AFL Round 22
GWS Giants vs Richmond Tigers, Marvel, Aug 13th, 7.50pm
GWS have been dealt the biggest blow before a ball has even been kicked in this game; their star player has been suspended for one week in Toby Greene. Seems every time he goes to the match review panel he is banned, a joke of a decision but the Giants will fight on. Both teams will be treating this game like a mini final because if they lose they are no chance of making the 8 this season. The Giants had a great win last weekend versus the Cats and will look to take that form into this game against the Tigers. Tigers need to get more out of their dominant forward line and if that happens they will win this game comfortably. I am tipping the Tigers in a close one.
Head 2 Head
Tigers have won two of the last three games vs the Giants
Best bet
Tigers win $1.62
Hawthorn Hawks vs Western Bulldogs, UTS Stadium, Aug 14th 1.45pm
Bit of a nothing game come Saturday but there is more on the line for the Bulldogs, with injuries hurting the Doggies coming into the last few rounds of the year, they need to get the win on the weekend versus the Hawks but also get through the game with no more injuries. Bruce is out with an ACL injury for the year, Naughton looks like he is carrying something, so it will be interesting to see how the game plan holds up for the Dogs come Saturday. In no way am I writing them off just yet, but they will need to discover a new way to goal come Saturday. The Dogs will also need to put time into Tom Mitchell who had 40+ touches last weekend versus the Pies and really sets up their attack. Dogs by 20+
Head 2 Head
Blues have won the last three vs the Suns
Best bet
Dogs win
Dogs 40+ $2.43
Geelong Cats vs St Kilda Saints, GMHBA, Aug 14th , 4.35pm
Cats would be hurting after last week's shock loss to the Giants in a game that really could have cemented them top spot on the ladder. They didn’t get off to a great start and from then on were playing catch up. They did well to only lose by 19 points in the end. The Saints on the other hand need to pull a rabbit out of the hat if they are to win this game come Saturday. A very up and down year has seen them win games they haven’t been given a chance in and lose games they should win. Will be very tricky to go to Geelong and snatch this one but stranger things have happened this year so I give them a slim chance. Believe Jezza Cameron is back this weekend and that just adds another dimension to this Cats side when going forward. Cats by 24+
Head 2 Head
Cats have won two of the last three games vs the Saints
Best bet
Cats -39.5 $1.90
Port Adelaide Power vs Carlton Blues, Adelaide Oval, Aug 4th 4.35pm
Power have hit some form late in the year and that is worrying other sides because this team can move the ball. The Power got out of jail last weekend versus the Crows but it was a Showdown and anything and everything can happen in that game. I expect them to absolutely destroy the Blues come Saturday afternoon in a game which is Marc Murphy's 300th and last for the Blues, he's had a fantastic career. Gave his all for this club as a number 1 pick and deserves a farewell game. The Power forwards will run riot this weekend and my whipping boy at the start of the year Charlie Dixon has really stood up and taken ownership of this side. Rozee, Butters and Gray can really open up any side. I think it will be a big win for the Power 40+
Head 2 Head
Power have won the last three games vs the Blues
Best Bet
Power -42.5 $1.90
Brisbane Lions vs Collingwood Magpies, Aug 14th 7.40pm
The Lions won last weekend in a game where I was a little worried if they lost that it could have been season over for them. They got the job done in the West and now face a Collingwood side who are really playing for nothing. Some fall from grace from the 2018 grand final to 2019 prelim and now sitting second last on the AFL ladder. The Lions will put in a finals display come Saturday night and look for Daniher to get on top of his opponent. He is key to this side come September and if he can get some form going into the back part of the year - watch out. The Lions will open up the young Pies through the middle of the ground and will look to take the game on as much as possible. I am tipping a big win for the Lions and it could get ugly 40+
Head 2 Head
Lions have won two of the last three games vs the Pies
Best Bet
Lions win $1.30
North Melbourne vs Sydney Swans, Marvel, Aug 14thth, 7.40pm
Great signs over the last month for the Kangaroos and the future looks bright for them. Yes, they will finish last and that is never a good look but they can take a lot of positives out of the year and end it on a good note by pressing the Swans this weekend. The Swans had a poor performance against the Saints last weekend but I think a loss is good heading into the finals and can sharpen them up, come September. The Swans will be without Buddy Franklin, who is sore. The Swans will need to find another avenue to goal but I don’t think that will be a problem this weekend. Tipping the Swans win this and win well.
Head 2 Head
Swans have won two of the last three games vs the Kangaroos
Best Bet
Swans -30.5 $1.90
Adelaide Crows vs Melbourne Demons, MCG, Aug 15th 2.10pm
Great win by the Demons last Monday in Perth and unless they drop the last two games of the year, they will finish in the top two and that really sets them up for a grand-final finish. The Demons were too strong for the Eagles in Perth last weekend, the run and carry they had from the back of the ground was too hard to handle and a on a big MCG at their home ground, they will be to hot to handle for a Crows side that gave the Power a scare last weekend. The Crows have had a horror week with the Taylor Walker situation but Taylor will bounce back and be better for it. Demons by 20+
Head 2 Head
Demons have won two of the last three games vs the Crows
Best Bet
Demons -36.5 $1.90
West Coast Eagles vs Fremantle Dockers, Optus Stadium, Aug 15th 3.10pm
If you have plans come Sunday afternoon cancel them and fire up the tv for this match. Two teams who need to win to make the 8 and I expect some spot fires come Sunday afternoon. The Dockers are playing ok footy at the moment but played their worst game of football in a month last weekend when they were smashed by the Lions. The Eagles lost to the Lions but played a better brand of footy and nearly snatched it at the end. I am tipping a Dockers win here and I it will be their first over the Eagles in over 6 games. The Dockers need to stop the forward power of Ryan, JK and Darling and they will go a long way to winning this one.
Head 2 Head
Eagles have won the last three games vs the Dockers
Best Bet
Dockers win $2.75
