Brisbane Lions vs Collingwood Magpies
April 18th (Thursday 7.35pm) Gabba
This game looks like an absolute cracker. It is the first time since 2010 that the Brisbane Lions have sold out the GABBA for an AFL game. They are in good form but last week got shown up by a good Bombers side on the MCG. The Pies welcome back Dayne Beams who returns to face his old side and you can expect some boos from the Brisbane fans as Beams left in a way that wasn’t liked by the Brisbane people. The Lions knocked off the Eagles in round 1 and I expect them to fire up and knock off the Pies. Their run will be to strong for the Pies and the crowd will get them over the line. I am also tipping a low scoring game.
Head to Head Record
Collingwood has won the last 5 games vs the Lions
Best Bet
Lions win $2.30
Lions +8.5 $1.90
Round 5
North Melbourne Kangaroos Vs Essendon Bombers
April 19th (Friday 4.20pm) Marvel
The Kangaroos got on the winning sheet last week with a come from behind win vs Adelaide. Big positive to come out of the game was Ben Brown forward line presence. He was unstoppable and if he is on again it will go along way for the Kangaroos to beat the Bombers. The Bombers on the other hand smashed the Lions with their midfield dominating the Lions younger mids. Dylan Shiel had a field day collecting over 25 disposals. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti kicked 7 goals in a career high. He is proving to be one of the most damaging small forwards in the game. If this game was played at the MCG I would have said the Bombers by 6 goals but it is at Marvel Stadium and the Kangaroos play this ground very well. Tipping an upset here with the Kangaroos winning.
H2H
Bombers won both games vs the Kangaroos last year
Best Bet
Kangaroos win $2.30
Kangaroos +8.5 $1.90
West Coast Eagles vs Port Adelaide Power
April 19th (Friday 6.10pm) Optus Stadium
Friday night football in the West will be a cracker. Scott Lycett returns to face his old side so he can expect some boos or maybe some cheers as he was a hero last year in the Eagles flag winning side. The Eagles got the job done last week vs the Dockers and welcome back Lewis Jetta who missed last week with calf tightness. The Power on the other hand lost to a depleted Richmond side and will look to bounce back away from home. They have made a big statement in dropping Stephen Motlop who has been out of form this year. Eagles will be to strong in front of their home crowd which is expected to be a sell out.
H2H
The Eagles have won 4 of the last 5 games vs the Power
Best bet
Eagles 1-39 $2.12
Greater Western Sydney vs Fremantle Dockers
April 20th (Saturday 1.45pm) UNSW Stadium
Unbelievable win last week for the Giants in Geelong. First time they have beaten the Cats in Geelong and they had to do it with a host of stars out. Only negative from the game is that captain Callan Ward will miss the rest of the season, he tore his ACL in the first quarter of last week game. The Giants head to Canberra where they love playing in front of their second supporter bass. The Dockers last week game the Eagles a run for their money and nearly snatched the game from the Eagles. They welcome back captain Nat Fyfe from a concussion who will help their chances this weekend. Giants will be to strong in the nations capital.
H2H
The Giants have won the last 4 games vs the Dockers
Best bet
Fremantle +36.5 $1.90
Giants 1-39 $2.30
Melbourne Demons vs St Kilda Saints
April 20th (Saturday 4.35pm) MCG
This fixture has always been a dangerous game for the Demons in recent years. The Saints have had the wood over the Demons in recent fixtures but last weeks game vs the Swans gives me confidence that the Demons could be back to their 2018 form. They drop Billy Stretch and welcome back Jordan Lewis who will straighten them up from the back line. The Saints last week came back from 17 points down to beat the Hawks in a thriller at Marvel Stadium. The game this weekend will be won in the midfield with both teams having quality players running through the midfield. The Saints will benefit from the return of Jack Steven.
H2H
Saints won last year game at the MCG by 3 points
Best bet
Demons -15.5 $1.90
Richmond Tigers vs Sydney Swans
April 20th (Saturday 7.25pm) Marvel Stadium
Footy fans were outraged that this game is being played at Marvel Stadium and I agree. Two teams that pull a crowd should be played at the MCG. The Swans were woeful last week vs the Demons and their pain is going to last another week with the Tigers back to their best with a gutsy 4 point win over the Power missing their star players. They welcome back Dustin Martin who missed last week game vs Port due to suspension. He will want to make it up to his players, I would be worried if I was a Sydney midfielder. Tom Lynch looked in great touch last week vs the Power booting 6 goals and carrying his side over the line for a very tough win.
H2H
The Tigers have won 3 of the last 5 games vs the Swans
Best bet
Tigers -15.5 $1.90
Tigers +40 $3.60
Western Bulldogs vs Carlton Blues
April 21st (Sunday 1.10pm) Marvel Stadium
If you were a Carlton fan last week you would of had permission to break the tv remote when your side conceded a goal with 14 seconds to go vs the Gold Coast. Don’t give up yet, there were good signs from the younger players and this week I am tipping an upset vs the Dogs. The Dogs pushed the Pies to the last qtr last friday night but again were outclassed by a top 4 side. I see this game as a danger game for the Dogs again with the Blues welcoming back Matthew Kruzer who will give the Blues mids first use of the footy. Blues in a nail bitter.
H2H
The Bulldogs have won the last 5 games vs the Blues
Best bet
Blues win $3.15
Blues +18.5 $1.90
Adelaide Crows vs Gold Coast Suns
April 21st (Sunday 4.10pm) Adelaide Oval
Danger signs are starting to creep in to the Crows side that promised so much. They let slip a 20 point lead last week vs the Kangaroos and looked slow and weak at times. Josh Jenkins the biggest player on the ground looked disinterested and has been attacked in the media all week so expect a fired up Jenkins. The Suns got a lucky win vs the Blues last week which will give their younger players a lot of confidence but It will be too much of an ask for them to go to Adelaide and knock off a side I think will still play finals.
H2H
Crows have won the last 5 games vs the Suns
Best bet
Crows -27.5 $1.90
Crows +40 $2.40
Hawthorn Hawks vs Geelong Cats
April 22nd (Sunday 3.20pm) MCG
Both teams coming off a loss last weekend. The Cats went down to the Giants in a coming they should of won being up by 20 points at three quarter time. The Hawks lost to the Saints giving up a 17 point lead in the last quarter. This game on the Easter monday has always been a tough contest which always brings a thrilling contest. The Cats were the form team of the comp before losing last weekend and maybe that is what they need to get their minds back on the task ahead. The Cats mids will be too classy for the Hawks and will look to over power them early. Hawks welcome back O’Meara who just signed a long term contract with the Hawks till 2022
H2H
Hawks have won the last 2 games vs the Cats
Best bet
Cats 1-39 $2.10
