AFL Round 18 Tips & Preview - Best bets for the Round 18 of the AFL home and away season

ROUND 18

Brisbane look primed to pile more misery on a struggling Carlton outfit when the two sides open AFL Round 18 on Friday night. The Lions are riding high in second spot on the ladder and come off an impressive 28-point win over Port Adelaide, while the Blues are in freefall—losing their last two matches by over 50 points and averaging fewer than 70 points a game across their past nine. With injuries mounting and star forward Charlie Curnow goalless in three straight matches, Carlton’s forward line looks toothless against a Lions side that ranks No.1 for clearances and boasts midfield firepower in Lachie Neale, Hugh McCluggage, and Will Ashcroft. Charlie Cameron has a strong record against the Blues and looms as a multi-goal threat again, while Brisbane’s superior polish and efficiency should see them cover the line comfortably and extend their dominance over Carlton.

Collingwood look set to extend their winning streak to nine when they face the Gold Coast Suns in a high-stakes Round 18 encounter at People First Stadium. The Magpies have been ruthless in recent weeks, dismantling Carlton by 56 points and holding teams to just 64 points per game across their past five outings. While the Suns have impressed at home and boast firepower through Ben King and midfield class in Noah Anderson, their recent struggles against top-eight teams suggest Collingwood’s elite defensive pressure and scoring efficiency will prove too much. Nick Daicos is in red-hot form with five 30+ disposal games in his last six, while Jamie Elliott continues to hit the scoreboard regularly. Expect the reigning premiers to keep their grip on top spot and stifle Gold Coast’s attacking game in what shapes as another statement win for the Pies.

Two of the AFL’s in-form sides clash on Sunday as the Western Bulldogs host the Adelaide Crows at Marvel Stadium in a match with top-eight implications. The Bulldogs have won four straight and are averaging a blistering 126 points per game, with Sam Darcy (15 goals in four games) and Aaron Naughton leading the charge. Adelaide, sitting third, have tightened up defensively in recent weeks, conceding just 56 points per game across their last five, and boast forward firepower in Taylor Walker and Izak Rankine. Both sides have struggled against top-half opponents, but the Dogs’ attacking strength and home-ground advantage give them the edge in what shapes as a high-scoring thriller.

GWS and Geelong are set to light up ENGIE Stadium in what looms as one of the most exciting clashes of AFL Round 18. Just one win separates the top-eight contenders, with the Cats sitting 3rd and the Giants just behind in 6th. While Geelong have the ladder edge, it’s GWS who hold the recent head-to-head advantage, winning the past three clashes—all at GMHBA Stadium—by seven points or less. Expect fireworks again, with both sides excelling at rapid ball movement and scoring efficiency. The over looks a strong play, with both teams kicking over 100 points in their last meeting. Jesse Hogan—who torched the Cats for seven goals in Round 9—returns and looms large up forward, while Finn Callaghan continues his elite midfield form with three straight 30+ disposal games. Geelong will rely on Jeremy Cameron’s scoring punch and Max Holmes' red-hot run in the middle, but at home and in form, the Giants look ready to extend their streak in another thriller.

Essendon look poised to continue their recent dominance over Richmond when the two sides clash in Sunday’s AFL Round 18 battle at the MCG. The Bombers, despite a tough run with injuries and five straight losses, are showing signs of life behind skipper Zach Merrett, who’s fresh off a 40-disposal effort and averaging 36 against the Tigers in his last four outings. Richmond, meanwhile, are stuck in a seven-game losing streak and have been thrashed in their last three by an average of 70 points. With the Tigers struggling to win clearances or hit the scoreboard, Essendon’s midfield depth and rising stars like Nate Caddy—who kicked three goals last round—should be too much for the undermanned Tigers to handle. Expect the Bombers to control the tempo and take out their fourth straight against Richmond.

Fremantle and Hawthorn square off in a crucial Round 18 clash at Optus Stadium, with both sides eyeing September action. The Dockers boast a dominant recent record over the Hawks at home, winning the past four at the venue by an average of 29 points, and will be eager to bounce back after a narrow loss to Sydney. Midfield stars Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong have historically troubled the Hawks and will be key to Fremantle’s chances. But Hawthorn, sitting fifth after four straight wins, are flying high and proving clinical despite often losing key stats like inside 50s. With both sides in finals contention, expect a tight contest where Fremantle’s home advantage could prove decisive.

Melbourne will be looking to bounce back from a four-game losing streak and atone for their shock 59-point loss to North Melbourne in Round 2, where the Kangaroos piled on eight final-quarter goals and Cam Zurhaar, Paul Curtis, and Nick Larkey led the scoring. While North have since struggled—conceding 284 points across their past two games and facing key injury concerns including the absence of Luke Davies-Uniacke and doubts over Tristan Xerri and Larkey—Melbourne have remained strong around stoppages, ranking top four for contested ball and centre clearances. However, their issues converting forward entries into scores have held them back. With Jake Melksham (9 goals in 2 games), Kozzie Pickett (20 in 9), and the consistent Christian Petracca likely to feature prominently, the Demons’ midfield strength and greater urgency give them the edge.

Sydney head to Marvel Stadium with momentum on their side, having won three of their past four and boasting an impressive record of seven wins from their last eight at the venue. The Swans come off a strong win over Fremantle, led by midfielders Errol Gulden and Callum Mills, who have rediscovered form since returning from injury. St Kilda, in contrast, have lost seven of their past eight, with scoring inefficiency and a lack of forward structure contributing to their struggles—averaging just 71 points per game in their past five. While recent clashes between these sides have been close, Sydney’s depth, midfield control, and Marvel Stadium form make them favourites.

Port Adelaide should have no trouble dismantling a depleted West Coast side when the two teams face off at Adelaide Oval in Round 18. The Power have dominated this matchup in recent years, winning the last three encounters—each at this venue—by an average of 55 points, and another one-sided result is firmly on the cards. Despite sitting 10th on the ladder and all but out of finals contention, Port's midfield class and recent scoring surge—led by the in-form Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Mitch Georgiades—gives them a clear edge. Rozee is coming off a 31-disposal game and has hit 25+ in 12 straight, while Georgiades has 17 goals in his last four games. Meanwhile, the Eagles are reeling from six straight losses and have failed to score more than 60 points in their past four, with injuries to key forwards compounding their struggles. Expect Port to dominate across every key stat and cruise to another big win at home.