Round 18 of the 2024 AFL season beings with a huge Friday night clash between Collingwood and Geelong at the MCG.
Keep up to date with all of the fixtures, games, news, tips, odds, results, reaction, and video as they come to hand.
FRIDAY, JULY 12
Collingwood vs. Geelong
Team news: Jamie Elliott returns to Craig McRae's lineup for the first time since Round 8, but Brody Mihocek (torn pec) has been ruled out for the season, and Jeremy Howe (hamstring) will be held out of this week's game in further blows to the Magpies forward line. The Cats will go into the clash unchanged.
ESPN tip: Cats by 13 points
Pointsbet odds: Pies $2.05, Cats $1.75
Get your tips in now on the ESPNfootytips app!
SATURDAY, JULY 13
Hawthorn vs. Fremantle
Team news: Sam Mitchell has been dealt a major blow with Mitch Lewis rupturing his ACL against the Cats last week and ruled out for the rest of the season. James Sicily (shoulder) avoided surgery and sat out last week's contest, but will return this week to face the Dockers.
ESPN tip: Dockers by 19 points
Pointsbet odds: Hawks $2.00, Dockers $1.80
Sydney Swans vs. North Melbourne
Team news: Sydney superstar Isaac Heeney had his one-match ban upheld and will miss this week's match, but Callum Mills is set to play his first game of the season after recovering from injury. Luke Parker will also play his first match at AFL level after serving a six-week ban. The Roos have made just one change, with George Wardlaw replacing Will Phillips.
ESPN tip: Swans by 34 points
Pointsbet odds: Swans $1.05, Roos $10.00
Rodney Eade says a series of decisions made by the Eagles have 'come back to bite them', after the club sacked Adam Simpson after an 11-year tenure.
Western Bulldogs vs. Carlton
Team news: Luke Beveridge was forced into multiple changes with important keys Aaron Naughton and James O'Donnell both entering concussion protocols, and Liam Jones now set to miss multiple weeks with a knee concern, with Cody Weightman and Caleb Poulter coming into the side. For the Blues, Caleb Marchbank and Marc Pittonet replace Mitch McGovern (injured) and Orazio Fantasia (omitted).
ESPN tip: Blues by 26 points
Pointsbet odds: Dogs $2.60, Blues $1.50
Adelaide Crows vs. St. Kilda
Team news: Adelaide star Izak Rankine will miss four matches through suspension, but key tall Riley Thilthorpe will return to the senior side for the first time this season after recovering from a preseason knee injury. Meanwhile, Brad Hill (personal) and Marcus Windhager (hamstring) have made way for Riley Bonner and Zak Jones.
ESPN tip: Crows by 10 points
Pointsbet odds: Crows $1.45, Saints $2.75
Melbourne vs. Essendon
Team news: The Dees have suffered a huge blow with skipper Max Gawn ruled out for 2-3 weeks with an ankle injury he sustained against the Eagles in Round 17, with Harrison Petty names as the replacement. for the Bombers, Dyson Heppell comes in for Jayden Laverde (managed).
ESPN tip: Bombers by 15 points
Pointsbet odds: Dees $2.35, Bombers $1.60
SUNDAY, JULY 14
Gold Coast vs. Port Adelaide
People First Stadium, 1:10pm (AEST)
Team news: Damien Hardwick has lost experienced duo Touk Miller and Sam Day to injury, and has elected to swing the axe after a disappointing loss last week. Alex Davies, Jed Walter, and Connor Budarick are among the inclusions, but David Swallow (managed), Alex Sexton, and Thomas Berry (omitted) have been left out. Mitch Georgiades accepted a one-match ban for striking and will miss this week's clash, with Charlie Dixon named as his replacement.
ESPN tip: Suns by 14 points
Pointsbet odds: Suns $1.60, Power $2.35
Richmond vs. GWS Giants
Team news: Dion Prestia returns for the Tigers but there's still no Dusty this week, while Adam Kingsley has made one change, with Lachie Ash returning at the expense of key defender Leek Aleer (omitted).
ESPN tip: Giants by 38 points
Pointsbet odds: Tigers $4.00, Giants $1.25
West Coast vs. Brisbane
Team news: Jeremy McGovern (ribs) won't feature this week, but interim coach Jarrad Schofield has made a statement omitting trio Campbell Chesser, Josh Rotham, and Jack Darling. Harry Edwards, Luke Edwards, Zane Trew, and Ryan Maric come into the side. In a big blow to the Lions, key defender Jack Payne will miss several weeks with a foot injury and Brandon Starcevich has entered concussion protocols after a collision last week, but Darragh Joyce and Shadeau Brain have been recalled.
ESPN tip: Lions by 54 points
Pointsbet odds: Eagles $4.75, Lions $1.19