Hawthorn Hawks vs Collingwood Magpies
July 5th (Friday 7.50pm) MCG
Friday night footy heads to the home of football for an interesting contest against two old rivals. The Pies were in shock last week losing to the Kangaroos by 40 points and Nathan Buckley said it was one of the worst performances he has been involved in since coaching. They were smashed all over the park and the media has labeled the Pies as shirking contests and not putting their head over the ball. Varcoe has been dropped and Reid and Greenwood are injured meaning the Pies have brought in Elliott, Aish and Quaynor who will make his debut. If the Hawks kicked straight last week they would have beaten the Eagles in a wet and windy game at the MCG. They have dropped Ceglar who missed 3 very important kicks last weekend. Ben Stratton is back since his suspension and as captain will want to repay the people he has let down in recent weeks. If the Hawks can bring the heat early it will throw Collingwood off and make for an interesting contest. Tipping the Hawks in a close one. Jack Gunston to kick a bag.
H2H
Hawks have won 4 of the last 5 games vs the Pies
Best Bet
Hawks +14.5 $1.90
Hawks win $2.75
Essendon Bombers vs Sydney Swans
July 6th (Saturday 1.45pm) Marvel Stadium
The Bombers knocked off one Sydney side last week and they will be hoping they can knock off the Swans this weekend as well. What a comeback last weekend by the Bombers down by 18 points with 9 minutes to go to stage one of the greatest comeback this year. Never die attitude was on full display, they even lost their ruck man in Tom Bellchambers to a calf injury. Darcy Parish and Dyson Heppell stood up to lead the Bombers to a famous win. They have brought in Zac Clarke for Bellchambers and dropped Langdon and Begley who struggled last week but welcome back the PACKAGE! Stringer has missed the last 3 weeks with injury but a big performance this weekend and the Bombers win. The Swans got past the Suns with ease and never looked like losing. Only negative last week was the injury to Sinclair who is out with a dislocated shoulder. Harry Cunningham comes in and he has a lot of speed to burn. Tipping the Bombers to win this only because the game is at Marvel Stadium.
H2H
Swans have won 4 of the last 5 games vs the Bombers
Best Bet
Bombers -12.5 $1.90
Bombers win $1.55
Gold Coast Suns vs Richmond Tigers
July 6th (Saturday 2.10pm) MS
Tom Lynch returns to the Gold Coast and many will think this will be a walk in the park for the Tigers I disagree, The Suns will bring the heat. They would nothing more then to beat the Tigers and show Tom Lynch what they are missing out on. The Suns have been competitive this year but have just looked tired at stages in the last weeks this is because they are a young side but they will be up and about this weekend. Tigers got through very easy vs the Saints and with there next 5 games at the MCG this will be the last time they travel in season 2019 other then finals. It is a big week for Tom Lynch and Dustin Martin if they get on top early in this game they will put the Suns to the sword. The Suns need to attack early and be in the game at half time or it will get ugly. Tipping a Tigers win but expect the Suns to apply pressure and be on early.
H2H
Tigers have won 4 of the past 5 games vs the Suns
Best Bet
Tigers 1-39 $2.15
Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide Power
July 6th (Saturday 7.25pm) Adelaide Oval
Showdown time and boy does this look a cracker both teams coming off a lose. So this game will be on from the outset. The Crows pushed the Cats all the way in a game they could have won if a few decisions went their way. The Power on the other hand were belted in the contested part of the game last weekend vs the Bulldogs it was wet and windy in Adelaide and that was a game the Power should have won. They bring back Westoff and Rockliff who had 88 possessions together last week in the SANFL. If both players are on their game this weekend the Power will win. The Power seem to get up for these bigger games and lose to the easy opponents. The Crows need to win this game if they are to push for a top 4 spot on paper they should be winning this game and winning well. Josh Jenkins has been named while Bryce Gibbs has been dropped.
H2H
Crows have won 4 of the past 5 games vs the Power
Best Bet
Power win $2.20
Power +6.5 $1.90
Fremantle Dockers vs West Coast Eagles
July 6th (Saturday 7.10pm) Optus Stadium
Dockers fans have been waiting for this fixture for a while. They will give Andrew Gaff hell on Saturday night as it is their home game. It doesn’t matter where these sides are placed on the ladder they will give everything on Saturday night. The Dockers have gone big at the selection table bringing in Rory Lobb and Aaron Sandilands to combat the return of Nic Naitanui who had 41 hit outs and 13 clearance last weekend vs the Hawks. The Eagles welcome back Mcgovern and Barrass for Schofield and Hutchings who is out injured. It will be on early in this game with plenty of niggle. I believe if the Eagles stick to their game plan and not worry about the niggle they will be to classy in this fixture but if the Dockers get a role on expect this to be a classic derby. Eagles by 10
H2H
Eagles have won the last 5 games vs the Dockers.
Best Bet
Eagles 1-39 $2.05
Western Bulldogs vs Geelong Cats
July 6th (Saturday 7.25pm) Marvel Stadium
Bulldogs had a very good win last weekend in the wet in Adelaide and their best player Marcus Bontempelli took his own footy to the game and dominated from the outset. If the Dogs can bring that intensity this weekend they can push the Cats along way. The Cats on the other hand had a hard fought win vs the Crows last Friday night. Led by Tim Kelly and Dangerfield the Cats were to classy for the Crows. Gary Abllett is in some great form and even at the age of 34 he looks unstoppable. The Dogs have lost one of their best players in Caleb Daniel to a thigh injury he may be the smallest player in the league but he was been unreal this year and should be in All Australian talk for the end of the year. Tipping the Cats to win this game and it could be a big win but wouldn’t be surprised if the Dogs pushed them the whole way. Tim Kelly to get 3 votes.
H2H
Cats have won 4 of the last 5 games vs the Dogs.
Best Bet
Cats 1-39 $2.05
Cats -21.5 $1.90
Carlton Blues vs Melbourne Demons
July 7th (Sunday 1.10pm) MCG
Up the Blues what a win last weekend in the West, Their best win for 5 years people have been saying and I agree. No Cripps and Curnow went down early to beat a side that rarely gets beat in the West. Marc Murphy kicked one of the goals of the year to win it for his side in a win that will do a lot for the confidence of this young side. The Demons on the other hand have been one of the worst teams this year. Played in a prelim last year and now is bottom 3 on the ladder. Questions have to be asked about Simon Goodwin and how badly he has coached this year. Steven May and Frost last week arguing at half time sums up their year. I am going to declare this one early and it is my best bet of the round Carlton will win this week and people will be calling for Simon Goodwin head. Curnow is out for the Blues with a knee injury but they welcome back Fasolo who can kick a score. Blues in a thriller!
H2H
Melbourne have won 3 of the past 5 games vs the Blues
Best Bet
Blues win $2.75
Blues +16.5 $1.90
North Melbourne Kangaroos vs St Kilda Saints
July 7th (Sunday 3.20pm) BA
Kangaroos knocked off last years runners up by a whopping 40 points and that puts Rhyce Shaw in a great position to coaching this side next year if they can’t land John Longmire. They are playing a fast attractive brand of football. Led by Ben Cunnington and Jack Ziebell this side is still a chance to play finals. This can’t be said about their opponents. The Saints have gone backwards from the start of the season where they were pushing for a top 8 position now they are struggling to stay out of the bottom 4. Kangaroos have more to play for and will win this game well. Ben Brown is getting back to his All Australian form and if he is on early it could be a dirty day for the Saints. Saints need to stop Cunnington he has been a contested bull this year in the middle of the ground and no one has been able to stop him. Kangaroos by a big score.
H2H
Kangaroos have won 3 of the past 5 games vs the Saints
Best Bet
Kangaroos 40+ $2.90
Kangaroos -23.5 $1.90
GWS Giants vs Brisbane Lions
July 7th (Sunday 4.40pm) Giants
Match of the round heads to the harbour city. This is going to be one of the best games for season 2019 both teams take the game on and love playing a slingshot game of football where they play on quickly and try and run their opponents off their feet early, opening up a winning score early is key to these two teams winning games of football. The Giants would be kicking themselves last week that they let slip an 18 point lead on the Bombers to lose by 6 in a game that had a lot of controversy. The jury is out if the Giants can win the big games and win in Melbourne but they don’t need to worry about that this weekend as they are at their home ground. The Lions would love to knock off a top 4 side and further cement their position in the top 8. Charlie Cameron and Eric Hipwood ran riot last weekend vs the Demons and if they are on fire this weekend it will go along way for their side to win. The Giants midfield needs to stand up and give their forwards every chance this weekend. Lions by 8
H2H
Giants have won the last 5 games vs the Lions.
Best Bet
Lions $3.10
Lions +19.5 $1.90
