AFL Round 8
Richmond Tigers vs Geelong Cats, MCG, 7th May 7.50pm
Round 8 kicks off between last year's grand finalists and it looks to be a cracking game of football. The Tigers had their best win of season 2021 last week beating ladder leaders in the Bulldogs without their star player Dustin Martin, who was absent due to concussion. He is back this weekend and a fit and firing Dustin Martin is a scary thought for the Cats, we know what he did in the Grand Final last year. The Cats had no one to blame for last weekend's loss to the Swans, they were up by 28 points through the 3rd quarter and blew that lead to lose by 2 points. They will be hungry come this Friday. Tigers put fear into the competition when they destroyed the Bulldogs after half-time and Tom Lynch was on fire up forward. The Cats will need to stop him if they are to have any chance. Tigers to be too strong here by 20+
Head 2 Head
Tigers have won the last three games vs the Cats
Best bet
Tigers win $1.60
Tigers -7.5 $1.90
GWS vs Essendon Bombers, Giants Stadium, 8th May 1.45pm
Interesting game here on Saturday between two teams I see battling it out for that number 8 spot on the ladder. GWS were great last weekend against the Crows in Adelaide, it is always positive to get a good away win for a young group. Toby Greene on fire and how good was it to see Jesse Hogan up forward kicking goals? Giants will be very happy they got him for nothing and if he can kick some goals up forward for them, it will be very beneficial for player and team. The Bombers had a close loss to the Blues last Sunday in a game where it could have gone both ways. They are a young side with a few exciting players, so if they can string some games together, I believe they can cause havoc in years to come. This game is 50/50 now with the venue to be decided due to a COVID-19 outbreak. If it is in Sydney, the Giants win. If it is in Melbourne, I am tipping the Bombers. Watch this space.
Head 2 Head
Giants have won two of the last three games vs Bombers
Best bet
GWS win $1.40
GWS 1-39 $2
Gold Coast Suns vs St Kilda Saints, Metricon, 8th May 2.10pm
King vs King in this match, here. The brothers will face off in a mouth-watering clash. Both of them are in brilliant form and either could open this game up with a bag of goals. Suns are two wins on the trot and can make it three against a Saints side who, in my eyes, are D-grade. Yes, they smashed Hawthorn last weekend, but for the list they have, they can't be trusted when having a bet. Suns get back on their home deck and they are turning this ground into a place where it has become very tricky to win at. They run and carry on the wide wings and if they are first to the ball, their younger players will get a sense of confidence and run all over this arrogant Saints side. I am tipping the Suns by 15+
Head 2 Head
Saints have won the last three games vs the Suns
Best bet
Suns win $1.77
Suns -2.5 $1.90
North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Collingwood Magpies, Marvel Stadium 8th May 4.35pm
Not the greatest game for Saturday afternoon viewing but it is what we have been dealt. The Kangaroos are a mile off it. They did put in a good performance last weekend against the Demons but are so far off AFL level, it is not funny. The Pies, on the other hand, are just one spot above the Kangaroos on the ladder and are battling hard to stay alive. There is no chance they will make finals this year. Buckley, in my eyes, is on borrowed time and they really do need a fresh start. Is Ross Lyon the man to lead this side? I would say yes. The Pies need to kick a score this weekend. I have no doubt they will win but if they do manage to lose, they have to get rid of Buckley. A loss here would be embarrassing. Moore is apparently going down back again, I'm unsure why he hasn’t been there for the past 3 games as he was an All Australian last year. Pies to cover the line - but my god - it would be an upset if the Kangaroos got up.
Head 2 Head
Pies have won two of the last three games vs the Kangaroos
Best bet
Pies -23.5 $1.90
Melbourne Demons vs Sydney Swans, MCG, 8th May 7.25pm
Match of the round come Saturday night between two teams who have shot up the ladder since last year where they were battling it out in the bottom 8. The Demons are undefeated and will look to keep it that way when they tackle Sydney, while the Swans are coming off a come-from-behind win against the Cats last weekend. The Swans could add Lance Franklin to the side, which would be well needed to straighten them up when coming into the forward line. Looked a little lost last weekend when they were entering the forward 50. Papley is a star and the Demons will need to be tight on him if they are to win. Demons are in red-hot form and had a training run last weekend against the Kangaroos. They will need to go up a few gears if they are to beat the Swans. Expecting a hot-like finals game and like the Swans line. Think the Demons will win but Swans will give them a scare.
Head 2 Head
Swans have won two of the last three games vs the Demons
Best bet
Swans +22.5 $1.90
Port Adelaide Power vs Adelaide Crows, Adelaide Oval 8th May 7.40pm
Showdowns are always hot and feisty affairs - so expect some punch-ons and some late free kicks paid. This year it will be hot and contested in the middle of the ground and I believe the Crows can get on top early. Not sold on the Power. They lost to the Eagles in Perth and got smashed by the Lions in Brisbane, I sense they are getting ahead of themselves and the Crows can knock them off if they aren’t careful. Crows were horrible last weekend and would have been torn to shreds by coach Nicks. If they are to win this weekend, their forwards need to have a big influence, including Tex Walker. The Power will use their run from the backline to exploit the Crows but if that can be stopped, the Crows can cause an upset. Power by 10. Take the Crows line.
Head 2 Head
Power have won the last three games vs the Crows
Best bet
Crows +30.5 $1.90
Hawthorn Hawks vs West Coast Eagles, MCG, 9th May 1.10pm
Big game for the Eagles come Sunday, being smashed in the media from Victoria for not being able to win away from home. This would be a great statement if they can beat the Hawks. They are coming off a big win against their cross-town rivals in Fremantle, but that doesn’t matter now. Seems they always lose confidence when playing at the Home of Football. They need their mids to get on top early, led by Nic Nat and Kelly. The Hawks are coming off a huge loss last against the Saints. They were smashed all over the park, so they'll be out for blood. You can expect someone from the Eagles to tag Mitchell, because if you stop him, you go a step closer to beating the Hawks. The forward line of the Eagles should be too strong for the Hawks defenders, so look for Darling and JK to get a bag. Interesting game but I am backing the Eagles to get a win away from home.
Head 2 Head
Eagles have won two of the last three games vs the Hawks
Best bet
Eagles -12.5 $1.60
Western Bulldogs vs Carlton Blues, Marvel, 9th May 3.20pm
The Dogs were handed their first loss of Season 2021 last weekend against the Tigers, so watch out, Blues fans, this could get ugly. Won the first half last weekend, the Dogs, but fell away after half-time and really need to win this to keep a stranglehold on their top four position. The Bont and Mcare did everything they could last weekend but again the Tigers were too strong. Bruce needs to stop worrying about his opponent and get a kick. He is a good forward, so let his marking and goal kicking ability do the talking. The Blues had a solid win last weekend against the Bombers and if they bring some of that form on Sunday, they might be able to cause an upset. The Dogs coming off that loss will make them very hungry weekend and I expect them to kick a big score and win well.
Head 2 Head
Blues have won two the last three games vs the Dogs
Best bet
Dogs -21.5 $1.90
Brisbane Lions vs Fremantle Dockers, Gabba, May 8th 4.40pm
Fremantle's season is officially over in my eyes. I know a big call there but losing to the Eagles by 50 points, now having their game moved from Perth to Brisbane due to a COVID outbreak in Perth, and to top it off, having to face a side that barely loses at home. Talk about a week from hell! The Dockers were in it up 'til their eyeballs last weekend against the Eagles 'til half-time. Then, the Eagles flicked a switch and went bang, beating the Dockers by 50+ points. The Lions had their best win of the season, knocking off the Power. They will look to inflict some more pain this weekend and improve their percentage when the Dockers come to town. Expecting rain in the Sunshine State and if that comes, Lions by a big score.
Head 2 Head
Lions have won the last three games vs the Dockers
Best bet
Lions -29.5 $1.90
Lions 40+ $2.40
