FootyBets.aiThe Carrara Fortress and the Swans' Scoring Blitz
July is where the contenders separate themselves from the pretenders, and Round 18 of the 2024 season looks like a graveyard for the bottom ten. We are looking at some massive margins on the horizon, particularly in Sydney. The Swans are currently operating at a level that North Melbourne simply cannot match, sitting on a league-high percentage of 144.2. When you consider the Kangaroos are leaking almost 100 points a week, this shapes up as a potential bloodbath at the SCG. Punting on the line here feels like the smartest move for your AFL multi bets.
Over on the Gold Coast, the Suns have turned Carrara into a genuine fortress. They are 8-0 at home this season and Port Adelaide is traveling north at the worst possible time. The midfield trio of Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson, and Sam Flanders is currently pulling in 80 disposals a game, which is enough to overwhelm any engine room. While Port has some stars, the Suns at home are the safest bet of the weekend outside of the top four for your Round 18 betting tips.
Down in Launceston, Hawthorn is looking to exploit the York Park factor against Fremantle. The Dockers have historically had the wood on the Hawks, but this current Hawthorn side is playing a high-octane brand of footy that suits the narrow wings of UTAS Stadium. It will be tight, but the Hawks' transition game is better suited to these conditions than the Dockers' slower build-up. Expect the Hawks to edge this one in a scrap.
The big one on Friday night sees Collingwood facing a resurgent Geelong. Jeremy Cameron has been nothing short of freakish lately, bagging 11 goals in his last month of footy. With the Pies' backline under constant pressure, Cameron is the clear match-winner here. If Max Holmes can provide that line-breaking speed through the middle, the Cats should find enough avenues to goal to ruin the Magpies' night. This is one of the better value AFL Round 18 2024 tips if you are looking for an underdog.
To round out the weekend, watch for Carlton to flex their muscles against the Bulldogs. The battle between Patrick Cripps and Tom Liberatore will be worth the price of admission alone. However, the presence of Tom De Koning as a mobile ruckman gives the Blues a distinct advantage as a fourth midfielder, something the Dogs might struggle to contain over four quarters.