2022 AFL Round number Betting Predictions
Brisbane Lions (2nd) vs Collingwood Magpies (8th)
The Lions played in a tough battle with the Cats last Friday night in Geelong and came away with a 10 pt loss. They shouldn't be too unhappy with the result after a 3-1 start to the season. Lachie Neale continued his good start to the season with 30 touches and McStay was excellent with 3 goals from 11 marks. The injury list at the Lions looks healthy so they should be confident at home against the Pies.
Collingwood come off a very poor performance against the Eagles as they went down 87-74. They'll rue inaccuracy in front of goals and their injury list has taken a hit. Jamie Elliot is out for 12 weeks and Brody Mihocek is out for this clash. However, they should get Taylor Adams back and De Goey returns from suspension.
The Pies face a tough road trip to Brisbane and will be on a short week. Whereas the Lions will be eager to bounce back with a win at home. Brisbane 1-39 looks the best play.
Stadium Record
The Lions are 2-0 at the Gabba this season. Collingwood has lost their 3 games at the Gabba.
Head to Head Record
Brisbane are 3-0 in the last 3 meetings.
Best Bet
North Melbourne Kangaroos (17th) vs Western Bulldogs (14th)
After a shocker against the Lions, the Roos responded against the Swans on Saturday but fell short by 11 pts. Moving Jack Ziebell to the forward line paid dividends as the skipper kicked 5 goals. So they should gain a bit more confidence coming into this matchup. They will miss Zurhaar with concussion so Ziebell might stay up forward.
The Doggies woes in front of goals continued on Saturday night as they kicked 7.19 in a 38 pt loss against the Tigers. They're now 1-3 and a top four spot is looking unlikely. However, their midfield continues to play well through the likes of the Bont, Macrae and Smith.
If North bring the same pressure as last week, they should be able to keep the margin under 5 goals against a Bulldogs team that's struggling to kick straight.
Stadium Record
North are 2-3 in their last 5 at Marvel. The Bulldogs are 1-4 at this venue in their last 5.
Head to Head Record
The Bulldogs have won 4 of the last 5 meetings since 2018.
Best Bet
West Coast Eagles (15th) vs Sydney Swans (6th)
The Eagles 87-74 win over the Pies was the upset of the season thus far in a great performance by a young group. Jeremy McGovern and Duggan led the backline with intercept marks. Up forward, the Eagles were efficient and Rioli kicked 3 goals. However, the injury crisis continues as Nic Naitanui has been ruled out for 12 weeks. But they should get Shuey, Kelly, Yeo and Cripps back.
Sydney struggled against the Roos on Saturday but responded in the fourth quarter with a close 86-75 victory. Justin McInerney was excellent in the last quarter and Mills/Heeney led through the midfield. The win was soured by a hand injury to Buddy Franklin and he's out for a few weeks.
Without Franklin, the Swans may struggle to kick a winning score and the Eagles will be boosted by a huge win over the Pies.
Stadium Record
West Coast have lost 4 of their last 5 at Optus. Sydney are 2-3 at this venue in their history.
Head to Head Record
Sydney are 4-1 in the last 5 games.
Best Bet
St. Kilda Saints (4th) vs Gold Coast Suns (9th)
The Saints made a statement on Sunday with a 69 pt win over the Hawks. Jack Steele was the catalyst in the midfield with 33 touches and the Saints dominated possession. Max King and Brad Hill also kicked 4 goals each. They have lost Paddy Ryder to a 2 game suspension but Higgins/Geary could return.
The Suns are sitting nicely with a 2-2 record and come off a huge win over the Blues, 92-62. Witts dominated the ruck and the likes of Miller/Weller/Anderson were best on ground for the Gold Coast. They will miss Jack Lukosius with a knee injury for this clash though.
The Saints should continue to their form of last week through their midfield and red-hot forward line. The Suns usually don't travel well and have struggled to beat the Saints at this venue.
Stadium Record
The Saints are 2-3 at Marvel since July 2021. Gold Coast have lost 5 of their last 7 at Marvel.
Head to Head Record
St Kilda has won the last 6 meetings since 2017.
Best Bet
Adelaide Crows (12th) vs Richmond Tigers (10th)
The Crows suffered a 4 pt loss against the Bombers on Sunday and now hold a 1-3 record. However, their forward line looked stronger with Tex Walker and rising star Josh Rachele. Ben Keays and Rory Laird were standouts in the midfield as well.
Richmond bounced back with a 99-61 win over the Bulldogs on Saturday night. Short continued his good form in the backline along with Rioli. It was also good to see Prestia get through the game without injury. They're still without Dusty Martin but Saturday's performance would give them a lot of confidence.
This should be another close game involving Adelaide but the Tigers have won the last 2 meetings by around 5 goals and they should be confident after upsetting the Dogs.
Stadium Record
Adelaide are 1-1 at home this season. Richmond have lost 3 of their last 5 at this venue since 2019.
Head to Head Record
Richmond have won 3 of the last 5 meetings since the 2017 GF.
Best Bet
Melbourne Demons (1st) vs GWS Giants (13th)
The Demons are undefeated after smashing the Power in Adelaide by 32 pts. Max Gawn had his best performance of the season with 12 marks, 25 touches and a goal. Harmes also kicked 2 goals and James Jordan racked up 27 disposals.
The Giants faded badly against the Dockers on Saturday night in the 88-54 defeat. It won't get any easier against the defending premiers on their home turf. Braydon Preuss will miss the clash with his former side after suspension and that should see Matt Flynn return.
While the Giants have won the last 2 against the Dees at the MCG, their forward line at the moment doesn't look threatening against a stronger Melbourne backline. So a 1-39 margin for the home side looks the best value.
Stadium Record
Melbourne are 2-0 at the MCG this season. The Giants are 3-3 at the MCG since 2019.
Head to Head Record
Melbourne are 3-2 in the last 5 meetings.
Best Bet
Carlton Blues (7th) vs Port Adelaide Power (18th)
The Blues were poor against the Suns on Sunday and lost Patty Cripps after the first quarter to make matters worse. He's out for this clash with a hamstring so the likes of Walsh, Kennedy and Cerra will need to step up in the midfield.
Port's drop off has been sudden after an 0-4 start to the season. Their forward line is simply struggling without Dixon and Gray, highlighted by being kept goalless until mid-way through the third-quarter last week. They'll now be without Wines due to a heart concern and Lycett hurt his shoulder against the Dees.
The Power have the wood over the Blues and will fancy themselves against Carlton without Cripps. Port need to win this and should respond after last week.
Stadium Record
Carlton have won 3 straight at the MCG. Port have won 3 of their last 4 at the MCG.
Head to Head Record
The Power are 6-0 in the last 6 meetings since 2017.
Best Bet
Essendon Bombers (16th) vs Fremantle Dockers (3rd)
The Bombers earned a much-needed win over the Crows on Sunday by 4 points. Parish captured his form of last season with 38 touches and Andy McGrath gave him support with 7 tackles. Peter Wright kicked 3 goals up forward as well.
The Dockers are looking good after a 3-1 start to the season and come off an 88-54 win over the Giants. Will Brodie has been a great pickup and comes off 37 touches. Mundy and Brayshaw also dominated through the midfield.
The Bombers found form last week and they love playing at Marvel Stadium. The same can't be said for the Dockers as they tend to struggle and have also lost the last 5 meetings. Essendon to make it 2 straight.
Stadium Record
Essendon are 6-1 at Marvel in their last 7. Fremantle have a poor 1-7 record in their last 8 here.
Head to Head Record
The Bombers are 5-0 against the Dockers since 2018.
Best Bet
Hawthorn Hawks (11th) vs Geelong Cats (5th)
The Hawks will be looking to respond on Monday after a disappointing 142-73 loss against the Saints. Their midfield is getting smashed at the moment and they'll need to improve against the likes of Danger. Their backline has also taken a hit with Will Day out for a few weeks.
Geelong come off a 80-70 win over the Lions on Friday night and should be well rested for this Easter Monday clash. They'll get Joel Selwood back from a rest and Tom Stewart should return a stomach bug.
Hawthorn will need to stand up after last week but this is a tough matchup with the Cats. The key will be Geelong's midfield as the Hawks have been getting smashed in this area. That should see the likes of Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron dominate this Easter Monday clash.
Stadium Record
The Hawks are 1-2 at the MCG this season. Geelong are 6-0 at the MCG since May 2021.
Head to Head Record
The head to head is locked at 3-3 in the last 6 meetings.
Best Bet
