The Roar’s AFL expert tips and predictions: Round 18

There’s a couple of matches this week that look likely to be thrilling contests and are a bit hard to tip because of that.

Collingwood and North Melbourne play a match that is going to be crucial to both side’s finals hopes. While the Pies’ undermanned backline will be in some danger, I suspect they’ll still get the win.

Brisbane vs Adelaide is a much more engaging contest than we might have thought it would be at the start of the year – the Crows have hit form in recent weeks though so will back them in.

Geelong hosting Melbourne at Kardinia is one of the trickier matches to pick all year long for mine. I suspect the Dees are a better team overall but giving the Cats the edge, just, on the strength of their home ground advantage.

Port Adelaide and GWS to close out the round is again an absolutely crucial match in terms of how it will shape finals. I reckon GWS’ A-grade talent will be good enough to get them the win.

Richmond, Sydney, Essendon, Hawthorn and West Coast are my other tips for the week – for a lock of the week, let’s say the Eagles over the Dogs at Optus Stadium.

Adrian Polykandrites
Richmond, Collingwood, Sydney, Essendon, Adelaide, Melbourne, Hawthorn, West Coast, GWS

There are some great match-ups this round, and Pies vs Roos is as good as any of them. Hard to split them but I’ll take Collingwood.

I’m still not convinced the Swans are very good, but they’ll be far too good for the Suns.

Essendon shouldn’t have much trouble with Freo at Etihad.

Brisbane vs Adelaide looks a hell of a lot more interesting than it might have preseason. The Lions are great fun and a big chance, but it looks like the Crows might have rediscovered their mojo. I’ll take the visitors in a good game.

Huge stakes on Saturday night in Geelong. I think the Demons will cause an upset.

Hawthorn should beat Carlton but I don’t think it’ll be by a lot. West Coast will beat the Dogs by plenty.

Another cracker to finish the round – the late Sunday game has consistently delivered – and the Giants will continue their top-four push with a win.

Cameron Rose
Richmond, Collingwood, Sydney, Essendon, Adelaide, Geelong, Hawthorn, West Coast, GWS

Richmond, Sydney, Essendon, Hawthorn, West Coast all appear straight-forward.

Collingwood and North are both coming off losses, and another one here will be crippling to their respective top four and eight aspirations.

Ben Brown and Majak Daw can cause a small Pie defence problems, but will the Roos have the midfield depth to create enough opportunities? Collingwood, just.

Can a resurgent Brisbane kill off Adelaide’s finals hopes at the Gabba? Thinking the Crows will have the quality and incentive enough to get the job done.

Geelong hosts Melbourne with so much at stake for both teams. Either side could win the flag or miss the eight.

The Cats at home and rebounding off a loss is a good recipe for them, and they should avoid dropping out of the eight.

The last match of the round could well be the best, with GWS heading to Adelaide to take on Port. The Giants are probably one of the best four in it, but need to win every game to finish that high.

Port are coming off an unforgivable loss to Fremantle, putting a huge dent in their premiership chances. Going with the Giants here, to be just too good regardless of venue.

TomC
Richmond, Collingwood, Sydney, Essendon, Adelaide, Geelong, Hawthorn, West Coast, Port Adelaide

North are out of the eight, but their form has only tailed off a little. But I think Collingwood are too strong, and will bounce back from the loss last week.

Brisbane’s little winning streak will give them some confidence at home against the Crows, but I think the Adelaide midfield is too strong to let the young Lions get a look in.

Melbourne need to start beating finals contenders again, but down at Kardinia Park you have to give the Cats the edge.

Port look just a little vulnerable without Ryder and possibly Gray against the Giants. But despite GWS’ resurgence in recent weeks I’m still not convinced they’ve found the consistency they need, so the Power for me.

Elsewhere, Richmond over the Saints, Sydney to cruise past the Suns, Essendon at home over Freo, Hawthorn this time will win the game they should win against Carlton, and West Coast to beat the Dogs.