Who should you be tipping in Round 22 of the AFL season? Our footy experts have put their heads together to help you out. So open your ESPNfootytips app, take notes, and get ahead of the game!
We're entering last-chance territory for a lot of teams now as the hunt for finals positions goes down to the wire. That begins with Thursday night's battle between the Western Bulldogs, still within reach of the top six, and North Melbourne, still a mathematical chance of reaching the wildcard stage. Not a whole lot can go wrong from here for either side, and a win is critical.
Friday night sees Brisbane host Hawthorn in a blockbuster at the Gabba, with the Lions out to make amends for last week's appalling capitulation at the hands of the Blues, as the Hawks also eye off a top two finish.
In the pick of the bunch on Saturday, Fremantle gets an MCG dress rehearsal when it faces Melbourne, before Sunday sees the Giants face the Suns in a must-win battle, and the Pies travel to Perth needing a win over West Coast to secure a wildcard finish. Closing out the weekend is arguably the match of the round, the stakes as high as ever as St Kilda and Carlton go head-to-head at Marvel Stadium.
Our experts share all of their wisdom with you to help guide your tipping.
EXPERT TIPS:
Jake Michaels
Last week: 7
Season total: 130
Certainty and why: There's only one winner when the Cats play the Bombers.
Upset and why: Saints are outsiders and shouldn't be.
Tips for the week:
Western Bulldogs vs. North Melbourne
Brisbane vs. Hawthorn
Melbourne vs. Fremantle
Sydney vs. Port Adelaide
Geelong vs. Essendon
Adelaide vs. Richmond
GWS vs. Gold Coast
West Coast vs. Collingwood
St Kilda vs. Carlton
Matt Walsh
Last week: 5
Season total: 124
Certainty and why: Cats aren't losing to Essendon.
Upset and why: Hawks are outsiders to the Lions.
Tips for the week:
Western Bulldogs vs. North Melbourne
Brisbane vs. Hawthorn
Melbourne vs. Fremantle
Sydney vs. Port Adelaide
Geelong vs. Essendon
Adelaide vs. Richmond
GWS vs. Gold Coast
West Coast vs. Collingwood
St Kilda vs. Carlton
Jarryd Barca
Last week: 7
Season total: 131
Certainty and why: Geelong and Adelaide are very easy locks and need no explanation.
Upset and why: I'm writing this on a Monday afternoon and have stuck with the favourites, but I could change my mind about the Roos, Hawks, Dees, or Saints.
Tips for the week:
Western Bulldogs vs. North Melbourne
Brisbane vs. Hawthorn
Melbourne vs. Fremantle
Sydney vs. Port Adelaide
Geelong vs. Essendon
Adelaide vs. Richmond
GWS vs. Gold Coast
West Coast vs. Collingwood
St Kilda vs. Carlton
Christian Joly (Champion Data)
Last week: 6
Season total: 122
Certainty and why: Adelaide, Richmond won't win two in a row.
Upset and why: Looking at their two profiles for the season, North actually gives me more confidence. They're more evenly matched than people think.
Tips for the week:
Western Bulldogs vs. North Melbourne
Brisbane vs. Hawthorn
Melbourne vs. Fremantle
Sydney vs. Port Adelaide
Geelong vs. Essendon
Adelaide vs. Richmond
GWS vs. Gold Coast
West Coast vs. Collingwood
St Kilda vs. Carlton