Here are our AFL picks for Thursday 13 August 2026. Our model likes 6 bets here. The one it likes most is Jade Gresham (Essendon) Over 0.5 Goals, priced at +140 when we wrote this. Here is the thinking behind each pick, in plain English.

Jade Gresham (Essendon) Over 0.5 Goals (+140)

Odds available at sportsbet at time of publishing

Jade Gresham is poised to light up the MCG when Essendon takes on Sydney. Despite some recent behinds, his lethal accuracy inside 50 and knack for creating scoring chances make him a prime candidate to snag a goal. In his last five home games, he's been a consistent threat, averaging 1.4 shots at goal and 0.4 goals per game. Gresham's ability to impact the scoreboard, with an average of 2.8 score involvements, showcases his importance in Essendon's attacking setup. Facing the Swans, who have conceded an average of 0.6 goals to similar players, Gresham's track record and form signal a promising opportunity to back him to hit the scoreboard. With the odds in our favor, betting on Gresham to bag one could be a winning move come game day.

Jade Gresham (Essendon) Over 2.5 player_marks_over (+120)

Odds available at sportsbet at time of publishing

Alright, footy punters, let's talk Jade Gresham for this Sunday's clash at the MCG between Essendon and Sydney. Gresham, the crafty forward for the Bombers, has been a marking machine lately. Over his last five games, especially at home, he's been averaging 1.8 marks per game, making an impact inside 50 with 0.4 marks on average. When facing off against the Swans, his marking game elevates even further, averaging a solid 3 marks per game. Overall, Gresham has been consistent, averaging 2.2 marks in his recent performances. With a line set at 2.5, the data suggests that Gresham is poised to exceed this mark against Sydney, given his recent form and historical performance against the Swans. So, backing Jade Gresham to snag over 2.5 marks in this game could be a smart play considering his recent aerial prowess.

Sean Darcy (Fremantle) Over 1.5 player_marks_over (+120)

Odds available at sportsbet at time of publishing

When it comes to marking prowess, Sean Darcy has been a standout force for the Fremantle Dockers on home turf. Over his last five home games, he's been averaging 1.2 marks and 0.4 marks inside 50, showcasing his ability to provide a target up forward. Facing off against the Adelaide Crows, who have been conceding an average of 2 marks to opponents, Darcy is in a prime position to capitalize on their defensive vulnerabilities. With his recent form and the matchup at hand, it's no surprise that the model predicts Darcy to exceed the 1.5 marks line with a 10.7% edge. Expect Darcy to dominate the air and play a crucial role in Fremantle's attacking strategy, making the over on his marks a solid bet for this showdown at Optus Stadium.

Jake Riccardi (GWS GIANTS) Over 0.5 Goals (-263)

Odds available at sportsbet at time of publishing

Looking ahead to the clash between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the West Coast Eagles, all eyes are on Jake Riccardi to light up ENGIE Stadium with his scoring prowess. Riccardi has been a scoring machine of late, averaging a stellar 1.8 goals per game over his last five home appearances. With an impressive 61.7% goal accuracy and a solid average of 2.4 shots on goal per game, he's been a consistent threat inside 50. Facing the West Coast Eagles, Riccardi has historically found the back of the net, averaging 0.7 goals per game against them at home. With a line set at a mere 0.5 goals, the data strongly supports backing Riccardi to snag at least one goal in this matchup. His recent form, goal accuracy, and scoring involvement make him a prime candidate to split the middle and deliver for the Giants on game day.

Jake Riccardi (GWS GIANTS) Over 9.5 Disposals (-217)

Odds available at sportsbet at time of publishing

When it comes to Jake Riccardi's performance at home, the stats paint a promising picture. Over his last five home games, Riccardi has been a consistent contributor, averaging 11 disposals per game. Against the upcoming opponents, the West Coast Eagles, he has historically upped his game, averaging 13.7 disposals in their recent matchups. With a current model prediction of 12 disposals for this game, there's a clear indication that Riccardi is set to maintain his solid form. His ability to cover ground effectively, with an average of 193.4 meters gained at home, showcases his impact on the field. Expect Riccardi to snag more than 9.5 disposals, making him a solid bet for hitting the over in this matchup at ENGIE Stadium.

Jake Riccardi (GWS GIANTS) Over 10.5 Disposals (-152)

Odds available at sportsbet at time of publishing

Alright, footy punters, let's talk Jake Riccardi. The young gun from Greater Western Sydney Giants is set to light up ENGIE Stadium against the West Coast Eagles. Riccardi's recent form at home has been solid, averaging 11 disposals in his last 5 games, with a healthy 72.8% disposal efficiency to boot. Facing the Eagles, he has historically upped his game, averaging 13.7 disposals in his last 5 matchups against them. With a line of 10.5, the odds are in our favor for Riccardi to surpass that mark. His knack for finding the footy, coupled with his ability to make those disposals count, makes this bet a tantalizing prospect. So, when you're looking for a player prop with a high probability of hitting, backing Jake Riccardi to go over 10.5 disposals is a smart play for this Sunday showdown.

That is the model's read on today's AFL card. Prices move, so check the price at your bookmaker before you back anything. And if a game does not feel right to you, the strongest move is to skip it -- there is another one tomorrow.

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