Round 18 of the AFL season gets underway Thursday night with a clash between the Blues and Lions at Marvel Stadium. Then, on Friday evening, the Suns host the Magpies in a massive contest.
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 10
Carlton vs. Brisbane
Team news: Carlton has made two changes with Corey Durdin and Alex Cincota coming in for axed duo Blake Acres and Francis Evans. The Lions have replaced Sam Day (ersonal reasons) with returning Oscar McInerney.
ESPN tip: Lions by 24 points
Pointsbet odds: Blues $4.50, Lions $1.20
Get your tips in now on the ESPNfootytips app!
FRIDAY, JULY 11
Gold Coast vs. Collingwood
People First Stadium, 7:40pm [AEST]
Team news: Lachie Schultz is expected to return from a hamstring injury, but the Pies will still be without fellow goal sneak Bobby Hill (illness/personal). Gold Coast's defence could be bolstered with Sam Collins listed as a test to return from a calf setback which held him out of last week's win.
ESPN tip: Magpies by 10 points
Pointsbet odds: Suns $2.05, Magpies $1.75
SATURDAY, JULY 12
Western Bulldogs vs. Adelaide
Team news: Adelaide is counting the cost of its win over Melbourne with Josh Rachele being subbed out with a knee injury. While he has avoided ligament damage, the livewire forward will undergo surgery and will miss several weeks. Meanwhile, Liam Jones returned from a calf injury via the VFL on the weekend and has his hand up for senior selection if Luke Beveridge elects for an extra key defender against a tall forward line.
ESPN tip: Bulldogs by 6 points
Pointsbet odds: Bulldogs $1.60, Crows $2.35
GWS vs. Geelong
Team news: There's a watch on Jack Buckley who suffered an ankle injury against the Eagles, and if he doesn't suit up against Geelong it would be a bitter blow to a backline that's already missing Sam Taylor. For the Cats, Bailey Smith (illness) was a late out in Round 16 but is expected to be fit to face the Giants.
ESPN tip: Cats by 8 points
Pointsbet odds: Giants $2.15, Cats $1.71
Richmond vs. Essendon
Team news: In unfortunate news for Tigers fans, young gun Sam Lalor was subbed out with another hamstring injury which means Adem Yze will be forced into at least one change. For the Bombers, new hamstring concerns arose for Mason Redman and Zach Reid last week and their return dates are unclear, while Elijah Tsatas (35 disposals) was again a standout in the VFL.
ESPN tip: Bombers by 15 points
Pointsbet odds: Tigers $2.80, Bombers $1.44
Fremantle vs. Hawthorn
Team news: There's plenty of selection intrigue at the Hawks at the moment, with Calsher Dear and Mitch Lewis both slotting three goals in the VFL and taking 13 marks between them to put their hands up for the spot in Sam Mitchell's forward line. Jack Scrimshaw (21 disposals and six marks) could also be in consideration.
ESPN tip: Hawks by 9 points
Pointsbet odds: Dockers $1.83, Hawks $1.97
SUNDAY, JULY 13
Melbourne vs. North Melbourne
Team news: Unfortunately for the Roos, star midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke was concussed in the loss to the Bulldogs and will miss at least one week while in protocols.
ESPN tip: Demons by 21 points
Pointsbet odds: Demons $1.25, Kangaroos $3.90
St Kilda vs. Sydney
Team news: Tom Papley was subbed off at half time of Sydney's win over the Dockers with a hamstring injury in a brutal blow for the injury-ravaged player. For the Saints, Mattaes Phillipou (plantaris) still at least 1-2 weeks away from returning.
ESPN tip: Swans by 15 points
Pointsbet odds: Saints $2.25, Swans $1.65
Port Adelaide vs. West Coast
Team news: Port Adelaide's Sam Powell-Pepper will undergo surgery after he suffered another ACL injury on the weekend. His teammates Dante Visentini (ankle) and Esava Ratugolea (hamstring) will also miss the rest of the season.
ESPN tip: Power by 27 points
Pointsbet odds: Power $1.13, Eagles $6.00