Round 15 of the 2024 AFL season is upon us with some intriguing games ahead over the weekend.
Carlton and Geelong open the round in what is a fascinating clash between two hopeful contenders.
It could be dubbed an ‘eight-point game’ given the tight nature of the race for finals. As could Port Adelaide/Brisbane and Fremantle/Gold Coast.
We get the crosstown rivalry between Sydney and GWS, while on Saturday night Melbourne and North Melbourne clash in the annual Breast Cancer Network Australia game.
See our tips for each game below.
Carlton v Geelong
Friday – 7:40pm AEST – MCG
Carlton and Geelong both resume after the bye having produced differing results prior.
The Blues are on a three-game winning streak which has them sitting second on the eve of the new round.
The Cats have won just one of their last six following their imperious seven-game winning run to start the season.
Plenty could revolve around the forward-defence battles with Jake Kolodjashnij v Charlie Curnow and Sam De Koning v Harry McKay the keys. At the other end, Jacob Weitering v Tom Hawkins and potentially Brodie Kemp v Jeremy Cameron could also define this game.
But you would expect the Blues to win the midfield battle which would likely feed their attacking weapons more than the Cats. Patrick Dangerfield returns for the Cats, but they lose Tanner Bruhn.
Carlton’s top-end talent of Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh, Weitering, Curnow and McKay is far superior to Geelong’s even after the return of Cats captain Dangerfield.
Geelong has dominated the Blues in recent times, winning 13 of the last 16, but two of those Blues wins have come in the last five meetings. Carlton controlled much of their encounter earlier in the year, but Geelong’s efficiency in front of goal proved the difference.
Chris Scott’s Cats are capable of winning this, especially if they can reproduce their early-season form, but Michael Voss’ Blues are a better side right now.
It has the right billing as Match of the Round as it promises to be a cracker at the MCG.
Carlton to edge away late in a likely thriller.
Tip: Carlton by 11 points.
Andrew Slevison
Port Adelaide v Brisbane
Saturday – 1:45pm AEST – Adelaide Oval
A game of great repercussions for the September mix, gear up to watch two sides desperate for a win.
The needs for a triumph come for different, albeit no less important, reasons. Port Adelaide hasn’t been out of the top eight all year, but after big losses to Carlton and GWS either side of the bye, they’re teetering on the edge.
Another loss could see them fall out of the top eight with contests against the Western Bulldogs, Gold Coast, Carlton, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Fremantle among the games to come. Ken Hinkley will know his side can’t afford defeat.
Despite an iffy record at Adelaide Oval this year, the Power can be confident in the fact they haven’t lost a day game at the venue yet. The come-from-behind win over Hawthorn in Round 10 looks better and better in hindsight.
It’s the opposite equation for Brisbane, who, after a slow start to 2024, have rediscovered some of their best form.
The Lions have only copped one defeat since the horror show against GWS in Round 7 and while they’ve got the third best percentage in the competition, 13th on the ladder is where Chris Fagan’s side sits.
Saturday’s game revolves around Port Adelaide’s forwards. The Power have kicked just 122 points in their last two games, with Todd Marshall and Ollie Lord failing to get it done.
Mitch Georgiades has kicked seven goals across those two games and will be eyeing off a Brisbane defence that leaked 16 goals to St Kilda last week.
Expect plenty of fire at 1:45pm AEST on Saturday.
Tip: Port Adelaide by 12 points.
Seb Mottram
GWS Giants v Sydney
Saturday – 4:35pm AEST – Engie Stadium
The 28th Battle of the Bridge takes place at ENGIE Stadium on Saturday, and the big question is whether the Giants can stop a Swans side that is piping hot?
Sydney is not only on top, but by some margin with their 12-1 win-loss record, while GWS are beginning to re-group at 8-5.
The Giants will need to stop Sydney’s electric offence if they’re to give themselves a chance of victory, and that won’t come easy with Sam Taylor sidelined due to a ruptured testicle.
With their key man out down back, they might need to get into a shootout to claim victory, and you can’t tip against Sydney in that kind of match on current form.
While Sydney is the pick, there’s a couple of key matchups which could prove crucial for either side and that’ll start with the taggers. Expect James Jordon to go to Tom Green, while Toby Bedford could be sent to one of Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner or Errol Gulden.
The thing about the Swans is that even if you stop one, another one of their stars will get you, and that could easily be Gulden who is hunting a third-consecutive Brett Kirk Medal.
While the game is at home as well for GWS, they’ve lost three of their last four against Sydney at the venue, and the Swans won’t be afraid of their trip to Homebush.
You can’t tip against Sydney with how well they’re going. But GWS at their best, could probably do it.
You’d be an incredibly brave person to pick them though.
Tip: Sydney by 18 points.
Lachlan Geleit
Melbourne versus North Melbourne
Saturday – 7:30pm AEST – MCG
Can the Kangaroos prove that their last two weeks are more than a fluke with an upset against a struggling Demons outfit?
The sting of last week’s defeat will surely still be ringing around North Melbourne, falling short by just a single point to the reigning premiers after holding a 54-point lead in the third term.
Yet considering that their first half against Collingwood was nothing short of sheer dominance from the Roos, and their win the previous week over West Coast, there is suddenly plenty of hope for the Shinboners.
Meanwhile across town, things could hardly be worse for the Demons right now.
Simon Goodwin’s men find themselves all the way down in 11th after dropping four of their last five and went into the bye searching for answers after losing Christian Petracca for the season on King’s Birthday.
Taking on North Melbourne looks to be the perfect solution for the Demons to get their season back on track, yet if the last two weeks are anything to go by, the Roos aren’t going to be the pushover many expect.
Melbourne has had North’s number in recent history, convincingly handling the Roos in every clash since 2019.
However with North Melbourne seemingly rolling and the Demons sputtering, this is shaping up to be far more interesting of a matchup than it has any right to be.
Melbourne should get the job done convincingly, but the Roos have the potential to put up more of a fight than anticipated.
Tip: Melbourne by 16 points.
Jack Makeham
Essendon v West Coast
Sunday – 1:00pm AEST – Marvel Stadium
Essendon will be hoping to bank a crucial four points in their quest make the top eight when they host West Coast on Sunday afternoon.
The Dons have failed recent tests against Gold Coast and Carlton, but are now fresh coming off their bye and have what should be a relatively straightforward matchup ahead of them.
West Coast is also coming off a bye, after a disappointing run that included losing to North Melbourne at home and being blown apart by Adelaide.
While they have shown they can be competitive with anybody at home, including during their last encounter with the Bombers, they have suffered some big defeats on the road.
Essendon prevailed by just six points when they met in Round 8. Zach Merrett’s 29-disposal three-goal effort ultimately proving the difference.
It’s hard to expect anything other than a comfortable Essendon win in this one.
Tip: Essendon by 39 points
Nic Negrepontis
Fremantle v Gold Coast
Sunday – 4:00pm AEST – Optus Stadium
Fremantle will host the Gold Coast Suns on Sunday afternoon in a highly anticipated clash as both sides battle for a spot in the eight, which the Dockers currently hold.
The Dockers have three wins from six matches at Optus Stadium this season and will need to improve their form at home if they are to become genuine finals contenders.
The Suns have won all home games, but are yet to win on the road from six attempts. They appear to love their home comforts and there’s not many grounds further away.
With that in mind, it looms as unlikely that the Suns can break their travelling woes when sojourning West.
This presents as a great opportunity for the Dockers to bank an important win after last week’s disappointing loss to the Western Bulldogs and cement themselves in the top eight.
Fremantle aren’t overly trustworthy but the fact they are more comfortable in Perth than the Suns are on the road gives them the nod.
Tip: Fremantle by 21 points.
Tom Williams