Last week, the North Melbourne Kangaroos came tantalisingly close to causing a major upset against the top-ranked Brisbane Lions. After trailing by 20 points at halftime, they showcased resilience, but critical misses prevented them from taking the win, leading to a rare draw in the AFL.
Looking ahead, Nine’s analysts hold a dim view of North Melbourne’s chances against Richmond, signalling skepticism about their ability to replicate their recent performance and keep their season hopes alive. The Kangaroos remain three and a half games out of the finals mix, but with just three wins separating the top team from the 13th place, it’s certainly not insurmountable.
In contrast, the Hawthorn Hawks are expected to struggle against the Gold Coast Suns, who are currently riding a seven-game winning streak. Having played recently in Darwin, the Suns managed to fend off a late challenge from the Western Bulldogs, securing victory with a crucial late goal from Ben King.
As Round 10 unfolds, it presents an intriguing tipping challenge for fans and experts alike. A win for Adelaide over Collingwood could propel the Crows into the top four, while Fremantle has the potential to climb into the eight should they secure a significant victory against the Giants. The tipping predictions from experts vary, but all have named Gold Coast as the frontrunner in their upcoming matches, with many also backing Collingwood and Geelong.
Here’s a summary of the expert tips for the round:
- Jimmy Bartel: Gold Coast, Carlton, Collingwood, Geelong, GWS, Western Bulldogs, Richmond, Brisbane, St Kilda.
- Rory Sloane: Gold Coast, Carlton, Adelaide, Geelong, GWS, Western Bulldogs, North Melbourne, Brisbane, St Kilda.
- Tom Morris: Gold Coast, Sydney, Collingwood, Geelong, GWS, Western Bulldogs, Richmond, Brisbane, St Kilda.
- Eddie McGuire: Gold Coast, Carlton, Collingwood, Port Adelaide, GWS, Western Bulldogs, Richmond, Brisbane, St Kilda.
- Clint Stanaway: Gold Coast, Sydney, Collingwood, Geelong, GWS, Western Bulldogs, Richmond, Brisbane, St Kilda.
- Nat Yoannidis: Gold Coast, Sydney, Collingwood, Geelong, GWS, Western Bulldogs, North Melbourne, Brisbane, St Kilda.
- Tony Jones: Gold Coast, Sydney, Collingwood, GWS, Geelong, Western Bulldogs, Richmond, Brisbane, St Kilda.
As fans gear up for an exciting round, all eyes will be on whether North Melbourne can defy the odds against Richmond and if the Suns will continue their dominant form.