AFL 2025 ‑ Round 15 previews & tips
Thursday 19 June – Fremantle v Essendon, Optus Stadium
Fremantle are on a four‑game winning streak after edging North in Round 14, while Essendon were thumped by Geelong and have fallen to 12th. The Dockers may regain Jaeger O’Meara and Michael Walters; Essendon are missing 13 players, will debut teenage ruck Vigo Visentini and still have no Jordan Ridley or Mason Redman.
Head‑to‑head: Fremantle have won the last two meetings in Perth. The Bombers’ injury‑ravaged spine and rookie ruck set‑up look ill‑equipped for Sean Darcy, Luke Jackson while the Freo midfield that is humming.
Tip: Fremantle by 24 points.
Friday 20 June – Geelong v Brisbane, GMHBA Stadium
Geelong ran riot over Essendon by 95 points and sit 2nd; Brisbane have dropped two straight and haven’t won at Kardinia Park since 2003 (13‑game drought). Cats are minus Sam De Koning (shoulder) but otherwise healthy; Lions have lost key defender Jack Payne (patellar tendon) for the season.
Home‑ground dominance plus Payne’s absence against Jeremy Cameron, Tom Hawkins tilts the scales heavily to the Cats.
Tip: Geelong by 18 points.
Saturday 21 June – Carlton v North Melbourne, MCG (1.20 pm)
Carlton brushed aside West Coast to move within one win of the eight, their third victory in four games. While North are 1‑5 in their last six and were pipped late by Fremantle. Blues have a near‑clean list; the Roos remain without Jy Simpkin (calf) and Jy Simpkin. No major inclusions flagged this week.
The Blues’ midfield depth and aerial threat (Curnow & McKay) should overwhelm a rebuilding North that leaks scores through turnover.
Tip: Carlton by 30 points.
Saturday 21 June – Port Adelaide v Sydney, Adelaide Oval (4.35 pm)
Port are 0‑7 against current top‑eight sides; Sydney are 3‑1 in that bracket and coming off a solid win. Port loose Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines (knee) and are sweating on Aliir Aliir. While Sydney could regain Errol Gulden and Tom Papley, with Joel Amartey cleared; Logan McDonald and Taylor Adams remain out.
If Gulden/Papley get up, the Swans’ ball‑movement and defensive pressure should expose Port’s midfield minus Wines, even at Adelaide Oval.
Tip: Sydney by 10 points.
Saturday 21 June – Collingwood v St Kilda, Marvel Stadium (7.35 pm)
Collingwood sit top after the bye; St Kilda are reeling from a 72‑point hiding by the Bulldogs. The Saints hope Mattaes Phillipou returns, but Max King (knee) remains sidelined. Head‑to‑head the Pies have won 11 of the last 15 clashes.
The Magpies’ contested‑ball edge and deeper forward mix (Daicos brothers + Mihocek) should be too much for an undermanned Saints attack.
Tip: Collingwood by 30 points.
Sunday 22 June – GWS Giants v Gold Coast Suns, ENGIE Stadium (2.10 pm)
Giants (8‑6) stunned the reigning premiers in Brisbane; Suns (8‑4) come off the bye sitting 4th. GWS hope Toby Greene, returns but still lack Sam Taylor and Brent Daniels, Gold Coast are without Charlie Ballard (knee) yet may regain Lachie Weller. Head‑to‑head: Giants lead 5‑3 since 2018.
Home ground plus midfield momentum (Tom Green, Coniglio likely next week) offsets the absence of Taylor; Suns’ away‑record remains patchy.
Tip: GWS by 12 points.
Sunday 22 June – Western Bulldogs v Richmond, Marvel Stadium (4.40 pm)
Bulldogs smashed St Kilda by 72 points to climb to 8th (7‑6); Richmond are 17th (3‑10) after the bye. Dogs lose Cody Weightman (knee) for the year but have depth; Tigers still without Jayden Short (calf) and top‑pick Josh Smillie.
The Dogs’ clearance‑dominance and multiple scoring avenues should see them out‑gun a young Richmond side that struggles to defend fast ball movement at Marvel.
Tip: Western Bulldogs by ~7 goals.
Bye: Melbourne, Hawthorn, Adelaide Crows, West Coast Eagles
