AFL Round 20
St Kilda Saints vs Carlton Blues, Marvel Stadium, July 30th, 7.50pm
Do or die clash here for the Saints. They lose, and their 2021 season is over. They win, and they are a sneaky chance of making the eight. They played well last weekend versus the Eagles but couldn’t get over the line in the end. King played his best game for the club, kicking 5 and being very good in the contested marks. He brings that this weekend and this club will win by 10 goals. Saints need to improve their goal kicking, which is costing them victories in Season 2021. Carlton are so far off it, losing the Kangaroos last weekend in a game they should have won. Cripps looks like he is on one leg and he is getting no support around him. They welcome back Charlie Curnow for his first game in over two years, risky, but they need to play him to see what he has left. Saints by 20+
Head 2 Head
Saints have won two of the last three games vs the Blues
Best bet
Saints -13.5 $1.90
Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows, Mars Stadium, July 31st 12.20pm
The Crows head to Ballarat this weekend and boy, will they need a miracle to beat a red-hot Doggies side who is coming off their best win of Season 2021, beating the Demons last weekend in a wet and brutal game. The Doggies are on a hot streak at the moment and look like a real flag threat with the Bont, Mcrae, Hunter and Naughton, they are setting up for a run at the finals very well. I think they do a real number on the Crows this weekend. The Crows did get a win versus the Hawks last weekend but that isn’t saying much. Dogs will get to Ballarat, a place they call home now and run riot. Dogs by 50+. If the Dogs kick with the wind first quarter, it could be good night early.
Head 2 Head
Dogs have won two the last three vs the Crows
Best bet
Dogs -38.5 $1.90
Dogs 40 + $1.90
North Melbourne vs Geelong Cats, Blundstone Arena, July 31st, 1.15pm
Many punters have said this will be a walk in the park for the Cats but I disagree, the Kangaroos are on a little run of form. They have beaten the Eagles and Blues in the past three weeks. Yes, they come up against one of the flag fancies but they are playing in Tassie and they love playing there. The Cats are flying and I don’t really see a defence that can go with their forwards. They run hard and make every contest a tough one. Kangaroos lose Cunnington and Zuhar, wishing Cunnington a fast recovery. Kangaroos need to take the game on through the middle and just take risk after risk. The Cats will look to get the ball in their best ball handlers in Toohey and Menagola. Cats by 1-24 but it won't be a blow-out.
Head 2 Head
Cats have won the last three games vs the Kangas
Best bet
North +31.5 $1.90
Gold Coast Suns vs Melbourne Demons, Metricon Stadium, July 31st 3.10pm
I have gone outside the box here and I am tipping the Suns to cause an upset. Yes, they come up against a top four side in the Demons but they are in a rough patch at the moment and a young Suns side can smell blood. The Demons can’t get the ball moving through the forward line and hit up their targets in McDonald and Brown. The Suns' younger players can really put some pressure on the Demons here as they have nothing to lose. The Suns have dropped a few players to make a statement. The Demons have won the last three games against the Suns by an average of 30 points but it will be a lot closer come Saturday. Demons need more from Petracca and Viney who can’t seem to hit the score board. Suns by 1+
Head 2 Head
Demons have won the last three games vs the Suns
Best Bet
Suns win $4.60
Suns +26.5 $1.90
Collingwood Magpies vs West Coast Eagles, MCG, July 31st 4.15pm
Grand-final rematch from 2018. who Would have thought 3 years ago this game would be played at the same venue in front of no fans, how times have changed for the worse. The Eagles are celebrating a huge milestone this weekend with Shannon Hurn playing his 300th game for the club, the first Eagle to do so. The Eagles should lift for him this weekend as he has been one of their best players for the past 13 years. The Pies welcome back Howe who has missed most of the year with a knee injury, if it was me, I would have rested him for the whole of the year and have him back firing for Season 2022. Eagles forwards could have a big day with the smaller Pies defence under fire. The midfield battle will be interesting with Nic Nat apparently the number 1 player in the comp this year. Eagles win.
Head 2 Head
Eagles have won two of the last three games vs the Pies
Best Bet
Eagles win $1.62
Essendon Bombers vs Sydney Swans, Gabba, July 31st 7.40pm
Match of the round for me this weekend against two sides who have had some close encounters over the past three games. The Swans got out of jail last time these two sides played each other at the SCG. The Swans are in some red hot form and are loving life on the Gold Coast at the moment. Big Buddy Franklin got off his one game suspension during the week and loves playing against the Bombers. Expect the Dons to come out breathing fire after letting slip a win last weekend versus the Giants, which would have put them in the top eight. The Bombers need to take the game on with their fast players. Stringer needs to get busy early and get his confidence up. Swans win
Head 2 Head
Bombers have won two of the last three games vs the Swans
Best Bet
Swans -18.5 $1.90
Hawthorn Hawks vs Brisbane Lions, UTS, Aug 1st 2.10pm
Two games of footy in Tassie this weekend, which is great for a place that does so much for the game of AFL. The Lions need to win this game if they are to make a run at the top four and cement a home final for themselves. They had a horrible half versus the Suns last weekend but came home like a steam train and ended up winning by 40 points. The Hawks lost to the Crows but get back to Tassie, their second home, and I am tipping an upset win come Sunday. They play this ground well and have performed when up against the top four sides. Hawks need a huge game from Wingard and Mitchell if they are to trouble the Lions. Daniher needs to lift for the Lions with Hipwood out. Hawks by any margin.
Head 2 Head
Lions have won two of the last three games vs the Hawks
Best Bet
Hawks +28.5 $1.90
Hawks win $5
GWS Giants vs Port Adelaide Power, Metricon Stadium, Aug 1st 3.10pm
Good game, this one, come Sunday afternoon against two sides pushing for top eight spots. The Giants had a great win last weekend versus the Bombers where they came back from 16 points down at half time to beat the Bombers by 9. The game of Tom Green and Whitfield was nothing short of amazing, they were great ball winners and really set up the Giants' attack. They welcome back their best player this weekend with Toby Greene out of isolation and will be breathing fire on Sunday. The Power had a good win versus the Pies on Friday night and it was good to see Charlie Dixon kick a bag, he plays like that this weekend, the Power will win. Giants the line for me.
Head 2 Head
Giants have won two the last three games vs the Power
Best Bet
Giants +12.5 $1.90
Fremantle Dockers vs Richmond Tigers, Optus Stadium, Aug 1st 5.10pm
Round 20 rounds out in the West between the Dockers and the Tigers and boy have the Dockers been whacked with the injury curse during the week. Fyfe, Walters and Lobb all out for the year with serious injuries. That puts a line through them this weekend with the Tigers going to run riot on the large wings of Optus Stadium. The Tigers have Shai Bolton and Rioli running riot. The Tigers are missing Dusty though, who is out for the year and will need their forwards to fire. Tom Lynch needs to have a big game and get back on the scorers sheet with a poor display last weekend against the Cats. Tigers will win this game and the line is the best of the round.
Head 2 Head
Tigers have won the last three games vs the Dockers
Best Bet
Tigers -9.5 $1.90
