AFL 2024 Round 19 – Betting Tips, Odds & Predictions

The AFL season could hardly have been more delicate poised heading into Round 18, but somehow it tightened up even further over the course of the weekend. With the Blues losing from second and the Hawks knocking off the Dockers from 13th, just two games now separate 13 of the league’s 18 teams with just six weeks to go in the home and away season. Eight point games are set to become the norm over that time, and there are plenty of them in Round 19, including the Giants vs Suns, Hawks vs Magpies, Cats vs Bulldogs and Demons vs Suns, while the Lions also host the Swans in what could easily be a taster of a game much later on in the year. Take a look at our detailed preview of every game set to take place this weekend below.  

Just as quickly as the Bombers finally gained respect for beating a potential top team in the Magpies a fortnight ago, they handed a whole bunch of it back with last week’s defeat at the hands of the Demons. Just days after they dismantled the reigning Premiers in front of a huge crowd, the Dons were outclassed from quarter-time onwards against Melbourne, with four late goals meaning that the 17-point margin at the conclusion of the game probably flattered them. They slipped down to sixth as a result of that defeat, and with their poor percentage their spot in the top eight is now very precarious. Though they’re just half a game from second, they’re also only a game and a half from 13th, and their percentage is the second worst out of that entire cluster of teams from 2nd to 13th. That means that they really need to keep winning, and though they get a good chance to do that this Friday night the Crows will not just roll over if recent performances are anything to go by.  
 
It's been an extremely disappointing year for Adelaide, who are virtually guaranteed to finish 14th or 15th in a year in which finals beckoned, but over the past three weeks they have played some decent footy and will be looking to generate a little bit of momentum to carry into next season. After knocking off the Giants and then going close against the Lions, they won a scrappy affair against the Saints just as the Bombers were getting beaten by the Dees last Saturday night, racing away in the final quarter to win 71-39. Though they have little to play for, they’re also not exactly going to lose out on draft picks if they win a few more games over the next six weeks given the gap between them and the Hawks in 13th. This is a real danger game for the Bombers given how Adelaide will be playing, and though they deserve to be favourites, the visitors represent decent value to cause an upset to start Round 19 and really put Essendon’s finals hopes in jeopardy.  

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Crows to win	$2.50
	Crows +10.5	$1.91
	Crows 1-39	$2.90

Predicted Squads

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

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

The Giants did what they needed to against the Tigers last weekend, though not much can be read into a 24-point victory over the current bottom-placed side. The week prior, however, revealed a lot more about this team, who finally appeared to recapture their mojo in a blistering post quarter-time performance against the Blues. They are now on a two-game winning streak for the first time in more than three months, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. They are now back in the top eight, and with a victory this weekend could theoretically jump inside the top four. Depending on which iteration of the Suns they get they are a good chance of doing exactly that.  
 
There have been two versions of the Gold Coast this year; the home version and the away version. The former has been unbeatable, literally, winning all nine of their home games throughout the course of the year. The latter, however, has been the exact opposite, as they are still yet to win in their seven attempts away from home this season. It’s a remarkable statistic, and while it suggests that there is at least something to like about the Suns, it is also very hard to ignore a 0-7 away record, particularly when they are coming up against a very good side in winning form. If the Suns can finally find a way to transfer their home form to another stadium this could be a close game, but it’s hard to go past the Giants at ENGIE Stadium.  

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Giants to win	$1.38
	Giants 1-39	$2.15
	Giants 1-24	$3.30

Predicted Squads

Greater Western Sydney Giants: B: C. Idun, J. Buckley, H. Himmelberg HB: L. Whitfield, L. Aleer, H. Perryman C: H. Thomas, T. Green, I. Cumming HF: B. Daniels, J. Riccardi, A. Cadman F: T. Greene - C, J. Hogan, T. Bedford FOLL: K. Briggs, C. Ward, F. Callaghan I/C: J. Fonti, X. O’Halloran, D. Jones, T. McMullin, J. Peatling EMG: L. Aleer, N. Haynes, J. Wehr

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

There are plenty of games of significance this weekend, but this is not really one of them. Neither the Saints nor the Eagles have had seasons worth saying all that much about, and currently occupy 15th and 16th spot on the AFL ladder respectively without any scope to move very far over the coming month and a half. The Saints enjoyed a rare moment of jubilation a fortnight ago when they came from behind to knock off the top of the table Swans by a couple of points, but as impressive as they were in that game they were lacklustre in their next, booting just 39 points in a pretty grim affair at Adelaide Oval against the Crows in a 32-point loss. Wins have been relatively few and far between this year for the Saints, though they should be confident in their ability to pick up a seventh for the year this Saturday afternoon.  
 
Despite showing some improvement at points throughout the year, the losses have really been piling up for the Eagles over the past couple of months, culminating in Adam Simpson’s exit from the helm prior to last weekend’s game. As is so often the case, the Eagles were competitive in their first game under a new coach, with Jarrad Schofield’s first game yielding a gallant 13-point loss at the hands of the Lions. But the fact remains that they are 3-14 with a percentage of 70. 3%, and have now lost seven games on the trot. None of those three victories this season have come away from home, and while the Saints at Marvel Stadium is not the most formidable of road trips, the home side should be able to do enough to get the job done.  

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Saints to win	$1.22
	Saints 1-39	$2.20
	Eagles +26.5	$1.89

Predicted Squads

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

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

• The Saints have not won a single game by more than 40 points all season.
• Though the Bulldogs won the last time they played the Cats in Geelong, they lost their last 11 games at the ground now known as GMHBA Stadium.  
• The Dockers have only lost once to an interstate team in Perth all year, and that was against the Swans.

Multi of the Week

Who would have thought that a Round 19 clash between the Hawks and the Magpies would turn out to be such a season-defining one for both of these teams? Sitting directly alongside one another in 12th and 13th on the ladder, they are both a game outside the top eight as well as a bit of percentage – particularly for the Hawks – and a loss here will make it extremely tough to play finals footy. The two are coming off vastly different results last weekend; Hawthorn bounced back from their first loss in a long time with a really impressive win against the Dockers, matching it with a team that has established itself as a genuine top four contender throughout the game before booting away late to win by 13 points. They are now 8-2 over the past ten weeks.  
 
The Magpies, meanwhile, have lost more games than that in the past three weeks. Three relatively close losses in a row have seen them tumble down the ladder, and made the prospect of them missing the final the year after winning the Premiership a very real one. They were able to go with the Cats for most of the game last week, but ultimately did not have it in them to sustain that for the full four quarters and were run over late. The return of Jamie Elliott was certainly a welcome one, but while he did provide a spark up forward they still looked lacklustre at times, not particularly surprising given they are without Brody Mihocek, Dan McStay and Mason Cox. After returning from an ACL injury through the VFL last week, McStay may well come back into the side for this pivotal game. He is no match-winner but will provide some much-needed structure for them up forward, and though the Pies have been struggling of late, this is a team which it is hard to write off. This should be a hotly contested game given its significance, but the Magpies can keep their season alive with a hard-fought win. 

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Magpies to win	$1.90
	Magpies 1-39	$2.50
	Magpies 1-24	$3.30

Predicted Squads

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

Collingwood Magpies: B: B. Maynard, D. Moore - C, I. Quaynor HB: J. Noble, O. Markov, W. Hoskin-Elliott C: S. Sidebottom, S. Pendlebury, J. Daicos HF: B. Hill, N. Kreuger, D. McStay F: N. Long, P. Lipinski, J. Elliott FOLL: D. Cameron, J. De Goey, N. Daicos I/C: B. Frampton, J. Crisp, J. Richards, H. Harrison, R. McInnes EMG: F. Macrae, L. Sullivan, A. Johnson

Just when the Cats seemed headed for another missed finals campaign, they have resurrected their season in impressive fashion with three consecutive wins over the past three weeks. After pumping both the Bombers and the Hawks, they played out a hard-fought victory against the Magpies last Friday night, jumping out of the blocks and then repelling their opponent’s fightback with a late surge which saw them accelerate away to a 20-point win. With the season so delicately poised nothing is assured at this point, but those wins have seen the Cats jump to third spot, and anything from a top four finish to missing the finals is still very possible.  
 
The Bulldogs are a couple of games further back, but the same goes for them and a win this weekend would put them right back in the frame to challenge for a top four spot – something they have never achieved under Luke Beveridge despite making two Grand Finals and winning a flag with him at the helm. As they showed last weekend, if they play their best footy they are more than capable of climbing quickly up the ladder over the remainder of the season, with their 14-point victory looking like the performance of a genuine contender. Unfortunately, as has been the case for so long, that isn’t the performance they dish up every week, and the game prior they looked like a bottom four team when they were pumped by the Power. The Bulldogs are as erratic as any team in the league. On their day they are good enough to win this game, but the Cats in Geelong is never an easy task, and the home team’s recent form makes them hard to go against.  

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Cats to win	$1.37
	Cats 1-39	$2.20
	Cats 1-24	$3.30

Predicted Squads

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

Western Bulldogs: B: T. Duryea, B. Khamis, N. Coffield HB: L. Bramble, J, O’Donnell, B. Dale C: E. Richards, A. Treloar, B. Williams HF: L. Vandermeer, J. Ugle-Hagan, A. Naughton F: C. Weightman, S. Darcy, R. West FOLL: T. English, M. Bontempelli - C, T. Liberatore I/C: J. Macrae, R. Sanders, L. McNeil, C. Poulter, R. Garcia EMG: A. Keath, C. Daniel, J. Freijah

While the Cats and Bulldogs are going head to head in Geelong in a proverbial eight-point game, another of the myriad teams mired in the 2nd-13th logjam will be hoping to earn four points and some valuable percentage over at Adelaide Oval. After two consecutive wins, the Power were the latest team to fall victim to the Suns on the Gold Coast, going down by 14 points and falling out of the top eight as a result. But with just a game separating them from 2nd place things could change quickly, and with the bottom placed Tigers waiting this weekend they should find themselves back inside the top eight by Sunday morning.  
 
Richmond certainly won’t rollover; aside from a couple of two-three week form slump, they have generally been competitive all year despite their woes, and against the Giants last weekend they were once again. It never looked particularly likely that they would win that game, but a 24-point margin at the final siren was far from a disaster for a team with little to gain out of the rest of the season. The Tigers can ill-afford more injuries but will be without Tim Taranto after he was concussed late in that game, further testing a team which has all season been forced to reach deep into their list to field a team. But Taranto wouldn’t be the difference in this game. Like so many teams the Power desperately need a win and the more percentage they can pick up the better, and they should get a healthy dose of it this weekend once they shake off the competitive Tigers.  

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Power 1-39	$2.45
	Tigers +20.5 first half line	$1.91
	Power to win	$1.09

Predicted Squads

Port Adelaide Power: B: K. Farrell, 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, J. Finlayson F: O. Lord, C. Dixon, C. Rozee - C FOLL: J. Sweet, J. Horne-Francis, Z. Butters I/C: J. Mead, J. Burgoyne, R. Burton, Q. Narkle, F. Evans EMG: W. Lorenz, J. McEntee, D. Visentini

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

There are plenty of good games scattered across Round 19, but this is probably the pick of the bunch. The Lions and the Swans currently occupy positions three and one in the Premiership betting, with the Swans basically guaranteed to finish on top of the ladder and the Lions having now jumped into fourth spot after their winning streak continued on Sunday afternoon. That was far from their most impressive performance, but win they did to make it six in a row. They have also won five consecutive games at the Gabba as they gradually re-establish it as the fortress which it was last year, and on Sunday they will get the biggest test in footy when they welcome the Swans to their lair.  
 
The Swans showed that they are fallible with two consecutive losses in Rounds 16 and 17 – though they were by a combined total of just three points – but they eased their way back onto the winners’ last weekend with a commanding performance against the Kangaroos. The Roos had been competitive for five consecutive weeks heading into that game, notching up two wins along the way, but that streak came to an end against the might of the Swans, who flexed their collective muscle with apparent ease en route to 79-point win. With the Blues losing, they re-established their three-game plus percentage lead on top of the ladder, and with top spot all but locked up they don’t really have all that much to play for over the remaining few weeks of the season, not that it's likely to slow them down. They will nonetheless be keen to knock off the Lions, who they may very well be facing once again deep in September, but Brisbane have begun to look a lot like the version of themselves which made the Grand Final last year. This should be a tight and high-quality game, but on their home turf the Lions can sneak over the line and hand the Swans their third close loss in four games.  

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Lions to win	$1.81
	Lions 1-39	$2.50
	Lions 1-24	$3.40

Predicted Squads

Brisbane Lions: B: D. Zorko, D. Joyce, R. Lester HB: B. Starcevich, H. Andrews, C. McKenna C: Z. Bailey, C. Rayner, W. Ashcroft HF: J. Fletcher, 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, D. Wilmot, S. Brain, B. Reville EMG: D. Fort, J. Prior, D. Robertson

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

If the finals were to begin today, the first Elimination Final would see the Dockers host the Demons in Perth, and while this game isn’t quite as cut-throat as that would be, it’s not all that far off. Both of these teams are locked right in the middle of the fight for spots in the finals, each very much in the mix for top four but equally far from guaranteed a spot in the finals. It feels like the Dockers certainly deserve one; they have proven themselves a worthy foe for almost any opposition all year, though they did have a three-game winning streak ended by an impressive Hawthorn team last Saturday. But they have lost just two games at home all year, and given they beat the Demons by 92 points at a neutral venue earlier in the season they will be hopeful that they can bounce straight back this weekend.  
 
The Demons have been a shadow of their former selves over recent months, a main cause being a midfield which is now missing Christian Petracca, Angus Brayshaw and Max Gawn, and with Clayton Oliver not even playing at close to the level we have come to expect of him. But just when their season seemed likely to limp to an ignominious finish, they have found something over the past fortnight, and last week’s win over the Bombers was one of their better performances for a long time. If they can knock off the Dockers in Perth they will all of a sudden be right back in the mix for a top four spot, but that’s a big if. With Gawn again absent and Sean Darcy available to rejoin Luke Jackson in a potent one-two punch after missing last week with concussion, the Dockers should be getting first hands on the ball more often than not, and can use that as the starting point to eke out an important win in a competitive game.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Dockers to win	$1.47
	Dockers to win	$2.15
	Dockers 1-24	$3.10

Predicted Squads

Fremantle Dockers: B: H. Chapman, B. Cox, J. Draper HB: A. Pearce, L. Ryan, J. Clark C: H. Young, N. Fyfe, J. O’Meara HF: S. Sturt, S. Darcy, M. Frederick F: J. Treacy, J. Amiss, S. Switkowski FOLL: L. Jackson, C. Serong - C, A. Brayshaw I/C: B. Banfield, J. Sharp, M. Johnson, M. Walters, J. Aish EMG: W. Brodie, P. Voss, C. Wagner

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

A fortnight ago the Blues appeared to have established themselves as the second best team in the league and comfortably the most likely to secure the second home double chance, but given how this season has unfolded to date it should come as no surprise to anyone that they have since gone and lost two games in a row to fall back to the pack. They are still sitting in second place, but with just a game separating them from the Power in ninth they are no guarantee to stay there. In their favour, however, is a percentage superior to all but the Lions in that group of teams, and one which should get a little better this weekend.  
 
The Kangaroos have shown plenty of signs of late and were super impressive in a five-week stretch which yielded two wins, two losses by less than a goal to top four sides from last year, and a 17-point defeat at the hands of the Bulldogs. But that improvement was not enough to make them any sort of a match for the Swans last weekend, who hammered them by 79 points. Carlton are not quite as formidable an opponent as Sydney as this point, but they are pretty damn good, and their experienced midfield should be able to take care of the Kangaroos talented but relatively young brigade of mids. Expect Charlie Comben and co to have their hands full down back against Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay, who should each be able to hit the scoreboard plenty en route to a comfortable victory to re-solidify their place in second spot on the ladder.  

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Blues -34.5	$1.90
	Blues 40+	$2.05
	Blues 25+	$1.50

Predicted Squads

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

North Melbourne Kangaroos: B: A. Corr, C. Comben, T. Pink HB: J. Archer, H. Sheezel, L. McDonald C: D. Stephens, L. Davies-Uniacke, C. McKercher HF: D. Tucker, B. Teakle, E. Ford F: P. Curtis, N. Larkey, C. Zurhaar FOLL: T. Xerri, T. Powell, J. Simpkin – C I/C: Z. Durrsma, G. Wardlaw, B. Scott, Z. Fisher, K. Dawson EMG: J. Stephenson, W. Phillips, R. Hansen Jr

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