Round 14
Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers
Thursday (27th August 4.10) Adelaide Oval
Weird one this game being played at 4.10pm on a Thursday arvo; I would take a wild guess that the crowd numbers won’t be that great. Can’t really see many Adelaide residents charging from work to watch this one! The Hawks need a win. They came close to knocking off the Power last weekend but fell at the final hurdle. If they play like they did last weekend they will win this. Essendon are in all sorts, coach leaving at the end of the year and he obviously doesn’t want to be there now. Joe Daniher is back which I think is just punishment for him and the way he treated the Bombers last year, he will be a Swan next year. Game will be won in the middle as both sides don’t have functioning forward lines, so whoever can get on top in the midfield will win!!! Not the greatest viewing for a Thursday night but enjoy this one. Bombers by 10+ for me but it is a lucky dip and whoever decides to turn up will win.
H2H
The Hawks have won three of the last five games vs the Bombers
Best bet
Bombers -8.5 $1.90
Bombers win $1.62
West Coast Eagles vs Richmond Tigers
Thursday (27th August 7.10) Metricon Stadium
I am calling this match of the round! The Tigers and Eagles were meant to play each other in round 5 but the AFL had to change the fixtures because of Covid-19 in Melbourne. Tigers had a nice win last weekend against the Bombers but kicked very poorly at goal, they will need their kicking boots this weekend to knock off the Eagles who have won 8 on the bounce. Led by Nic Nat the Eagles are unstoppable in the middle of the ground, he is giving the mids first use and usually ending up down Darling or Kennedy throat. The Eagles welcome back Hutchings who will tag Dustin Martin and there is a debut this weekend with Bailey Williams coming in to help Nic Nat in the ruck. Tigers bring in big Nankervis to help with stopping Nic Nat. Game could be won anywhere; these are the two best sides in the comp who will leave nothing out there. Great Thursday viewing!!!! Eagles by 1-10
H2H
The Eagles have won three of the last five games vs the Tigers
Best bet
Eagles +1.5 $1.90
Eagles win $1.95
Western Bulldogs vs Geelong Cats
Friday (28th August 7.40) Metricon Stadium
Cats are in red hot form at the moment and should have no problem winning this game on the Gold Coast. Tom Hawkins is just finding a way to kick a bag of goals each week which is great for the Cats and his midfield. He destroyed the Crows last weekend and if he kicks a bag this weekend I would say he has the Coleman locked up. The Dogs had a good win against the poorly placed Melbourne Demons, it was a tight contest from the start but the class of the Dogs in the second half came over the Demons and they were able to kick away with a good win. They will need to bring Bulldog pressure this weekend to compete with the Cats. The Cats have too many stars in Dangerfield and Duncan in the midfield to be stopped this weekend. Hawkins most goals is another little bet I am keen on. Cats by 15+
H2H
The Cats have won three of the last five games vs the Bulldogs
Best bet
Port Adelaide Power vs Sydney Swans
Saturday (29th August 1.45) Adelaide Oval
Tough ask for the Swans here going to Adelaide and playing one of the best sides in the comp with the young side they have. They were outclassed last weekend vs the Dockers and were never really in it, I think the side is very tired and in the back half of the year will struggle to compete for four qtrs. The Power used their get out of free jail card last weekend vs the Hawks who were storming home. The Power got the points and that is all that matters in this season. Zac Butters is a star and will be a serious player in the coming years, reads the game like a senior player not a rookie. I would like to see Dixon come out and destroy the Swans this week and get a full head of confidence leading up to the finals. Can’t see the Swans being in this game at all so expect a big Power win.
H2H
The Power have won three of the last five games vs the Swans
Best bet
Fremantle Dockers vs GWS Giants
Saturday (29th August 4.35) Optus Stadium
This will be an interesting game on Saturday afternoon. The Giants need a win badly to fight for that top 8 spot. They were good last weekend against the Eagles bar the first qtr and out scored the Eagles in the last qtr to nearly pinch it. If they bring that same sort of game plan this weekend they will beat the Dockers side who are getting better. Their defence looks very good and will take confidence into season 2021 with a strong backline that sets up their attack, Throw in a fit Nat Fyfe next year the Dockers will be climbing up the ladder don’t you worry. Need a few things to go their way this weekend the Dockers but I can’t see that happening with the Giants needing to win to stay alive in season 2020. Toby Greene was quiet last weekend after coming back from a hamstring injury so expect to see a better performance this weekend. Giants by 12+
H2H
The Giants have won four of the last five games vs the Dockers
Best bets
Melbourne Demons vs St Kilda Saints
Saturday (29th August 7.40) TIO Stadium
Footy back to back weeks in the top end which is just great for the game. Last weekend we saw two good contests on Friday and Saturday night. We know the ball will be hard to handle with the heat up there so skills won’t be cherry ripe. The Saints need a win to stay in touch with the top 4 after last weekend going down to the Lions by 2 points in a game they should have won if it wasn’t bad kicking in the final moments of the game. The Saints have surprised me this year and have a good list going forward that will be a force in 2021. The Demons on the other hand lied to us last weekend when they were smashed by the Bulldogs in a game they should have been more competitive in. The Demons always start well then the wheels fall off in the second half. Hurts they have lost Nathan Jones for an extended period with a quad injury. Tipping the Saints here and I think it will get ugly.
H2H
The Saints have won three of the last five games vs the Demons
Best bet
Carlton Blues vs Collingwood Magpies
Sunday (30th August 3.35) Gabba
H2H
The Pies have won four of the last five games vs the Blues
Best bet
This game I am most looking forward to come Sunday. Two arch rivals playing to keep their seasons alive at the Gabba, who would've thought but that is season 2020 in a nutshell. The Blues are in some form after knocking off the Suns last week in a game that would have pleased their fans as they were able to compete for four qtrs. The Blues have a nack for stopping after half time but last weekend they put the foot to the throat and applied pressure for a very good win. The Pies are running on fumes and look shot, yes they had a good win vs the Kangaroos but that doesn’t mean anything they played a bottom two side. They will need a lot to fall this way with no Sidebottom who has gone how to be with his new born. If the Blues bring the heat early they will beat their arch rivals and push on for that top 8 spot. Will be a good contest, but Pies for me in a close one.
Gold Coast Suns vs North Melbourne Kangaroos
Sunday (30th August 6.15) Metricon Stadium
Jeez not the greatest viewing to end the weekend but these two sides will be hoping to get a win on the board. Bit of media attention aimed at the Suns this week with a lot of assistant coaches cut from the roster due to Covid-19. The Suns were no good last weekend against the Blues on prime time footy slot; they couldn’t match it with the Blues for four qtrs. Bullied for most of the game, they will look to get revenge this weekend and get a win against a side who could have been their merge side back in 2011. I think the Roos have put the cue in the rack and said we are now hoping for draft picks to help their struggling side. I can’t see one star on this side and it is killing their brand. Haven’t said boo since they beat the Giants in round 2 and I can’t see them winning this weekend. Suns by 15+
H2H
The Kangaroos have won four of the last five games vs the Suns
Best bet
