Collingwood Magpies vs Richmond Tigers
July 26th (Friday 7.50pm) MCG
Biggest game of season 2019 expect 90,000+ at the MCG on Friday night for this clash between two great clubs. The Pies had an ultra-impressive victory vs the Eagles two weeks ago but last week were belted by the Giants. The Giants kicked the first six goals of the game and it was all over after that. I put that down to travelling from Perth to Sydney would of been a big ask for the players to get up for another match after a sensational hard for win vs the Eagles. The Tigers on the other hand are timing their run very nicely and with players fit and firing they look like they can make an impact on finals football. Tom Lynch looks in great touch, much better than the start of the year when the Queen Mary would of turned quicker then him. The Pies have made 4 changes with Scharenberg, Elliott, Thomas and Daicos all in with Crocker, Aish, Sier and Appleby all omitted. Tigers are unchanged and Bachar Houli is playing his 200th game. Expecting a Tiger win on Friday night but wouldn’t be surprised if the Pies pulled something out of their hat. Mason Cox needs to stand up.
H2H
The Tigers have won 3 out of the last 5 games vs the Pies
Best Bet
Tigers -9.5 $1.90
Hawthorn Hawks vs Brisbane Lions
July 27th (Saturday 1.45pm) UTAS
Another great match for round 19 with these two teams going at it in Tasmania. The Hawks had one of their best wins for season 2019 last week vs the Cats. They controlled the ball tempo all game and didn’t let the Cats get any of their outside running game get going. It was another coaching masterclass from Alastair Clarkson, he will need to pull out another coaching performance this weekend against a red hot Brisbane team. The Lions had a hard fought victory last weekend vs the Kangaroos and got the run of the green with an umpiring decision last in the game that could have gone both ways. The Lions are the form team of the competition but this weekends game vs the Hawks will be their toughest game from their past 4 games. The Hawks in Tasmania is a huge ask as they don’t like to lose at their second home ground. I am tipping a Hawks victory as it’s a home game for them in Tasmania. This game has a huge impact on the top 4 and top 8. If the Lions win this I don’t see them dropping out of top 2. Birchall is in for Impey who did an ACL last weekend. Walker in for Andrews for the Lions.
H2H
Lions have won 3 out of the last 5 games vs the Hawks
Best Bet
Hawks -1.5 $1.90
Carlton Blues vs Adelaide Crows
July 27th (Saturday 2.10pm) MCG
The battle of the draft pick this game has been titled. The Blues last year to everyone’s shock traded their future first pick to the Adelaide Crows for their pick 18 and future 1st round pick. Everyone thought the Blues were mad to trade that pick as it most likely would of been pick 1 but in recent weeks the Blues have risen up the ladder and currently the Crows have pick 3. This game will be a heated match and a game both teams would love to win. The Crows have dropped Eddie Betts as he battles with form. The Crows have kept Taylor Walker who has been smashed all week in the media for his form as well. Surely the big Texan is on thin ice and this is his last chance to fire up and kick a bag. The Blues will be without Kruzer who is being managed Phillips comes in. I expect the Crows to win because they are a better side on paper then the Blues and need to win to make the top 8 but the Blues have been in great form and will test the Crows in this match.
H2H
Adelaide have won the last 5 games vs the Blues
Best bet
Adelaide -10.5 $1.90
Adelaide 40+ $4.80
West Coast Eagles vs North Melbourne Kangaroos
July 27th (Saturday 2.35pm) Optus Stadium
Afternoon football in the West looks a cracker. The Kangaroos will be furious and fired up after being robbed of the points last weekend versus the Lions. Thompson used his body to out muscle his Lions opponent and the Lions player was awarded a free kick for a push in the back. Everyone on all social media blew up of how that decision was paid. Other then that decision the Kangaroos played unreal football and should have won that game. Under Rhyce Shaw they have been playing this fast flowing football and teams can’t handle them at stages of the game. The Eagles on the other hand had a hard fought win in Alice Springs vs the Demons. They were down by 6 points going into the last qtr to rally and win by 13 points. Big game from Dom Sheed who has turned himself into a A grade midfielder. The Eagles need to bank these wins so they can secure a top 2 spot. Jack Darling is in All Australian contention. No Shannon Hurn for the Eagles and no Scott Thompson who had a nasty injury vs the Lions.
H2H
Eagles have won 3 out of the last 5 games vs the Kangaroos
Best Bet
Eagles -18.5 $1.90
St Kilda Saints vs Melbourne Demons
July 27th (Saturday 7.25pm) Marvel Stadium
Battle of the bottom 4 here two teams who at the start of the year promised so much have been horrible. One team in the Saints has lost its coach and the others coach will be under growing pressure to keep his job. The Saints last weekend had a great win vs the Bulldogs which was Brett Ratten first as caretaker coach of the saints. People in the media say he has the Saints job but he would love to get a few wins on the board so the Saints are confident when signing him. The Demons pushed the Eagles the whole way in Alice Springs last weekend but again ran out of steam in the last qtr. The Demons have been the most disappointing team of season 2019 and I would be very surprised if someone hasn’t tapped Simon Goodwin on the shoulder and said what the hell is going on. A loss on Saturday night and there might be some nervous weeks ahead for the senior coach. Steven May is injured and Preuss and Lockhart have been dropped. Ben Long is back for the Saints. Saints by 10+
H2H
Demons have won 3 of the past 5 games vs the Saints
Best Bet
Saints win $2.08
Saints +3.5 $1.90
Port Adelaide Power vs GWS Giants
July 27th (Saturday 7.10pm) Adelaide Oval
Heath Shaw 300th game this weekend for the Giants. What a player he has been other then some off field incidents he is a player you want on your side. A heart to heart player that leaves nothing on the field. Has been a great servant for the Giants and I expect them to get up this weekend for him. The Giants had their best win of season 2019 last weekend vs the Pies. They started the game like a house on fire led by fill in captain Toby Greene who was on fire along with J.Cameron kicking 6 goals. Many wrote off the Giants but they could ruffle some feathers leading into September. The Power last weekend dished up a result I am calling a Power effort. Looked in it till the 3rd qtr when Richmond flicked a switch and turned the game on and essentially finished the game. They have been up and down the Power all year and this weekend I think will be the final nail in the coffin with the Giants winning in Adelaide. Dixon has been dropped Ryder comes in for the Power. Davis is back for the Giants.
H2H
Giants have won 4 of the past 5 games vs the Power
Best Bet
Power win $2.15
Power +5.5 $1.90
Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle Dockers
July 28th (Sunday 1.10pm) Marvel Stadium
Many expect this game to be a Bulldogs victory just by the way Fremantle are going but I expect the Dockers to turn up and give this a red hot crack. Their season is on the line and a win here can keep them in the hunt for a top 8 finish. The Dockers had a great win last weekend vs the Swans, it might not of been the most attractive game of football to watch but as Ross Lyon said “A win is a win” and he is right it keeps their season alive. The Bulldogs season was all but finished last weekend when they lost to the Saints in a game many predicted they would win. Dale Morris is back after his ACL injury at the start of the year and what a lift that will give his side. The Bulldogs are also giving a game to Rhylee West who is Bulldogs great Scott West son, how exciting. Dockers drop Mccathy who hasn’t found the form the Dockers were looking for but welcome back Nat Fyfe.
H2H
Dockers have won 4 of the past 5 games vs the Bulldogs
Best Bet
Bulldogs 1-39 $2.10
Sydney Swans vs Geelong Cats
July 28th (Sunday 3.20pm) SCG
A loss last weekend for the Cats puts their top spot in jeopardy and a loss here would make it a very interesting last 4 games of the year. The Cats were run off their feet last weekend by the Hawks they hunted and suppressed the Cats into making silly mistakes and not Geelong type of footy. They will hope they can get their mojo back vs a Sydney side who has struggled all year to get consistency. The Swans would love nothing more then to beat top spot this weekend. They will be kicking themselves last week that they didn’t beat the Dockers in Perth going down by 1 point hurts their young players. SCG Sunday I am expecting them to show up led by Josh Kennendy and Luke Parker the Swans are going to cause an upset. Touhy and Rohan are out for the Cats, Selwood and Smith are back for the Cats. Hayward is out for the Swans but they have named Jack to replace him.
H2H
Cats have won 3 of the past 5 games vs the Swans.
Best Bet
Swans win $2.65
Swans +12.5 $1.90
Gold Coast Suns vs Essendon Bombers
July 28th (Sunday 4.40pm) Metricon Stadium
Final match of round 19 and this game could be ugly viewing. The Bombers were outstanding last weekend vs the Crows and it was their best win of season 2019. John Worsfold has got this team fired up and playing a brand of football I didn't think the Bombers had in them. People forget they are playing without their ruckman in Bellchambers and Clarke two of their best players in Smith and Daniher. This team will play finals and will cause some headaches for opposition teams. This is a very important game for the Bombers as percentage could be a top 4 finish for them. They need to win this game and win by a lot to cement themselves as a top 6 side. I don’t have much to say about the Suns all they need to do is play the kids and try and get some confidence leading into season 2020. They need help from the AFL badly as this isn’t a destination club when this side is being beaten by 100 points week in week out. Bombers by a lot on Sunday.
H2H
Bombers have won 3 of the last 5 games vs the Suns
Best Bet
Bombers -37.5 $1.90
