AFL 2025 Round 18 – Betting Tips, Odds & Predictions

Round 17 of the AFL season was not exactly the most enthralling – inevitable, really, when the top 9 plays the bottom 9 – but this weekend looks as though it could make up for it in spades. Of those top 9 teams that appear almost certain to be battling it out for finals spots, 8 of them will play against one another, the Lions the lucky exception. That cluster of games starts when the Suns host the Pies on Friday night, before an elite line-up of Saturday games will see the Dogs host the Crows, the Cats head to Sydney to take on the Giants, and the Dockers welcome the Hawks to Optus Stadium. With many of these matchups potentially set to take place in September it should be a high-quality weekend of games, so take a look at my previews and AFL tips for all nine of them below.

Odds provided by Playup

• Date: Thursday, 10th of July
• First bounce: 7.30pm AEST
• Venue: MCG, Melbourne
• Broadcast info: Channel Seven (VIC, QLD, SA), 7Mate (NSW, WA), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Carlton Blues Odds	Brisbane Lions Odds
	$4.30	$1.22
	$4.35	$1.22
	$4.30	$1.22

Match Analysis

Another week, another dismal performance by the Blues, whose 56-point defeat to the Magpies was their third in a row and their second by at least that margin. Now four games out of the top eight, even the most ardent of Blues fans would be struggling to find much reason for optimism over the remainder of the season, and a clash with the Lions this weekend doesn’t help.

The reigning Premiers did what they needed to do at home against the Power in Round 17, running away from the visitors late to win by 28 points and remain in second spot. With just half a game keeping them in the top four, however, they can ill-afford to slip up.

The Blues at their best wouldn’t be without a hope in this game given it’s at the MCG, but they are a long way from that. This is a team based around its stars, and with many of them either injured or form they are a run-of-the-mill team at best. The Lions, in contrast, are as well-drilled as anyone, and even on the road should be too good.

Expert Tip

Lions 1-39 @ $2.20 with PlayUp

The Lions should win, but surely the Blues can put in a slightly better performance than they have the past fortnight.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Oliver Hollands to record 20+ disposals @ $1.89 with Bet365
• Under 168.5 total match points @ $1.88 with PlayUp

• Date: Friday, 11th of July
• First bounce: 7.40pm AEST
• Venue: People First Stadium, Gold Coast
• Broadcast info: Channel Seven (VIC, QLD, SA), 7Mate (NSW, WA), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Gold Coast Suns Odds	Collingwood Magpies Odds
	$2.05	$1.77
	$2.05	$1.78
	$2.06	$1.77

Match Analysis

The Suns were challenged for a long time by the Bombers last weekend, but they showed their superiority in the final term to run out 41-point winners. That saw them jump back inside the top eight, but only percentage separates them from 9th spot and they now have to face the best team in the business.

The Magpies are a huge 2.5 games clear on top of the ladder, their thumping of the Blues last weekend making it 14 wins from their last 15 games. I said above that the Lions are as well-drilled as anyone – Collingwood is the exception. At this point in the year they’re the best team in it by some margin, with every single player on their team knowing and executing their role to a tee.

The Suns have had the best year in their history to date and at People First Stadium are a tough team to beat, so the Magpies certainly won’t have it easy. At this point in time, however, it would be hard to tip against Collingwood regardless of their opposition. Don’t expect the Suns to get blown out, but as only slight favourites on the betting apps the visitors look like good value.

Expert Tip

Magpies -4.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365

For a team that has won 14 of their last 15, this is a very short line.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Magpies 25+ @ $3.20 with PlayUp
• Jamie Elliott to kick 3+ goals @ $2.20 with Bet365

• Date: Saturday, 12th of July
• First bounce: 1.20pm AEST
• Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
• Broadcast info: Channel Seven (SA), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Western Bulldogs Odds	Adelaide Crows Odds
	$1.65	$2.25
	$1.62	$2.30
	$1.63	$2.28

Match Analysis

There should be plenty of good games this weekend, but this might be the best of them. The Dogs and the Crows sit 1st and 3rd in total points scored this season, and when up and running are arguably the two best teams to watch in the footy. On what is always a fast-paced deck at Marvel, this game could be compelling viewing.

Both teams come into the game in good form; the Dogs pumped the kind-of-in-form Kangaroos by 49 points on the back of big hauls to Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy last week to make it four on the trot, while the Crows held off a competitive Demons team in Adelaide to make it five wins from their last six. Both of these sides harbour Premiership ambitions, but with such a tight battle for spots, while they could very easily finish top 4, they could each also potentially miss the 8.

So it’s safe to say there is plenty on the line. The Bulldogs midfield is as good as any and the Crows will have their work cut out stopping them, which they’ll have to given the form of the Dogs twin towers up forward. But the Crows have their own fair share of big, bustling key forwards too, and given how vulnerable Nick Larkey made the Dogs look down back last week, that could be an area of advantage for the visitors. Expect the ball to be zinging around and the big men to have ample opportunity to throw their weight around, and in what should be one of the better games of the season, and old-fashioned, high-scoring clash, the home side can get the better of the Crows.

Expert Tip

Over 179.5 total match points @ 1.89 with EliteBet

Two of the top 3 scoring teams in the league, a fast-paced Marvel deck – there should be heaps of goals.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Bulldogs 1-39 @ $2.20 with Bet365
• Aaron Naughton to kick 3+ goals @ $2.55 with Bet365

• Date: Saturday, 12th of July
• First bounce: 4.15pm AEST
• Venue: ENGIE Stadium, Sydney
• Broadcast info: 7Mate (NSW), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	GWS Giants Odds	Geelong Cats Odds
	$2.10	$1.74
	$2.10	$1.75
	$2.10	$1.74

Match Analysis

The Giants haven’t always been at their best this season, but after three consecutive wins things appear to be coming together. The first two of those were tight ones against good teams, but they broke the shackles against a significantly inferior opponent in the Eagles last weekend to run away with a much-needed percentage boosting big win.

The Cats gave themselves a hefty percentage boost of their own, demolishing the struggling Tigers to the tune of 72 points down in Geelong. They are, again, right in the mix for a top four spot, and with this being the toughest matchup they’ll face in the last seven weeks of the season they are very well placed to earn one; especially if they win this weekend.

If recent history tells us anything, this one should go down to the wire; the Giants have won the last three by 7, 4 and 4 points. Interestingly, they have all been in Geelong, and clearly up in Sydney the Giants have a bigger advantage. All signs point to this being a close game, but the Giants are starting to play at the level their talent suggests they should always play at, and on their home deck they can creep over the line once again.

Expert Tip

Giants +4.5 @ $1.90 with EliteBet

The Giants are coming into some form, have the wood over Geelong and can win on their home turf.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Giants 1-39 @ $2.50 with PlayUp
• Giants 1-24 @ $3.50 with Bet365

• Magpies -4.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365 – The Magpies are far too good to be only given a line of 4.5 points against the Suns, even on the Gold Coast.
• Bulldogs vs Crows over 179.5 points @ $1.89 with EliteBet – These two teams are ranked 1 and 3 for points scored, and at Marvel Stadium the ball will be zinging from end to end.
• Dockers vs Hawks under 158.5 points @ $1.89 with EliteBet – The Dockers won’t want a shootout, and with rain also forecast this should be low-scoring.
• Power 60+ @ $3.75 with PlayUp – The Power are good at beating up on bad teams, and generally do so against the Eagles in Adelaide.

Same Game Multi Tip

• Date: Saturday, 12th of July
• First bounce: 7.35pm AEST
• Venue: MCG, Melbourne 
• Broadcast info: Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Richmond Tigers Odds	Essendon Bombers Odds
	$2.95	$1.40
	$3.00	$1.40
	$2.95	$1.39

Match Analysis

This is the black sheep of an otherwise excellent Saturday of games, but there will still be some morbid interest in how these two traditional rivals get on given neither of them has won for five weeks. The Bombers, in fact, last won when these two teams last met. Admittedly they have had a gruesome draw since then, but while they were competitive in their first couple of games of this losing streak, they’ve lost their last three by an average of 59 points.

The young Tigers, meanwhile, have well and truly come to the end of their tether, and with injuries starting to pile up the grim season which so many forecast is finally coming to fruition. They were much more competitive than most expected in the first half of the year, but their last four defeats have been by an average of nearly 66 points.

So it’s safe to say neither team is in very good form. The Tiges should be boosted by the return of Jayden Short but will lose number one pick Sam Lalor (for the season), while the Bombers have plenty of injuries of their own. Don’t expect a particularly good game and the points total set by betting sites looks too high, but Essendon should be able to do enough to get the four points.

Expert Tip

Under 164.5 total match points @ $1.89 with Bet365

Last time these sides met just 139 points were scored, and at a greasy MCG on Saturday night this could be similar.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Bombers 1-39 @ $2.00 with PlayUp
• Bombers 1-24 @ $3.10 with Bet365

• Date: Saturday, 12th of July
• First bounce: 8.10pm AEST
• Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
• Broadcast info: Channel Seven (WA), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Fremantle Dockers Odds	Hawthorn Hawks Odds
	$1.85	$1.95
	$1.87	$1.95
	$1.87	$1.94

Match Analysis

Of the top nine teams, the Dockers were the only to lose last weekend, and that result saw them tumble outside of the eight – stiff considering they had just won six in a row to get back inside it. They at least get to return home this weekend after a long trip to Sydney, but they will only enter as very marginal favourites against the in-form Hawks.

Hawthorn weren’t exactly dominant against the Saints last weekend, but they did what they needed to do to win a fourth consecutive game in what was always going to be a season-defining month for them, with a couple of those wins coming against fellow final contenders.

With just one game separating 3rd and 9th and both these teams sitting within that group of teams, this is an eight-point game in every sense of the word. The Dockers will benefit from a low-scoring, defensive type of game, but the Hawks this season have been a little more risk-averse than they were last year anyway and are not unfamiliar with a slow pace. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see a low-scoring game which goes right down to the wire, but with the crowd behind them the home team can sneak over the line.

Expert Tip

Under 158.5 total match points @ $1.89 with EliteBet

The Dockers in particular will look to keep this low-scoring, and the forecast of showers should help too.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Dockers 1-39 @ 2.35 with Bet365
• Dockers 1-24 @ $3.40 with Bet365

• Date: Sunday, 13th of July
• First bounce: 2.10pm AEST
• Venue: MCG, Melbourne
• Broadcast info: Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Melbourne Demons Odds	North Melbourne Kangaroos Odds
	$2.00	$4.30
	$1.22	$4.35
	$1.21	$4.30

Match Analysis

The Demons played reasonably last weekend, but once again they fell just short of a good team, going down by 13 points to the Crows. That made it five defeats on the trot, and with finals out of the equation it’s going to be interesting to see how a team which has become accustomed to a lot more success plays out the season.

The Roos, in contrast, are pretty used to playing for not that much, which is what they’ve been doing for much of this season once again. They actually looked really good for a couple of months there, but that competitiveness has been notably absent in the past fortnight.

This game won’t be setting any records for quality, though with the Roos set to welcome back a host of players they should at least be able to put in a much better showing. At their best they can keep pace with teams like Melbourne, but their last two weeks have been disappointing and the Demons should be able to finally get back on the winners’ list.

Expert Tip

Demons 1-39 @ 2.05 with PlayUp

The Dees don’t look likely to blow anyone out, but they should beat the Roos in their current form.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Kysaiah Pickett to kick 3+ goals @ 2.70 with Bet365
• Cameron Zurhaar to kick 2+ goals @ $1.87 with Bet365

• Date: Sunday, 13th of July
• First bounce: 3.15pm AEST
• Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
• Broadcast info: Channel Seven (VIC), 7Mate (NSW, QLD), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	St. Kilda Saints Odds	Sydney Swans Odds
	$2.30	$1.62
	$2.25	$1.65
	$2.30	$1.61

Match Analysis

The Saints are competitive, but that’s about it. Once again they hung around against a good team in the Hawks last weekend, but they never looked like winning and ultimately went on to lose their fourth in a row. This week theoretically looks like a chance to arrest that slump, but they face the Swans just when they are coming into form.

It’s no coincidence that has coincided with the return of Errol Gulden and to a lesser extent Tom Papley, though the latter will miss this one after sustaining an injury last week. Since Gulden’s return the Swans are 2-1, with the loss a tight one to the Dogs, and while they are a long way back they are the best chance of any team outside the top 9 of forming some sort of a charge in the last few weeks of the season.

Of course, to do so they can barely afford to lose a game, let alone one like this. But they shouldn’t. The Saints aren’t terrible, particularly at Marvel Stadium, but the Swans should be able to get a hold of them through the middle of the ground and their reunited dynamic trio of Gulden, Heeney and Warner can lead them to a comfortable win.

Expert Tip

Swans -9.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365

The Swans are finally starting to play decent footy, and the Saints struggle against good teams.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Nasaiah Wanganeen-Milera to record 35+ disposals @ $4.33 with Bet365
• Swans 25+ @ $2.90 with Bet365

• Date: Sunday, 13th of July
• First bounce: 4.40pm AEST
• Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
• Broadcast info: Channel Seven (WA), 7Mate (SA), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Port Adelaide Power Odds	West Coast Eagles Odds
	$1.10	$7.00
	$1.11	$6.50
	$1.10	$6.80

Match Analysis

The Power’s last couple of months of the season will more than likely be little more than a lap of honour for Ken Hinkley, with a really tough draw over the coming weeks likely to mathematically stamp their papers a month or so out from the finals. They can, at least, keep their very, very slim finals hopes alive with a big win this weekend.

The Eagles have, at least, been a little more competitive over the past few weeks, but that’s a relative term. They still lost by 59 points to the Giants last weekend in Perth, taking their record to a measly 1-15.

On the road this weekend, it’s not likely to get any better. Port are a tier below the league’s best but they are very capable of tearing apart meek opposition, so expect their top-tier stars such as Zak Butters, Connor Rozee and the in-form Mitch Georgiades to wreak havoc on the lowly visitors. A blowout looks like one of the best australianbettingsites.net.au tips for the weekend.

Expert Tip

Power -37.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365

Port have won their last four games against the Eagles in Adelaide by at least 40 points and an average of 55.5

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Power 60+ $3.75 with PlayUp
• Mitch Georgiades to kick 5+ goals @ $3.20 with Bet365