Round 18 of the AFL season kicks off on Thursday night, and the starting from game one, every game of the round is set to be a cracker. Dabble’s experts will provide AFL tips for each and every round of the 2023 AFL season, meaning you won’t miss a thing.
Our AFL footy tips cover all the key factors of every game, of every round. So, if you are as obsessed with the AFL as the team at Dabble are, you have certainly come to the right place! Get your scrolling finger ready, all you need to do is read and scroll, our experts will take care of everything else for you.
Check out all our expert AFL tips for Round 18 below:
Game 1 – Sydney Swans vs Western Bulldogs, Thursday 13th July, 7.20pm
The Swans at home to Bulldogs is to be the final Thursday night game of the season and the last opportunity for Sydney to keep their finals aspirations alive. A loss would all but extinguish their hopes, while a win would keep their faint chances flickering. The Bulldogs, coming off a gallant performance last week, aim to secure victory and maintain their pursuit of the coveted fourth spot. The Swans' forward line poses a significant test for the Bulldogs' defence, but the battle in the midfield will be the focal point of this clash. Expect a good showing by both teams with previous history saying it will be entertaining.
Game 2 – Melbourne Demons vs Brisbane Lions, Friday 14th July, 7.50pm
Friday night lights set the tone for a significant clash between the Demons and the Lions. The Lions face the daunting task of breaking their MCG hoodoo, and the only way to conquer it is through a victory. A win against the Demons would be a major boost to their premiership credentials, although it won't come easy as their record shows at this ground. The Demons showcased their resilience by overcoming a fast-starting Saints in a hard-fought battle last week, However, the Lions present a different challenge altogether. A win for the Lions secures a top-three spot, elevating their confidence to new heights. This is the match of the round.
Game 3 – Collingwood Magpies vs Fremantle Dockers, Saturday 15th July, 1.45pm
Saturday afternoon brings a fairly straight forward clash between the dominant Magpies and the struggling Dockers. There is no denying that Collingwood is the premier team in the competition. Just look at their stunning victory by 90 points against the second-placed Power, who have now won 12 consecutive matches. The Magpies possess an uncanny ability to find a way to win, regardless of the circumstances or personnel changes. On the other hand, the Dockers had an opportunity to extinguish Carlton's finals hopes and bolster their own chances, but they fell short. This sums up the Dockers' 2023 campaign. The Pies are expected to win convincingly; it's merely a question of the margin.
Game 4 – Gold Coast Suns vs St Kilda Saints, Saturday 15th July, 2.10pm
Saturday afternoon witnesses a clash between the Suns and the Saints, where the departure of a coach often sparks a team's resurgence. This match was previously seen as a 50/50 encounter, with the Suns proving stronger at home. Despite the Saints putting up a commendable fight against the Demons despite injury setbacks, a minimum of four changes and the loss of a key forward for the season make their task much more challenging. The dynamics of circumstance come into play in this matchup, both teams will have to overcome their very different circumstances and challenges to get the victory.
Game 5 – Carlton Blues vs Port Adelaide Power, Saturday 15th July, 4.35pm
Saturday afternoon presents a significant challenge for the Blues side as they face the most in-form team in the competition, the Power. If Carlton aims to secure a finals berth, they must overcome this formidable this opponent. While the Blues have shown improvement in recent weeks, doubts remains and all will be on display come Saturday. The Power's only potential weakness lies in their undersized defence, which could play a pivotal role in an unlikely, but not impossible, task for Carlton. The equation is clear: the Blues must bring their absolute best to secure a victory, and that outcome wont be easy.
Game 6 – Geelong Cats vs Essendon Bombers, Saturday 15th July, 7.25pm
Saturday evening unveils a highly anticipated clash between the Cats and the Bombers, two teams deeply entrenched in the logjam from 5th to 12th place in the race for the final eight. With just a six-point gap separating them, every match becomes crucial. Geelong bounced back with a convincing win against the Kangaroos, boosting their percentage, while the Bombers showcased their defensive prowess against the dangerous Crows. This matchup is a tough one to predict, as Geelong welcomes back key players while Essendon with some absentees. With an even balance, it sets the stage for an exciting and closely contested encounter.
Game 7 – Adelaide Crows vs Greater Western Sydney Giants, Saturday 15th July, 7.40pm
I have said this a few times already but this matchup between the Crows and the Giants is huge, two teams separated by percentage and sitting just outside the top eight. This clash holds immense significance for both sides' finals aspirations. The Crows thrive on their home turf, backed by a passionate crowd, making them a formidable force. However, the Giants have shown remarkable improvement over the past six weeks, positioning themselves in contention for a potential finals berth. This promises to be an intense battle, with the outcome likely to have a significant impact on the teams' postseason hopes.
Game 8 – North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Hawthorn Hawks, Sunday 16th July, 1.10pm
Sunday afternoon brings together the battle of the cellar dwellers, with the Kangaroos taking on the Hawks at Marvel Stadium. Sitting in 16th and 17th place, both teams see this match as an opportunity to claim a much-needed win. The Hawks will be ruing missed opportunities from their previous clash against the Giants, where victory slipped through their grasp. Meanwhile, the Kangaroos faced a tough challenge on the road against Geelong and were easily brushed aside. Not thinking it will be an all-time epic contest but both teams seek to rise from the bottom and secure a morale-boosting victory.
Game 9 – West Coast Eagles vs Richmond Tigers, Sunday 16th July, 4.40pm
Sunday evening presents a slight danger game for the Tigers as they face the Eagles. While the Tigers are favoured to win, the Eagles have the potential to cause a few nerves throughout the game. Last week, the Tigers started slowly but managed to stage a comeback for a much-needed victory against the Swans. On the other hand, the Eagles were convincingly defeated by a formidable Brisbane side at the Gabba. While an upset is unlikely, the Eagles can provide a challenge for the Tigers. This clash will test the Tigers' resilience away from home and missing some key players.
We told you our AFL betting tips were on point! If reading our AFL preview for Round 18 has got you all fired up, make sure you head on over to the Dabble app, get all your bets sorted and share your thoughts in the Banter channel.
