Round five of the AFL season takes a trip to South Australia for the inaugural Gather Round.
With 18 teams to feature in one city, the highly anticipated weekend kicks off with Adelaide taking on Carlton on Thursday night.
Fremantle face Gold Coast in a do-or-die clash while Richmond and Sydney do battle to round out Friday's games.
Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs descend on Adelaide Oval Saturday night for an intriguing clash before Collingwood and St Kilda complete the round on Sunday.
Here at The Sporting News, we've put together our betting predictions for round 5:
Odds courtesy of Bluebet.
Last week, we scored eight of our nine predictions.
Lachie Neale was the only miss in round four, registering 22 disposals.
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Adelaide (7th) vs Carlton (2nd) best bet
Carlton remains one of two teams who are undefeated in 2023 but have not achieved this convincingly whereas Adelaide's last fortnight has been impressive.
The Blues' defence has rarely let anything past, conceding 84 as the highest score in the opening month and sitting third for Points Against (288).
The Crows rank fourth for Points For (394) thanks to the efforts of Izak Rankine, Riley Thilthorpe, Josh Rachele and Taylor Walker.
Adelaide's toughness has been on display in the opening month and will need to be out in full force on Thursday night.
The latest injury to Sam Docherty (meniscus) will hurt Carlton and their chances, with the Crows hoping to capitalise in front of their home crowd.
Not to mention, last year's victory (round 20) against all odds will put Adelaide in good stead.
Adelaide to win - $2.00
Fremantle (14th) vs Gold Coast (17th) best bet
This is very much a do-or-die clash for both of these sides, with both registering only one victory each so far.
Fremantle has arguably been the most disappointing side of the competition as their forward woes continue, whereas Gold Coast's lack of professionalism has resulted in inconsistent performances in the first four rounds.
Dockers defender Luke Ryan has been at the top of his game, peeling off his opponent and intercepting the ball more often than not.
Ryan's efforts in 2023 haven't gone unnoticed, averaging just under 29 disposals and easily being Fremantle's best player so far.
The 27-year-old helps generate a lot of the club's scores from the back half and will need to again if they are to win.
Luke Ryan 25+ disposals - $1.60
Richmond (12th) vs Sydney (6th) best bet
Richmond's misfortune continues to build, with new injuries to Toby Nankervis and Tom Lynch putting their finals chances on the back burner.
Sydney's form of late is also nothing to be spoken of, going down to Melbourne and Port Adelaide in consecutive weeks after an easy opening fortnight.
The 2022 grand finalists are tipped to be around the mark again this year but need to win games like this.
Lance Franklin's absence in round five could free up the forward line which has been criticised for being too 'Buddy' centric when he's there.
Expect Logan McDonald and Joel Amartey to play with more freedom than usual, especially against an undersized and inexperienced Tiger backline.
Logan McDonald 2+ goals - $1.65
Brisbane (8th) vs North Melbourne (9th) best bet
Brisbane shot back into premiership contention after downing in-form Collingwood at the Gabba last week, however, the jury is still out as to whether they can play away from home.
North Melbourne were valiant against Carlton in the Good Friday clash and had opportunities to push them as they recorded more scoring shots.
History is on the side of the Lions and it looks like they have found their mojo, especially up forward.
Cam Rayner returned to the attacking end while Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood stayed out of each other's way against the Pies in what proved to be a winning formula.
Alike Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow, who combined for 10 goals, Brisbane should aim to do the same on Saturday.
Joe Daniher 3+ goals - $2.50
Essendon (4th) vs Melbourne (3rd) best bet
No one would've picked Essendon to be fourth after the first month but this is the first time they're playing against a team who made the finals last year.
On the other hand, Melbourne have gone full steam ahead and are outright favourites to win the flag.
Aside from a down performance at the Gabba in round two, the Demons have been faultless, even without some of their stars.
Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver are leading the way while star recruits Brodie Grundy and Lachie Hunter are pitching in when they can.
Kysaiah Pickett, Bayley Fritsch and Jacob van Rooyen are proving to be too much to handle up forward while veteran Tom McDonald found some form against West Coast.
In a one-sided affair, Melbourne will raffle it on who will kick the most goals.
Our pick is Fritsch.
Bayley Fritsch 3+ goals - $2.10
Port Adelaide (10th) vs Western Bulldogs (11th) best bet
Arguably the game of the round, the result of this has many repercussions.
Both clubs won in thrillers on the weekend, despite looking like losing throughout the match.
Port Adelaide's inconsistent start to the year is frustrating for fans but hopefully, in front of the home crowd, they can turn it on.
The Bulldogs are coming off an impressive fortnight, downing Brisbane and Richmond in consecutive weeks.
Captain Marcus Bontempelli led the way and his performances, which have flown under the radar.
Although the Power will put time into the champion, expect the 'Bont' to shine on Adelaide Oval as he's done before.
Marcus Bontempelli 25+ disposals - $1.70
Geelong (13th) vs West Coast (16th) best bet
Geelong's first win of 2023 came as a shock given it was in round four, but it may have kickstarted something opposition sides will fear.
Coming up against an injury-depleted West Coast side, the Cats will look at adding some much-needed percentage following a big victory.
Star player Jeremy Cameron continues to turn heads as his latest seven-goal haul showcased just how good he is, putting him in front on the Coleman Medal leaderboard with 18.
With no Jeremy McGovern, there's not much the Eagles can do to halt the steam-train that is Cameron and even if they do, they've got to worry about Tom Hawkins and Tyson Stengle.
Although the former Giant is averaging 4.5 goals a game, it will be Tom Hawkins shooting back into form in round five.
Tom Hawkins 3+ goals - $1.65
GWS (15th) vs Hawthorn (18th) best bet
GWS' opening month is nothing to be ashamed of and a likely win against Hawthorn would add a more positive spin to it.
The Giants have lost by an average of 14 points in 2023 and could've easily snatched a victory or two if things went their way.
Whereas the Hawks' year has looked bleak and despite a win against North Melbourne, their average losing margin is 74.
Coach Adam Kingsley has so far implemented a game style GWS players can work with while giving themselves a shot at victory.
The Giants have been playing consistent football without the rewards and round five is where they earn a win.
GWS to win - $1.39
Collingwood (5th) vs St Kilda (1st) best bet
St Kilda's undefeated start has been nothing short of remarkable given the introduction of new coach Ross Lyon at the end of last year.
However, their first real test comes this week against Collingwood as wins against Fremantle and Western Bulldogs aren't seen as much of a challenge.
The Pies fell at their first hurdle last week but shouldn't be disheartened by a loss to Brisbane at the Gabba.
Craig McRae's men were simply beaten at their own game in round four and will need to tinker with a few things, especially the ruck situation.
Collingwood were found searching for targets up forward but to no avail, which is where the Saints can look to exploit the re-shuffling made to fill the Darcy Cameron/Mason Cox void.
But what baffles most onlookers is the form Nick Daicos is in.
In his second year, the son-of-a-gun is averaging 34.5 disposals and has the ability to roam as he pleases, resulting in him being a Brownlow Medal favourite.
Port Adelaide tried to put someone on him but it didn't work.
Daicos is almost a lock for 30+ disposals each week, despite a potential tag.
Nick Daicos 30+ disposals - $1.55
