Welcome back, everyone! Round 16 of the 2024 AFL season is almost upon us. Our footy experts have put their heads together to help you out. So open your ESPNfootytips app, take notes, and get ahead of the game!
Round 16 gets underway at The Gabba where Brisbane hosts Melbourne in a massive contest for both teams. The Lions have been back to their best lately, could they be a premiership underdog? The Dees, however, continue to be one to keep an eye on. The win last week against North was not quite convincing to anyone, and beating the Lions could change a lot of people's tunes.
Saturday kicks off with an early afternoon game at the SCG. The Dockers are hoping to do what no team has done all season -- beat Sydney on their home deck. Going in as underdogs, can Fremantle capitalise on a solid run of form, or are the Swans just unbeatable?
The last game of the round sees West Coast take on Hawthorn, in what looks to be the return of the Eagles favourite son Harley Reid. Has he been the missing piece that they needed over the past few weeks?
This weekend's going to be big, but done worry, we've got your back.
EXPERT TIPS:
Jake Michaels
Last week: 5
Season total: 83
Certainty and why: The Tigers came close to rolling the Blues in Round 1, but I just can't see it happening again. Carlton by plenty.
Upset and why: I know Port's struggling but the Saints (even at home) are hardly world beaters and I'm not sure they deserve to start favourite.
Tips for the week:
Brisbane vs. Melbourne
North Melbourne vs. Western Bulldogs
Sydney vs. Fremantle
Gold Coast vs. Collingwood
Adelaide vs. GWS
Geelong vs. Essendon
St Kilda vs. Port Adelaide
Richmond vs. Carlton
West Coast vs. Hawthorn
Matt Walsh
Last week: 5
Season total: 82
Certainty and why: No Tom Lynch hurts even more for the Tigers. I can't see them stopping the Blues' forwards, and can't see them kicking anything close to a winning score. Blues.
Upset and why: Port are outsiders against the Saints, and while I understand why, I think the Power have the advantage in this one. They beat the Saints last time they played at Marvel, too, so have the form.
Tips for the week:
Brisbane vs. Melbourne
North Melbourne vs. Western Bulldogs
Sydney vs. Fremantle
Gold Coast vs. Collingwood
Adelaide vs. GWS
Geelong vs. Essendon
St Kilda vs. Port Adelaide
Richmond vs. Carlton
West Coast vs. Hawthorn
Jarryd Barca
Last week: 5
Season total: 83
Certainty and why: North are a far more competitive team these days but I don't see the Bulldogs -- still in a finals fight -- dropping this one. Carlton should be able to easily account for the Tigers, too.
Upset and why: Port are in a slump right now and coming off a shellacking against the Lions, no one should be confident in them. But footy is absolutely as much mental as it is physical, and you can bet your bottom dollar there'll be a natural response in effort this week. Think the Eagles can get the job done at home, too.
Tips for the week:
Brisbane vs. Melbourne
North Melbourne vs. Western Bulldogs
Sydney vs. Fremantle
Gold Coast vs. Collingwood
Adelaide vs. GWS
Geelong vs. Essendon
St Kilda vs. Port Adelaide
Richmond vs. Carlton
West Coast vs. Hawthorn