Richmond Tigers Vs Melbourne Demons
April 24th (Wednesday 7.35pm) MCG
Anzac Day eve looks set to be a cracker. Tigers had a strong win vs the Swans and it was led by their best player in Dustin Martin who had a field day. They welcome back Jack Riewoldt who returns after a wrist injury. This will add more structure to their forward line and will expose the Demons lack of defenders. The Demons on the other hand were smashed by the Saints last weekend. They don’t look anything like the side that made it to the prelim finals last year. Very slow, second to the contest and questions must be raised as to why they traded Hogan? He is the full forward they are missing. I can’t see the Demons kicking enough points to beat a Richmond side that is full of confidence.
H2H
Tigers won both games vs the Demons last year.
Best Bet
Tigers -15.5 $1.90
Tigers 1-39 $2.15
Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Magpies
April 25th (Wednesday 3.20pm) MCG
These two teams always fight till the end on Anzac Day. Lots of pride and passion shown in this game. The Bombers got off to a slow start in season 2019 but have since got their mojo back absolutely smashing the Kangaroos last week. The Bombers welcomed back Joe Daniher last week and he looked in great touch. If he gets going then it could be a good night for the Pies defenders. The Bombers welcome back Devon Smith for Darcy Parish who has been dropped for the second time this year. Pies looked dangerously good last week vs the Lions and their forward line was unbeatable at stages. Jordan De Goey is in Brownlow form and will thrive on the Anzac Day hype. Pies lose Jamie Elliott to a corked thigh but welcome back Will Hoskin - Elliott for his first game since the grand final, not a bad in. This game will be a classic and the Bombers will just get over the line.
H2H
Pies won both games vs the Bombers last year.
Best Bet
Bombers win $2.30
Bombers +8.5 $1.90
Port Adelaide Power vs North Melbourne Kangaroos
April 26th (Friday 7.20pm) Adelaide Oval
The Power last week were back to their 2014 form. That no fear play on at all costs made them unstoppable last week vs the Eagles. Their young players led by Sam Powell-Pepper were all over the Eagles and suffocated them in defence. The senior players Ebert, Boak and Wines had a day out and looked well suited to the bigger ground of Optus Stadium. The Kangaroos on the other hand have been belted in the media for their lack of intent and interest in their good Friday game vs the Bombers. They looked slow and second to the ball last weekend. I am tipping a similar display to that this Friday. Power at home is a tough ask for anyone. Showers expected
H2H
Power have won 4 out of the last 5 games vs the Kangaroos
Best Bet
Power -25.5 $1.90
Power +40 $2.70
Gold Coast Suns Vs Brisbane Lions
April 27th (Saturday 1.45pm) Metricon Stadium
Start of the season you would have predicted this game to be very boring and not interesting fast forward to round 6 and these two sides are playing an attractive brand of fast football. The Lions in recent weeks have been smashed by the Dons and Pies but they are top 6 sides. If they bring the same intent they have brought to games vs the Eagles and Kangaroos it will go along way to winning this weekend. They bring back Lewis Taylor who on his day can break a game open with his speed and pace. The Suns have been competitive in all their games this year and even though losing by 60+ points last weekend vs the Crows it was a learning experience for them. If they can get Peter Wright and Jarrod Sexton firing up forward and kicking a score they can win this game.
H2H
Lions have won 3 of the past 5 games vs the Suns
Best Bet
Gold Coast +16.5 $1.90
Lions 1-39 $2.15
St Kilda Saints vs Adelaide Crows
April 27th (Saturday 4.45pm) Marvel Stadium
The Saints are flying after they smashed the Demons last weekend. People are saying they are a top 6 side. I am still not convinced their game vs the Demons was a great performance led by Jack Billings and Tim Membrey but they need to beat a genuine top 8 side before I jump on their wagon. The Crows smashed the Suns last week and that was always going to happen, the last time they came to Marvel Stadium they lost to the Kangaroos so will want to win this one. If they can beat the Saints well this weekend I believe they will be back on track for a top 8 finish.
H2H
Crows have won the last 5 games vs the Saints
Best Bet
Crows $2.05
Crows +2.5 $1.90
Sydney Swans Vs Greater Western Sydney Giants
April 27th (Saturday 7.25pm) SCG
He is back! No not Aidan Corr but the player that provides so much to this Giants side. I am talking about Toby Greene. Genuine match winner and goal kicking machine. The Giants walk talker when he is in the side. Missed the last 4 games with a calf injury but is fit and firing to go. The Giants last week lost to the Dockers in Canberra which they would of been filthy about as they don’t lose many games down there. The Swans on the other hand lost to the Tigers but gave them a red hot run till about half way through the 3rd qtr. Lance Franklin broke Matthew Lloyds goal kicking record and will look to add a few more this weekend. If the Swans are to win they need to start well, they need to be the first to 25 and put the pressure on this young Giants side.
H2H
Giants beat the Swans last year at the SCG in a final
Best Bet
Giants 1-39 $2.15
Fremantle Dockers vs Western Bulldogs
April 27th (Saturday 6.10pm) Optus Stadium
Fremantle are riding a wave of confidence after last weeks come from behind win vs the Giants in Canberra. They pushed the Eagles the week before but inaccurate goal kicking was to blame. The Dockers big men Hogan and Lobb are in good form and they welcome back Cam Mccarthy who missed last weekend with a corked thigh. Dockers will love returning to Optus Stadium where they can open the wings and play fast football. The Bulldogs on the other hand lost to Carlton and never looked like beating them in a game where nothing went there way. Big plus was the debut of Will Hayes who looked classy coming out of the back line. Will be tough for the Bulldogs in Perth but if their midfield can get on top they will push the Dockers.
H2H
Fremantle have won the last 3 games vs the Bulldogs
Best Bet
Fremantle -15.5 $1.90
Fremantle 40+ $3.75
Hawthorn Hawks vs Carlton Blues
April 28th (Sunday 3.20pm) UTAS
The Hawks last week vs the Cats were in the game then they were out of the game then they were back in it. The pushed the Cats in a game which was up and down if you were a Hawks fan. Positive for the Hawks this weekend is that they return to Tasmania where they don’t usually lose games. They love playing in Tassie and it usually suits their running game and pressing defence. It is a big weekend for Jack Gunston who needs to turn it on has been a little out of form lately but I back him in this weekend to kick a bag. Carlton on the other hand got there first win in season 2019 with a great performance vs the Bulldogs. Led by Patrick Cripps the Blues never looked like losing and have found a genuine A grade midfielder in Sam Walsh. They will find it tough this weekend but Brendan Bolton will only be looking for effort and not to be bullied by the Hawks bigger players.
H2H
Hawks have won 4 of the last 5 games vs the Blues
Best Bet
Hawks -20.5 $1.90
Hawks +40 $3
Geelong Cats vs West Coast Eagles
April 28th (Sunday 4.40pm) GMHBA Stadium
The Eagles last week were disappointing and losing to the Power at their home ground hasn’t gone well with the coaching staff. Adam Simpson blasted his players post game with the lack of intent and questioning the players want to get the ball first. Doesn’t get any harder then a trip to Geelong to face a side that is on top of the ladder. The Cats have been in red hot form led by Kelly, Selwood, Dangerfield and now Ablett is back to his best kicking 3 goals last week and taking a screamer in the first qtr. The Eagles haven’t won at this ground since 2006 that day they were down by 54 points and came back and won led by Cousins and Kerr. They will need that luck this weekend if they are to beat the Cats at their home ground. It is a big weekend for the Eagles ruckman if they can get on top it will help nullify the Cats A grade midfielders
H2H
Eagles have won the last two games vs the Cats
Best Bet
Cats 1-39 $2.15
Eagles +17.5 $1.90
