Round 20 of the AFL season gets underway Thursday night with a clash between Hawthorn and Carlton at the MCG, before a Friday night double-header with the Bombers taking on the Bulldogs, and the Giants and Swans going head-to-head in the Sydney Derby.
Keep up to date with all of the fixtures, games, team news, tips, odds, results, reaction, and video as they come to hand.
THURSDAY, JULY 24
Team news: Hawthorn midfielder Will Day is on track to make his return from a foot injury on Thursday night in what is a huge boost for Sam Mitchell’s side. For the Blues, Harry McKay continues to edge closer but is not yet a guarantee starter this week.
ESPN tip: Hawks by 20 points
Pointsbet odds: Hawks $1.17, Blues $5.00
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FRIDAY, JULY 25
Team news: Nate Caddy (soreness) could return for the Bombers this week. For the Dogs, Laitham Vandermeer was subbed out with an ankle injury at three-quarter time last week and could miss, while Taylor Duryea (28 disposals and 11 marks), Nick Coffield (27 and 12), and Buku Khamis (four goals) all impressed in the VFL.
ESPN tip: Bulldogs by 35 points
Pointsbet odds: Bombers $11.00, Dogs $1.04
Team news: The Giants are expected to regain star trio Josh Kelly (hip), Jesse Hogan (foot), and Sam Taylor (toe) for Friday night’s derby.
ESPN tip: Giants by 8 points
Pointsbet odds: Giants $1.56, Swans $2.50
SATURDAY, JULY 26
People First Stadium, 1:20pm [AEST]
Team news: Suns half-back Dan Rioli will undergo scans on a lower leg injury he suffered against the Crows but is unlikely to suit up, while Zac Bailey should return from suspension.
ESPN tip: Lions by 4 points
Pointsbet odds: Suns $2.35, Lions $1.60
Team news: Fremantle captain missed last week’s win over Collingwood with ‘awareness’ in his shin, with the Dockers likely to continue taking a cautious approach.
ESPN tip: Dockers by 40 points
Pointsbet odds: Dockers $1.05, Eagles $10.00
Team news: North Melbourne’s ruck stocks will be stretched even further with luckless Callum Coleman-Jones suffering a calf injury against the Swans, but George Wardlaw picked up 29 disposals in the VFL and is expected to return to the AFL.
ESPN tip: Cats by 38 points
Pointsbet odds: Roos $8.00, Cats $1.08
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Team news: Port skipper Connor Rozee didn’t quite get up last week with a hand injury but is likely to regain his spot in the side for this week’s clash against the Crows.
ESPN tip: Crows by 21 points
Pointsbet odds: Crows $1.18, Power $4.75
SUNDAY, JULY 27
Team news: Collingwood will be expecting to regain Bobby Hill (personal) and Billy Frampton (calf), but the Tigers will be without Seth Campbell after entering concussion protocols.
ESPN tip: Magpies by 27 points
Pointsbet odds: Tigers $9.00, Pies $1.06
Team news: TBC
ESPN tip: Saints by 5 points
Pointsbet odds: Saints $2.05, Dees $1.77