AFL 2025 Round 17
To kick Round 17 off, we see the Kangaroos and Bulldogs face off at Marvel Stadium. Things seem to be going from bad to worse for the Kangaroos and the casualties keep adding up. After a 65-150 loss to the Hawks last time out, the Kangaroos have the challenge of the Bulldogs, who are currently riding a three-game winning streak, with wins over the Saints, Tigers and Swans.
This match-up has been pretty lopsided recently, with the Bulldogs winning the past eight games against the Kangaroos. The Kangaroos were there or thereabouts for the past month or so, but their last loss will be a bitter pill to swallow. The Bulldogs are good at putting the foot to the throat of lower teams and I think we can expect more of the same on Thursday night.
North Melbourne Kangaroos: H.Sheezel, T.Pink, G.Logue, F.O’Sullivan, C.Daniel, H.Sheezel, D.Stephens, L.Davies-Uniacke, J.Simpkin, J.Konstanty, N.Larkey, C.McKercher, P.Curtis, B.Scott, C.Zurhaar, T.Xerri, Z.Duursma, T.Powell, Z.Fisher, R.Hardeman, W.Dawson, L.Parker & R.Hansen Jr
Western Bulldogs: N.Coffield, J.O’Donnell, B.Williams, J.Johannisen, R.Lobb, B.Dale, R.Sanders, E.Richards, J.Freijah, C.Hynes, A.Naughton, M.Kennedy, L.Vandermeer, S.Darcy, R.West, T.English, M.Bontempelli, T.Liberatore, L.Bramble, S.Davidson, J.Harmes, L.McNeil & B.Khamis
There seem to be more changes in the immediate future for the Blues, with Adam Saad suffering a concussion and there are question marks surrounding Jacob Weitering. This looks like a tough ask for the Blues, who are currently on a two-game losing streak, to go up against the mighty Magpies. The recent losses for the Blues have come at the hands of the Kangaroos and Power.
The Eagles went with the Magpies for most of the game, but the Magpies were able to run away with it in the final quarter. There’s always drama with this clash but the Magpies look like the better team in every way, so I think this one could get a little ugly. With the spread currently sitting around the 26.5 mark, I think that is pretty generous and I’ll be taking that every day of the week.
Carlton Blues: J.Silvagni, J.Weitering, N.Haynes, L.Cowan, J.Boyd, S.Docherty, C.Lord, P.Cripps, B.Acres, A.Cincotta, L.Fogarty, M.McGovern, L.Young, C.Curnow, Z.Williams, T.De Koning, A.Cerra, O.Hollands, B.Wilson, G.Hewett, J.Motlop, O.Fantasia & F.Young
Collingwood Magpies: B.Maynard, J.Howe, D.Houston, J.Daicos, D.Moore, H.Perryman, J.Crisp, S.Pendlebury, S.Sidebottom, W.Hoskin-Elliott, T.Membrey, J.Elliott, D.McStay, C.West, B.Mihocek, D.Cameron, N.Long, N.Daicos, P.Lipinski, I.Quaynor, E.Allan, L.Sullivan & O.Markov
The Giants have a good chance of getting back into the top eight with a win here over the last-placed Eagles. It was a good performance from the Eagles last time out when they almost caused the upset of the year when taking the Magpies all the way to the final quarter. However, they couldn’t finish it off and their losing streak continues. The Giants will need to take the Eagles seriously at Optus Stadium.
With the carrot of the top eight, I think the Giants will come in with a tough mentality and really put the sword to the Eagles. Stephen Coniglio and Kieren Briggs could return for the Giants as well, which certainly helps their chances. These two teams have already played each other this season, in Round 4, and the Giants claimed an 81-point victory.
West Coast Eagles: R.Maric, H.Edwards, S.Brock, L.Duggan, R.Ginbey, L.Baker, J.Hutchinson, B.Hough, C.Hall, J.Cripps, J.Shanahan, J.Graham, E.Hewett, J.Williams, L.Ryan, M.Flynn, T.Kelly, H.Reid, T.Brockman, B.Allan, B.Williams, T.McCarthy & J.Hunt
GWS Giants: C.Idun, L.Aleer, J.Fonti, L.Whitfield, J.Buckley, L.Ash, H.Himmelberg, T.Bedford, J.Kelly, X.O’Halloran, A.Cadman, D.Jones, H.Thomas, J.Hogan, T.Greene, N.Madden, F.Callaghan, T.Green, C.Brown, H.Rowston, K.Briggs, S.Coniglio & J.Stringer
For the first game on Saturday, we see the Bombers welcome the Suns down at Marvel Stadium. The Bombers are currently sitting in 13th spot, while the Suns are just inside the top eight. The Bombers had their bye last round and look set to make several changes. Sam Durham will be back in the fold after serving his suspension, while Jordan Ridley and Zach Reid may also return.
The Suns got a much-needed win last time out, over the Demons, which put an end to their three-game losing streak. With all the changes and inconsistency for the Bombers, I have to side with the Suns for this one. But by how many? The line is currently set around the 22.5 mark and I think that’s pretty fair. The last two games between these two teams have been won by the Suns, by one point and 11 points.
Essendon Bombers: A.McGrath, J.Laverde, A.Roberts, Z.Johnson, J.Prior, Z.Reid, X.Duursma, Z.Merrett, L.Lual, M.Guelfi, N.Caddy, N.Martin, A.May, P.Wright, I.Kako, T.Goldstein, J.Caldwell, S.Durham, B.Hobbs, J.Gresham, W.Setterfield, J.Ridley & A.Perkins
Gold Coast Suns: B.Uwland, M.Andrew, S.Collins, J.Noble, W.Powell, D.Rioli, L.Weller, M.Rowell, B.Fiorini, B.Ainsworth, S.Flanders, B.Humphrey, B.Long, J.Walter, B.King, J.Witts, T.Miller, N.Anderson, E.Read, S.Clohesy, C.Budarick, J.Jeffrey & A.Sexton
Next up, we have the Cats against the Tigers and this one could get ugly. The Cats are at home and sitting in fourth spot, meanwhile, the Tigers are down in 17th spot on the ladder. The Cats had to stew in their first loss in a while thanks to their bye last round, so they will have fresh legs to take on the easy prey that is the Tigers. The last time these two teams played, the Cats won by 30 points, I think it could be more this time.
The slide continues for the Tigers and they will be without Tom Lynch for at least four weeks as the forward is serving a suspension. Some of their most recent losses include the Crows, Bulldogs, Swans, Giants and Bombers. Not only have they made losing a habit, it’s the size of those losses is what is concerning for Tiger fans. In my eyes, all signs point towards a Cats blowout win.
Geelong Cats: C.O’Sullivan, J.Henry, M.Blicavs, T.Stewart, Z.Guthrie, M.O’Connor, B.Close, M.Holmes, O.Dempsey, G.Miers, S.Mannagh, T.Stengle, P.Dangerfield, J.Cameron, S.Neale, R.Stanley, B.Smith, T.Atkins, J.Martin, L.Humphries, O.Mullin, M.Duncan & O.Henry
Richmond Tigers: B.Miller, N.Balta, N.Broad, S.Banks, T.Brown, N.Vlastuin, H.Ralphsmith, D.Prestia, L.Trainor, S.Campbell, J.Ross, S.Green, R.Mansell, T.Sims, J.Faull, T.Nankervis, T.Taranto, J.Hopper, T.Sonsie, J.Alger, S.Lalor, J.Blight & K.McIntosh
The Lions delighted fans last time out, with a 41-point win over the Cats in Geelong. Then in Round 16, they got to put their feet up, thanks to the bye. They are back in Brisbane for this clash and will take on the 10th-placed Power. That win over the Cats put to an end a two-game losing streak, which included losses to the Giants as well as the Crows.
The Power have won three of their last four, including the last time out when they were clinical against the Blues. The Lions look set to welcome back Darcy Gardiner and Cal Ah Chee to the line-up, which will be a pretty big boost. The Power seems to run hot and cold, so it’s hard to know what we are going to get from them. Charlie Cameron is starting to find his groove again for the Lions, so watch for him.
Brisbane Lions: D.Zorko, N.Answerth, R.Lester, D.Wilmot, H.Andrews, B.Starcevich, J.Fletcher, H.McCluggage, J.Berry, C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, W.Ashcroft, C.Rayner, L.Morris, Z.Bailey, D.Fort, J.Dunkley, L.Neale, K.Lohmann, L.Ashcroft, S.Day, C.Ah Chee & D.Gardiner
Port Adelaide Power: A.Aliir, B.Zerk-Thatcher, M.Bergman, J.Sinn, E.Ratugolea, La.Jones, J.Burgoyne, J.Horne-Francis, W.Drew, D.Byrne-Jones, S.Powell-Pepper, M.Liddy, W.Rioli, M.Georgiades, J.Richards, D.Visentini, C.Rozee, Z.Butters, J.Sweet, K.Farrell, H.Jackson, T.Boak & L.Evans
The Hawks should take care of the Saints on Saturday night at Marvel Stadium, they have double the amount of premiership points than the Saints and they are riding a nice three-game winning streak. The Hawks are sitting just outside the top four and have recent wins over the Bulldogs, Crows and Kangaroos. Their last win, in particular, was impressive, a 150-65 thumping.
There’s a lot of offence in the Hawks and I think it’ll be on show in Melbourne. The Saints are sliding a bit, losing four of their last five and their last three in a row. Their losses have come at the hands of the Bulldogs, Magpies and Dockers. At the moment, the spread is sitting around the 18.5 mark and I think that’s pretty generous. Expecting a sizable win for the Hawks here.
St Kilda Saints: M.Windhager, C.Wilkie, A.Tauru, L.Stocker, N.Wanganeen-Milera, J.Sinclair, M.Wood, H.Garcia, H.Clark, L.Henry, M.Hall, D.Wilson, A.Caminiti, C.Sharman, M.Owens, R.Marshall, J.Macrae, J.Steele, J.Higgins, T.Travaglia, D.Butler, I.Keeler & J.Carroll
Hawthorn Hawks: J.Battle, T.Barrass, K.Amon, J.Impey, J.Weddle, H.Morrison, S.Butler, C.Nash, J.Sicily, B.Hardwick, J.Gunston, N.Watson, M.Ramsden, M.Chol, J.Ginnivan, L.Meek, J.Newcombe, J.Ward, C.Mackenzie, M.D’Ambrosio, C.Macdonald, C.Jiath & S.Mitchell
This match between the Swans and Dockers looks to be the closest, on paper at least. The Swans suffered a narrow loss last time out to the Bulldogs, 96-105. Meanwhile, the Dockers have been building nicely and are riding a six-game winning streak, which includes wins over teams like the Power, Suns, Kangaroos, Bombers and Saints. They have moved up to sixth spot on the ladder now.
If this game was played in Perth, I would side with the Dockers, but as this clash is at the SCG, I’m not entirely sure. The Swans have some of the key players back and firing now as well, but sitting in 12th spot on the ladder, they may have left things a little too late. Never say never though and I think the Swans will be good enough to break the Dockers winning streak on Sunday afternoon.
Sydney Swans: T.McCartin, H.Cunningham, L.Melican, M.Roberts, N.Blakey, S.Wicks, E.Gulden, Ch.Warner, C.Mills, H.McLean, W.Hayward, J.McInerney, T.Papley, P.Ladhams, J.Jordon, B.Grundy, I.Heeney, J.Rowbottom, J.Lloyd, A.Sheldrick, B.Campbell, J.Buller & O.Florent
Fremantle Dockers: L.Ryan, B.Cox, B.Banfield, H.Chapman, K.Worner, J.Clark, M.Johnson, C.Wagner, N.O’Driscoll, M.Reid, M.Frederick, S.Bolton, P.Voss, J.Treacy, J.Amiss, L.Jackson, C.Serong, A.Brayshaw, N.Erasmus, O.McDonald, S.Darcy, I.Dudley & J.Draper
We head off to Adelaide for the final game of the round that sees the Crows face off against the Demons. The Crows are sitting pretty in third place on the ladder. It’s somewhat of a different story for the Demons though, who are down in 14th place. With a squad at nearly full health, there are good problems at the Crows, who bounced back for a massive win last time out over the Tigers, 122-54.
The Demons face a tough task heading over to Adelaide and they are currently riding a four-game losing streak. Their most recent losses have come at the hands of the Saints, Magpies, Power and Suns. The Crows already have a good percentage and I think they only improve it here against the Demons. I’m expecting yet another fairly big win here at Adelaide Oval.
Adelaide Crows: J.Worrell, J.Butts, R.Laird, M.Michalanney, M.Keane, W.Milera, I.Cumming, J.Dawson, D.Curtin, B.Keays, R.Thilthorpe, J.Soligo, A.Neal-Bullen, T.Walker, D.Fogarty, R.O’Brien, I.Rankine, S.Berry, B.Smith, M.Hinge, J.Rachele, J.Peatling & L.Murphy
Melbourne Demons: J.Bowey, S.May, C.Salem, J.McVee, D.Turner, T.Woewodin, E.Langdon, C.Petracca, H.Langford, B.Fritsch, M.Jefferson, K.Chandler, J.Melksham, J.van Rooyen, K.Pickett, M.Gawn, C.Oliver, J.Viney, K.Tholstrup, X.Lindsay, T.Rivers, T.Sparrow & H.Sharp
There are a few interesting clashes this round, with a lot of teams near the top of the ladder taking on teams near the bottom. Will there be a raft of blowouts this round? Only time will tell! I have put together my AFL multi bets for Round 17.
We are treated to some interesting clashes in Round 16, which kicks off on Thursday. A lot of the games this round see top-eight teams against those who aren't. Are we about to see several lopsided affairs? I have put together my AFL multi bets for Round 16.
The AFL returns for Round 16! We have put together our best AFL predictions and tips for every game in Round 16 just for you. See our best AFL tips for Round 16 right here.
Round 15 is set to be a big round and some epic clashes await us. There’s a lot on the line as some teams need to begin their push if they want to make the top eight. I have put together my AFL multi bets for Round 15.
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