S. Pendlebury, N. Long I/C: O. Markov, B. Frampton, J. Bytel, M. Cox, P. Lipinski EMG: L. Sullivan, H. Harrison, W. Parker
Brisbane Lions vs Greater Western Sydney Giants
It’s a high quality start to Round 22, with Friday night’s blockbuster followed up by a top four clash between the Lions and the Giants at the Gabba on Saturday afternoon. The Lions have shot into outright Premiership favouritism courtesy in equal parts of the Swans’ rapid demise and their own brilliant form, with their own result last weekend 197 points better than what their fellow top two team endured. Brisbane systematically dismantled the Saints from the outset on Sunday evening, ultimately running out 124-39 winners to secure their 9th consecutive win. They are still just a game clear of 6th and can’t afford to take their foot off the gas, but the way they are playing it’s hard to see them conceding their spot in the top two. A loss this week, however, would change that very quickly, and they do have to take on the only other side that hasn’t lost for more than a month.
While the Lions were destroying the Saints, however, the Giants were just barely scraping over the line, but a win is a win and considering how the Hawks have been travelling for some time now, it was a pretty damn good one for the Giants. That was their second two-point win in a row after they beat the Demons by the same margin the week prior, and it could hardly have been more important. With the win they jumped into 4th place, a game and a half inside the top eight and just a game from top spot; had they lost, they would have been in 8th with the Hawks sitting right on their heels on only percentage. The Giants do not have an easy run home and are still far from assured a spot in the finals, but a win in Brisbane would go a long way to getting them there. Unfortunately, the Lions are the best team in the league right now and haven’t lost at the Gabba since April. Though they have winning form behind them, the Giants’ are a level below the Lions, and in Brisbane the home side should be able to secure a strong victory to make it nine in a row.
Predicted Squads
Brisbane Lions: B: D. Zorko, R. Lester, J. Prior HB: D. Wilmot, H. Andrews, B. Starcevich C: Z. Bailey, C. Rayner, W. Ashcroft HF: C. Cameron, J. Daniher, H. McCluggage F: K. Lohmann, E. Hipwood, L. Morris FOLL: O. McInerney, J. Dunkley, L. Neale - C I/C: C. Ah Chee, J. Berry, J. Fletcher, S. Brain, H. Smith EMG: J. Madden, D. Fort, B. Reville
Greater Western Sydney Giants: B: H. Himmelberg, S. Taylor, C. Idun HB: L. Whitfield, J. Buckley, H. Perryman C: C. Ward, T. Green, X. O’Halloran HF: B. Daniels, A. Cadman, H. Thomas F: D. Jones, J. Hogan, T. Greene - C FOLL: K. Briggs, F. Callaghan, T. Bedford I/C: T. McMullin, M. Gruzewski, J. Peatling, L. Ash, J. Fonti ENG: C. Stone, L. Keeffe, R. Angwin
North Melbourne Kangaroos vs West Coast Eagles
Incredibly, the Kangaroos and the Eagles both enter this game coming off victories; notable given it makes just seven combined for them for the season. The Kangaroos, of course, did it against the only team below them on the ladder in the Tigers and weren’t exactly commanding in victory, with Richmond’s wayward kicking and the Kangaroos’ accuracy leading to a 13-point win for the Roos despite having seven less scoring shots. More than likely that will mean that they will avoid winning another Wooden Spoon, and with a win this weekend could even get themselves all the way up to 16th (!) – the highest they would have been on the ladder this late into the season in some time.
The Eagles, meanwhile, continued the Suns’ woes away from home with a ten-point win at Optus Stadium, their first in 11 weeks and the first under interim coach Jarrad Schofield. A 4-16 record is nothing to write home about, but given they only won three last year and two the season before, it does at least demonstrate some improvement – though perhaps even more important than their win/loss record is their percentage of 70. 03% - given they haven’t managed to hit 60% in the past two years, that is indicative of a much more competitive season. One thing they have not yet achieved this year, however, is a win outside of Perth. This is the best opportunity that they will get to do it, but even against the Roos it’s hard to tip them based on how they have performed away this year. This is a rare opportunity for one of these teams to win consecutive games, and based almost exclusively on the fact that it is a North Melbourne home game – albeit in Hobart – the Roos look more likely to be that team.
Predicted Squads
North Melbourne Kangaroos: B: A. Corr, C. Comben, T. Pink HB: J. Archer, H. Sheezel, L. McDonald C: B. Scott, L. Davies-Uniacke, C. McKercher HF: D. Tucker, B. Teakle, J. Stephenson F: P. Curtis, N. Larkey, C. Zurhaar FOLL: T. Xerri, T. Powell, J. Simpkin - C I/C: Z. Duursma, C. Lazzaro, W. Phillips, E. Ford, R. Hansen Jr EMG: M. Bergman, B. Drury, K. Dawson
West Coast Eagles: B: B. Hough, T. Barrass, A. Witherden HB: L. Duggan, J. McGovern, T. Cole C: J. Hunt, H. Reid, R. Ginbey HF: R. Maric, J. Waterman, J. Cripps F: J. Darling, O. Allen - C, L. Ryan FOLL: B. Williams, E. Yeo, T. Kelly I/C: H. Johnston, Z. Trew, C. Hall, J. Williams, T. Dewar EMG: C. Chesser, A. Reid, J. Culley
The Eagles have not won a game outside of Perth all year, and have won just two outside of Perth since 2021. - The Tigers have won just two games all year, but the Saints have only won by more than 40 points twice in 2024.
- Though the Suns have been unable to win away from home, they have also generally avoided being completely blown out of the water, with their last seven away games resulting in losses by less than 40 points.
Multi of the Week
| Legs | Odds |
| Kangaroos 1-39 | $2.25 |
| Saints 1-39 | $2.15 |
| Bombers 1-39 | $2.25 |
| Bet $10 for $108.84 with PlayUp | |
Fremantle Dockers vs Geelong Cats
The eight-point games continue on Saturday evening in arguably the most enthralling matchup across what looks like being a quality weekend of footy, with the 6th placed Dockers hosting the 5th placed Cats at Optus Stadium. Both of these sides’ games last week demonstrated just how tight this season is, with each of them involved in matches which were decided by under a kick, the Dockers going down by a point and the Cats winning by five. Had Freo even managed to secure a draw, they would be sitting in 3rd spot and at least two games clear inside the eight; instead they’re 6th and just a game from the Bombers in 9th. The Cats, meanwhile, would have been just hanging onto their own spot in the finals had the Crows kicked another goal, sitting down in 8th; instead they’re in 5th and only percentage off the Power in 3rd.
There is so much on the line in this game. The winner will likely wrap up their spot in the finals and potentially jump into the top four, while the loser will very possibly be less than a game clear inside the eight and far from guaranteed a spot in the finals. With so much on the line, it’s safe to say that the Dockers will be pretty happy that this game is being played in Perth. At Optus Stadium they have been very tough to beat, boasting a 7-2-1 record in home games this year, and the last time they lost there was to the Swans nearly three months ago. Expect this to be a highly contested game between two good teams for whom Premiership contention is a very real prospect, but over in Perth, the Dockers can pick up a pivotal win.
Predicted Squads
Fremantle Dockers: B: L. Ryan, J. Draper, B. Cox HB: B. Walker, H. Chapman, C. Wagner C: J. Clark, H. Young, J. Sharp HF: S. Sturt, S. Switkowski, M. Frederick F: J. Treacy, J. Amiss, L. Jackson FOLL: S. Darcy, C. Serong, A. Brayshaw I/C: B. Banfield, J. O’Meara, M. Johnson, J. Aish, N. Fyfe EMG: L. Reidy, C. Simpson, W. Brodie
Geelong Cats: B: J. Henry, S. De Koning, J. Kolodjashnij HB: L. Humphries, Z. Guthrie, J. Bews C: M. Holmes, M. Blicavs, O. Dempsey HF: T. Stengle, B. Close, S. Mannagh F: S. Neale, J. Cameron, G. Rohan FOLL: R. Stanley, P. Dangerfield - C, T. Stewart I/C: Z. Tuohy, O. Henry, T. Bruhn, J. Bowes, G. Miers EMG: T. Clohesy, M. Duncan, M. Knevitt
Essendon Bombers vs Gold Coast Suns
The Bombers’ finals dream is still alive, albeit by the barest of margins. After three consecutive losses they had no choice but to beat the Dockers last Sunday if they were to remain in the finals hunt, and just barely, they managed to do that. In a pulsating game, the Dockers tied things up at 89 apiece with a little over 30 seconds to go to seemingly force a draw, but a clean Zach Merrett clearance led to a Sam Durham point, and that one-point victory moved the Dons up to 9th spot and just half a game behind the Dogs and the Blues. After having seemingly blown their finals chances, they could easily be back inside the top eight if they can secure another win this weekend. And based on how the Suns have performed away from home this year, they should really be able to do that.
It's been a stat the AFL world has followed increasingly closely over recent weeks; the Suns failure to win a single game away from home all year while barely losing at home. Against the Eagles last weekend in Perth they had a pretty perfect opportunity to end that trend, and once again, they failed. Finals were likely out of the equation anyway, but they could have kept themselves in with the slimmest of chances with a win against one of the worst teams in the league and could not even manage that. The AFL’s kings of déjà vu have again fallen just short, and now enter this game with nothing to play for up against a side with everything on the line. If the Bombers can’t win this game, they don’t deserve to be anywhere near the finals. Up against a team which can’t even beat the Eagles on the road and which has little to be motivated for, they can surely win a second on the trot to put themselves right back in the mix to play in September.
Predicted Squads
Essendon Bombers: B: J. Kelly, 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, N. Bryan, A. Davey Jnr, A. Roberts, J. Menzie EMG: B. Hobbs, P. Wright, D. Heppell
Gold Coast Suns: B: S. Collins, B. Uwland, M. Andrew HB: J. Jeffrey, L. Weller, W. Powell C: B. Fiorini, N. Anderson, S. Clohesy HF: L. Johnston, D. Swallow, B. Humphrey F: B. Long, B. King, J. Lukosius FOLL: J. Witts - C, S. Flanders, M. Rowell I/C: M. Rosas, C. Ballard, O. Faulkhead, T. Berry, D. Macepherson EMG: A. Sexton, N. Moyle, J. Rogers
Melbourne Demons vs Port Adelaide Power
These two teams had a pretty different weekend in Round 21. The Demons had their season essentially officially ended by the Bulldogs, failing to give much of a yelp last Friday night in that 51-point defeat. That was their third on the trot and put them two games and a lot of percentage out of the eight with just three games to go, meaning that the side which has been a walk-up start in the top four for the past three years will be a notable absentee this September.
The Power, in contrast, are still not guaranteed a spot in the finals as a result of how tight the ladder is, but gave their top four hopes a huge boost with an unbelievable display against the Swans on Saturday night. Much of the talk has centred around the Swans’ rapid decline, but the Power, obviously, deserve a huge amount of credit for dismantling a team of such quality as powerfully as they did. That 112-point win was their best performance in a long time – up to 20 years or more, according to Kane Cornes – and did a pretty good job of silencing the critics who claim that they are not capable of beating the best teams, because they did a hell of a lot more than just beat the Swans. That was their third win on the trot and their second in a row against a contender after they beat the Blues in Melbourne the week prior, and based on that form they can surely get the job done against a Demons side limping towards the end of the season. Typically, the Demons at close to $3 at the MCG against Port would look pretty juicy, but they are a shadow of their former selves and the Power are firing on all cylinders, making it hard to envision any result but a win for the visitors.
Predicted Squads
Melbourne Demons: B: J. Lever, A. Tomlinson, J. McVee HB: J. Bowey, T. McDonald, A. Moniz-Wakefield C: E. Langdon, C. Oliver, A. Neal-Bullen HF: K. Pickett, J. van Rooyen, B. Fritsch F: K. Chandler, H. Petty, J. Melksham FOLL: M. Gawn - C, J. Viney, T. Rivers I/C: B. Howes, T. Sparrow, K. Tholstrup, B. Laurie, K. Brown EMG: J. Billings, S. McAdam, M. Jefferson
Port 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: Q. Narkle, K. Farrell, J. Mead, F. Evans, La. Jones EMG: J. McEntee, R. Burton, D. Visentini
Carlton Blues vs Hawthorn Hawks
A few short weeks ago, the Swans were all but certain to finish on top of the ladder and the Blues had emerged as clearly the frontrunner to finish in second just behind them. But like Sydney, Carlton have fallen off a cliff since then, losing four of their last five games to tumble from 2nd to 8th and put their finals hopes in jeopardy. Their latest defeat was their fourth in a row by 14 points or less and was the most agonising of them all, with Mitch McGovern having a chance to spoil Scott Pendlebury’s 400th game with a goal after the siren; he kicked it out on the full. They are still just a game outside the top four, but there are also three teams within a game of them sitting outside the eight, one of whom they play this weekend.
The Hawks also went agonisingly close to securing an important victory last weekend, and with a 28-point lead over the Giants at three-quarter time looked likely to end the round just percentage behind the Blues. Instead, they fell in a heap to lose their 3rd game in the last 13 weeks, and the second of which they snatched from the jaws of victory to lose by two points or less – the other being their remarkable one-point loss to the Power a few months ago. They have been one of, if not the, in-form sides in the comp for months and deserve to play finals, but having endured a 0-5 start they are still yet to make their way into the top eight and a loss this weekend will make it very unlikely that they will be able to do so. There is a huge amount on the line for both of these teams; the Blues have the advantage from a size and experience perspective, but the Hawks’ young side have an intangible edge to them and the brighter the lights, the more they seem to thrive. This should be a pulsating game in front of a big crowd, and though the Blues would probably win this game on paper, footy ain’t played on paper, and the Hawks can make the race for 8th even tighter with a thrilling win.
Predicted Squads
Carlton Blues: B: J. Boyd, J. Weitering, A. Saad HB: B. Kemp, M. McGovern, N. Newman C: B. Acres, P. Cripps - C, O. Hollands HF: E. Hollands, H. McKay, J. Martin F: L. Fogarty, C. Curnow, J. Motlop FOLL: M. Pittonet, S. Walsh, G. Hewett I/C: A. Cincotta, Z. Williams, O. Fantasia, M. Owies, M. Kennedy EMG: L. Cowan, J. Carroll, Le. Young
Hawthorn Hawks: B: B. Hardwick, S. Frost, J. Impey HB: J. Scrimshaw, J. Sicily - C, J. Ward C: K. Amon, J. Newcombe, D. Moore HF: L. Breust, W. Day, J. Worpel F: C. Macdonald, M. Chol, J. Ginnivan FOLL: L. Meek, C. Nash, C. Jiath I/C: N. Watson, M. D’Ambrosio, C. Dear, J. Weddle, J. Gunston EMG: C. Mackenzie, J. Serong, H. Morrison
Richmond Tigers vs St. Kilda Saints
The season can’t really end quickly enough for either of these teams. It’s been an unmitigated disaster from start to finish for the Tigers in Adem Yze’s first season as coach, with injuries completely derailing what was probably already going to be an indifferent season. Their spot on the bottom of the ladder was solidified last weekend when they lost to the Kangaroos, not that they will be all too concerned. That was probably not a bad result in the end; while they won plenty of key metrics and arguably should have won (they had 27 scoring shots to 20), they may well have secured the number one pick in this year’s draft with the loss.
The Saints, meanwhile, took a big jump backwards after a positive few weeks, failing to give a yelp against a red-hot Lions team on Sunday evening. Having picked up three wins from their previous four games – including one against the Swans and a dominant win over the Bombers – the Saints were woeful on Sunday, kicking just five goals and ultimately going down by 85 points. They can’t move all that far from the 14th position on the ladder that they currently occupy and have little to play for but pride as a result, and though that seemed to be some motivator for the month prior to Round 21, it certainly wasn’t on Sunday. This doesn’t shape up as a particularly inspiring game, but the Saints should be able to get the chocolates against the bottom of the table Tigers.
Predicted Squads
Richmond Tigers: B: B. Miller, N. Balta, N. Vlastuin HB: N. Broad, J. Trezise, D. Rioli C: H. Ralphsmith, D. Prestia, S. Banks HF: R. Mansell, L. Baker - C, S. Campbell F: S. Bolton, D. Martin, J. Koschitzke FOLL: T. Nankervis, T. Taranto, J. Hopper I/C: J. Short, M. Coulthard, T. Dow, J. Graham, K. McIntosh EMG: K. McAuliffe, M. Pickett, S. Ryan
St. Kilda Saints: B: J. Battle, D. Howard, C. Wilkie HB: N. Wanganeen-Milera, J. Sinclair, J. Webster C: M. Wood, L. Stocker, R. Byrnes HF: B. Hill, J. Higgins, M. Owens F: A. Caminiti, T. Membrey, C. Sharman FOLL: R. Marshall, J. Steele - C, M. Phillipou I/C: Z. Jones, H. Garcia, D. Butler, D. Wilson, A. Schoenmaker EMG: T. Campbell, A. McLennan, P. Dow
Adelaide Crows vs Western Bulldogs
Though they have not had the season that they wanted, the Crows have shown that they are still capable of bouncing back next year with some strong form over the past six weeks – an 11-goal thrashing at the hands of the Hawks a fortnight ago notwithstanding. Not that any team particularly wants the patronising categorisation of ‘brave’, but that is exactly what they were down in Geelong last weekend, taking the Cats to within a goal in an entertaining game on Saturday night. But if they’re to give themselves a chance in this one, they will need to play every bit as well and then some against one of the most in-form teams in the league.
The Bulldogs have gone from one of the most maligned teams in the league to one whose Premiership charge is rapidly gaining traction over the past month or so. They have won four on the trot during a really difficult period, beating the Blues, Cats, Swans and then Demons to take their record to 12-8. They were dominant in the latest of those wins, smacking the Dees around to win by 51 points, and though they still sit in just 7th place, if they can maintain their form over the last few weeks of the season they are a very good chance of working their way into the top four, particularly given they have a superior percentage to every other team in that race aside from the Lions. Their midfield is humming like its talent suggests it should, and their much-maligned forward line is functioning as well as it has led by Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, who has taken a huge step forward over recent weeks. The inconsistency which has plagued this team for so long hasn’t reared its ugly head all that much for a few months now, and assuming that continues they should be able to notch up a fifth consecutive win this weekend.
Predicted Squads
Adelaide Crows: B: M. Michalanney, M. Keane, L. Nankervis HB: B. Dowling, N. Murray, M. Hinge C: L. Sholl, M. Crouch, J. Soligo HF: B. Keays, R. Thilthorpe, Z. Taylor F: L. Murphy, T. Walker, D. Fogarty - C FOLL: R. O’Brien, R. Laird, J. Dawson I/C: D. Curtin, J. Worrell, J. Rachele, S. Berry, H. Bond EMG: B. Smith, E. Himmelberg, J. Borlase
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, R. Sanders I/C: C. Daniel, R. Garcia, L. McNeil, L. Jones, C. Poulter EMG: J. Macrae, J. Freijah, O. Baker
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