Round 13
Adelaide Crows vs Richmond Tigers
June 13th (Friday 7.20pm) Adelaide Oval
Thursday night footy heads to Adelaide Oval for what many think is Richmond last chance to push for the top 4. They were woeful last weekend vs the Cats being beaten by 60+ points. They have some excuses with most of their star players missing through injury but 60 points to the Cats on a wet Friday night was very humiliating. Dustin Martin is captaining the side this week for the first time in his career. The Crows on the other hand have won two hard fought games against the Demons and Giants. Vs the Giants last weekend they stood up in the last qtr to kick 6 goals to 2 and beat the Giants by 15 points. This team is capable of making the top 4. Their stars stood up last weekend and it was a scary look that Walker, Jenkins and Sloane all kicked goals in the last qtr to beat the Giants. I am tipping a Crows win but there is hope for the Tigers as they came from behind to beat the Power at this ground in round 4.
H2H
Adelaide have won 3 out of the last 5 games vs the Tigers
Best Bet
Tigers win +24.5 $1.90
Essendon Bombers vs Hawthorn Hawks
June 14th (Saturday 7.50pm) Marvel
Both of these sides are pushing for that top 8 finish so this game will be a cracker. bombers get back to their second home ground in Marvel Stadium and this year they have played good footy there. They also welcome back Stringer, Shiel and Fantasia from injury all of those players there are stars on their day who can cut a game apart. Looking very much to the return of Fantasia when he plays well the Bombers usually win, his run and carry is elite and very hard to stop. The Hawks on the other hand lose Chad Wingard to injury, Chad hasn’t been able to string two games together this year and is letting down his Hawthorn team mates. The Hawks welcome back big ruck man Ben McEvoy from injury and boy do they need him. They have been smashed around the centre clearances this year so his inclusion is a bonus. I am tipping a Bombers win just because of the players they have brought in but I expect it to be close.
H2H
Hawthorn have won 4 of the last 5 games vs the Bombers.
Best Bet
Bombers -5.5 $1.90
Bombers win $1.72
Gold Coast Suns vs St Kilda Saints
June 15th (Saturday 1.35pm) Riverway Stadium
Great by the AFL to take a game of AFL to far North Queensland this weekend with this game being played at Riverway Stadium. The conditions will be humid and when it rains it pours up there so expect players to be dropping marks and difficult conditions for the Saints players. Many think this is an easy win for the Saints but I believe the Suns can cause an upset. They have a good record up at this ground and will take a lot of confidence from their last month of footy. Saints on the other hand have been dealt a big blow with Jack Steele out for a number of weeks with a dislocated knee cap. The Suns have lost a few of their stars in Miller and Murdoch who are both out injured. I am tipping a Suns win led in the midfield by Peter Wright and Swallow. Tight contest in the middle of the ground.
H2H
Saints have won 4 of the last 5 games vs the Suns.
Best Bet
Suns +8.5 $1.90
Suns win $2.30
Fremantle Dockers vs Port Adelaide Power
June 15th (Saturday 2.35pm) Optus Stadium
Match of the round between two teams who are fighting for a top 8 spot. The Dockers have had a horrid week losing big man Rory Lobb for the season with a foot issue. They have brought back in Sean Darcy who on his day is a good ruck man. The Power have brought back Hamish Hartlett who returns from an ACL injury he sustained last year. The Power will take a lot of confidence from their round 4 win over the Eagles at this ground. The game will be won in defence but again the Dockers have been dealt a major blow with Alex Pearce also ruled out for the year with a stress fracture in his foot. This has called for the Dockers to cancel all games at Optus Stadium till the ground is made softer. I am tipping an upset here and going with the Power, they play this ground well and the return of Hamish Hartlett can really set up their attack from defence as he has a massive leg. Power by 10
H2H
Power have won 3 of the past 5 games vs the Dockers
Best Bet
Power +4.5 $1.90
Power win $2.10
Carlton Blues vs Western Bulldogs
June 15th (Saturday 7.25pm) Marvel Stadium
You have to ask yourself what the AFL was thinking playing this game as a Saturday night main event game on free to air television two bottom of the table sides. The Blues got back to winning ways last weekend with a come from behind victory over a Lions side that had no answers for them. Their young players final stood up and looked like the players everyone had talked about. The Dogs have been shocking this year and it is going to get a whole lot worse with a loss here. The Blues welcome back Marc Murphy who returns to the side since his injury caused by Shane Mumford when he broke 4 ribs. The Dogs welcome back Dickson and Crozier who will add some spark for them when they go forward. Tipping the Blues in a game that will have more errors then handballs.
H2H
Bulldogs have won 4 of the past 5 games vs the Blues
Best Bet
Blues +12.5 $1.90
Blues win $2.50
North Melbourne Kangaroos vs GWS Giants
June 16th (Sunday 3.20pm) BA Stadium
Very much looking forward to this game in Tasmania. The Kangaroos last weekend smashed the Suns and if they bring that intent and hunger into the game vs the Giants they can beat them in Tassie. The Kangas have a great record when playing at their second home ground and will be very hard to beat this week. This game is very important to the Giants top 4 hopes and a loss here will make it tougher to hold onto that very valuble top 4 spot. They lost to the Crows last weekend in a game they should have won. Jeremy Cameron needs to give his midfield more of a target when they stream out of the midfield. All well and good that he kicks 6 plus goals vs the lower teams but he needs to step up in a big game and this is the week he can do it. The Giants welcome back Greene, Buntine but lose Haynes and Cumming through injured. Kangaroos lose Shaun Higgins with a shoulder injury. I am tipping a Kangas win just because they play this ground very well. The coin toss is very important in this game as it is very windy in Tasmania.
H2H
Kangas have won 3 of the past 5 games vs the Giants
Best Bet
Kangaroos win $2.50
Kangaroos +11.5 $1.90
