AFL Round 18 2026

Matty and Spida are back for Round 18 of In The Pocket, and with only a handful of rounds remaining before finals, every result is carrying extra significance. Fremantle continue to set the benchmark at the top of the ladder, while Brisbane, Hawthorn and Sydney remain firmly in the premiership conversation. Behind them, the battle for finals positions is reaching fever pitch, with several clubs still fighting to secure their spot in September and others desperately trying to keep their season alive.The boys unpack all the biggest talking points from Round 17, including the teams that strengthened their credentials and those that missed crucial opportunities. With the competition as tight as it has been all season, every win and loss is having a major impact on the ladder, creating plenty of debate around which clubs are genuine contenders and which sides may be running out of time.As always, Spida delivers his trademark no-nonsense assessment of the competition, identifying the teams building momentum at the perfect time of year and the clubs facing mounting pressure. They also discuss the latest movement in the finals race, analyse the form of the league's biggest stars, and look at which teams have the softest and toughest runs home as the season enters a critical stage.Looking ahead to Round 18, the boys preview a huge weekend of footy packed with blockbuster matchups. Fremantle faces another important test against the Sydney Swans, while ladder leaders Collingwood take on North Melbourne as they look to maintain top spot. St Kilda and Port Adelaide meet in a crucial clash for both clubs, the Giants host Geelong in a game with major finals implications, and Carlton will be looking to continue its resurgence against a Hawthorn side chasing a top-four finish.They also break down Adelaide's showdown with Gold Coast, the Western Bulldogs' matchup against West Coast, Melbourne's meeting with Richmond, and Brisbane's clash with Essendon as the Lions look to keep pace with the competition's best sides. With finals positions, top-four aspirations and pride all on the line, there is no shortage of storylines heading into another massive round.To finish the episode, Matty and Spida lock in their tips for every game and reveal which teams they believe are best positioned to make a serious run towards September. If you're looking for all the biggest AFL talking points, ladder analysis, finals predictions and plenty of strong opinions, In The Pocket has you covered heading into Round 18.