Essendon Bombers vs Greater Western Sydney Giants
June 27th (Thursday 7.20pm) Marvel Stadium
Bombers have back to back Thursday night games this year and after last week's game they hope they never have to travel to Perth on a Thursday night again. Bombers got smashed around the centre and if it wasn’t for Josh Kennendy poor kicking the result could of been a whole lot worse but a week is a long time in football and I believe they will bounce back against a Giants side who is again hit by injuries. Giants on the other hand have had the week off so should be fresh and ready to tackle the Bombers. Matt de Boer is out with a shoulder injury and that hurts the Giants midfield as he usually would tag the oppositions best player. It is a big week for Dylan Shiel against his old side and wants to put in a better effort then last time they played in round 1 where the Bombers were smashed in every aspect of the game and never looked like winning. John Worsfold is under the pump for his job security but a good showing vs the Giants this Thursday night can keep him safe. I am tipping the Bombers in an upset only because they play very well at Marvel Stadium and if they get a role on the Bombers faithful will lift this side over the line.
H2H
GWS have won 4 of the last 5 matches vs the Bombers
Best Bet
Bombers win $2.50
Bombers +12.5 $1.90
Geelong Cats vs Adelaide Crows
June 28th (Friday 7.50pm) GMHBA
A loss last weekend for the Cats might be a blessing in disguise for the Cats to get them back on track for the final part of the season. Dangerfield was unreal last week and nearly single handedly pulled his side over the line. Tom Hawkins didn’t kick a goal last week so look for him to get back to his strong contested marking ways. The Crows have been in a bit of form before the bye beating the Demons, Giants and the Tigers which were tough wins but a win here would be huge for their season. Every team bar the Giants this year have been belted in Geelong so if the Crows could knock of the Cats it will go miles for their top 4 hopes. Crows have lost Jenkins, Milera and Ellis-Yoleman to injury but Bryce Gibbs is back who has been in and out of the side and looks on the move at the end of the year. Fogarty is back for the Cats who adds a lot of forward pressure but they lose a quick and damaging player Gary Rohan who is injured. Cats will win this but it won’t be a straightforward win for them, the Crows will bring the heat early. Big week for Taylor Walker he needs to stand up and help his side.
H2H
Adelaide have won 3 of the last 5 games vs the Cats.
Best Bet
Cats 1-39 $2.15
Hawthorn Hawks vs West Coast Eagles
June 29th (Saturday 1.45pm) MCG
Nic Nat is back! One of the biggest inclusions of the season. He has been out of the game since round 17 when he did his knee at the MCG vs the Pies. The Eagles have missed his presence around the ground and also his incredible tap work. He will add so much more versatility to the Eagles now with his big leap and power around the ground, lets just hope he stays fit and healthy. The Hawks on the other hand played well vs the Swans for three quarters then in the last let the Swans kick the first 4 goals and it was game over. They have been poor this year and look like a VFL side at some stages through the year. Roughead has been dropped again and that could be his final game for the Hawks in the AFL. Howe replaces him who is a solid defender and boy will they need him this weekend vs one of the most dangerous forward lines in the competition. Willie Rioli is also back for the Eagles and he is one of the most exciting small forwards in the game so he could run riot. No Mcgovern for the Eagles who misses through suspension. Tipping an Eagles win but it won’t be a smashing Alastair Clarkson always has a plan.
H2H
Hawthorn have won 3 of the last 5 games vs the Eagles.
Best Bet
Hawthorn +13.5 $1.90
Sydney Swans vs Gold Coast Suns
June 29th (Saturday 4.35pm) SCG
This game was meant to be Lance Franklin 300th game but he re injured his troubled hamstring last week vs the Hawks and will miss four games. It is a major blow for the Swans as he was leading his side to a surprise top 8 finish. The Swans have been ticking a lot just fine in recent weeks with a good win last weekend vs the Hawks and an impressive win vs the Eagles. The Suns welcome back Touk Miller this weekend who has been missing with a hip injury, they have looked good in patches the Suns and Stuart Dew couldn’t be more impressed with the effort they have shown. Still a young side who are always learning. Swans will win this game but last year the Suns knocked them off in one of the biggest upsets for 2018. Blakey for the Swans was nominated for the rising star last weekend after his ultra impressive game and looks a future star.
H2H
Swans have won 4 of the past 5 games vs the Suns
Best Bet
Swans -33.5 $1.90
Collingwood Magpies vs North Melbourne Kangaroos
June 29th (Saturday 7.25pm) Marvel
Talk about getting out of jail last week for the Magpies, Bulldogs the better side for most of the game but the Pies got the job done in the end. The Kangaroos have had a poor week off field with Taylor Garner being stood down for his involvement in breaking a man’s jaw in Sydney over the bye weekend. Not the news Rhyce Shaw needed when he is trying to put his best foot forward in securing this job long term. Pies have lost Howe who has a thigh injury and that is a big out as he sets up most of the Pies attack coming out of the back line. North will look at this game as a mini final for them and would love nothing more then to knock off the Pies as they head towards a final campaign. Bonus for North as well is that this game is played at Marvel Stadium a ground they play so well. Tipping a close game here but can’t go past the Pies getting the win they are second on the ladder for a reason.
H2H
Pies have won 4 of the past 5 games vs the Kangaroos
Best Bet
Pies -19.5 $1.90
Port Adelaide Power vs Western Bulldogs
June 29th (Saturday 7.10pm) Adelaide Oval
What a performance last week for the Power. I tipped them to win and they won well vs the Cats, they looked up and about from the start and Ken Hinkley dropping Ryder, Powell Pepper and Westoff paid off. Scott Lycett played his best game for the club and was a powerful ruckman dominating around the ground. Loved the way Hamish Harlett has straighten up this Power side and his booming right foot is a serious asset for the Power. The Bulldogs pushed the Pies all the way and in my eyes should have won that game with a few iffy umpiring decisions. Adelaide Oval on a Saturday night is a tough ask for the Bulldogs and after the Cats victory I can’t go against the Power and I think they will win in a big way. It might just be a victory but that win last week vs the Cats is massive for the Power and can get them in the top eight. Power by 30+
H2H
Power have won 3 of the last 5 games vs the Bulldogs.
Best Bet
Power -20.5 $1.90
St Kilda Saints vs Richmond Tigers
June 30th (Sunday 1.10pm) Marvel Stadium
Early Sunday game and it is an interesting game. The Tigers have been in horrible form because they have so many injuries and it is showing in their performances over the last few weeks. The Saints, on the other hand looked a top eight side for the first part of the season but as the Saints have done over the last few years they now look like a bottom 4 side. Smashed last week against a red hot Brisbane side that never looked like losing. Saints lose Kent but welcome back Ben Long and Jack Steele who are the future of this club. Trent Cotchin is back finally for the Tigers along with Astbury who will straighten their defence up. Tipping the Tigers in this game but wouldn’t surprise me if the Saints caused an upset this weekend.
H2H
Tigers have won 3 of the last 5 games vs the Saints.
Best Bet
Saints +22.5 $1.90
Brisbane Lions vs Melbourne Demons
June 30th (Sunday 3.20pm) Gabba
Lions win this and they are locked in the top eight. Have been one of the most improved sides this year and Chris Fagan deserves all the praises. Recruited well young and old and rumours are that he is in Cyril Rioli ear to play next year for the Lions. The young players at the Lions have been great and don’t look out of place at all. The Demons had their best win of the season last week vs the Dockers. It was a tough hard fought win and they will take a lot of confidence away from that victory and maybe it can lead them into a good game vs the Lions this week because they will need it against this fast moving side. Loved the way Tom Mcdonald stood up last weekend and dominated the Dockers. If he can get on top he will help the Demons win this weekend. Loving the way Daniel Rich has been for the Lions this year his polish out of the backline has been class. Tipping the Lions in this one but after last weekend's result it will be a close game.
H2H
Melbourne have won 4 of the past 5 games vs the Lions
Best Bet
Lions -13.5 $1.90
Lions win $1.52
Fremantle Dockers vs Carlton Blues
June 30th (Sunday 3.20pm) Optus Stadium
This game has lost one of the star attractions before a ball has even been bounced with Patrick Cripps out with an ankle sprain. Nat Fyfe will look to expose the young Blues side with his power marking and great goal sense. Michael Walters is allowed to play after he got off with his headbutt on Jay Lockhart last weekend. He is in Brownlow form and it would of been a sad case if he was rubbed out for that incident. The Blues have showed a bit of fight since the sacking of Bolton but it is one of the toughest asks in football to go over to the West and beat either the Dockers or Eagles. The Dockers have a lot more to play for then the Blues and I expect them to put a big score on the Blues. No Hogan hurts the Dockers but they will kick a big score.
H2H
Fremantle have won 4 of the past 5 games vs the Dockers
Best Bet
Fremantle -20.5 $1.90
Fremantle 40+ $3
