AFL Round 24 Tips 2026: Best Bets, Predictions & Betting Tips

Round 24 is a very different betting challenge with the finals picture largely settled and plenty of teams having one eye on September. With players potentially being rested, managed or subbed out during games, this feels like a weekend where the obvious favourite is not always the best betting option. 

That has us looking towards safer margins and big underdog lines in several games, while still backing the stronger sides where the matchup suits.

Best Bet: St Kilda -10.5

St Kilda look well placed to finish the season with another win at Marvel Stadium. The Saints have the edge through possession and should be able to slow down Gold Coast’s transition game, while the Suns have lost four of their past five. With St Kilda tipped to win by around 15 points, the -10.5 looks a fair number.

Best Bet: Under 183.5 Total Points

This should have a finals-like feel, but Round 24 makes the total interesting. Brisbane are playing well at the right time of year and Collingwood have plenty of pressure around the contest, so there is every chance this becomes tighter than expected. With players potentially being managed late, we’re happy to take the under at the slightly higher 183.5 line.

Best Bet: Carlton 1-39 Winning Margin

Fremantle have been the stronger side across the season, but this is exactly the type of Round 24 game that can get tricky. Carlton are coming off a strong month, averaging over 100 points across their past five, while the Dockers already have one eye on finals. If Carlton can take advantage of that, a narrow home win is very much in play.

Best Bet: Melbourne 1-39 Winning Margin

Melbourne are carrying some excellent form into the final round, winning four of their past five and averaging almost 110 points. The Bulldogs have caused them problems in recent meetings, though, so this may not turn into a blowout. Melbourne to get the job done by 1-39 looks a good middle ground.

Best Bet: Richmond +60.5

Geelong should win this comfortably, but more than 10 goals is a massive line to cover in the final round. The Cats have won five straight and are averaging over 110 points, although Richmond only need to stay competitive enough to keep this inside the number. With the possibility of Geelong easing off or managing players, we’ll take the Tigers with the big start.

Best Bet: Adelaide -24.5

Adelaide have been inconsistent lately, but returning to Adelaide Oval gives them a good chance to finish the home-and-away season strongly. Their clearance game should give them plenty of opportunities to control territory against GWS. It is a decent line to cover, but the Crows have enough quality at home to pull away.

Best Bet: Essendon +11.5

Neither side comes into this with much form, which makes taking the points appealing. Essendon and Port have both been losing by more than 50 points per game across their past five, and this feels more like a scrap than a game where either side should be trusted as a clear favourite. At Marvel Stadium, the Bombers can keep it close enough to cover.

Best Bet: Sydney Head-to-Head

There is no need to get too clever here. Sydney have won the past five meetings between these sides and should control field position at the SCG. North can make it competitive, especially with the uncertainty that comes with the final round, but the Swans are still the side to trust to get the four points.

Best Bet: West Coast +43.5

Hawthorn should win, but the line looks too big. The Hawks are expected to be around six goals better, which leaves some breathing room with West Coast getting 43.5 points. Hawthorn have also been inconsistent enough recently that trusting them to win by more than seven goals on the road feels unnecessary.