Essendon Bombers v Sydney Swans
Friday, July 27 7:50pm, Etihad Stadium
Friday night footy will finally see a decent matchup as the Bombers host the Swans at Etihad. The Swans went to sleep after the 1st quarter last week and the Suns made them pay, winning by 4 goals. The Bombers got the job done against the Dockers but again, weren’t overly impressive. The Swans have enjoyed playing the Bombers since 2012 as they’ve won 8 straight, including a thrilling win on Friday night footy last season (otherwise known as the Gary Rohan game). So despite their performance last week, they seem to play well after a bad loss. When they lost to the Cats the SCG, they headed to this venue and knocked off the Roos by a goal. So I think they can rebound with a close victory. Franklin's favourite team to play against is Essendon and he should be the difference maker in this clash.
Stadium Record
This season, the Bombers hold a 4-2 record at Etihad Stadium. In 2018, the Swans are 3-1 at Etihad Stadium.
Head to Head Record
The Swans hold a 10-1 record against the Bombers.
Best Bet
Richmond Tigers v Collingwood Magpies
Saturday, July 28 1:45pm, MCG
The game of the round and maybe a potential Grand Final preview will see the Tigers play the Magpies at the ‘G. The Tigers will aim for an incredible 11th win in a row at the home of the AFL in 2018. They dominated the Pies in Round 6 at this venue with a 43 point victory. However, the Magpies are in better form at the moment. They’ve won 8 of their last 10 and smashed the Roos by 66 last week. So while I see the Tigers winning a close one, the Magpies at the line should be the best bet. They hold a 5-1 record at the MCG and should keep this one closer compared to Round 6.
Stadium Record
The Tigers are 10-0 and the Magpies are 7-5 at the MCG this season.
Head to Head Record
The Magpies hold a 6-5 record against the Tigers since 2010.
Best Bet
Geelong Cats v Brisbane Lions
Saturday, July 28 2:10pm, Kardinia Park
The Cats are back at Kardinia Park after a stunning comeback victory last week. Down 29 points against the Dees in the last quarter, Tom Hawkins dominated and Zach Tuohy nailed a set shot after the siren. Despite the win, they still fell out of the top 8 and this will be another key 4 points on offer. The Lions are really starting to show improvement after 3 wins in their last 4. They were close to beating the Crows last week and they trashed the Hawks in their last away game. They really don’t have a great record in Geelong and they’ve beaten them just once since 2010. So with more to play for in terms of finals, the Cats should get over the line by 1-39.
Stadium Record
In 2018, the Cats are 5-1 at Kardinia Park. This is the first game for the Lions at Kardinia Park since Round 3, 2016, which they lost by 69 points against the Cats.
Head to Head Record
The Cats hold a 11-1 record against the Lions.
Best Bet
GWS Giants v St Kilda Saints
Saturday, July 28 4:35pm, Spotless Stadium
The Giants are back at Spotless and will take on the struggling Saints. With GWS sitting 6th on the ladder, they really need to dominate a 15th placed side and gain percentage. Over the last 2 weeks, they’ve beaten the Power in Adelaide and outlasted the Tigers at this venue 79-77. The Saints just lost to the Tigers by 54 points. In this matchup, the Giants midfield will be hard to stop and that should see them win by 40+.
Stadium Record
This season, the Giants hold a 4-2 record at Spotless Stadium. This is the first game for the Saints at Spotless Stadium since Round 15, 2015, which they lost by 35 points against the Giants.
Head to Head Record
The Saints hold a 4-3 (1 draw) record against the Giants.
Best Bet
Gold Coast Suns v Carlton Blues
Saturday, July 28 7:25pm, Metricon Stadium
The two worst sides in the AFL by ladder position meet on the Gold Coast in this matchup. However, credit must go to the Gold Coast Suns for finally ending their losing streak last week as they caused a massive upset in Sydney. So that should give them the confidence to punish the dreadful Blues. The end of the season can’t come quicker for a side that is so low on form. They also lost a few key players last week in Fisher and Jones. They’ve lost 3 in a row by 60+ and I can’t see the Suns dropping an easy 4 points at home.
Stadium Record
This season, the Suns hold a 0-4 record at Metricon Stadium. This is the first game for the Blues at Metricon Stadium since Round 13, 2017 and they won that game by 10 points.
Head to Head Record
Since 2010, the Blues are 5-4 against the Suns.
Best Bet
Adelaide Crows v Melbourne Demons
Saturday, July 28 7:40pm, Adelaide Oval
This is a huge matchup between the Crows and Demons at the Adelaide Oval. The Crows are starting to find form after 3 wins in their last 4 as they push for a top 8 position. Meanwhile, another close loss for the Demons last week mean’s this is a must win game for their hopes of finals for the first time since 2006. These two sides met in Round 10 and the Demons ran riot with a 91 point win. They should be motivated after last week’s collapse and I think they respond with a close win this time-around.
Stadium Record
In 2018, the Crows are 6-3 at Adelaide Oval. This season, the Demons are 0-1 at Adelaide Oval. Which they lost against the Power in Round 14.
Head to Head Record
Dating back to 2010, the Crows are 6-5 against the Demons.
Best Bet
North Melbourne Kangaroos v West Coast Eagles
Sunday, July 29 1:10pm, Bellerive Oval
AFL action on Sunday begins in Tasmania with the Kangaroos facing the Eagles. The home side’s top 8 hopes are hanging by a thread after a 1-3 record in their last 4. They were no match for the Pies last week in a 130-64 crushing defeat. In contrast, the Eagles have re-captured their form with 3 straight wins. They have also won 3 in a row against the Roos. The trip to Tassie shouldn’t worry them as they dominated the Magpies at the MCG in Round 17. So get on the Eagles here.
Stadium Record
In 2018, the Kangaroos are 2-0 at Bellerive Oval. The Eagles haven't played at Bellerive Oval since Round 10, 2015 and they lost that game by 10 points versus the Kangaroos.
Head to Head Record
Since 2010, the Eagles are 8-4 against the Kangaroos.
Best Bet
Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide Power
Sunday, July 29 3:20pm, Mars Stadium
Mars Stadium gets another AFL game as the Bulldogs host the Power. Both sides have been disappointing recently but the Power have more to play for. They’re sitting 5th on the ladder but they’re coming into this one after 2 poor losses. Against the Giants and Dockers, they’ve scored under 60 points in both and will need to take advantage of the Bulldogs defence. They rank 17th in the AFL for points allowed. Scoring is also a major concern for the Dogs as they’ve been held under 70 points in their last 3. So in the end, the Power need to win this but these two sides should play in a low scoring affair based on their form at the moment.
Stadium Record
This season, the Bulldogs hold a 1-0 record at Mars Stadium. They beat the Suns by 9 points. This is the first game for the Power at Mars Stadium since Round 22, 2017 and they won that game by 17 points.
Head to Head Record
The Bulldogs are 6-4 against the Power.
Best Bet
Fremantle Dockers v Hawthorn Hawks
Sunday, July 29 4:40pm, Optus Stadium
The round will conclude at Optus Stadium as the Dockers host the Hawks. Hawthorn has everything to play for as they sit 8th on the ladder. They have a good run form so they can still finish top 4, which starts with this matchup against the Dockers. They have the wood over Freo with 4 wins in a row. At the moment, the Dockers are a rebuilding team and also miss Nat Fyfe. So the difference should be the Hawks attack taking advantage of the Dockers young defence. They rank 3rd in the AFL for points scored on the road and they’ve scored 120+ in their last 2 wins. So Hawks at the line.
Stadium Record
This season, the Dockers hold a 6-3 record at Optus Stadium. This is the first game for the Hawks at Optus Stadium.
Head to Head Record
The Hawks are 11-2 against the Dockers since 2010.
Best Bet
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