AFL Round 17 Tips 2026: Best Bets for Every Game
Round 17 is here and all teams are once again back in action in a full slate of AFL. There are top level matchups all through the weekend with standings set to look wildly different come Sunday night.
Already on Thursday we are treated to Cats vs Lions and the Friday double header sees Swans vs Bulldogs and Eagles vs Crows. Competition leaders Fremantle take on GWS in Canberra on Saturday afternoon.
Here are the best bets for every game of AFL Round 17.
Geelong Cats vs Brisbane Lions
Best Bet: Lions Moneyline
The Lions were clinical in dismantling the Swans last weekend and even though a trip to the Cattery is always tough, Brisbane took the most recent win there back in Round 15 last season. The Cats have dropped 3 of their last 4 and are searching for answers as the Lions look to have turned a corner.
Sydney Swans vs Western Bulldogs
Best Bet: Bulldogs +20.5
The Bulldogs are coming off a bye and did well to grind out a win over St Kilda prior to that. While the Swans still have a top 3 roster in the league this game can be won and lost on individual brilliance (or lack thereof), with such a large line, the Dogs are the value play.
West Coast Eagles vs Adelaide Crows
Best Bet: Adelaide under 99.5 Team Total
Adelaide have scored well in patches this season but haven't cleared 80 pts in 4 of their last 5. Add to that West Coast have held all but one opponent this season under 100 pts at Optus Stadium and this number looks a little too big.
Hawthorn Hawks vs Melbourne Demons
Best Bet: Over 172.5 Game Total
The Footy Bets predictive modelling has this number at a 79% probability of going over. The number is also likely to move if Jack Gunston can return to the Hawks team which significantly boosts their scoring output. Get in on it early.
GWS Giants vs Fremantle Dockers
Best Bet: Finn Callaghan under 27.5 Disposals
Finn Callaghan has never surpassed this number against the Dockers and their midfield pressure is elite. Most midfield opponents have failed to reach their numbers against the Dockers this season and this number is just a touch too high.
Gold Coast Suns vs Collingwood Magpies
Best Bet: Gold Coast -8.5
It's now or never for the Suns if they are any hope of rescuing a season that has been in freefall since they cleaned up their opponents in Darwin. Collingwood are an accomplished team but they have weaknesses which the Suns are primed to exploit.
Richmond Tigers vs Carlton Blues
Best Bet: Carlton 40+ Win Margin
The Blues have won 6 straight and have all the momentum with them coming up against one of the worst teams in the comp. Richmond snuck a win last season and only went down by 4 points when these teams met back in Round 1. But these teams are at totally different spots now compared to then.
Essendon Bombers vs St Kilda Saints
Best Bet: St Kilda -27.5 Line
The line is the better play here rather than a margin, it's impossible to know which St Kilda turns up here and it could just as easily be a 30 pt win or a 60 pt win.
Port Adelaide Power vs North Melbourne Kangaroos
Best Bet: North Melbourne +16.5
Port Adelaide are getting a bit of love from the bookies following their win over Adelaide last week. While they should be much better than they have been given the roster, they just aren't and have shown multiple times this season that they are inconsistent. The Roos can surprise with an upset here.