AFL Round 10 Tips & Preview - Best bets for every Round 10 clash

Sydney take on Collingwood in a Friday night SCG clash, while Melbourne and Hawthorn do battle at the MCG on Saturday afternoon. The action concludes in the west when the Eagles host the Giants on Sunday evening

Brisbane and Geelong should produce one of the games of the season in a genuine arm wrestle between two premiership contenders. The Lions have won six of their past seven and continue to lift in the big moments, while Geelong have responded strongly since their upset loss to Port Adelaide with four wins from five. Expect a structured, pressure-filled contest with both sides looking to control territory and limit scoring opportunities. Geelong with the start and total match points under are the standout plays, while Will Ashcroft 30+ disposals and Ollie Dempsey anytime goalscorer both appeal.

Sydney should stamp their authority over Collingwood and continue their outstanding season with another win at the SCG. The Swans are averaging 117 points per game and have multiple avenues to goal, while the Magpies head interstate without Darcy Moore and continue to struggle against the competition’s better sides. Expect Sydney’s pressure and efficiency inside 50 to eventually overwhelm the Pies. Sydney - line, Isaac Heeney 25+ disposals, Callum Mills 25+ disposals and Dan McStay 2+ goals are the key plays.

Port Adelaide can push Gold Coast all the way in what shapes as another tight Darwin contest. The Suns have tightened up defensively over the past fortnight and continue to thrive at TIO Stadium, but Port’s pressure and ability to stay in games should ensure this remains close throughout. Expect a contested, lower-scoring battle with both sides strong defensively. Port Adelaide + line, total match points under, Zak Butters 30+ disposals and Touk Miller 30+ disposals are the best angles.

North Melbourne can deliver the upset of the round and finally break through against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. The Kangaroos pushed Sydney all the way last weekend and their midfield pressure and contest work continues to improve, while Adelaide have looked vulnerable across patches of games despite consecutive wins. Expect Luke Davies-Uniacke, George Wardlaw and Harry Sheezel to generate enough territory to trouble the Crows. North Melbourne + line, North Melbourne head-to-head, Nick Larkey 2+ goals and Izak Rankine 25+ disposals are the standout plays. 

Hawthorn can hand Melbourne a reality check and bounce back strongly from last week’s loss to Fremantle. The Hawks remain unbeaten in Victoria this season and their pressure game and ability to dominate territory should create major issues for a Demons side that has enjoyed a softer run in recent weeks. Melbourne are scoring freely but Hawthorn’s defensive running and contest pressure loom as the difference. Hawthorn - line, Nick Watson 2+ goals and Karl Amon 30+ disposals are the best plays. 

Carlton can again make life difficult for a more fancied opponent and this shapes as a far tighter contest than the ladder positions suggest. The Blues pushed Brisbane hard in the second half last weekend and continue to compete strongly, while the Bulldogs are battling injuries and have struggled to convert midfield dominance into scoreboard pressure in recent weeks. Expect a scrappy, contested battle under the roof. Carlton + line, total match points under, Sam Walsh 25+ disposals and Marcus Bontempelli 30+ disposals are the standout selections. 

Fremantle should continue their excellent season with another win but Essendon can keep this within the 1-39 point range. The Bombers are beginning to find more scoring avenues and were highly competitive against GWS last weekend, while Fremantle continue to impress defensively and have developed into one of the competition’s most complete sides. Expect the Dockers to eventually grind Essendon down but not completely blow them away. Fremantle 1-39, Caleb Serong 30+ disposals and Luke Jackson 2+ goals are the key plays. 

St Kilda should pile on the goals and record a dominant win over Richmond at Marvel Stadium. The Saints have kicked 100+ points in three of their past four matches and return to much cleaner conditions after the loss to Gold Coast in Darwin, while Richmond’s mounting injury list continues to leave them vulnerable late in games. Expect St Kilda’s midfield and overlap run to generate repeat scores. St Kilda 40+, Jack Sinclair 30+ disposals and Cooper Sharman 2+ goals are the best bets. 

GWS should get the four points against West Coast but the Eagles can keep this competitive at Optus Stadium. West Coast are showing signs of improvement through their young midfield group and traditionally perform much better at home, while the Giants continue to leave the door open for opposition sides despite their strong finish against Essendon last weekend. Expect the Giants’ class to prevail eventually in a closer-than-expected contest. West Coast + line, Jake Waterman 2+ goals and Lachie Whitfield 30+ disposals are the standout plays.