ROUND EIGHT
As always in AFL Land, we have had a week of controversy and just dumb bureaucratic blundering. AFL House is becoming more and more of a farce as each week rolls around. At this point, either ChatGPT or a Capuchin Monkey could do a better job of running the league. No matter, some of the on-field performances have been elite and that is why we tune in.
Be forewarned, while I am the Mongrel Punt’s resident oracle for all things AFL, I hold no liability for your bad betting and using my predictions in your multis. So, please, gamble responsibly.
So, strap yourselves in for the Prophet’s Predictions for Round Eight.
The Guarantee
Sydney vs Melbourne is the game of the round. Both teams are playing fun and attacking footy. Now, I expect that the Swans will be too good and get the win, but the Dees have shown up and shown out in the Sunday afternoon time slot this year. So, get the beers ready to enjoy an epic game!
The Ultimate Nightmare (Worst Case Scenario)
This is low-hanging fruit, but in the round following the AFL having to double down on ARC technology, acknowledge there’s better tech but we aren’t using it, there will be a game that is decided by a dodgy ARC call/non-call … it couldn’t happen to the Crom again, could it? And this time in a Showdown?
The Outsider (unexpected winner)
This hurts me, but given the inept performance the Cats put up against the Power last week, and them not dropping some seriously out of form players, Norf have a genuine opportunity to cause a boilover at Cat Park.
This isn’t the same Norf of recent seasons … there’s some fight, a backbone, and a willingness for the contest. Teams have shown that if you pressure the Cats, they can wilt. I reckon that KANGA KANGA KANGA will give this a red hot shake!
The Money Maker (Bold Call)
Even after the fiasco that was me tipping Essendon last weekend, I’m doubling down on the bold calls … so, I’m tipping Carlton to beat the Saints at Marvel. Yep, I told you it was bold. And probs a little nonsensical, but let’s roll with it.
The Saints rightly go in as strong favourites – I trust them more to perform, even if Ross the Boos is allergic to attacking football. Other teams are having their unexpected wins, so, why not the Blues?
Essential Result (Must Win)
I considered putting the Cats here, but it needs to be the Eagles. They face the Tigers in Perth, go in as favourites, and just absolutely must win this game. If they are ever going to get another four points this year, it’s in this game.
Unfortunately, we’ve seen some really terrible showings from the Eagles, so, do we know what we’ll see? Probably not. The Eagles just have to win!
Most at Stake (Vulnerable)
Freo and the Dogs. The Dogs get a couple of players back, but are still a bit underdone and playing hurt. The Doker on the other hand, are playing really good footy. Both sides need the win … the Dogs, so that they can stop the free fall and get some momentum back into their season, and Freo need the win in order to stay in the top two!
It’s Superhero Stadium. It’s Friday Night Lights. It’s a game where both teams are somewhat vulnerable and need a positive result.
The Must Watch (match-up or game)
It’s always the Showdown. They nearly always live up to the hype and the expectation. I don’t like that it’s part of a Friday Night double-header, but it should still be a banger!
The Crows have been a bit up and down, and the Power had a great win last week, so we are presented with a pretty mouth-watering match on Friday Night. A few weeks ago, you’d have said “Crom by how much …” now, this is a very exciting matchup. The key in this, I think, is Zak Butters. If he has a big game, then the Power win.
The Unexpected (underdog performance)
The Orange Team have a decent record in the Expansion Cup … and while the Suns of the Gold Coast sky are a better side at home, which they are on Sunday, there are cracks starting to show in their performances. The Giants are starting to get some players back, and get some run in their legs, so this presents an opportunity for them to take a scalp and welcome themselves officially to season 2026.
It’s a Big Weekend For …
The Pies. Managing players is always fraught with risk. And so, their match is fraught with risk on Thursday Night as they rest some good players in a key game against the rampaging Hokball. Will this backfire on them or will the Pies again defy the pre-conceptions and their form line?
The Don (player of the round)
I’m going to back in Logan Morris to kick six against the Bombers. The Lions mids will give the forwards a lot of good looks, and if Morris has sticky hands and kicks straight, he could have a big game!
The Underboss (rookie of the round)
The Cats have shown that small forwards can get a hold of them. So, Lachy Dovaston could, quietly, have a big say on the Cats v Norf game. Between him and Cooper Trembath, North have some good kids that might cause some issues to their opponents.
Individual Brilliance (predicting a stat accomplishment like x goals or marks)
Harley Reid, against the Tigers, 3+ goals and 20+ disposals. Lock it in!
The Winners (currently on 41; last week 6)
Hawthorn
Fremantle
Adelaide
Brisbane Lions
West Coast
Geelong
Carlton
Sydney
Gold Coast
Predictions were started before Thursday Night Football. Drop us your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned over the coming weeks to see how the Prophet goes with his predictions.
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