2022 AFL Round 6 Betting Predictions
Round 6 features an Anzac Day doubleheader on Monday, the Q-Clash on the Gold Coast and the traditional clash between the Tigers and Dees.
GWS Giants (14th) vs St. Kilda Saints (4th)
The Giants have just 1 win after 5 games and come off a 67 point loss against the Demons. However, they'll finally get Toby Greene back from suspension and that should help their struggling forward line. Meanwhile, the backline should be boosted by the return of Isaac Cumming.
Jack Higgins kicked 5 goals on Saturday afternoon as the Saints won their 4th straight game after an 87-61 win over the Suns. Jack Steele also had another solid outing with 14 contested possesions and Gresham celebrated 100 games with 2 goals.
The return of Greene is huge for the Giants but their second-half fadeouts are a concern against the in-form Saints. St. Kilda to cover.
Stadium Record
The Giants are 1-4 in Canberra in their last 5 games. The Saints are 1-2 in Canberra since 2001.
Head to Head Record
The head to head is locked at 2-2 in the last 4 meetings.
Best Bet
Western Bulldogs (10th) vs Adelaide Crows (13th)
The Doggies earned their 2nd win of the season with a comfortable 139-71 win over North on Good Friday. Bailey Smith was excellent with 43 touches and Aaron Naughton kicked 5 goals. They could get Mitch Hannan back against the Crows.
Taylor Walker kicked 5 goals against the Tigers as the Crows bounced back from a close loss against the Bombers. Ben Keays continued his good form in the midfield with 31 disposals and he was well supported by Rory Laird. However, a season-ending ACL injury for Rory Sloane is a huge blow for this young team.
The Bulldogs looked back to their best last week and an ACL injury for Sloane could be tough for the Crows to overcome. So we'll back the Dogs to cover.
Stadium Record
The Dogs have won 5 of their last 7. The Crows are yet to win at this venue in 2 attempts.
Head to Head Record
The Bulldogs are 3-0 in the last 3 meetings.
Best Bet
Port Adelaide Power (18th) vs West Coast Eagles (16th)
The Power almost stagged an incredible comeback against the Blues on Sunday but fell 4 points short. They're still looking for their first win of the season and sit at the bottom of the ladder. However, Ollie Wines is expected to return against the Eagles and their midfield will be boosted.
West Coast followed a great win over the Pies with a disappointing first half against the Swans at home on Good Friday. At one point, they were down 50-0 and their midfield struggled to overcome the momentum. But they should get McGovern back against the Power to strengthen their defence.
Both sides have struggled to start the season but the Power improved last week despite the loss. They should get the job done on their home turf.
Stadium Record
The Power have lost their last 4 games at home. The Eagles have won 9 of their 11 games at the Adelaide Oval.
Head to Head Record
West Coast are 4-2 in the last 6 meetings.
Best Bet
Fremantle Dockers (2nd) vs Carlton Blues (6th)
The Dockers smashed the Bombers in the second half of last week's 107-59 victory and they now sit 2nd on the ladder. Matt Taberner enjoyed his time under the roof with 7 goals, Sean Darcy dominated the ruck and Andrew Brayshaw gathered 34 touches.
Carlton are 4-1 but will need to address their second half fadeouts against the Power and Hawks. However, Blues fans won't be complaining after their best start to a season in 10+ years. Charlie Curnow was excellent against the Power on the weekend with 5 goals and Sam Walsh picked up 38 touches. They should get Patty Cripps back from a hamstring injury against the Dockers as well.
Beating the Dockers in Perth looks a tough challenge for the Blues after they've struggled to beat the Power at home. Dockers to cover on their home turf.
Stadium Record
The Dockers are 3-2 at Optus Stadium. The Blues have lost 3 of their 5 games at Optus.
Head to Head Record
The Blues have won the last 4 meetings since 2019.
Best Bet
North Melbourne Kangaroos (17th) vs Geelong Cats (7th)
North were simply outclassed by the Dogs on Good Friday and they'll face another challenge against the Cats. An early hamstring injury for Aaron Hall didn't help their cause and he's out for 4 weeks. But they could get Zurhaar and Thomas back against the Cats.
Geelong will be rue a slow start against the Hawks on Easter Monday as they went down by 2 goals. But they should bounce back against the Roos. They did pick up some injuries in Monday's loss with Guthrie, Henry and Bews on the injury list.
The Cats should come out firing against the Roos after losing to the Hawks and the Roos struggled against the Dogs last week. Cats to cover.
Stadium Record
The Roos have lost 3 of their last 5 at Bellerive Oval. The Cats are 1-0 at this venue in their history.
Head to Head Record
The Cats are 8-0 since 2016.
Best Bet
Gold Coast Suns (12th) vs Brisbane Lions (3rd)
The Suns battled against the Saints last Saturday but came up short in the 87-61 loss. But they should be fired up for the Q-Clash on their home turf. Chol and Lukosius picked up injuries against the Saints so the Suns will be hoping they can pass fitness tests for this clash.
Brisbane held off the Pies on Thursday for a 98-91 victory. Lachie Neale and Hugh McCluggage were excellent in the midfield. The squad should be well rested for this clash after playing last Thursday and they have the healthiest injury list in the AFL.
While Gold Coast have struggled to beat the Lions in the Q-Clash, it's usually a tough battle and hopefully the Suns can keep the margin under 3 goals at home.
Stadium Record
The Suns are 1-5 at Metricon Stadium. The Lions have won 4 of their last 5 games on the Gold Coast against the Suns.
Head to Head Record
Brisbane has won the last 6 meetings since 2018.
Best Bet
Richmond Tigers (11th) vs Melbourne Demons (1st)
The Tigers have been inconsistent to start the season but they'll need to be at their best against the Dees. Richmond comes off a 101-82 loss against the Crows in Adelaide. They also lost Hugo Ralpsmith to a ribs injury for a few weeks. Dustin Martin is still out due to personal issues.
There's no Premiership hangover for undefeated Dees after a 10 goal third-quarter against the Giants setup the 120-53 victory. The big three of Petracca, Gawn and Oliver should be in the Brownlow votes after their dominance. They'll aim for 6-0 against the struggling Tigers.
Melbourne looks a class above the competition and the Tigers have struggled without Dusty Martin. The Dees by 1-39 looks the best value.
Stadium Record
The Tigers have 2 of 3 games at the 'G this season. Melbourne are 2-0 at the MCG this season.
Head to Head Record
Richmond are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Best Bet
Hawthorn Hawks (8th) vs Sydney Swans (5th)
The Hawks come off a huge win over the Cats on Easter Monday, 92-80. Dylan Moore was excellent up forward with 4 goals and Jai Newcombe was the standout in the midfield with 31 touches. However, they've lost Ned Reeves to a shoulder injury and their ruck stocks will be tested against Sydney.
The Swans jumped the Eagles in the first half of last Friday's dominant 121-58 win. Kicking 121 points without Buddy and Papley is a huge positive for their forward line as it was a team performance. Mills continued his form in the midfield with 28 touches and Heeney kicked another 3 goals. Franklin is a chance to play against his former team if he can recover from a finger injury.
Tough game to pick with both sides in great form. I think the Swans have the advantage in this matchup, having played on Friday compared to the Hawks on Monday.
Stadium Record
Hawthorn are 2-3 at this venue in their last 5. Sydney are 1-1 at this venue in their history.
Head to Head Record
Sydney are 3-2 in the last 5 meetings.
Best Bet
Essendon Bombers (15th) vs Collingwood Magpies (9th)
The Bombers come into Anzac Day with a 1-4 record and they'll look to bounce back from a disappointing effort against Fremantle. They were smashed in all aspects last week so they'll need to improve against the Pies.
Collingwood were competitive against the Lions on Thursday but fell just short by 7 points. However, they should be well rested for this Anzac Day clash and will look to continue the Bombers woes. They should get Mihocek back in the forward line but Roughead is out with a finger injury.
Essendon were terrible last week and Collingwood took the Lions all the way up at the Gabba. They also get a longer rest and should be able to beat the Bombers on Anzac Day.
Stadium Record
The Bombers are 1-5 at the MCG in their last 6. The Pies are 3-3 in their last 6 at this venue.
Head to Head Record
Essendon has won the last 3 meetings.
Best Bet
