AFL Round 23 2026: Expert Tips & Predictions for Every Match

Starts in 3d 4h

The AFL continues this week with Round 23 action, starting with a blockbuster match between Fremantle and Adelaide on Friday night.

GoBet has expert AFL betting tips for every Round 23 game, including this week’s featured matches between North Melbourne vs. Geelong, Hawthorn vs. Collingwood, and Western Bulldogs vs. Carlton.

Friday 14/8/26

8:10pm Fremantle vs. Adelaide @ Optus Stadium

Betting Tip: Fremantle -22.5 @ $1.90

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The Dockers continue to be the best team in the league, and although Adelaide is a tough opponent, they should be too good for the visitors.

Playing at Optus Stadium only adds to our confidence levels, and although a -22.5 spread is sizable against a top five team, the Dockers are too good to worry about it.

GoBet’s predictions have Fremantle winning by 30-40 points to kick off the round.

Fremantle by 34

Saturday 15/8/26

12:35pm Richmond vs. St Kilda @ MCG

Betting Tip: Richmond +27.5 @ $1.90

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St Kilda picked up a couple of key injuries in their loss to Carlton, and that could be too much to recover from.

The Saints had a good chance to put pressure on the top 10 teams, but the loss to Carlton was costly, and Richmond could capitalise as the underdogs.

Richmond have played with great intensity over the last two weeks, so take them with a +27.5 line.

Richmond by 4

3:45pm North Melbourne vs. Geelong @ Marvel Stadium

Betting Tip: North Melbourne +23.5 @ $1.90

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Geelong is clearly a better team than North Melbourne in 2026, but covering a -23.5 line isn’t easy, so we’re taking the underdogs to keep it close.

The Kangaroos are coming off an impressive win over the Bulldogs, and although they’re still in 13th spot on the AFL ladder, they should derive confidence from the win.

Geelong is gripping onto a top eight spot, so pressure is on them to perform.

Geelong by 12

4:15pm Brisbane vs. Gold Coast @ Gabba

Betting Tip: Brisbane -32.5 @ $1.90

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The two-time defending champions, Brisbane, were back to their best last week, and now they look to score a convincing win over Gold Coast.

The Suns scored a gutsy win over GWS last week, but they haven’t played well enough to give Brisbane something to worry about on Saturday afternoon.

Bookmakers are right to have the line at -32.5, and GoBet is predicting Brisbane to win comfortably in the QClash.

Brisbane by 40

7:40pm Hawthorn vs. Collingwood @ MCG

Betting Tip: Hawthorn -19.5 @ $1.90

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Collingwood are playing well in the run to the finals, and the Hawks are coming off a poor loss to Brisbane, but the Hawks should be too good for the Pies.

Hawthorn didn’t really get out of second gear against Brisbane, but they are a solid bet following a loss, and they’re third on the AFL ladder for a reason.

Hawthorn have an elite roster, and if the Magpies don’t turn up with their absolute best, the Hawks could put up a big number to cover the -19.5 number.

Hawthorn by 30

8:10pm Port Adelaide vs. Melbourne @ Adelaide Oval

Betting Tip: Melbourne -24.5 @ $1.90

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Putting money on Port Adelaide hasn’t resulted in much this year, and given what’s at stake, Melbourne should produce a one-sided win.

The Demons sit in sixth on the ladder, which is a tricky spot to be in, but they are looking to finish the regular season with momentum.

The -24.5 line is shorter than GoBet’s model predicted, and had they been playing at home, Melbourne would be -39.5 line favourites.

Melbourne by 30

Sunday 16/8/26

1:40pm GWS vs. West Coast @ ENGIE Stadium

Betting Tip: West Coast +33.5 @ $1.90

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There was a lot of money for West Coast to beat Collingwood last Sunday, and although they didn’t, it was still a competitive game.

They look to put pressure on GWS, who did their finals chances a lot of harm when losing to Gold Coast last week, and their heads might have dropped too much.

An upset is on the cards, so take West Coast with a healthy +33.5 start.

West Coast by 2

3:15pm Western Bulldogs vs. Carlton @ Marvel Stadium

Betting Tip: Carlton -4.5 @ $1.90

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Carlton are the equal form side of the competition in the second half of the season, and a win over the Bulldogs would put them in a much better position.

The Blues were too good for St Kilda on Sunday, and although the Saints didn’t play well, Carlton’s suffocating defence was impressive.

We’re predicting a close game, but with the momentum clearly in favour of Carlton, we’re backing them to win and cover the -4.5 spread.

Carlton by 12

4:40pm Essendon vs. Sydney @ MCG

Betting Tip: Sydney -59.5 @ $1.90

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Betting against Essendon is a good play, especially when coming up against a top team like Sydney.

The Swans scored an easy win last week, and Charlie Curnow has been kicking goals for fun for his new team. We can’t see Essendon slowing him down, so it could be another 5+ goal performance.

The -59.5 line for the Swans is significant, but they could easily smash the Bombers by 100+.

Sydney by 70

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Editor In Chief

Daryl Curnow

After graduating from the University of Auckland (BA - English), Daryl Curnow was thrown into the world of sports and horse racing journalism.

Having worked as a racing journalist for two years, he decided to move into the online world of horse racing and sports writing. After years of honing his craft, Daryl became a professional punter in 2009 - with a focus on horse racing, NRL, AFL, NBA, Rugby, NFL, and US college sports.

Daryl's tips have been featured on various websites around the world before joining the GoBet team. When he's not working, Daryl tries to avoid making bogeys on the golf course.