AFL Round 22 Preview & Tips

Two sides looking to edge closer towards a top four berth lock horns at Optus Stadium on Saturday, when fifth-placed Geelong travel west to take on sixth-placed Fremantle. The Cats survived a scare at home against the Crows last week to come away with a much-needed victory, off the back of six goals from star forward Jeremy Cameron. Victory keeps Geelong right within touch of a top four spot, but also locking in a home Qualifying Final, with clashes against St Kilda and West Coast to come after this week. Sam De Koning faces a fitness test ahead of this week’s clash after suffering what initially looked like a disastrous knee injury last week, while Mitch Duncan (rested) is in the mix to return. Fremantle, meanwhile, surrendered a late 25-point advantage against Essendon last week, falling by a single point at the MCG. A win could have had the Dockers sitting as high as second, but now they’re sixth heading into this weekend’s game, with the sides below them nipping at their heels. Nat Fyfe is set to return from suspension this week, while Tom Emmett will miss a week through a ban of his own.

TIP: Geelong by 5 points, Patrick Dangerfield to have 25+ disposals

The Bombers have a pulse again. Essendon boosted their finals hopes with an incredible comeback win over Fremantle last week, and could surge into the top eight if they are to beat Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium on Saturday. Brad Scott’s side showed tremendous grit to battle back from a four goal deficit in the last quarter to end their three game losing streak and ultimately resuscitate their season. They will be forced into one change with Xavier Duursma out with a hamstring injury, which could pave the way for veteran Dyson Heppell to return to the side. The Suns, meanwhile, are set to miss finals yet again this year after a disappointing loss to West Coast which leaves them 12 points outside the top eight. Gold Coast have only won one of their last five matches, and are still yet to win a game as the away side this year. Their brilliant form at home has buoyed them this season, which included a win over the Bombers earlier this year, but not enough to sustain a finals push.

TIP: Essendon by 30 points, Zach Merrett to have 25+ disposals

Melbourne’s season hangs by a thread this weekend, as they welcome a red-hot Port Adelaide to the MCG on Saturday night. The Demons’ disappointing season took another turn for the worse last week, going down by 51 points against the Western Bulldogs, which all but ended their chances of playing finals football. It leaves Simon Goodwin’s side without a win in their last three and eight points, plus an inferior percentage, outside the top eight heading into this weekend’s clash. In yet another huge blow to their stocks, the Demons will be without Steven May after he sustained a hamstring injury against the Bulldogs. Port, meanwhile, are flying high after demolishing Sydney on their home deck and now are in control of their top four destiny heading into the final three rounds of the season. Four wins in their last five games has significantly eased the pressure on head coach Ken Hinkley, with Port also beating the likes of Carlton and the Bulldogs throughout this run. The Power will be chomping at the bit to get one back over the Demons, after surrendering a late lead against Melbourne to lose by seven points on their home deck back in Round 3.

TIP: Port Adelaide by 25 points, Mitch Georgiades to kick multiple goals

The MCG is set to play host to a Sunday afternoon blockbuster when Carlton and Hawthorn lock horns. The Blues suffered their second successive defeat last Saturday night, going down to arch-rivals Collingwood by three points. Despite a spirited last quarter comeback, Carlton fell just short of a victory after Mitch McGovern missed a shot to win the game after the siren. It has now left the Blues only two points inside the top eight heading into this weekend’s contest against a vastly improved Hawthorn side and will have to deal with a spate of injuries as Matthew Cottrell and Adam Cerra went down with injury. The Hawks are four points adrift of the Blues and could really ramp up pressure on Michael Voss’ side if they are to come away with the win. However, Hawthorn missed a golden chance to go into this contest level on points after squandering a late advantage against GWS last week in Canberra. A loss would all but end Hawthorn’s chances for a finals berth, meaning the stakes couldn’t be higher this weekend.

TIP: Hawthorn by 8 points, Jack Ginnivan to kick multiple goals

Two sides simply playing for pride at this stage of the season meet at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon as Richmond take on St Kilda. The Tigers – who have endured a difficult year with injury – are all but set to finish bottom of the ladder after going down against North Melbourne last week. Adem Yze’s side are now set to embark on a major rebuild heading into 2025, with a number of their Premiership stars a chance to depart this off-season. AFL legend Dustin Martin announced his retirement on Tuesday, while Liam Baker, Shai Bolton and Jack Graham are among the players linked with moves away. Meanwhile, St Kilda’s late season revival came to a screeching halt last week, going down by 85 points at home against the red-hot Brisbane Lions. The Saints had won three of their last four matches heading into the contest, but were smashed from the word go on Sunday. One of St Kilda’s eight wins came against the Tigers back in Gather Round, winning by seven points at Norwood Oval.

TIP: St Kilda by 25 points, Jack Steele to have 25+ disposals

Round 22 comes to an end in the City of Churches as Adelaide look to end the Western Bulldogs’ red-hot run of form on Sunday evening. The Crows pushed Geelong to the brink on the road last week, going down by less than a kick at GMHBA Stadium, which was a vast improvement on their last showing at home where they were demolished by Hawthorn. Adelaide’s season has been an enigma, showcasing at their best that they can push some of the competition’s best, but have failed to sustain that sort of form all year. Izak Rankine will return for Adelaide from his four-week suspension this week, which boosts their chances of coming away with the four points. However, it will be far from easy against the Bulldogs, who have won their last four games and are finishing the season with a wet sail. Luke Beveridge’s side have turned the tide enormously on their season, capping off their brilliant run with a comprehensive win over Melbourne last week which saw them jump into seventh. Another win this week would go a long way to securing a finals berth, but also knock on the door of the top four. 

TIP: Western Bulldogs by 11 points, Aaron Naughton to kick multiple goals

It’s 16th vs 17th in Hobart on Sunday as North Melbourne take on West Coast at Blundstone Arena. Both sides have accumulated a total of seven wins combined for the season from 40 games, but come into the contest fresh off wins in their own right against Richmond and Gold Coast Suns. The Kangaroos have been much improved in the second-half of the season, and took a big step towards missing the wooden spoon in the win over the Tigers, led by the brilliant performances of Tristan Xerri, Luke Davies-Uniacke and Nick Larkey. The Kangaroos’ maiden victory of the season came against the Eagles back at Optus Stadium earlier this year, which was the site of a stirring West Coast victory against the Suns last Friday. The Eagles registered their first win under caretaker boss Jarrad Schofield, as they came from behind to secure their first win since Round 10. Tom Barrass is a chance to return for the Eagles from concussion, while Zac Fisher will need to pass a fitness test to make his comeback from a foot injury.

TIP: North Melbourne by 15 points, Nick Larkey to kick multiple goals

Two of the league’s Premiership contenders lock horns on Saturday afternoon, when Brisbane welcome GWS to the Gabba. The Lions have been in red-hot form throughout the last few weeks, winning their last nine matches and dismantled St Kilda by 85 points at Marvel Stadium to continue their march towards top spot on the ladder. Eric Hipwood is a chance to return for this weekend’s fixture against the Giants, which would once again test their Premiership credentials heading into September. GWS, meanwhile, came from the clouds to secure a stirring win over an in-form Hawthorn outfit in Canberra, which as a result, extended their unbeaten run to five straight games. The Giants could be further bolstered ahead of this weekend’s blockbuster clash with star midfield duo Josh Kelly and Stephen Coniglio both in the frame to return this weekend, but Jake Riccardi will miss the rest of the year due to a finger injury. GWS won the reverse fixture back on ANZAC Day by 54 points, a game which at the time saw Brisbane fall to a 2-5 record. Since then, they have only lost one game.

TIP: Brisbane by 10 points, Joe Daniher to kick multiple goals

Two of the league’s Premiership contenders lock horns on Saturday afternoon, when Brisbane welcome GWS to the Gabba. The Lions have been in red-hot form throughout the last few weeks, winning their last nine matches and dismantled St Kilda by 85 points at Marvel Stadium to continue their march towards top spot on the ladder. Eric Hipwood is a chance to return for this weekend’s fixture against the Giants, which would once again test their Premiership credentials heading into September. GWS, meanwhile, came from the clouds to secure a stirring win over an in-form Hawthorn outfit in Canberra, which as a result, extended their unbeaten run to five straight games. The Giants could be further bolstered ahead of this weekend’s blockbuster clash with star midfield duo Josh Kelly and Stephen Coniglio both in the frame to return this weekend, but Jake Riccardi will miss the rest of the year due to a finger injury. GWS won the reverse fixture back on ANZAC Day by 54 points, a game which at the time saw Brisbane fall to a 2-5 record. Since then, they have only lost one game.

TIP: Brisbane by 10 points, Joe Daniher to kick multiple goals

Two of the league’s Premiership contenders lock horns on Saturday afternoon, when Brisbane welcome GWS to the Gabba. The Lions have been in red-hot form throughout the last few weeks, winning their last nine matches and dismantled St Kilda by 85 points at Marvel Stadium to continue their march towards top spot on the ladder. Eric Hipwood is a chance to return for this weekend’s fixture against the Giants, which would once again test their Premiership credentials heading into September. GWS, meanwhile, came from the clouds to secure a stirring win over an in-form Hawthorn outfit in Canberra, which as a result, extended their unbeaten run to five straight games. The Giants could be further bolstered ahead of this weekend’s blockbuster clash with star midfield duo Josh Kelly and Stephen Coniglio both in the frame to return this weekend, but Jake Riccardi will miss the rest of the year due to a finger injury. GWS won the reverse fixture back on ANZAC Day by 54 points, a game which at the time saw Brisbane fall to a 2-5 record. Since then, they have only lost one game.

TIP: Brisbane by 10 points, Joe Daniher to kick multiple goals

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Round 22 kicks off with a blockbuster at the SCG as ladder leading Sydney take on a desperate Collingwood outfit. Despite sitting on top of the ladder, the Swans have had a massive dip in form over the last five rounds, losing four of the said contests including a humiliating 112 point defeat against Port Adelaide last week. Suddenly, finishing in top spot is far from a formality for the Swans who are now only two points clear of Brisbane on the ladder heading into this weekend’s contest. Reinforcements are on the way for the Swans, as Dane Rampe, Lewis Melican and Joel Amartey are all in the frame to return. Meanwhile, Collingwood kept their slim finals hopes alive in a dramatic three-point win over Carlton in club legend Scott Pendlebury’s 400th game. The reigning premiers are now four points outside the eight and need to win their final games, plus get some help to sneak into finals this season. However, they will be without star midfielder Jordan De Goey after he suffered a season-ending hamstring injury, while Tom Mitchell was also ruled out for the rest of the year during the week after also enduring an injury-riddled season. The two sides met earlier this year at the MCG, with the Swans beating the Magpies by 33 points back in Round 1.

TIP: Sydney by 5 points, Chad Warner to have 25+ disposals.