The race towards finals and Wildcard Weekend is heating up in the AFL with just 2.5 games separating Collingwood (8th) and Gold Coast (14th).
While we’ve got a few one-sided affairs that will likely only go one way, there’s a mix of genuine blockbusters between Sydney and Adelaide, Collingwood and Carlton and the issues-riddled Suns vs Bulldogs.
We take a look at all nine AFL games in Round 19 and hunt for a bit of value.
Geelong vs St Kilda Predictions
Both Geelong and St Kilda will be desperate to keep their AFL finals hopes alive when the two sides clash at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday night.
The Cats, who have lost three games in a row and fallen to ninth on the ladder, have history on their side having won 13-straight at home against the Saints.
It was a chaotic weekend of injuries for the Cats during their loss to the Giants, who will be without Jeremy Cameron and Tanner Bruhn alongside a rested Jack Martin, Mark Blicavs and Jake Kolodjashnij.
The Saints will be carrying a glimmer of hope into this one on the back of consecutive wins against Essendon and Port and the fact they’ve just got the one change – Hunter Clark replacing the omitted Angus Hastie.
These are typically the types of games Geelong bounce back in a big way, and this shouldn’t be any different with finals on the line.
Sydney vs Adelaide Predictions
The game of the round in many respects, the Swans and Crows will have nothing but top four on their minds when they meet at the SCG on Friday night.
Despite giving up 15 second-half goals and losing to Fremantle by 38 points last week, the Swans have been backed into $1.52 favouritism as punters expect Dean Cox’s men to bounce back at home.
Logan McDonald will return after passing a fitness test, joining new Coleman Medal leader Charlie Curnow (50 majors) up forward.
Rory Laird will join fellow defender Mitch Hinge on the sidelines for the in-form Crows, who solidified fifth spot on the ladder by feasting on a rabble Suns outfit, 128-49.
While Sydney have won their last 20 matches as favourite, expect the likes of Jordan Dawson and Izak Rankine to give the Swans a fright.
Port Adelaide vs Fremantle Predictions
From a blockbuster to this, it’s hard to make a case for any side against Fremantle these days let alone the 15th-placed Port Adelaide.
The Dockers were anything but impressive in the first half against the Swans with 0.11 (11) but ignited in the second and proved their premiership credentials with 15 goals to six en route to a 38-point win.
Josh Treacy went full beast mode with four goals, while the star-studded midfield of Caleb Serong, Murphy Reid, Shai Bolton and Andrew Brayshaw ran all over the Swannies.
If things weren’t bad enough for the rebuilding Power, they lost champion midfield Zak Butters for an extended period as well as Jason Horne-Francis, meaning this one could be seriously ugly.
North Melbourne vs Melbourne Predictions
North Melbourne’s Wildcard chances slip further away every week, so they’ll be hellbent on giving the in-form Demons a run for their money at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
Roos fans would be filthy with their side giving up two very winnable games against Port and Collingwood over the past two weeks.
Nick Larkey couldn’t kick it over a jam tin (3.4 vs the Pies), while Clarko needs to sit Xerri in the ruck and leave him there instead of trying to make a forward out of the lumbering big man.
On the other hand, the $1.44 Dees secured their fourth win out of their past five games against the Tigers.
They’re set to welcome both Bayley Fritsch and Harrison Petty back into their line-up and should really have few issues keeping their top four dreams alive in this one.
Collingwood vs Carlton Predictions
Before we start hitting some of the world’s most one-sided games, a significant AFL rivalry will reignite when Collingwood and Carlton meet at the MCG on Saturday night.
The Pies are $1.65 favourites with Ladbrokes after climbing into eighth spot on the ladder with four straight wins.
Lachie Schultz (ankle) will miss up to a month of footy, which does not bode well for a forward line that ranks 11th for points scored.
As for Carlton, the Josh Fraser-inspired dream run came crashing down against the Hawks as fell by 64 points.
George Hewett (back) will be put through his paces after leaving the game early through injury last week, having recorded 25+ disposals in each of Carlton’s last eight away matches at the MCG.
Another cracking match-up where the underdog presents some juicy value.
West Coast vs Brisbane Predictions
Speaking of cracking match-ups, this isn’t one of those.
The West Coast Eagles will need some sort of miracle to slow down the rampaging Brisbane Lions at Optus Stadium.
$9 feels about right for the 16th-placed Eagles, who have lost each of their last 24 matches against teams on a winning streak.
As for the Lions, they’re into $4.20 on the second line of betting for a third consecutive premiership after dismantling the Bombers by 90 points on the back of a Lachie Neale (40 disposals) and Will Ashcroft (33 & 3 goals) masterclass.
Charlie Cameron could be in for a monster day out, having kicked 2+ goals in 11 of Brisbane’s last 12 matches.
Richmond vs Hawthorn Predictions
Another game that will only go one way, Hawthorn enters their clash with Richmond as the shortest priced favourite of any team in R19 at $1.04.
After lowering their colours against Melbourne two weeks ago, Sam Mitchell’s men returned to the winner’s stall via a comprehensive 64-point triumph over Carlton.
Wizard Watson and Josh Battle will face fitness tests before lining up, but Josh Weddle is a certainty to return from suspension.
The less said about the Tigers the better at this point, but it’s safe to say they struggle against the Hawks after losing their past two by a margin of 60-69 points.
Gold Coast vs Western Bulldogs Predictions
Find us a club with more issues than the Gold Coast Suns at this point.
From losing seven on the trot to Dimma saying the season is over despite being one game outside the top 10, reported friction between players and coaching staff, and a disabled toilet rendezvous between two of their players caught on camera.
And yet they’re still 1.82 favourites…
The Dogs fought out a 16-point win over the Eagles to keep their top six hopes alive but must now do it without star defender and dual All-Australian Bailey Dale who is out for the remainder of the home and away season with a fractured shoulder.
Very difficult one to predict, but the Dogs just don’t have the same pressure facing them the Suns do.
Essendon vs GWS Giants Predictions
If Adam Kingsley was granted one wish in his side’s bid for a top 10 spot, it came true with a fixtured match against Essendon in R19.
The Giants kept their season well and truly alive with wins against Fremantle and Geelong over the past two weeks and will look to build on their 101.6% percentage against the Bombers.
Plus, Lachie Whitfield is in line to return from concussion, which is a huge inclusion.
The Bombers will likely welcome back experienced pair Jordan Ridley and Kyle Langford for Sunday’s clash, but it’s hard to see them covering the line (39.5) set out in this one.