"BALL UP!" - Val's 2025 Aussie Rules Footy Tipping *Open to Everyone*

[Val]

It’s always horrible to see a player stretchered off but I’m not sure Howe would have been enough on his own to stop the carnage. Frampton is not elite and he sadly had a dreadful night; I admire Darcy Moore as a man and a captain but I don’t rate him that highly as a player, once you’re past him you’re home and hosed, and Maynard couldn’t do it on his own. He lacked his usual aggression, which wouldn’t be a bad thing under other circumstances. I think Sam Mitchell just out coached the struggling Pies last night - and without Will Day who is a superstar and a sad injury.

[Val]

Tonight's result:

Geelong Cats (available) v Essendon Bombers (Val)
4.5.29 (Q1) 1.2.8
7.10.52 (Q2) 2.3.15
11.13.79 (Q3) 7.5.47
15.19.109 (Q4) 10.5.65

A fairly lacklustre game down at the Cattery. Essendon plodded and seemed to drag Geelong down a bit - they certainly weren't at their best tonight. The Bombers had a brief flurry in the third quarter - got to within 20 points - but Geelong came straight back. The Cats are second on the ladder tonight but will be wishing they had some testing opposition as they head into Finals.

[Val]

Today's results:

Richmond Tigers (Philip) v St Kilda Saints (Tim)
1.0.6 (Q1) 3.2.20
4.5.29 (Q2) 5.3.33
6.8.44 (Q3) 5.6.36
7.10.52 (Q4) 8.8.56

Brisbane Lions (Jed) v Sydney Swans (Anita)
3.3.21 (Q1) 5.3.33
7.4.46 (Q2) 8.7.55
9.7.61 (Q3) 12.9.81
13.12.90 (Q4) 13.14.92

Carlton Blues (available) v Gold Coast Suns (Suzy)
3.1.19 (Q1) 5.4.34
5.1.31 (Q2) 8.7.55
6.3.39 (Q3) 12.12.84
11.8.74 (Q4) 13.15.93

Port Adelaide Power (available) v Fremantle Dockers (available)
0.4.4 (Q1) 4.5.29
8.5.53 (Q2) 7.9.51
11.8.74 (Q3) 9.12.66
13.8.86 (Q4) 13.14.92

Some very exciting games today as evidenced by the tight scores. Brisbane left their charge too late but Tim will be pleased by the Swans' performance. The Port/Freo game saw the lead change many times and could have gone either way. As it is, Freo are now in the top 4 which, if they can stay there, will get them a home final.

[Val]

Today's results:

GWS Giants (Duke) v North Melbourne Kangaroos (Steve)
5.0.30 (Q1) 2.3.15
10.6.66 (Q2) 4.4.28
16.10.106 (Q3) 9.6.60
20.13.133 (Q4) 12.7.79

Melbourne Demons (available) v Western Bulldogs (Tazz)
3.4.22 (Q1) 3.6.24
4.6.30 (Q2) 5.10.40
11.9.75 (Q3) 9.11.65
15.9.99 (Q4) 15.15.105

West Coast Eagles (Sussex) v Adelaide Crows (available)
3.1.19 (Q1) 5.2.32
6.4.40 (Q2) 5.4.34
10.4.64 (Q3) 9.6.60
12.6.78 (Q4) 13.9.87

The Dogs and the Crows were tested today and will be relieved to come away with the win.

[Val]

Our tipsters' ladder is as follows:

ROUND TWENTY TWO (first number is correct number of wins - you want this to be high; number in brackets is the cumulative margin which is used to separate punters on the same amount of points - you want this to be low)

Duke on 7 (76)
Sj Brooke (Steve) on 7 (77)
Philip on 7 (79)
Jed on 7 (79)
Val on 7 (81)
SussexWelsh on 7 (82)
Tim on 7 (85)
Anita on 5 (35)
Suzy on 2 (57)

Charity donations are:
Duke (Centre For Eye Research Australia) - A$8.00 - Highest score (Giants 133)
Anita (The Mirabel Foundation) - A$8.00 (closest margin)
Duke Centre For Eye Research Australia - A$14.00 (weekly winner)

CUMULATIVE LADDER:

Sj Brooke (Steve) on 135 (630)
Jed on 133 (599)
Val on 130 (624)
Tim on 130 (677)
SussexWelsh on 124 (677)
Duke on 119 (741)
Anita on 110 (778)
Philip on 103 (910)
Suzy on 51 (748)

Hope there's no mistakes. Well done Duke on two wins this week!

[Val]

No Thursday night game for the one and only time this season and I've no idea why.

If anyone would like to view the AFL Ladder before submitting next week's tips, it's at http://www.afl.com.au/ladder
or https://www.theroar.com.au/afl/afl-la...

ROUND 23

Friday Aug 15
Essendon Bombers v St Kilda Saints (in Melbourne)
Fremantle Dockers v Brisbane Lions (in Perth)

Saturday Aug 9
Gold Coast Suns v GWS Giants (on the Gold Coast)
Carlton Blues v Port Adelaide Power (in Melbourne)
Hawthorn Hawks v Melbourne Demons (in Melbourne)
Adelaide Crows v Collingwood Magpies (in Adelaide)

Sunday Aug 10
North Melbourne Kangaroos v Richmond Tigers (in Tasmania)
Sydney Swans v Geelong Cats (in Sydney)
Western Bulldogs v West Coast Eagles (in Melbourne)

If punters could lodge their tips by midnight THURSDAY August 14th (U.K. time) it would be a great help, although I can accept them up until 10.15am FRIDAY (U.K. time) if absolutely necessary.

[theDuke]

Thanks Val....didn't think I'd win this week....and nice to see the Giants get the highest weekly score for a change!

Speaking of strange AFL decisions, I had noticed that in the final round the Suns were to play their final two games on the same day at the same time, in two different cities! I don't know how many players a club has to spare, but i think that would've been a bit of a stretch! It was showing that for ages, but it has been updated now, the game in hand will be played on the Wednesday after round 24.

[Tim]

Hi Val, I imagine it is because it is the first evening of the women's AFL competition.
My tips this week starting with a tight one
Saints by 10...although young Bombers quite capable
Dockers
Suns...what a huge match
Blues... given faith shown in coach this week
Hawks
Crows
Roos
Cats....now Brodie Grundy out
Bulldogs
What a tight round of fixtures.

[Sj]

St Kilda Saints +35
Fremantle Dockers

Gold Coast Suns
Carlton Blues
Hawthorn Hawks
Adelaide Crows

North Melbourne Kangaroos
Geelong Cats
Western Bulldogs

[SussexWelsh]

.
.
Saints by 26
Dockers
Suns
Blues
Hawks
Crows
Kangaroos
Cats
Bulldogs

[Philip]

St Kilda x 40
Fremantle
Gold Coast
Carlton
Hawthorn
Adelaide
Kangaroos
Geelong
Western

[Jed]

Saints by 30
Dockers

Suns
Blues
Hawks
Crows

Roos
Cats
Bulldogs

[Anita]

saints by 23
lions
giants
power
hawks
crows
tigers
SWANS
eagles

[theDuke]

A few toughies this week...could be some surprises possibly.

Round 23:

Saints - 18 pts (Why are the Bombers getting the prime time slot? Bombers also prime time next week too!)

Dockers (Fremantle are this season's dark horse, Brisbane have struggled to win at home, so, could they steal this one?)

Suns (GWS risks dropping out of the eight this week, if the bulldogs win their game, which given they're playing West Coast, is highly likely. GWS will need to play out of their skins if they want to finals.)

Power (50/50 in my book)

Hawks (don't think the Dees will make it easy for the Flying Hawks though)

Crows (What happened to the Maggies?)

Roos (Tigers might take this one)

Cats (A small chance for the Swans to pull an upset. Brundy is out, but Heeney is still in there.)

Bulldogs (Easy peasy percentage booster)

[Val]

Suzy's tips:

Essendon by 7
Lions
Giants
Port
Melbourne
Collingwood
Richmond
Sydney
Eagles

[Val]

My tips:

Saints x 25
Freo
Suns
Port
Hawks
Crows (I hope this isn't just wishful thinking)
Tigers
Swans
Dogs

[Val]

Tonight's results:

Essendon Bombers (Val) v St Kilda Saints (Tim)
3.2.20 (Q1) 1.3.9
5.6.36 (Q2) 5.5.35
8.7.55 (Q3) 9.7.61
11.9.75 (Q4) 11.11.77

Fremantle Dockers (available) v Brisbane Lions (Jed)
0.5.5 (Q1) 3.2.20
3.8.26 (Q2) 5.4.34
4.13.37 (Q3) 10.8.68
5.14.44 (Q4) 15.11.101

Well the game under the roof (which was left open in this afternoon's rain) in Melbourne wasn't great but at least it was close. I was going to tip the Bombers until I realised that Zach Merrett wasn't playing. They led by 3 goals at one stage but couldn't get over the line. And it looks like we've got another injury with young McMahon taken off with a possible broken wrist? Having already fielded 15 debutantes this season, and with 17 players on the injury list, I just hope they can field a team in their remaining two matches. The game in Perth was a blow out from the opening bounce. Tim earns $8.00 for the Koala Hospital at Port Macquarie, a just result for his support of the Saints.

[Val]

Today's results:

Gold Coast Suns (Suzy) v GWS Giants (Duke)
3.2.20 (Q1) 5.5.35
6.4.40 (Q2) 9.8.62
8.6.54 (Q3) 15.9.99
11.10.76 (Q4) 17.9.111

Carlton Blues (available) v Port Adelaide Power (available)
7.2.44 (Q1) 3.2.20
13.5.83 (Q2) 4.4.28
15.9.99 (Q3) 5.8.38
18.10.118 (Q4) 9.10.64

Hawthorn Hawks (available) v Melbourne Demons (available)
5.3.33 (Q1) 1.0.6
7.7.49 (Q2) 2.3.15
10.10.70 (Q3) 4.3.27
13.14.92 (Q4) 8.8.56

Adelaide Crows (available) v Collingwood Magpies (available)
1.2.8 (Q1) 5.3.33
6.3.39 (Q2) 5.4.34
7.4.46 (Q3) 6.8.44
9.5.59 (Q4) 8.8.56

This afternoon's games were the very definition of shellacking but tonight's was a different story. Played in quite heavy rain, the Pies had more of the play but couldn't put the score on the board. Riley Thilthorpe was kept quiet except for one spectacular goal; Darcy Fogarty played on the half forward line but didn't seem the same after taking a spectacular mark and landing heavily; Tex Walker contributed well. But in the middle, Reilly O'Brien and Izak Rankine were terrific and the Adelaide defence also needs commending. Could Collingwood miss the top 4 (home advantage in Finals)?? Here's hoping!

[Val]

Today's results:

North Melbourne Kangaroos (Steve) v Richmond Tigers (Philip)
2.7.19 (Q1) 4.2.26
6.11.47 (Q2) 6.3.39
14.13.97 (Q3) 7.9.51
20.15.135 (Q4) 13.9.87

Sydney Swans (Anita) v Geelong Cats (available)
4.3.27 (Q1) 4.3.27
7.4.46 (Q2) 8.7.55
8.6.54 (Q3) 12.8.80
10.8.68 (Q4) 16.15.111

Western Bulldogs (Tazz) v West Coast Eagles (Sussex)
4.5.29 (Q1) 0.1.1
11.7.73 (Q2) 2.5.17
15.7.97 (Q3) 3.8.26
19.12.126 (Q4) 4.8.32

[Val]

Our tipsters' ladder is as follows:

ROUND TWENTY THREE (first number is correct number of wins - you want this to be high; number in brackets is the cumulative margin which is used to separate punters on the same amount of points - you want this to be low)

Tim on 7 (8)
SussexWelsh on 7 (24)
Jed on 7 (28)
Sj Brooke (Steve) on 7 (33)
Philip on 7 (38)
Duke on 6 (16)
Anita on 5 (21)
Val on 4 (23)
Suzy on 2 (9)

Charity donations are:
Steve (Backpack Bed For Homeless) - A$8.00 - Highest score (Roos 135)
Tim (Koala Hospital - Port Macquarie) - A$8.00 (closest margin)
Tim (Koala Hospital - Port Macquarie) - A$14.00 (weekly winner)

CUMULATIVE LADDER:

Sj Brooke (Steve) on 142 (663)
Jed on 140 (627)
Tim on 137 (685)
Val on 134 (647)
SussexWelsh on 131 (701)
Duke on 125 (757)
Anita on 115 (799)
Philip on 110 (948)
Suzy on 53 (757)

This week it's Tim doing the double - well done! And Steve earns some more money too because it was the Roos posting the highest score. Please let me know of any errors.

[Val]

N.B. THERE ARE 10 GAMES THIS ROUND BECAUSE OF A POSTPONED GAME BACK IN OPENING ROUND!!!


N.B. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR TIPS EARLY!!! THERE'S A THURSDAY NIGHT GAME!!!

If anyone would like to view the AFL Ladder before submitting next week's tips, it's at http://www.afl.com.au/ladder
or https://www.theroar.com.au/afl/afl-la...

ROUND 24

Thursday Aug 21
Essendon Bombers v Carlton Blues (in Melbourne)

Friday Aug 22
Collingwood Magpies v Melbourne Demons (in Melbourne)
Port Adelaide Power v Gold Coast Suns (in Adelaide)

Saturday Aug 23
North Melbourne Kangaroos v Adelaide Crows (in Melbourne)
Richmond Tigers v Geelong Cats (in Melbourne)
West Coast Eagles v Sydney Swans (in Perth)

Sunday Aug 24
GWS Giants v St Kilda Saints (in Sydney)
Western Bulldogs v Fremantle Dockers (in Melbourne)
Brisbane Lions v Hawthorn Hawks (in Brisbane)

Wednesday Aug 27
Gold Coast Suns v Essendon Bombers (on the Gold Coast)

If punters could lodge their tips by midnight WEDNESDAY August 20th (U.K. time) it would be a great help, although I can accept them up until 10.15am FRIDAY (U.K. time) if absolutely necessary.

[Sj]

ROUND 24
Carlton Blues +30

Collingwood Magpies
Gold Coast Suns

Adelaide Crows
Geelong Cats
Sydney Swans

GWS Giants
Western Bulldogs
Brisbane Lions

Gold Coast Suns

[Tim]

Winning the money last week totally unexpected and I hadn't checked how I was going as knew the early results had completely gone against me. Yes, you the Dockers and Suns but well done the Giants....immense. However, the SCG is not yours so hands off. Accor is available when Engie isn't so you can have the pain the Swans suffered for many years when contractually obliged to play 3 or 4 matches there each season until 2016. For our non-Australian friends, the Giants have proposed the use of the SCG when they cannot use Engie (which is in the Olympic Park complex) when it is not available to them due to the Royal Easter Show. Apparently, this runs over several weeks due to setting up and removal of everything for the Show. In any case, the SCG pitch can barely handle what it caters for now, but hopefully future concerts will not take place.

[Tim]

10 games a novelty but will not help the Suns in their final run. The Lions are severely depleted now as well at this crucial stage of the season.
First match my heart is so with the Bombers who continue to improve and really put in the effort, but I think the Blues have begun to turn a corner.
Blues by 18
Pies...surely cannot continue to lose
Suns
Crows
Cats
Swans
Giants
Bulldogs...match of the week
Lions...but will need to dig deep to overcome those injuries
Suns

[Jed]

Blues by 35

Magpies
Suns

Crows
Cats
Swans

Giants
Dockers
Hawks

Suns

[Val]

A heads up for PHILIP! You’ve earned A$30.00 (approx 15.00 pounds) so far this season. Today was one of those days where donations are doubled (by some magic fairy??) so I donated your $30 and Canteen are now richer by $60.

[SussexWelsh]

.
.
Blues by 13
Magpies
Suns
Crows
Cats
Swans
Giants
Bulldogs
Hawks
Suns

[Anita]

Mine
Blues b 26
Pies
Suns
Crows
Cats
SWANS
giants
Bulldogs
Hawks
Suns

[theDuke]

Final H&A round:

Blues - 23pts
Magpies
Suns
Crows
Cats
Swans
GWS
Bulldogs
Hawks

Suns

[Philip]

Thanks Val for the donation to Canteen, the magic fairy is a wonderfully generous person.

Carlton x 35
Collingwood
Gold Coast
Adelaide
Geelong
Sydney
GWS
Western
Hawthorn

Gold Coast

[Val]

Suzy's tips:

Essendon by 7
Melbourne
Port Adelaide
North Melbourne
Richmond
Eagles
Saint Kilda
Fremantle
Brisbane
Essendon

[Val]

Because I have little chance of jumping a place, I'm going outlandish.

My tips:

Essendon by 7
Pies
Port
Crows
Cats
Eagles
Saints
Dogs
Lions
Suns

[Val]

Sorry, that should be Essendon by 3 points.

[Val]

Tonight's result:

Essendon Bombers (Val) v Carlton Blues (available)
1.4.10 (Q1) 3.4.22
2.6.18 (Q2) 7.6.48
5.6.36 (Q3) 11.8.74
8.8.56 (Q4) 13.12.90

Another dismal game. No wonder Channel 7 (Free-To-Air) chose not to broadcast it. I didn't realise Essendon had added Sam Durham and Jason LaVerde to their injury list. Jed was only one point off in his predicted margin so earns another $8.00 for the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. EDIT: Apologies for missing Philip’s tips. He also tipped Carlton by 35 so another $8.00 for Canteen.

[Sj]

Hi Val, reckon you need a decimal point in there somewhere 😜

[theDuke]

Philip also tipped the same margin as Jed Val.

[Val]

Sj wrote: "Hi Val, reckon you need a decimal point in there somewhere 😜"

🤭Throwing my money around! Edited now. Thanks Steve.

[Val]

theDuke wrote: "Philip also tipped the same margin as Jed Val."

Thanks Duke. I had missed Philip’s tips completely. I’ve entered them now and will add $8.00 to Canteen.

[Val]

Tonight's results:

Collingwood Magpies (available) v Melbourne Demons (available)
2.7.19 (Q1) 3.0.18
6.10.46 (Q2) 5.3.33
7.13.55 (Q3) 10.5.65
11.16.82 (Q4) 11.10.76

Port Adelaide Power (available) v Gold Coast Suns (Suzy)
2.2.14 (Q1) 3.6.24
4.7.31 (Q2) 6.10.46
8.10.58 (Q3) 7.10.52
10.11.71 (Q4) 9.13.67

I felt sorry for Melbourne who led for most of the game and only lost it in the dying minutes. If only they had played like that earlier in the season! The game in Adelaide was tight all night but I'm glad the team gave coach Ken Hinkley a win before he leaves. The Suns must now win on Wednesday to secure a finals berth.

[theDuke]

That depends who wins the Bulldogs v Fremantle game Val. If the Bulldogs win, then with their margin, the battle for 8th place will be between the Suns and Fremantle, and that's assuming that both GWS and Hawks win theirs. If the Hawks lose their game against Brisbane, then Gold Coast stand a good chance of playing finals. If the Bulldogs lose their final game and Fremantle secures their place in the finals, the Suns will need to win their last game to slip into eighth place. Still a lot to play for in these final few games. Nothing is a dead cert yet, if St. Kilda plays their A game and beats GWS, or GWS messes up, they may drop out on percentage as well. I can honestly say that i don't think I've ever seen such a tight race at the bottom half of the eight like this before...percentage as well as wins is everything in these finals few games. Even the 4th place isn't yet confirmed....it's all very exciting isn't it?! :)

[suzysunshine7]

Just bobbing back in to see how I am doing ... at the very bottom of both scoreboards as usual? ... YAYYY!!! ... exactly where I always am and always aim to be! ... LOL!!! ;o>

[Val]

Today's results:

North Melbourne Kangaroos (Steve) v Adelaide Crows (available)
1.3.9 (Q1) 4.3.27
4.5.27 (Q2) 9.5.59
9.5.59 (Q3) 14.8.92
11.8.74 (Q4) 16.9.105

Richmond Tigers (Philip) v Geelong Cats (available)
2.2.14 (Q1) 6.7.43
2.3.15 (Q2) 11.12.78
4.6.30 (Q3) 13.17.95
9.10.64 (Q4) 14.19.103

West Coast Eagles (Sussex) v Sydney Swans (Anita)
3.2.20 (Q1) 1.1.7
6.6.42 (Q2) 5.5.35
6.7.43 (Q3) 11.7.73
7.9.51 (Q4) 18.10.118

[Val]

suzysunshine7 wrote: "Just bobbing back in to see how I am doing ... at the very bottom of both scoreboards as usual? ... YAYYY!!! ... exactly where I always am and always aim to be! ... LOL!!! ;o>"

And you've still managed to earn about £30 for your charity!

[suzysunshine7]

YAYYY me!!! ... LOL!!! ;o> ;o> ;o>

[Jed]

Got my "Hail Mary's" coming up to steal the win from SJ, however unlikely. It's been a good laugh, and very generous of you Val

[Val]

It’s fun and I do enjoy it. Stick with your Lions - they’re a great team!

[Val]

Today's results:

GWS Giants (Duke) v St Kilda Saints (Tim)
4.3.27 (Q1) 2.5.17
6.6.42 (Q2) 6.7.43
10.7.67 (Q3) 10.8.68
15.14.104 (Q4) 14.9.93

Western Bulldogs (Tazz) v Fremantle Dockers (available)
4.5.29 (Q1) 2.2.14
4.8.32 (Q2) 9.4.58
7.10.52 (Q3) 13.6.84
14.13.97 (Q4) 17.10.112

Brisbane Lions (Jed) v Hawthorn Hawks (available)
0.8.8 (Q1) 3.3.21
6.10.46 (Q2) 6.5.41
8.19.67 (Q3) 8.8.56
11.23.89 (Q4) 11.13.79

An exciting weekend! All Bulldogs supporters will be cheering Essendon on on Wednesday but I fear it will all be for naught and the Doggies will miss the Finals even with their huge percentage.

[Philip]

Val - For some reason I missed Jed's post and if I had seen it I would have done a different margin. No need to donate to me as well especially as I have just had the benefit of the magic fairy!

[Val]

It's already done Philip, so don't worry. It does happen sometimes that tipsters choose the same margin - doesn't bother me.

Jeremy Cameron of Geelong has won the 2025 Coleman Medal (most goals scored in the home and away season). He scored 83 goals. Ben King of the Gold Coast Suns was second on 62 goals. He will play in the last game on Wednesday but there's no chance he will score over 20 goals, so Jezza it is. $20.00 has been set aside for redistribution at the end of the season.

[Val]

Last night's game was the last of the home and away season - an uninspired and uninspiring Essendon were away to the Gold Coast Suns. The Suns ripped through the Bombers with ease. I've given up trying to measure the worth of the remaining players from Windy Hill - I suspect there will be a major clean out beginning now. I was more interested in the Suns because for the first time ever I've placed a bet on the Brownlow. Nick Daicos is the favourite at bargain odds of $2.75 for your $1.00 investment. However last night he drifted out from $2.50. I had placed $5.00 on Adelaide Crows' captain Jordan Dawson, second favourite paying $5.00, but also on the two Suns players, Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson. Both had ripper games and Anderson has come in from $10 (when I placed my bet) to $6.00 and Rowell from $13 to $8.00. Fingers crossed!

Last night's result:

Gold Coast Suns (Suzy) v Essendon Bombers (Val)
7.4.46 (Q1) 1.0.6
9.10.64 (Q2) 3.4.22
15.15.105 (Q3) 5.6.36
23.15.153 (Q4) 8.10.58