AFL Round 17
Port Adelaide vs Melbourne Demons, Adelaide Oval, July 8th, 7.20pm
Massive game tonight between two teams who are fighting out for a top four position. The Power have had a good month and will do everything in their power tonight to knock off the Demons and push for that top four position. The Demons over the last month haven’t looked at their best which is worrying because they were leading the ladder two weeks ago and now, they could find themselves out of the top four if they lose this game. If they don’t finish in the top four, they can’t win a flag this year which would be one of the biggest wastes of a year. The Demons need to get more out of their forward line. Ben Brown will play this week. Weird he hasn’t played over the last month with the way he presents at the footy and makes a contest. I am tipping the Power tonight to win and I think they will win by a margin.
Head 2 Head
Port have won the last three games vs the Demons
Best bet
Power win $1.80
Essendon Bombers vs Adelaide Crows, Marvel Stadium, July 9th 7.50pm
The Bombers fell short last weekend to the Cats and that could hurt their top 8 chances. They need to win these games against sides below them if they are to be any chance of making the 8. They don’t mind playing at Marvel Stadium and have scored some famous wins before. They do play at a fast and energetic pace, so that will be suited to the wide wings of Marvel. The Crows need to get off to a good start this weekend. They’ve been competitive over the last month but that doesn’t matter come Friday night. If they bring the heat early, the Bombers will feel under pressure. Crows need a big performance from Rory Sloane and Paul Seedsman who can help this side win. Tex Walker is a maybe after he suffered a head injury last weekend. I am tipping the Bombers but it will be closer than people think.
Head 2 Head
Bombers have won the last three vs the Crows
Best bet
Bombers 1-39 $1.95
Hawthorn Hawks vs Fremantle Dockers, UTS, July 10th, 1.45pm
Big game for the Hawks here. During the week they announced that Sam Mitchell will take over from Alistair Clarkson for Season 2023. Big call from the Hawks but that is the right call in my eyes. Sam Mitchell is a born winner and can take the Hawks back up the 8. Let's talk footy here; the Dockers head to Tasmania and that is a big negative already for them. Nat Fyfe plays his 200th game this weekend so they will want to put in a big performance for their star player and arguably their best ever Docker. The Hawks on the other hand have had a really good month of footy bar last weekend against the Power but this weekend they are at their second home ground and can really put the pressure on the Dockers and ruin their chances of a top 8 finish. O’Meara and Mitchell will be vital for the side if they can win on the weekend. I am tipping the Hawks by a lot.
Head 2 Head
Demons have won two of the last three games vs the Giants
Best bet
Hawks $2.05
Carlton Blues vs Geelong Cats, MCG, July 10th 4.35pm
Cats are flying at the moment and this could be a very good percentage boost for them come Saturday afternoon. The big negative on the Cats at the moment is that Jeremy Cameron is out with a hamstring injury. They will need him in the side come September. He adds another dimension for the side when they go forward. The Blues on the other hand are going no where. Yes, they beat the Dockers last weekend but I see no push from this side. They compete against sides they should be competitive against but lose to the big boys. I also saw that Eddie Betts might go on for another season at Carlton, that is how far behind the eight ball this side is. The guy is 35 and will not be at Carlton when they win another flag or even make the eight. Put some young player in and get some experience at the top level not some old dinosaur. Cats win this game by 50+
Head 2 Head
Cats have won two of the last three games vs the Blues
Best Bet
Cats -19.5 $1.90
Brisbane Lions vs St Kilda Saints, Gabba, July 10th 7.25pm
The Lions are up and about and that great win two weeks ago against the Cats has really set up this side for a shot at a top four finish. They need to get at least one home final in September to make a run at the flag this year. Their forwards are lighting it up with Daniher and Cameron running wild up there. They come up against a Saints side who has won two on the trot but I believe they will find it a bit tougher this weekend than the last two weeks. They took the foot off the gas against the Pies in the last quater and nearly lost it. Dunstan is becoming their shining star and weird he hasn’t been given a new contract but that sums up the St Kilda footy club in a nutshell. Lions win this by 50+ on the weekend and I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw Daniher light up this game with a big bag of goals.
Head 2 Head
Lions have won the last three games vs the Saints
Best Bet
Lions win $1.25
Lions 40+
GWS vs Gold Coast Suns, Mars Stadium, July 11th 7.40pm
The battle of the new teams is heading to Ballarat! Two teams who had good wins last weekend against top eight sides so it could be a very good game of tough footy come Saturday night. The Giants knocked off the Demons and the Suns had their best win in over 5 years beating the Tigers. The Suns took the game on and their run couldn’t be matched. Hats off to Matt Rowell who had a stinker of a game up 'til half-time but really rallied late and was pivotal for the Suns. The Giants had a great win against the Demons at the Home of Football, a ground they don’t get to play often at. Toby Greene and Kelly were on fire and they should bring back Coniglio this weekend who has been out with a foot injury. The Giants will be too strong for the Suns come Saturday night. Expect Taranto and Ward to dominate in the middle to deliver good clean ball for the forwards.
Head 2 Head
GWS have won the last three games vs the Suns
Best Bet
Giants win $1.40
Western Bulldogs vs Sydney Swans, Marvel Stadium, July 11th 3.10pm
Match of the round come Sunday afternoon between two teams firing on all cylinders. The Swans destroyed the Eagles last weekend in Geelong. They didn’t get out of first gear in their destroying of the boys from the West. Buddy looked up and about and boy was he dangerous when the Swans went forward. I was really impressed with the game of Dawson off a half back line then when he pushed forward. The Dogs are cruising at the moment and had a training run against the Kangaroos last weekend. Got the win and moved on. Wasn’t pretty, but it was well done. Naughton is out this weekend with a head knock, but he will come back. I am tipping the Swans win this, but it will be a close one. Buddy to light it up.
Head 2 Head
Dogs have won two of the last three games vs the Swans
Best Bet
Swans win $3.30
Richmond Tigers vs Collingwood Magpies, MCG, July 11th 4.10pm
Old rivals battle it out on Sunday, but it won’t be like the olden days or of that prelim final in 2018. The Pies are the boring team of the competition and will be destroyed come Sunday afternoon. The Tigers lost to the Suns last weekend and will be breathing fire. They get back to their home ground of the MCG and will look to destroy a side they have a real hatred for. The Tigers need their mids to fire, led by Dusty and Edwards. They need to put foot down and deliver to Tom Lynch who was on fire last weekend against the Suns. If he gets off the chain, he could kick 6+ on the weekend. Tigers win this by the length of the Flemington straight and $1.55 is overs.
Head 2 Head
Pies have won two of last three games vs the Tigers
Best Bet
Tigers win $1.55
West Coast Eagles vs North Melbourne, Optus Stadium July 12th 7.40pm
The weekend of footy rounds out on a Monday night in Perth. The Premier McGowan has allowed fans of 100% to attend this game so the Eagles pushed back for a Monday night game against a North side who will look to bring the heat early if they are to be any chance for an Eagles side that are hurting. They were smashed against the Bulldogs at their home ground and then destroyed by the Swans by 92 points. I expect them this weekend to go nuts and destroy the Kangaroos. They need more of their star players in Yeo, Kelly and Shuey if they are to gain a top 8 spot. The Kangaroos are building for the future and the future looks good with Zurha and Simpkin. Eagles by 30+
Head 2 Head
Eagles have won two of the last three games vs the Kangaroos
