AFL R6 betting preview, match predictions & free tips

The 2024 AFL Premiership season continues this weekend with an exciting slate of games. With the Demons and Tigers on their bye, here are our free betting tips and predictions for all eight matches of round six.

St Kilda Saints vs Western Bulldogs

Thursday, April 18 – 7:30pm AEST – Marvel Stadium

After nearly upsetting the Giants last Saturday, the St Kilda Saints enter this clash against the Bulldogs as slight favourites. Both sides have just two wins from their five matches this season, but given the Bulldogs’ poor performance against the Bombers last Friday night, there is much more pressure on Luke Beveridge’s men. The Saints are one of the best defensive sides in the AFL, which shapes as a tough test for the exciting Dogs forward line.

Adelaide Crows vs Essendon Bombers

Friday, April 19 – 7:10pm ACST – Adelaide Oval

After securing their first win of the season in an upset over the Blues last Saturday, the Crows now welcome the Bombers as favourites with top AFL betting sites. The most inconsistent side in the AFL, Essendon bounced back with a comfortable win last Friday to continue their form of alternating wins and losses. The Dons have won the past six matchups between the sides, but against the Crows at home, this could go either way.

Collingwood Magpies vs Port Adelaide Power

Saturday, April 20 – 1:45pm AEST – MCG

Scraping past the Dockers by just three points last Saturday, the in-form Port Adelaide Power now face a tough test against the reigning premiers at the MCG. Fresh off the bye, Collingwood need to put their slow start behind them with a statement win. The ‘G was a fortress for the Pies last season, yet they are winless at the ground in 2024 — a vulnerability the Power will be looking to exploit.

Carlton Blues vs GWS Giants

Saturday, April 20 – 4:35pm AEST – Marvel Stadium

Following their dominant start to the season, a two-point upset loss to the Crows last Saturday gave the Carlton Blues a reality check in their first loss of the year. Now they host the undefeated Giants in the match of the round. It’s an exciting matchup between the Giants defence and the twin towers of Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay, but given the absence of Sam Taylor, the Blues forward line may just have the edge.

Brisbane Lions vs Geelong Cats

Saturday, April 20 – 7:30pm AEST – Gabba

It has been a slow start to the season for the Brisbane Lions, but a 22-point victory over the Demons last Thursday reminded everyone of their quality. They come in as betting favourites against the undefeated Cats in what should be another big test for their inconsistent forward unit. It has been a mix of young and old that’s done the damage for Geelong, but up at the Gabba it’s another big test against a quality Lions midfield.

West Coast Eagles vs Fremantle Dockers

Saturday, April 20 – 6:10pm AWST – Optus Stadium

After securing their first win of the season last Sunday, it isn’t all negative at the Eagles for the first time in a while. They still come in as big underdogs in the Western Derby as the Fremantle Dockers look set to bounce back from a pair of close losses. Freo have won the past five between the sides, including a 101-point victory last year, and given they hold the best defensive record in the AFL, this could get one-sided very quickly.

Sydney Swans vs Gold Coast Suns

Sunday, April 21 – 1:05pm AEST – SCG

With three wins from their first five matches, expectations have risen around the Gold Coast Suns as they chase their first-ever finals appearance. However, they head to the SCG as substantial underdogs against the Swans, who should be fresh off a bye. Sitting 4-1, Sydney have been solid to start the year, but a couple of unconvincing performances before their break suggests this may be closer than anticipated.

North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Hawthorn Hawks

Sunday, April 21 – 4:05pm AEST – Marvel Stadium

Barring a draw, we will have just one winless team remaining after this Sunday. The North Melbourne Kangaroos hold the worst defensive record in the AFL, while the Hawthorn Hawks hold the worst attacking record. Both sides have failed to show much improvement this year, but there is still plenty of interest as we get a glimpse of the quality young talent sprinkled throughout the teams.

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