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David Shortte’s AFL Preview: Round 16

Posted on | Posted by David Shortte

THURSDAY

Brisbane v Sydney, GABBA, 5.30pm

Brisbane resume here off the Bye and will be hoping they can recapture their best form in the back half of the season. They sit in eighth spot with an 8 win 6 loss record.

Sydney also return off the Bye and they have been one of the trendsetters of the competition in season 2026. They have won 12 of their 14 matches and sit clear in second spot on the AFL ladder.

The Swans are boosted by the return of Errol Gulden, Tom McCartin and Peter Ladams while Brisbane welcome back Ryan Lester.

Two of the most talented sides in the competition are likely to slug it out until the final siren here. Sydney have been more reliable so far this season but Brisbane have home ground advantage and are a proud team. It has all the hallmarks of an epic encounter.

VERDICT: Sydney by 5 points

Same Game Multi: Darcy Wilmot and Chad Warner to both get 20 or more disposals, Nick Blakey to get 25 or more disposals and Logan Morris to kick 2 or more goals @ $3.30*

FRIDAY

Hawthorn v GWS, MCG, 5.40pm

The Hawks handed in a very professional performance last week heading up to the Gold Coast and knocking off the Suns by 16 points. It took their season record to 9 wins, 4 losses and a draw. They are sitting in third spot on the ladder with a favourable run home ahead.

GWS were excellent with impressive wins over Melbourne and Brisbane but have since undone their good work with disappointing losses to Saint Kilda and Carlton. They have now slipped to 13th spot on the table and don’t have much room for error for the remainder of the season.

Hawthorn have proven a lot more consistent this season and while the Giants have caused a few upsets this season trying to predict when they are going to play to that level is proving challenging. I’ll stick with the Hawks on their home deck.

VERDICT: Hawthorn by 23 points

Same Game Multi: Josh Ward, Karl Amon and Jai Newcombe to all get 20 or more disposals, Lachie Whitfield and Lachie Ash to both get 25 or more disposals and Nick Watson to kick 2 or more goals @ $3.50*

SATURDAY

Carlton v West Coast, Marvel Stadium, 11.15am

Since parting ways with Coach Michael Voss the Blues have done nothing but win. With Josh Fraser at the helm they have won five games in a row against the Bulldogs, Port Adelaide, Geelong, Essendon and GWS. They now have a 6 win, 8 loss record and are just a game outside of Wild Card contention.

It’s been a frustrating month for West Coast with a win against Essendon but 3 narrow losses, to Collingwood by 10, Port Adelaide by 6 and North Melbourne by a solitary point. They have a 4 win, 10 loss record and sit in 16th spot on the table.

The Blues have looked a different side in recent weeks and they should make it 6 wins in a row here.

VERDICT: Carlton by 17 points.

Same Game Multi: Willem Duursma and Oli Florent to both get 15 or more disposals, Tim Kelly, Harley Reid and Jagga Smith to all get 20 or more disposals and Sam Walsh to get 25 or more disposals @ $3.25.*

Collingwood v Richmond, MCG, 2.15pm

Nick Daicos and Jordan De Goey were outstanding in last week’s 26 point win over Port Adelaide. It took the Pies season record to 6 wins, 7 losses and a draw. They are just outside of Wild Card action in 11th spot.

The Tigers lost their third straight game when going down to the Kangaroos by 25 points. They are in 17th spot on the ladder and still have significant injury concerns.

Collingwood are a lot more seasoned and with Nick Daicos and Jordan De Goey up and about they are likely to take some stopping.

VERDICT: Collingwood by 29 points.

Same Game Multi: Collingwood to win, Jack Crisp to get 15 or more disposals, Sam Banks, Jordan De Goey and Jayden Short to all get 20 or more disposals and Nick Daicos to get 30 or more disposals @ $3.10*

Port Adelaide v Adelaide, Adelaide Oval, 5.35pm

Port Adelaide have lost 6 of their last 7 matches, but most of them have been by single digit margins, including the Showdown in Round 8 where they lost by just a point.

The Crows have had a hot patch and wins at 8 of their last 10 games have seen them rise to 5th place on the ladder.

These matches have a knack of bringing the best out in both teams and while Adelaide’s recent form is clearly superior it’s worth noting that 2 of the last 3 matches between these sides have been determined by under a goal

VERDICT: Adelaide by 11 points.

Same Game Multi: Sam Berry, Rory Laird and Wayne Milera to all get 20 or more disposals and Zak Butters to get 30 or more disposals @ $3.50*

SUNDAY

North Melbourne v Essendon, Marvel Stadium, 1.15pm

The Kangaroos will be aiming up at a third win on the trot after a 1 point win over West Coast and a 25 point win over the Tigers last week.

The Bombers return here off a bye and sit last on the AFL ladder with just 1 win for the season.

North Melbourne have consistently played to a higher level than Essendon this season and this looks a likely hat trick of wins in prospect.

VERDICT: North Melbourne by 17 points

Same Game Multi:  Luke Parker, Caleb Daniel, Elijah Tsatas and Darcy Parish to all get 20 or more disposals, Harry Sheezel to get 30 or more disposals and Jack Darling to kick goal or more @ $3.40*

Fremantle v Gold Coast, Optus Stadium, 3.10pm

The Dockers made it 13 wins in a row when coming from behind to defeat Geelong by 9 points last week. They sit on top of the AFL table.

Gold Coast lost to the Hawks last week – it was their fourth defeat in a row and they have slipped to 9th place on the table with a 7 win, 7 loss record.

Fremantle are playing excellent team football and are healthy and confident. They look tough to beat again.

VERDICT: Fremantle by 33 points.

Same Game Multi: Fremantle to win, Luke Jackson to get 15 or more disposals, Murphy Reid and John Noble to both get 20 or more disposals, and Andrew Brayshaw to get 25 or more disposals @ $3.05*

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