2022 AFL Round 8 Betting Predictions
Round 8 features a Friday night double-header, the Tigers & Pies reignite their rivalry and the Saints look to takedown the Dees on Mother's Day.
Port Adelaide Power (13th) vs Western Bulldogs (10th)
The Power have reignited their season after back to back wins over the Eagles and Saints. They'll look to get some revenge over the Bulldogs after a crushing loss at this venue in last year's preliminary final. There could be good news at selection with Charlie Dixon expected back but Georgiades will likely miss with injury.
The Bulldogs bounced back from a tough loss against the Crows as they thrashed the Bombers on Sunday by 32 pts. Josh Dunkley was the standout in his 100th game with 2 goals and 29 disposals. The return of Mitch Wallis was also a great story but he was subbed out with a foot injury and will be questionable for Friday night.
The Dogs beat the Power at this venue in the last meeting by 71 pts and the away team in this matchup is 5-0 ATS. Backing the Dogs to continue the trend.
Stadium Record
Port have lost 4 of their last 5 at the Adelaide Oval. The Bulldogs have a 4-1 record in Adelaide.
Head to Head Record
In the last 5 meetings, the Power are 3-0-2 against the Bulldogs.
Best Bet
Fremantle Dockers (3rd) vs North Melbourne Kangaroos (17th)
The Dockers are back at home after a huge win over the Cats in Geelong. Andrew Brayshaw continued his good season with 28 touches and Blake Acres had one of his best games as a Docker. They're now a 5 game winning streak and have also won 3 interstate games this season. In terms of injuries, Matt Taberner is out for 2-4 weeks but Nat Fyfe is expected to return soon.
The Kangaroos dismal season continued with another thrashing as they went down against the Blues by 50 points on Saturday night. They've lost 5 straight games and sit second last on the ladder. To make matters worse, Larkey has been suspended and their forward line will struggle without him.
Freo have a stout backline and the Roos will likely struggle to kick a lot of goals without Larkley. So we like the Under in this one.
Stadium Record
Fremantle has won 4 of their last 5 at home. North are 2-3 at this venue in their history.
Head to Head Record
The Dockers are 3-0-2 against the Kangaroos in the last 5 meetings.
Best Bet
Richmond Tigers (9th) vs Collingwood Magpies (8th)
The Tigers smashed the Eagles by 109 points on Friday night in a dominant display. Tom Lynch enjoyed his 200th game with 7 goals and Jayden Short was also brilliant with 31 touches. The only sour note was another injury for Dion Prestia. However, Dusty Martin is closed to returning along with Pickett.
The Pies held off the Suns on Sunday in the 115-90 result and they moved into the top 8 as a result. Mihocek kicked 4 goals up forward and Darcy Cameron was excellent in Grundy's absence. They're playing well at the MCG this season and should be confident of an upset on Saturday afternoon footy.
It's usually a tough contest between these two rivals and we can see a close finish with the Pies getting within 2 goals.
Stadium Record
Richmond are 2-2 at the MCG this season. Collingwood are 3-1 in their last 4 at the 'G.
Head to Head Record
The Tigers are 3-0-2 against the Magpies in the last 5 matchups.
Best Bet
Sydney Swans (5th) vs Gold Coast Suns (14th)
The Swans will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing performance against the Lions. The main highlight was Buddy Franklin's 6 goal haul but otherwise, the Swans were outplayed by a better side. However, there could be good news on the injury front as Tom Hickey is expected to return on Saturday.
The Suns are looking to end a 3 game losing streak and come off a 25 pt loss against the Pies. However, Touk Miller continued his good season with 36 touches and Casboult had his best game as a Sun with 4 goals.
Gold Coast have enjoyed playing at the SCG against the Swans recently and showed some form against the Pies in Melbourne last week. Suns to cover.
Stadium Record
Sydney are 3-2 at the SCG in their last 5. Gold Coast have a nice 4-1 record at the SCG.
Head to Head Record
The Suns have won 3 of the last 5 games.
Best Bet
Greater Western Sydney Giants (15th) vs Geelong Cats (7th)
The Giants let out some frustration after a massive win over the Crows by 59 pts in Adelaide. Toby Greene was the standout in the forward line with 4 goals and Josh Kelly dominated with 41 touches. So they'll head into this clash against the Geelong with a lot more confidence.
The Cats will look to bounce back after a tough loss against the Dockers by 3 pts at home. It was a low scoring affair and Tom Stewart was brilliant across half-back with 40 touches. Stengle kicked 3 goals up forward and is proving to be an underrated pickup for the Cats.
Geelong should be eager for a win after last week and hold a 17-0 record after losing as a favourite. The Giants also don't have a great winning record in Canberra.
Stadium Record
GWS have lost 4 of their last 5 in Canberra. The Cats have lost 3 of their 4 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The Giants have won 3 of the last 5 against the Cats.
Best Bet
Essendon Bombers (16th) vs Hawthorn Hawks (11th)
The Bombers struggles continued on the weekend as they lost to the Bulldogs 103-71. However, Merrett played well in the midfield with 36 touches and Peter Wright was hard to stop up forward with 4 goals. But the injury bug has struck again and Stringer will miss 4 weeks with a hamstring injury. Cox also hurt his ankle in the defeat.
The Hawks matched the Demons last week and won't be too unhappy with the 91-81 defeat. Koschitzke was great up forward in a tough matchup as he kicked 4 goals and Dylan Moore continued his underrated season with 33 touches. They'll still be missing Lewis and Jiath but head into this clash as favourites.
The Bombers are 0-8 ATS in their last 8 games and the Hawks are 5-1 at this venue against them. Hawks to cover.
Stadium Record
Essendon has lost 3 of their last 4 at Marvel. Hawthorn holds a 3-2 record at this venue in their last 5.
Head to Head Record
The Hawks hold a 4-1 record in the last 5.
Best Bet
Brisbane Lions (2nd) vs West Coast Eagles (18th)
The Lions broke a long hoodoo in Sydney last Sunday night as they outlasted the Swans in a 4 goal win. Lachie Neale led the way in the midfield with 37 touches and Zorko bounced back from a quiet game. However, they have lost Daniher to a shoulder injury for 4-6 weeks so it'll be interesting to see who they bring in.
The Eagles were embarrassed by the Tigers on Friday night in a huge loss. They'll need to respond against the Lions in Brisbane, which won't be an easy challenge. Their injury list is getting longer as Witherden and Nelson are likely out along with Yeo due to concussion.
The Lions will be looking for goal kickers without Daniher and Bailey to kick 3 or more goals looks nice value. He recently kicked 6 against the Suns and should feast on the struggling Eagles.
Stadium Record
Brisbane are 4-1 in their last 5 at home. West Coast has won 3 of their last 5 in Brisbane.
Head to Head Record
The Lions are 3-0-2 against the Eagles in the last 5 meetings.
Best Bet
Melbourne Demons (1st) vs St Kilda Saints (4th)
The Dees kept their undefeated streak going against the Hawks last Saturday with a tough 10 point win. Max Gawn dominated the ruck as expected and Oliver continued his fine season with 33 touches. They should get back the likes of Jackson, Neal-Bullen, Sparrow and Pickett for this clash as well.
The Saints struggled in the Cairns conditions last week as they kicked 4.18 in the 1 point loss. So they'll look to respond with a bounce back performance against the best side in the AFL. They should get Rowan Marshall back from injury and that'll help them matchup against Gawn.
The underdog is 5-0 ATS in this matchup and the Saints unpredictable nature could worry for the Dees, a bit like the Hawks last week.
Stadium Record
Melbourne are 5-0 in their last 5 at the MCG. St Kilda holds a 3-2 record at the MCG in their last 5.
Head to Head Record
The Demons hold a 3-0-2 record against the Saints in the last 5 meetings.
Best Bet
Carlton Blues (6th) vs Adelaide Crows (12th)
The Blues dominated the Roos on Saturday night in a 50 point win. Cripps was excellent again for the home side and Curnow/McKay both enjoyed plenty of goals in a comfortable victory. Their backline will likely be boosted for this clash with the return of Williams and Hewett.
The Crows were disappointing against the Giants last week as they lost by 10 goals in Adelaide. So they'll need to get back on track against the Blues in Melbourne. However, they'll be missing stand-in skipper Brodie Smith and McHenry.
Carlton look in better form compared to the Crows and should get the job done at home by a 1-39 margin.
Stadium Record
Carlton has won 3 of the last 5 at Marvel. Adelaide has lost 3 of their last 4 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
In the last 5 meetings, the Blues are 3-2 against the Crows.
Best Bet
