Round 8
Sydney Swans vs Essendon Bombers
May 10th (Friday 7.50pm) SCG
Friday night footy heads to the harbour city for an interesting game. On paper the Bombers should win this game and win it well but it being at the SCG can make it difficult for the Bombers. The Bombers haven’t enjoyed playing at the SCG in recent times being belted there in a final and then losing on the siren two years ago. Dylan Shiel and Dyson are the engine room and will set up most attack for the Bombers going forward. Buddy Franklin has not been named and Joe Daniher has been given the week off to get over an injury. I am tipping a Friday night upset.
H2H
Swans have won 4 out of the last 5 matches vs the Bombers
Best Bet
Swans +10.5 $1.90
Swans 1-39 $3.05
Western Bulldogs Vs Brisbane Lions
May 11th (Saturday 1.45pm) Mars Stadium
Football heads back to Ballarat this year for an interesting game between two teams that have beat some relatively good opposition this year. The Lions have been in good form and look like they could push for a top 8 finish this year. The Dogs last week had their best win of 2019 beating the Tigers by 50 points in a great game for their younger players confidence. Ballarat can be wet and windy and if that is the case I am tipping the Bulldogs to be good for the Lions. Aaron Noughton looks a player that could break this game apart his game last week vs the Tigers was unbelievable. The Lions have dropped Lewis Taylor again.
H2H
Bulldogs have won 4 of the last 5 matches vs Lions
Best Bet
Dogs $1.65
Dogs -6.5 $1.90
Carlton Blues vs Collingwood Pies
May 11th (Saturday 1.45pm) MCG
Two old rivals face off on Saturday at the MCG in a game that always has some feelings towards it. No matter where these teams are on the ladder they always provide a great physical game. The Pies are without two of their stars in Beams and Adams who are there run and carry out of the midfield. I don’t see that as a big worry with Sidebottom and Phillips to pick up for Beams and Adams. The Blues welcome back Kruezer and when he plays the Blues are usually in with a chance. The Pies last week looked very good vs the Power and beat them convincingly while the Blues were pumped by the Kangas in a game they would like to forget quickly. On form Pies should win this by 50 points plus.
H2H
Collingwood won both games vs the Blues last year
Best Bet
Collingwood -41.5 $1.90
Collingwood +40 $1.82
Gold Coast Suns vs Melbourne Demons
May 11th (Saturday 4.35pm) Metricon Stadium
Demons won a classic last start vs the Hawks and I believe that is the game that can kick start their season. They played tough hard footy for 4 qtrs and when pushed they responded for a great victory against a quality opposition. The Suns nearly pulled off one of the upsets against the premiers last week in the West. There was a lot of positive signs to come out of that game for the Suns. They never gave in, they were down by 40 points at one stage and got it back to 15 with 5 mins to go. The Eagles were on the ropes and the Suns younger players looked hungrier for the 4 points. If they bring that again this week vs the Dees they will push them for 4 qtrs. Home ground advantage will also benefit them. Jack Viney is back for the Demons.
H2H
Melbourne have won the past 5 games vs the Suns
Best Bet
Demons -18.5 $1.90
St Kilda Saints vs West Coast Eagles
May 11th (Saturday 7.25pm) Marvel Stadium
The Saints last week got taught a football lesson by the Giants in Canberra. The Giants smashed them all over the park and Jeremy Cameron had a field day kicking multiple goals. They head back to Marvel Stadium and will take a lot of confidence into the game because last year they were the only team to really test the Eagles in the Home and Away season at Optus Stadium. The Eagles look in a rut and the only way to get out of it is to get away from Perth and get an away win. They looked unreal for a half last week vs the Suns but after half time went to sleep. They have dropped Chris Masten for Jake Waterman. Adam Simpson has had enough of Masten shocking ball disposal. I think the Saints will be to good for the Eagles at home.
H2H
Eagles have won 4 out of the last 5 matches vs the Saints
Best Bet
Saints +9.5 $1.85
Saints 2.95 $2.95
Port Adelaide Power vs Adelaide Crows
May 11th (Saturday 7.25pm) Adelaide Oval
Showdown Saturday night looks a cracker. Both teams have been competitive this year and we all know what happens when these two teams play each other. They both played cracking matches last year with both games decided by under a goal. The Powers injury list has caught up with them though. Wines, Gray and Ebert all missing while for the Crows Gibbs will miss again with an injury. The Crows last week fought out a battle with the Dockers and looked in control for most of the game, The Power were belted by flag favourites the Pies but looked good in patches. Tipping the Crows in a tough contest. Looking for Taylor Walker to stand up and make his presence felt.
H2H
Both games last year were both decided in the last minute.
Best Bet
Adelaide win $1.70
North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Geelong Cats
May 12th (Sunday 1.10pm) Marvel Stadium
Bad week to be a North fan. The Cats are going to give North Melbourne a football lesson at Marvel Stadium. The Cats are in some serious form and look like the team to beat in 2019. This week the talk was is Tim Kelly worth one million dollars? He looks set to earn an All Australian jersey and possibly a Brownlow. Add in Gary Ablett getting off at the tribunal the Cats are winning everything at the moment. While the Kangaroos did beat Carlton last week they will find this game a lot tougher and I expect them to be belted in the contested part. Tom Hawkins will be to big and strong for the Kangas defence and add a fit and firing Patrick Dangerfield down there as well wow.
H2H
Geelong won both games last year
Best Bet
Cats -22.5 $1.90
Cats +40 $2.87
Hawthorn Hawks vs Greater Western Sydney Giants
May 12th (Sunday 3.20pm) MCG
Big statement from the Hawks this week dropping their ex captain in Roughead and Chad Wingard has been named injured. Both players have been horribly out of form so a week at Box Hill might do them good to get their confidence up. The Giants will be looking at this game as a big chance to get a win at the MCG and build confidence at the hallowed ground. They don’t play their regularly and will need to play well their if they are to win on the big day. They played very well last week vs the Saints while the Hawks had a game against the Demons they would like to forget. I am tipping the Hawks to win because of the MCG factor. Tom Scully plays against his old side for the first time.
H2H
Giants have won 2 out of the last 3 matches vs Hawks. Other game was a draw
Best Bet
Hawks win $2.55
Hawks +11.5 $1.90
Fremantle Dockers vs Richmond Tigers
May 12th (Sunday 3.20pm) Optus Stadium
Football for round 8 ends in the West and it looks to be a quality game. Tigers were belted last vs the Dogs which would hurt their side. I would be worried if you were a Freo player with Lynch, Martin, Prestia and Edwards coming over to the West to act on last weeks result. The Dockers on the other pushed the Crows all the way last Sunday and if it wasn’t for a few silly mistakes could have won the game. Tigers welcome back Dan Butler but lose Dan Rioli who is injured. The Tigers will love the wide open wings of Optus Stadium and if it’s dry Tom Lynch can have a quality game and kick his side to a winning score like he did against Port in round 4. If Freo are to win they need to stop the Tigers engine room led by Martin.
H2H
Richmond won both games vs Freo last year
Best Bet
Tigers win $2.18
Tigers +5.5 $1.90
