ROUND TWENTY-TWO!
We are in the home stretch. Seasons are on the line for some clubs. Others are fighting for the upper echelon of the ladder. And some, well, they’re “playing the kids” so you can expect some blow outs. Will there be an upset and a banana peel game for a finals contender? Can some of the bottom sides show something … anything …
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 Twenty Two.
The Guarantee
The Crows fundamentally and systematically destroy the Eagles. This has the potential to get REALLY ugly. Like, I’m talking 20+ goals ugly. If this game were played at Adelaide Oval, I’d almost be prepared to suggest that the highest ever score was under threat.
The Crom are flying, literally. They are ruthless, they score big, and their unheralded defence stacks up. I have question marks over them in Melbourne against good sides, but this game in Perth will be, to coin a Rex Hunt phrase, a destroyation.
The Ultimate Nightmare (Worst Case Scenario)
The Lachie Neale-less Lions lose to the Swans. It won’t happen, and for Brisbane, it cannot happen. But the Swans might want to play spoiler against the team that has confined them to mediocrity this year.
The Lions need to keep winning to ensure a top 2 finish, so there’s plenty to play for. The Swans’ season is basically over (mathematically, there’s still a slim chance of finals) so they will want to play well and take some momentum into the off-season.
Brisbane will need to curtail the rampaging Brodie Grundy if they are going to make this easier for themselves.
The Outsider (unexpected winner)
The Demons couldn’t, could they? There is this “new coach bounce” that gets spoken of when an interim boss comes in to run the show at an AFL club. With the sudden sacking of Simon Goodwin, will some clear air inspire the Melbourne players, or will their minds be on the cheeseboards in the crowd? If this bounce occurs, they could stage an upset and almost end the season of the Dogs. There is a lot to play for, for some fringe Demons, and the Dogs need to be wary of the potential adrenaline rush and bounce from Melbourne.
The Money Maker (Bold Call)
Port Adelaide continues their dominance over the Dockers. What do I mean by dominance? The Dockers have always been very dockery at Adelaide Oval, l having never beaten the Power there.
Honestly, the better use of the bold call would be predicting that the Blues beat the Suns, continuing Dimma’s dislike of Marvel Stadium and proving that the Suns haven’t got any better.
That said, I feel like this is a genuine bold call. Even to the point that I’m willing to put my money where my mouth is and tip the Pear, even if some of their recent losses have been some of Ken’s worst in his career. There is nothing other than Dockery vibes making me do this.
Essential Result (Must Win)
The Marvel specialists – St Kilda – beating the Tigers at the ‘G. Winning a game like this could, and I emphasise the could, help Big Wang (Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera) see the potential in this Saints team and encourage him to stay.
You might consider that a weird statement, given it’s just Richmond. It is the sort of game the Saints might often drop, and a commanding win would speak to the belief and the growth in the Saints. The match itself may not be one many choose to go back and watch for enjoyment purposes, but both sides can seek to end the season on a positive – which is more important for the Saints and their pursuit of some players and desire to hang on to others.
Most at Stake (Vulnerable)
Thursday Night footy. There are rumblings that there will be less Thursday Night games next week – which is a bad call by the AFL – but, in the immediate season, the last two weeks of Thursday footy are uninspiring. So, the AFL, and the future of Thursday Nights, requires a good game.
Thankfully, for those invested in Thursday Nights, Hokball v the Collywobbles should present an entertaining game. Hokball needs a win to kinda stay in finals contention, while the Pies have seemingly hit the edge of the cliff and could hit free fall if they lose this one. The stars will be out in force for both sides, and they will be frenetic at the ball. Can the Hawks stifle Nick Daicos? Can the Pies prevent the Hawks’ ability to score? It’s a tantalising game in many ways.
The Must Watch (match-up or game)
Darcy Moore has both been really solid and really poor in recent weeks. Coming up against a Hawks forward line with Mitch Lewis, Mabior Chol, Calsher Dear, and Jack Gunston will cause some challenges for the Pies, so Moore must set the tone as the skipper and the Pies’ best defender, if they are going to cling on to the top two.
The Unexpected (underdog performance)
Mitch Knevitt returns to the Cats lineup this weekend. He hasn’t played in the top flight for a little while after some foot issues. Here’s to him holding his own with his more esteemed teammates and showing that he is not an afterthought.
It’s a Big Weekend For …
Jeremy Cameron’s pursuit of 100 goals. I say this with all respect for the Bombers, but they aren’t offering a lot on the field at the moment. With the players they have available, they have many on-field challenges. So, if the Cats number 5 is going to hit the ton in 2025, Friday night shapes as the really key game for this pursuit. Against a beleaguered Bombers outfit, more beleaguered than when Jez kicked six against them earlier in the year, he has the chance to hit double figures for the second time in a few weeks.
I’ve seen some joking about him kicking the 25 he requires this week. However, double figures is a good start. Will the Bombers try to stop this or will Chris be able to convince twin Brad to coach his side with no opponent on Jeremy? Time will tell!
Seriously, though. It’s a big weekend for Michael Voss. After the board has stated that he will remain Carlton’s coach “into” 2026, there are clearly still some concerns as to his ability to get the best out of his players.
And, for English soccer fans, it’s a big weekend for Alexander Isak and his desire to escape his forced captivity at Newcastle and be able to spread his wings for Liverpool. Will the toon set him free or will the sheer lack of players wanting to wear Collingwood colours keep Isak trapped? There’s much water to go under the bridge in this one. #FreeIsak
The Don (player of the round)
There’s not enough discussion about Finn Callaghan and his AA prospects this year. I don’t think there’s a North mid who can go with him or curtail him, so I’m backing Finn to have 25+ disposals, 2 goals, and 8+ clearances.
The Underboss (rookie of the round)
If he keeps his spot, let’s go with Jayden Nguyen at the Bombers. Their most recent debutant, while he didn’t do much against the Swans, the Cats have an innate ability to give random young players their career game. So, let’s go with him and hope the Bombers have something to be positive about.
Individual Brilliance (predicting a stat accomplishment like x goals or marks)
I really want to say Jeremy Cameron kicks 15. However, I think that’s being both arrogant and greedy.
So, let’s just go with Riley Thilthorpe kicking a career high 8 goals against the Eagles.
The Winners (currently on 113; last week 7)
Collingwood
Geelong
St Kilda
Brisbane
Gold Coast
Port Adelaide
Greater Western Sydney
Western Bulldogs
Adelaide
These predictions were made with only Thursday Night teams revealed. 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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