With every Round 23 game except one seeing finals implications, it's sure to a must-watch weekend.
See our tips and predictions for Round 22 of the 2023 AFL season below.
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Collingwood vs Brisbane
Friday - 7:50pm AEST – Marvel Stadium
It’s a battle between first and second to kick off a huge Round 22.
While there’d usually be plenty at stake in a battle between the ladder-leaders, unfortunately it doesn’t appear like Friday night is shaping up to be as big as we originally had hoped.
As of last week, Collingwood have sewn up a top-two spot and have immediately begun to rest players as they sit pretty with a 17-4 record.
While Darcy Moore was always going to miss a couple of weeks with a hamstring twinge, the Magpies are now allowing Jordan De Goey (glute) and Bobby Hill (hamstring) to get back to 100 per cent before finals.
With Nick Daicos also out still, the Magpies are without their three best players and don’t really have much to play for.
As for Brisbane, this clash is critical as they need to keep winning to secure an all-important top-two finish.
Last time the sides met Brisbane took the chocolates with a dominant 33-point win at the Gabba as Charlie Cameron kicked a six-goal haul.
Brisbane have also won five-straight games against Collingwood head-to-head. If they’re a serious premiership contender in 2023, they should make it six.
If the Lions can’t win with everything to play for against an under-strength and slightly out of form Magpies with nothing on the line, alarm bells should be ringing.
Tip: Brisbane by 20 points.
Lachlan Geleit
Richmond vs North Melbourne
Saturday - 1:45pm - Marvel Stadium
It will be a day of celebration at the MCG on Saturday.
Richmond will say goodbye to three-time premiership captain Trent Cotchin and fellow flag star Jack Riewoldt who have called time on their glittering careers.
Former North Melbourne skipper Jack Ziebell will also step away from the game following his distinguished career.
There will be plenty of emotion as both Tigers and Kangaroos fans farewell greats of their respective clubs.
And now onto the footy.
The Tigers have been poor over the last fortnight, going down to the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda both at Marvel Stadium. Andrew McQualter’s side appears to have lost the zest and vigour it was playing with prior to that.
The Roos have been extremely competitive over the last month, going down to St Kilda, West Coast and Essendon by single-figure margins while pushing Melbourne most of the way having led at half-time.
They present a tricky proposition for a Richmond team down on confidence.
The Tigers have conceded 68.36.(444) from 250 inside 50s across the last four weeks. In response, they’ve kicked just 47.40.(322) from 190 inside 50s.
That would be far more problematic if they were not playing a team that has lost 19 matches in a row.
With Cotchin and Riewoldt to honour, Richmond should flex its muscle and give the Tiger Army something to celebrate as the club’s successful era well and truly comes to an end.
Alastair Clarkson’s North will be no easy task but the Tigers should be able to put their foot down late and send off the pair of club legends in style.
Tip: Richmond by 22 points.
Andrew Slevison
Gold Coast vs Carlton
Saturday - 2:10pm – Heritage Bank Stadium
Carlton will be looking for their ninth consecutive win when they travel north to take on Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues’ incredible win streak began with the Suns two months ago, blowing them out by 10 goals.
They kicked nine goals in the second quarter and five in the last – a brutal offensive display.
Harry McKay and Jack Silvagni will reportedly return for the Blues, a much-needed boost that will take some pressure off Charlie Curnow.
Curnow has been double teamed consistently, but has still managed to find some success with his sheer natural talent.
Gold Coast is now out of the finals mix officially, but they did beat Brisbane only three weeks ago.
The Suns were competitive in away losses to Sydney and Adelaide and if they bring a similar level back at home, they not be an easy beat.
If the Blues come into this game having relaxed somewhat, believing they’ve secured a top eight spot, Gold Coast could jump them.
Expect a competitive contest, but on recent form it would be impossible to tip anyone other than Carlton.
Tip: Carlton by 11 points.
Nic Negrepontis
GWS vs Essendon
Saturday - 4:35pm – GIANTS Stadium
Essendon’s finals are on the line in the twilight on Saturday, as they head up to face a Giants side coming off a big loss at the hands of Port Adelaide last week.
Giants Stadium is somewhat of a bogey ground for the Bombers, having not won there since and they’ll have to break that unwanted record if they hold out any hope of keeping their finals hopes alive heading into Round 24.
The stakes for Adam Kingsley’s side are equally as big ahead of this clash, who are sitting just percentage out of the top eight and need to keep winning to lock in their spot in the eight.
Team selection is so crucial for this one, with Essendon a chance to welcome back the likes of Sam Draper, Jake Stringer and Jye Caldwell for the match.
We’re still going with the Giants who, considering their form of late. They’re poised to end the Bombers’ season.
Tip: GWS Giants by 19 points.
Laurence Rosen
St Kilda vs Geelong
Saturday - 7:25pm – Marvel Stadium
What a game this is shaping up to be as the Cats travel down the highway to face the in-form Saints at Marvel Stadium.
This game has so much at stake for both clubs, if the Saints will they’ve all-but locked in a finals berth but if they lose, they’ll have to beat Brisbane in Brisbane in the final round.
For Geelong, they simply must win their next two fixtures to play finals.
When you look at the recent record between the two sides, it doesn’t bode well for Ross Lyon’s Saints on Saturday night.
Chris Scott’s men have won six of the last seven head to heads, with Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron featuring heavily in those wins.
The Saints have recaptured their best footy, winning three of their last four games and more importantly all three of those wins have been at Marvel.
They’re a four-goal better team at home and it’ll be a big test for the Cats to beat them.
But tipping against Geelong is almost impossible and the way they played against Collingwood last week, it’s going to take a big performance from the Saints.
The fitness around Tom Hawkins will be the deciding factor for this tip, if he plays the Cats will win, if he doesn’t, they won’t.
The messaging from the Cats is giving the vibe that he’s playing, so I’m tipping the Cats.
Tip: Geelong by 14 points.
Hugh Fitzpatrick
Adelaide vs Sydney
Saturday - 7:40pm – Adelaide Oval
The only story behind this game is the finals implications that come with it.
For Adelaide, two wins are likely enough to book a ticket to September. Considering they face West Coast in Round 24, it all rests on this weekend against the Swans.
Meanwhile for Sydney – who are four points ahead of the Crows – one win against either Adelaide this weekend or the Demons next week should be enough to qualify for another tilt at the premiership.
It’s as simple as that. Adelaide Oval, Saturday night, under lights and there’s no doubt it’ll be heaving with Crows fans desperate to return to finals.
Matthew Nicks’ men have won nine of 12 games at home this year and that’s the key reason they start favourites.
But Sydney hasn’t lost since Round 14 and has put forward an almighty charge to finals.
Adelaide’s attack, particularly Taylor Walker, is the main reason the Crows are firing at the moment and with Dane Rampe a test to play on Saturday, that could be the difference.
But Walker would love to stand up in a big game and give himself a chance in Round 24 against the West Coast Eagles for the Coleman Medal.
Tip: Adelaide by 12 points.
Seb Mottram
Western Bulldogs vs West Coast
Sunday - 1:10pm - Marvel Stadium
The Bulldogs don’t need to do anything more than secure the four points on Sunday afternoon.
Heading into the penultimate round of the home and away season with an unconvincing grasp on eighth position, a matchup against West Coast couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Eagles found themselves struggling once again last week, being dealt a 101-point drubbing in the Western Derby as their newfound competitiveness was nowhere to be seen.
West Coast’s grim season looked at its worst when playing on the road this season, however this hasn’t quite translated to Marvel Stadium, with some two of the Eagles’ better performances on the year coming under the roof (Carlton match aside).
Yet this won’t matter when matched up against a Bulldogs side that is desperate for redemption, having been stunned by the Hawks last week.
While this doesn’t need to be anything more than a warm-up for Luke Beveridge’s men, expect them to come out and make a statement.
Provided the Dogs get the job done as they should, all eyes will then turn to their Round 24 matchup against Geelong, which is shaping up to be an early elimination final.
Tip: Bulldogs by 64 points.
Jack Makeham
Melbourne vs Hawthorn
Sunday - 3:20pm - MCG
The very definition of a banana peel game.
If Melbourne defeats Hawthorn on Sunday, a top four spot is locked in and they still have hopes of hosting a Qualifying Final.
But lose, and suddenly they likely need to knock off Sydney at the SCG to claim a double chance. A game of 4th vs 16th doesn’t scream tight contest on paper, but the tipsters going off that form haven’t watched Sam Mitchell’s Hawks in recent weeks.
They should have won in Round 19 against the Tigers, had St Kilda on the ropes at three quarter time the following week, proved far too strong for Collingwood in Round 21 and knocked off another finals contender in the Western Bulldogs just last week.
When Hawthorn’s midfield gets going, opposing teams find it extremely difficult to move the ball with any efficiency and get it going inside 50.
So in coming up against the league’s best midfield featuring the likes of Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver and Jack Viney, it’s sure to be a great test for the young Hawks.
What Melbourne does with Brodie Grundy is of particular intrigue given the club’s struggles ahead of the ball in Round 22 but with the significance of the game, they can’t afford to get it wrong.
Tip: Melbourne by 12 points.
Seb Mottram
Fremantle vs Port Adelaide
Sunday - 4:40pm – Optus Stadium
Will Fremantle be a substantial roadblock in Port Adelaide’s push for a top-two finish?
That’s the big question ahead of the final game of Round 22.
The Power got back onto the winners' list last Sunday against GWS following four-straight defeats and enter the round equal on points with second-placed Brisbane.
The Dockers also won in Round 21, thrashing crosstown rivals the Eagles by 101 points in a victory that will buoy them with a bit of confidence.
While the Power should get the job done if they’re really the premiership contenders we think they are, it wouldn’t surprise to see them lose given they’ve lost four of their last five.
Looking at Fremantle’s recent form, it’s actually quite impressive even though their finals hopes are dead and buried as they’ve beaten the Cats in Geelong, got within a goal of the Lions in Perth and thrashed the Eagles in the last three weeks.
If they can keep that relative form up, they won’t make things easy for Ken Hinkley’s side.
Ultimately though, Port Adelaide’s power through the midfield should be too much for a Freo side that’s struggled to contain opposition guns in 2023.
Port Adelaide are the pick, but it’s not your typical 3rd v 14th (at the start of the round) matchup.
Tip: Port Adelaide by 13 points.
Lachlan Geleit