With the top 4 in the AFL regular season table set with the exception of Melbourne and Carlton, it is perhaps the race for the top 8 that is garnering attention ahead of game week 23.
The aforementioned Carlton, along with St Kilda, Sydney and Western Bulldogs are the 4 sides in the key positions and they seemingly hold the key with most new betting sites.
However, Essendon, GWS Giants Geelong and even Adelaide are still in the hunt to sneak into the playoffs at this late stage of the season.
| Fixtures | Info (AEST) | Home Odds | Away Odds |
| Collingwood vs Brisbane | MCG, 18th August, 19:50 | $1.91 | $2.00 |
| Richmond vs North Melbourne | MCG, 19th August, 13:45 | $1.29 | $4.35 |
| Gold Coast vs Carlton | Metricon Stadium, 19th August, 14:10 | $2.40 | $1.67 |
| GWS Giants vs Essendon | Giants Stadium, 19th August, 16:35 | $1.42 | $3.20 |
| St Kilda vs Geelong | Marvel Stadium, 19th August, 19:25 | $2.30 | $1.67 |
| Adelaide vs Sydney | Adelaide Oval, 19th August, 19:40 | $1.54 | $2.50 |
| Bulldogs vs West Coast | Marvel Stadium, 20th August, 13:10 | $1.03 | $19.00 |
| Melbourne vs Hawthorn | MCG, 20th August, 16:20 | $1.29 | $4.33 |
| Fremantle vs Port Adelaide | Optus Stadium, 20th August, 18:40 | $2.50 | $1.57 |
The top two sides in the 2023 AFL table go at it as Collingwood host Brisbane, in what should be a highly entertaining encounter.
Injuries and a relative blip in recent weeks have pegged Collingwood back a bit but they remain the team to beat as the regular season draws to a close and they sit top of the AFL table.
Brisbane meanwhile have been steadily performing all season, reflected by their league standing of 2nd. Preparing for the playoffs will be their priority and they are a side with plenty of firepower, who could seriously trouble the Magpies in this one.
Collingwood may well nick this one at home, but points look to be guaranteed, with both teams keeping a firm eye on the next round of matches.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Total Points – Over 172.5 | $1.85 | |
 | Winning Margin: Collingwood 1-12 | $6.00 |
 | Collingwood to win the match | $1.90 |
Collingwood: Ashley Johnson, Bobby Hill, Brayden Maynard, Brody Mihocek, Darcy Cameron, Darcy Moore, Harvey Harrison, Isaac Quaynor, Jack Crisp, Jamie Elliott, Jeremy Howe, John Noble, Josh Daicos, Mason Cox, Nathan Murphy, Oleg Markov, Patrick Lipinski, Scott Pendlebury, Taylor Adams, Tom Mitchell, W. Hoskin-Elliott.
Brisbane: Brandon Starcevich, Cameron Rayner, Charlie Cameron, Conor McKenna, Darcy Wilmot, Deven Robertson, Eric Hipwood, Harris Andrews, Hugh McCluggage, Jack Payne, Jarrod Berry, Joe Daniher, Josh Dunkley, Lachie Neale, Lincoln McCarthy, Oscar McInerney, Ryan Lester, Zac Bailey.
A pair of sides focusing on rebuilding for next season do battle, as Richmond take on lowly North Melbourne.
Richmond’s campaign has been largely forgettable, with their top 8 hopes now expired and they simply have pride to play for in this one.
North Melbourne meanwhile have lost their last 19 AFL games this season and they truly are a side in disarray. Nothing shown by North Melbourne of late suggests they are ready to trouble Richmond here and this should be a comfortable home win.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Jack Riewoldt – First Goal Scorer | $7.00 | |
| Richmond to win the match | $1.29 |
| Total Points – Over 169.5 | $1.90 |
Richmond: Daniel Rioli, Dustin Martin, Dylan Grimes, Hugo Ralphsmith, Jack Graham, Jack Riewoldt, Jack Ross, Jayden Short, Judson Clarke, Kamdyn McIntosh, Liam Baker, Nathan Broad, Nick Vlastuin, Noah Balta, Samson Ryan, Tim Taranto, Toby Nankervis, Trent Cotchin.
North Melbourne: Aidan Corr, Bailey Scott, Ben McKay, C. Coleman-Jones, Cameron Zurhaar, Eddie Ford, George Wardlaw, Griffin Logue, Harry Sheezel, Hugh Greenwood, Jack Ziebell, Jaidyn Stephenson, Jy Simpkin, Liam Shiels, Luke McDonald, Nick Larkey, Paul Curtis, Phoenix Spicer, Tarryn Thomas, Todd Goldstein, Tom Powell, Will Phillips.
The recent form of the Carlton Blues has had big and small betting sites alike speculating about how far they could go.
They travel to a Gold Coast side who have improved in recent weeks but remain out of the playoff picture and they are getting things in order for next season.
Carlton meanwhile sit 5th, within striking distance of the top 4 and they know a win here would help them heap the pressure on Melbourne above them.
How much longer the Carlton Blues can simply keep winning for is a relative unknown, but they should have too much about them for Gold Coast here.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Total Points – Under 165.5 | $1.89 | |
| Winning Margin: Carlton 1-12 | $5.50 |
| Carlton to win the match | $1.62 |
Gold Coast: Bailey Humphrey, Ben Ainsworth, Ben King, Ben Long, Brandon Ellis, Brayden Fiorini, Charlie Ballard, Darcy MacPherson, David Swallow, Hewego Paul Oea, Jack Lukosius, Jarrod Witts, Lachie Weller, Levi Casboult, Mac Andrew, Malcolm Rosas, Matthew Rowell, Nick Holman, Noah Anderson, Sam Collins, Sam Flanders, Wil Powell.
Carlton: Adam Cerra, Adam Saad, Alex Cincotta, Blake Acres, Brodie Kemp, Charlie Curnow, David Cuningham, Harry McKay, Jack Martin, Jacob Weitering, Jordan Boyd, Lachie Fogarty, Marc Pittonet, Matthew Cottrell, Matthew Kennedy, Matthew Owies, Mitch McGovern, Nic Newman, Paddy Dow, Patrick Cripps, Sam Docherty, Sam Walsh, Tom De Koning.
Two sides on the cusp of the top 8 do battle as the GW Giants host Essendon. The Giants have produced a solid run of form lately to even be in the mix for a playoff spot, but a couple of recent slip ups have seen them fall out of favour with many AFL betting sites.
Essendon’s story is similar, with inconsistency blighting their campaign but yet they still sit 10th, in with a shot of reaching the top 8 next weekend.
This game is huge for both sides but with GWS Giants having home advantage, they could power over the line in this one.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Total Points – Over 167.5 | $1.89 | |
| Winning Margin: GWS Giants 13-24 | $5.50 |
| GWS Giants to win the match | $1.40 |
Greater Western Sydney: Aaron Cadman, Callan Ward, Callum M Brown, Connor Idun, Daniel Lloyd, Finn Callaghan, H. Himmelberg, Harry Perryman, Jack Buckley, Jake Riccardi, Josh Kelly, Kieren Briggs, Lachie Ash, Lachie Whitfield, Lachlan Keeffe, Nick Haynes, Sam Taylor, Stephen Coniglio, Toby Bedford, Toby Greene, Tom Green, Xavier O'Halloran.
Essendon: Andrew McGrath, Andrew Phillips, Archie Perkins, Ben Hobbs, B. Zerk-Thatcher, Darcy Parish, Dyson Heppell, Jake Kelly, Jake Stringer, Jayden Laverde, Jordan Ridley, Jye Caldwell, Kyle Langford, Mason Redman, Matt Guelfi, Nic Martin, Nick Bryan, Peter Wright, Sam Durham, Sam Weideman, Will Snelling, Zach Merrett.
Playoff football is on the agenda for St Kilda and Geelong too, with both sides hoping to extend their campaigns beyond the regular season.
St Kilda sit 6th, with their playoff destiny in their own hands and whilst recent performances haven’t been blistering, they continue to pick up the results.
Geelong meanwhile look to be blowing cold at the wrong time, sat in 11th place and in need of results to go their way if they are to finish in the top 8.
Calling this one isn’t easy, but St Kilda could have just enough about them to keep hold of their playoff spot.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| St Kilda to win the match | $2.20 | |
| Total Points – Over 165.5 | $1.85 |
| Winning Margin: St Kilda 1-12 | $5.50 |
St Kilda: Anthony Caminiti, Ben Paton, Brad Crouch, Bradley Hill, Callum Wilkie, Dan Butler, Dougal Howard, Jack Higgins, Jack Sinclair, Jack Steele, Jade Gresham, Jimmy Webster, Josh Battle, Liam Stocker, Marcus Windhager, Mason Wood, Mattaes Phillipou, Max King, Mitchito Owens, N. Wanganeen-Milera, Rowan Marshall, Ryan Byrnes.
Geelong: Bradley Close, Gary Rohan, Isaac Smith, Jack Bowes, Jack Henry, Jake Kolodjashnij, Jed Bews, Jeremy Cameron, Max Holmes, Mitch Duncan, Sam De Koning, Tom Atkins, Tom Hawkins, Tom Stewart, Tyson Stengle, Zach Guthrie, Zach Tuohy.
Another whopping fixture that will have an influence on the top 8 is Adelaide vs Sydney, another game that is creating traction with the biggest and best AFL betting sites.
Sat in 12th, Adelaide do have some serious work to do if they are to finish the campaign in the top 8 but they won’t go down without a fight.
Sydney meanwhile have put together a 5-game winning streak that has propelled them into the top 8 with just two games to play.
There is very little to split these sides on paper, but Sydney could just about squeeze through in a tight game.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Sydney to win the match | $2.50 | |
| Winning Margin: Sydney 1-12 | $5.50 |
| Total Points – Over 173.5 | $1.90 |
Adelaide: Ben Keays, Brodie Smith, Chayce Jones, Darcy Fogarty, Izak Rankine, Jake Soligo, Jordan Dawson, Jordon Butts, Josh Rachele, Josh Worrell, Lachlan Murphy, Lachlan Sholl, Luke Pedlar, Max Michalanney, Mitchell Hinge, Nick Murray, Reilly O'Brien, Riley Thilthorpe, Rory Laird, Rory Sloane, Taylor Walker, Wayne Milera.
Sydney: Braeden Campbell, Callum Mills, Dane Rampe, Errol Gulden, Harry Cunningham, Hayden McLean, Isaac Heeney, Jake Lloyd, James Rowbottom, Joel Amartey, Lewis Melican, Logan McDonald, Nick Blakey, Oliver Florent, Robbie Fox, Ryan Clarke, Tom Papley
The ideal fixture could be knocking here for the Western Bulldogs, who need to keep winning to secure their top 8 spot.
Bulldogs have been battling away all season and find themselves in 8th place, knowing no slip ups can occur if they are to be playing playoff footy.
West Coast meanwhile sit bottom of the table for a reason, with just two wins all season and they look to be increasingly bereft of confidence and ideas.
This should be one way traffic, with Western Bulldogs securing an important and comfortable win.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Western Bulldogs to win the match | $1.05 | |
| Total Points – Over 173.5 | $1.85 |
| Aaron Naughton First Goal Scorer | $7.00 |
Western Bulldogs: Aaron Naughton, Adam Treloar, Alex Keath, Anthony Scott, Bailey Dale, Bailey Smith, Bailey Williams, Caleb Daniel, Cody Weightman, Jack Macrae, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Laitham Vandermeer, Liam Jones, Marcus Bontempelli, Mitch Hannan, Oskar Baker, Rhylee West, Rory Lobb, Taylor Duryea, Tim English, Tim O'Brien, Tom Liberatore.
West Coast: Alex Witherden, Andrew Gaff, Bailey J. Williams, Brady Hough, Dom Sheed, Elijah Hewett, Elliot Yeo, Jack Darling, Jack Petruccelle, Jack Williams, Jayden Hunt, Liam Duggan, Luke Edwards, Luke Shuey, Noah Long, Oscar Allen, Reuben Ginbey, Rhett Bazzo, Ryan Maric, S. Petrevski-Seton, Thomas Barrass, Tim Kelly.
Sunday pits Melbourne against Hawthorn, with the home side looking to box off their top 4 spot at the first opportunity.
A loss to Carlton last week was a tough one to take for Melbourne, who will be eager to bounce back and put on a show here.
Hawthorn meanwhile do look to be proverbially on the beach currently, with very little to play for but they won’t roll over for this Melbourne side.
This should be one-way traffic, with Melbourne likely to pick up an important and hefty win
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Melbourne to win the match | $1.29 | |
| Total Points – Over 166.5 | $1.90 |
| Winning Margin: Melbourne 25-36 | $5.00 |
Melbourne: Alex Neal-Bullen, Angus Brayshaw, Bayley Fritsch, Brodie Grundy, Christian Petracca, Christian Salem, Ed Langdon, Harrison Petty, Jack Viney, Jacob Van Rooyen, Jake Lever, James Jordon, Joel Smith, Judd McVee, Kade Chandler, Kysaiah Pickett, Lachie Hunter, Max Gawn, Michael Hibberd, Steven May, Tom Sparrow, Trent Rivers.
Hawthorn: Blake Hardwick, Cameron Mackenzie, Connor MacDonald, Conor Nash, Dylan Moore, Jack Scrimshaw, Jacob Koschitzke, Jai Newcombe, James Blanck, James Worpel, Jarman Impey, Josh Weddle, Karl Amon, Lachie Bramble, Lloyd Meek, Luke Breust, Mitchell Lewis, Ned Reeves, Sam Frost, Seamus Mitchell, Tyler Brockman, Will Day.
Fremantle will be looking to finish the regular season as strongly as possible, as they welcome Port Adelaide.
A playoff spot does look to be beyond Fremantle, who have lacked the consistency required this term and they will be looking to build towards next season from here on in.
Port Adelaide meanwhile got back to winning ways against the GWS Giants last weekend and look to have the bit between their teeth once more.
This will be a decent watch, with points potentially guaranteed but Port Adelaide should have too much for Fremantle here.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Port Adelaide to win the match | $155 | |
| Total Points – Over 169.5 | $1.89 |
| Jye Amiss First Goal Scorer | $9.00 |
Fremantle: Alex Pearce, Andrew Brayshaw, Brandon Walker, Brennan Cox, Caleb Serong, Ethan Hughes, Hayden Young, Jaeger O'Meara, Jordan Clark, Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss, Lachlan Schultz, Liam Henry, Luke Jackson, Luke Ryan, Matthew Johnson, Michael Walters, Michael Frederick, Nat Fyfe, Neil Erasmus, Sam Switkowski, Sean Darcy.
Port Adelaide: Aliir Aliir, Charlie Dixon, Connor Rozee, Dan Houston, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Dylan Williams, J. Horne-Francis, Jed McEntee, Jeremy Finlayson, Josh Sinn, Kane Farrell, Miles Bergman, Ollie Wines, Quinton Narkle, Ryan Burton, Sam Powell-Pepper, Scott Lycett, Todd Marshall, Travis Boak, Trent McKenzie, Willem Drew, Zak Butters.
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