Only two points and three places in the 2023 AFL table split the Western Bulldogs and Richmond, making this an absolutely fascinating contest on paper.
The Bulldogs sit 8th, still firmly in the mix for a playoff place and their recent form will give them serious cause for encouragement, between now and the end of the campaign.
Richmond meanwhile are a hugely dangerous side, who seem to lack consistency and they will be doing all they can to spring a run of form together.
This should be a very good game, with points guaranteed but Western Bulldogs could use their home advantage to good effect in this one.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Total Points – Over 169.5 | $1.91 | |
 | Winning Margin: Western Bulldogs 1-12 | $5.50 |
 | Western Bulldogs to win the match | $1.62 |
Western Bulldogs: Aaron Naughton, Adam Treloar, Alex Keath, Anthony Scott, Bailey Dale, Bailey Smith, Bailey Williams, Caleb Daniel, Cody Weightman, Jack Macrae, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Laitham Vandermeer, Liam Jones, Marcus Bontempelli, Mitch Hannan, Oskar Baker, Rhylee West, Rory Lobb, Taylor Duryea, Tim English, Tim O'Brien, Tom Liberatore.
Richmond: Daniel Rioli, Dustin Martin, Dylan Grimes, Hugo Ralphsmith, Jack Graham, Jack Riewoldt, Jack Ross, Jayden Short, Judson Clarke, Kamdyn McIntosh, Liam Baker, Nathan Broad, Nick Vlastuin, Noah Balta, Samson Ryan, Tim Taranto, Toby Nankervis, Trent Cotchin.
Essendon will be looking to get their season back on track, as they take on an improving West Coast side.
For Essendon, their drop out of the playoff places in recent weeks has been demoralising and they find themselves down in 13th place in the AFL table, following just one win from their last 6 games played.
West Coast meanwhile do remain bottom of the table but their win over fellow strugglers North Melbourne last time out will give them a much-needed boost.
This should be one-way traffic, with Essendon picking up a valuable victory.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Peter Wright – First Goal Scorer | $6.50 | |
| Essendon to win the match. | $1.06 |
| Total Points – Under 169.5 | $1.90 |
Essendon: Andrew McGrath, Andrew Phillips, Archie Perkins, Ben Hobbs, B. Zerk-Thatcher, Darcy Parish, Dyson Heppell, Jake Kelly, Jake Stringer, Jayden Laverde, Jordan Ridley, Jye Caldwell, Kyle Langford, Mason Redman, Matt Guelfi, Nic Martin, Nick Bryan, Peter Wright, Sam Durham, Sam Weideman, Will Snelling, Zach Merrett.
West Coast: Alex Witherden, Andrew Gaff, Bailey J. Williams, Brady Hough, Dom Sheed, Elijah Hewett, Elliot Yeo, Jack Darling, Jack Petruccelle, Jack Williams, Jayden Hunt, Liam Duggan, Luke Edwards, Luke Shuey, Noah Long, Oscar Allen, Reuben Ginbey, Rhett Bazzo, Ryan Maric, S. Petrevski-Seton, Thomas Barrass, Tim Kelly.
Two sides who picked up excellent results last time out will be looking to back them up as Adelaide take on Gold Coast.
Adelaide got one over on local rivals Port Adelaide, denting their top 4 push in the process and now they will be hoping to go on a bit of a run of their own.
Gold Coast meanwhile have been one of the form teams in the AFL since the departure of Stuart Dew and they too have a good shot of making the playoffs.
This is a tough one to call for many small betting sites but Gold Coast could potentially have too much fire power for Adelaide here.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Total Points – Over 175.5 | $1.86 | |
| Winning Margin: Gold Coast 1-12 | $6.50 |
| Gold Coast to win the match | $3.00 |
Gold Coast: Bailey Humphrey, Ben Ainsworth, Ben King, Ben Long, Brandon Ellis, Brayden Fiorini, Charlie Ballard, Darcy MacPherson, David Swallow, Hewego Paul Oea, Jack Lukosius, Jarrod Witts, Lachie Weller, Levi Casboult, Mac Andrew, Malcolm Rosas, Matthew Rowell, Nick Holman, Noah Anderson, Sam Collins, Sam Flanders, Wil Powell.
Adelaide: Ben Keays, Brodie Smith, Chayce Jones, Darcy Fogarty, Izak Rankine, Jake Soligo, Jordan Dawson, Jordon Butts, Josh Rachele, Josh Worrell, Lachlan Murphy, Lachlan Sholl, Luke Pedlar, Max Michalanney, Mitchell Hinge, Nick Murray, Reilly O'Brien, Riley Thilthorpe, Rory Laird, Rory Sloane, Taylor Walker, Wayne Milera.
Table topping Collingwood will need to bounce back from defeat to Carlton, as they travel to Hawthorn in another potential banana skin.
Hawthorn have clearly not reached the heights many expected this season, winning only 5 games in a barren campaign but they have plenty of attacking threat.
It was attacking threat that did for Collingwood last week, with Carlton gunning them down by going toe-to-toe and the Magpies need a response here.
This won’t be as one-sided as the odds suggest but Collingwood should ultimately get the job done in this one.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Total Points – Over 167.5 | $1.85 | |
| Winning Margin: Collingwood 13-24 | $6.50 |
| Collingwood to win the match | $1.20 |
Hawthorn: Blake Hardwick, Cameron Mackenzie, Connor MacDonald, Conor Nash, Dylan Moore, Jack Scrimshaw, Jacob Koschitzke, Jai Newcombe, James Blanck, James Worpel, Jarman Impey, Josh Weddle, Karl Amon, Lachie Bramble, Lloyd Meek, Luke Breust, Mitchell Lewis, Ned Reeves, Sam Frost, Seamus Mitchell, Tyler Brockman, Will Day.
Collingwood: Ashley Johnson, Bobby Hill, Brayden Maynard, Brody Mihocek, Darcy Cameron, Darcy Moore, Harvey Harrison, Isaac Quaynor, Jack Crisp, Jamie Elliott, Jeremy Howe, John Noble, Josh Daicos, Mason Cox, Nathan Murphy, Nick Daicos, Oleg Markov, Patrick Lipinski, Scott Pendlebury, Taylor Adams, Tom Mitchell, W. Hoskin-Elliott.
Things are starting to get very real for Port Adelaide, who have lost their last three and are losing momentum in the title race. A trip to Geelong awaits next, a side that also suffered a painstaking defeat last weekend at the hands of Fremantle.
Geelong need a response here following a bit of a lean streak and having the Suns in town should serve as serious motivation.
Port Adelaide meanwhile have both Brisbane and Melbourne breathing down their necks and they need to find form before the start of the playoffs.
This will be a good one, with Port Adelaide perhaps most likely to snap their losing streak.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Port Adelaide to win the match | $2.50 | |
| Total Points – Under 165.5 | $1.90 |
| Winning Margin: Port Adelaide 1-12 | $5.50 |
Geelong: Bradley Close, Gary Rohan, Isaac Smith, Jack Bowes, Jack Henry, Jake Kolodjashnij, Jed Bews, Jeremy Cameron, Max Holmes, Mitch Duncan, Sam De Koning, Tom Atkins, Tom Hawkins, Tom Stewart, Tyson Stengle, Zach Guthrie, Zach Tuohy.
Port Adelaide: Aliir Aliir, Charlie Dixon, Connor Rozee, Dan Houston, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Dylan Williams, J. Horne-Francis, Jed McEntee, Jeremy Finlayson, Josh Sinn, Kane Farrell, Miles Bergman, Ollie Wines, Quinton Narkle, Ryan Burton, Sam Powell-Pepper, Scott Lycett, Todd Marshall, Travis Boak, Trent McKenzie, Willem Drew, Zak Butters.
The Sydney Derby is always a classic and once again in 2023, it has plenty of AFL betting sites purring.
With 7 wins on the spin, the GWS Giants are firmly in the driving seat to finish in the top 8, or potentially better and they seemed to have timed their run to perfection this year.
Sydney meanwhile continue to huff and puff but they have won their last three and are firmly in the mix for a top 8 spot too.
This will be a brilliant game, which is very tough to call but perhaps the momentum is with the GWS Giants
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| GWS Giants to win the match | $1.80 | |
| Winning Margin: GWS Giants 1-12 | $6.00 |
| Total Points – Over 173.5 | $1.95 |
Greater Western Sydney: Aaron Cadman, Callan Ward, Callum M Brown, Connor Idun, Daniel Lloyd, Finn Callaghan, H. Himmelberg, Harry Perryman, Jack Buckley, Jake Riccardi, Josh Kelly, Kieren Briggs, Lachie Ash, Lachie Whitfield, Lachlan Keeffe, Nick Haynes, Sam Taylor, Stephen Coniglio, Toby Bedford, Toby Greene, Tom Green, Xavier O'Halloran.
Sydney: Braeden Campbell, Callum Mills, Dane Rampe, Errol Gulden, Harry Cunningham, Hayden McLean, Isaac Heeney, Jake Lloyd, James Rowbottom, Joel Amartey, Lewis Melican, Logan McDonald, Nick Blakey, Oliver Florent, Robbie Fox, Ryan Clarke, Tom Papley.
Moving along with the theme of AFL derbies, another cracker is on the horizon as North Melbourne host Melbourne.
It has been a season to forget for North Melbourne and things got worse last weekend as they lost to the West Coast Eagles, with both sides now level on points at the bottom of the table.
By contrast, Melbourne continue to fly at the top of the league, sat in 4th place and they are starting to put pressure on the teams above them.
This is a derby, so expect fireworks but Melbourne should ultimately run out as the comfortable winners here.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Melbourne to win the match | $1.14 | |
| Total Points – Over 173.5 | $1.83 |
| Harrison Petty First Goal Scorer | $8.50 |
North Melbourne: Aidan Corr, Bailey Scott, Ben McKay, C. Coleman-Jones, Cameron Zurhaar, Eddie Ford, George Wardlaw, Griffin Logue, Harry Sheezel, Hugh Greenwood, Jack Ziebell, Jaidyn Stephenson, Jy Simpkin, Liam Shiels, Luke McDonald, Nick Larkey, Paul Curtis, Phoenix Spicer, Tarryn Thomas, Todd Goldstein, Tom Powell, Will Phillips.
Melbourne: Alex Neal-Bullen, Angus Brayshaw, Bayley Fritsch, Brodie Grundy, Christian Petracca, Christian Salem, Ed Langdon, Harrison Petty, Jack Viney, Jacob Van Rooyen, Jake Lever, James Jordon, Joel Smith, Judd McVee, Kade Chandler, Kysaiah Pickett, Lachie Hunter, Max Gawn, Michael Hibberd, Steven May, Tom Sparrow, Trent Rivers.
Two more sides in the playoff picture face off as old foes St Kilda and Carlton go at it on Sunday.
St Kilda have had a stop start season but it is testament to their resilience that they find themselves firmly in the mix for a top 8 finish at the end of the season.
Carlton meanwhile shocked the AFL by beating Collingwood last time out and their 6 game winning bounce has propelled them to 7th, where they will be looking to stay as the season draws to a close.
This should be a belter, with Carlton perhaps the most likely to sneak over the line.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Carlton to win the match | $1.55 | |
| Total Points – Over 164.5 | $1.91 |
| Winning Margin: Carlton 1-12 | $6.00 |
St Kilda: Anthony Caminiti, Ben Paton, Brad Crouch, Bradley Hill, Callum Wilkie, Dan Butler, Dougal Howard, Jack Higgins, Jack Sinclair, Jack Steele, Jade Gresham, Jimmy Webster, Josh Battle, Liam Stocker, Marcus Windhager, Mason Wood, Mattaes Phillipou, Max King, Mitchito Owens, N. Wanganeen-Milera, Rowan Marshall, Ryan Byrnes.
Carlton: Adam Cerra, Adam Saad, Alex Cincotta, Blake Acres, Brodie Kemp, Charlie Curnow, David Cuningham, Harry McKay, Jack Martin, Jacob Weitering, Jordan Boyd, Lachie Fogarty, Marc Pittonet, Matthew Cottrell, Matthew Kennedy, Matthew Owies, Mitch McGovern, Nic Newman, Paddy Dow, Patrick Cripps, Sam Docherty, Sam Walsh, Tom De Koning.
Brisbane will be looking to bounce back from a derby defeat to Gold Coast, as they take on Fremantle.
For hosts Fremantle, this will be a bit of a free hit and their impressive showing against Geelong last week will certainly give all within the club cause for optimism moving forwards.
Brisbane meanwhile remain 3rd in the AFL table, with the Lions hoping last week’s defeat was a blip and that they can get back on track here.
This will be a good one, with both sides sure to be bang up for the challenge but Brisbane should get the job done on the road.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Brisbane to win the match | $1.44 | |
| Total Points – Under 167.5 | $1.91 |
| Joe Daniher First Goal Scorer | $9.00 |
Fremantle: Alex Pearce, Andrew Brayshaw, Brandon Walker, Brennan Cox, Caleb Serong, Ethan Hughes, Hayden Young, Jaeger O'Meara, Jordan Clark, Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss, Lachlan Schultz, Liam Henry, Luke Jackson, Luke Ryan, Matthew Johnson, Michael Walters, Michael Frederick, Nat Fyfe, Neil Erasmus, Sam Switkowski, Sean Darcy.
Brisbane: Brandon Starcevich, Cameron Rayner, Charlie Cameron, Conor McKenna, Darcy Wilmot, Deven Robertson, Eric Hipwood, Harris Andrews, Hugh McCluggage, Jack Payne, Jarrod Berry, Joe Daniher, Josh Dunkley, Lachie Neale, Lincoln McCarthy, Oscar McInerney, Ryan Lester, Zac Bailey.
