Adelaide Crows v Geelong Cats
Thursday, July 12 7:50pm, Adelaide Oval
The Adelaide Oval plays host to the Crows and the Cats in AFL footy on Thursday. Last week, the Crows looked poor against the Tigers at the MCG in a 47 point loss. They’ve become a poor scoring team (81.33 points per game) and rank 12th in the AFL. So the Cats number 1 ranked defence is going to be the key. They allow just 70 points in away games and kept the Swans very quiet at the SCG last week. Geelong’s midfield core is one of the best in the AFL and that should be the key difference in this matchup. There’s also some extra motivation after the Crows smashed them in the Preliminary Final last season. Cats win a close one.
Stadium Record
This season, the Crows hold a 5-3 record at Adelaide Oval. The Cats are 1-0 at Adelaide Oval in 2018. Which they won against the Power by 34 points.
Head to Head Record
The Cats are 8-5 against the Crows.
Best Bet
St Kilda Saints v Carlton Blues
Friday, July 13 7:50pm, Etihad Stadium
Round 17 continues with the Saints hosting the Blues at Etihad Stadium on Friday. Both sides have been disappointing this season and this won’t be a great game to watch. The Blues are 1-14 on the season and were crushed by the 17th placed Lions last week. The late out of Kade Simpson really hurt and they’ll need him back asap. While the Saints were no match for the Power last week, they’re still in better form to beat the Blues. They beat the Demons by 2 points previously and St Kilda has won the last 3 against the Blues. The last 2 at Etihad have been under 39 points, so take 1-39 for value.
Stadium Record
In 2018, the Saints are 1-5 (1 draw) at Etihad Stadium. This season, the Blues are 0-3 at Etihad Stadium.
Head to Head Record
The Saints hold a 7-6 record against the Blues.
Best Bet
Hawthorn Hawks v Brisbane Lions
Saturday, July 14 1:45pm, York Park
The Hawks are sitting in the top 8 and they’ll look to stay there with a win over the Lions. The home side is 4-1 in their last 5 and thrashed the Bulldogs by 63 points last week. However, the Lions are coming into this clash with some of their best form. They’ve smashed the Dockers and Blues in back to back weeks. They also crushed the Hawks by 56 points in May at the Gabba. I think the Luke Hodge factor helps them setup defensively against his former side and I can see a close encounter. Despite the Lions poor record in Tassie, their current form is looking great. Lions at the line.
Stadium Record
The Hawks are 3-0 this season and Brisbane have a 0-6 record here since 2010.
Head to Head Record
The Hawks hold a 8-1 record against the Lions.
Best Bet
Melbourne Demons v Western Bulldogs
Saturday, July 14 4:35pm, MCG
The Demons and the Bulldogs battle in AFL action at the MCG on Saturday. The two sides met at Etihad in June with the Demons running out 49 point winners. They’re coming off a 54 point win over the Dockers and the Bulldogs were no match for the Hawks in the end, going down by 63 points. In this matchup, the Demons midfield is going to be hard to stop and Max Gawn should enjoy another easy matchup in the ruck.
Stadium Record
In 2018, the Demons hold a 2-5 record at MCG. The Bulldogs haven't played at the MCG this season.
Head to Head Record
Since 2010, the Bulldogs are 8-4 against the Demons.
Best Bet
Gold Coast Suns v Essendon Bombers
Saturday, July 14 7:25pm, Metricon Stadium
The woeful Suns meet the Bombers in AFL footy on Saturday night on the Gold Coast. This is likely going to be another tough matchup for the Suns. Injuries just keep haunting them and they’ve lost 6 straight home games. On the other hand, the Bombers are 3-0 in away games and been playing well lately. They’ve won 5 of their last 7 and took it up to the Magpies last week in a gallant loss. The Suns have lost 3 in a row by 30+, so Bombers at the line.
Stadium Record
This season, the Suns are 0-3 at Metricon Stadium. The Bombers are 2-2 at Metricon in their history.
Head to Head Record
The Bombers are 6-2 against the Suns since 2010.
Best Bet
GWS Giants v Richmond Tigers
Saturday, July 14 7:25pm, Spotless Stadium
Round 17 continues with the Giants hosting the Tigers at Spotless Stadium on Saturday. The Tigers were again impressive in a 103-56 victory over the Crows at the MCG. They rank 2nd in the AFL for points scored (97.4) and also rank highly (2nd) for points against. For the Giants, they have a 4-1 win-loss record in their last 5 matches. They also beat the Tigers by 3 points in the last meeting here. However, they miss Jeremy Cameron up forward and they will face a tough ask against the Tigers defence. In their last 5 losses, 4 have been against top 8 sides. So I can’t see them beating the well-structured Richmond Tigers.
Stadium Record
In 2018, the Giants hold a 3-2 record at Spotless Stadium. The Tigers haven't played at Spotless Stadium since Round 9, 2017, which they lost by 3 points against the Giants.
Head to Head Record
The Tigers hold a 7-2 record against the Giants.
Best Bet
Collingwood Magpies v West Coast Eagles
Sunday, July 15 1:10pm, MCG
The Magpies and Eagles will face off at the MCG on Sunday. This should be an absolute blockbuster as both sides sit in the top four. However, the Magpies home form is hard to back against and the Eagles aren’t the best when travelling to the ‘G. Since 2016, they’re 2-4 here and limped over the line against Carlton in April, 79-69. The Magpies are looking for their 8th straight win and have also won the last 2 against the Eagles. The lack of forward power for the Eagles is the concern with Kennedy and Darling on the sidelines. So get on the hot Pies in another 1-39 victory.
Stadium Record
In 2018, the Magpies hold a 6-4 record at MCG and the Eagles are 1-0. Which they won against the Blues by 10 points.
Head to Head Record
The Magpies hold a 9-4 record against the Eagles.
Best Bet
North Melbourne Kangaroos v Sydney Swans
Sunday, July 15 3:20pm, Etihad Stadium
Etihad Stadium sees the Kangaroos and the Swans meet on Sunday. The Swans are coming off 2 straight losses against top 8 sides and the Roos beat them 68-66 at the SCG in Round 7. However, Buddy was missing on that occasion and he should help the Swans to victory. They beat them 120-78 at Etihad in the last meeting at this venue. North has played 3 straight at Etihad, where they barely smashed the woeful Suns, allowed 125 points against the Bombers and only beat the Dogs by 2. Sydney has a great record here and I expect them to be desperate after a few losses.
Stadium Record
This season, the Kangaroos are 5-3 at Etihad Stadium and the Swans are 2-1.
Head to Head Record
Dating back to 2010, the Swans are 10-3 against the Kangaroos.
Best Bet
Fremantle Dockers v Port Adelaide Power
Sunday, July 15 4:40pm, Optus Stadium
AFL football concludes with the Dockers playing the Power at Optus Stadium in this clash. Port is coming off 5 straight wins and should have no trouble against the Dockers. They’re missing Nat Fyfe and Sandilands, which has shown in two straight 50+ point losses. Sitting 4th on the ladder, this a key percentage booster for the Power as they look for a home final. They’ve also pumped the Dockers in the last 2 meetings by an average of 69 points. Power at the line, which is low at just 22 points.
Stadium Record
This season, the Dockers are 5-3 at Optus Stadium. The Power are 0-1 at Optus Stadium as they lost against the Eagles by 42 points.
Head to Head Record
The Dockers are 8-5 against the Power since 2010.
Best Bet
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