It has been a generally tricky season thus far for tipsters and Round Six is not different with a few games shaping to throw footy pundits off course.
The round kicks off with an absolute blockbuster between North Melbourne ($1.84) and Western Bulldogs ($1.97) on Friday night. The battle between first and second shapes as one of the matches of the season to date and it is very difficult to tip a winner in this one. However the Bulldogs are the Etihad Stadium specialists and for that reason alone I feel as though there is a slight advantage. But the Roos certainly have an advantage in attack with three key forwards threatening to test the undersized Western Bulldogs defence.
Best Bet – Western Bulldogs 1-39 ($2.54)
Adelaide Crows ($1.07) look set to continue Fremantle’s ($8.20) horror start to the season when the two clubs face off at Adelaide Oval on Saturday. The Crows are a fiercely attacking side while Ross Lyon’s men traditionally strangle opposition teams with their defence. However it has been much easier to score against the Dockers this season and expect the Crows to win comfortably.
Best Bet – Adelaide 40-59 ($3.50)
Melbourne ($1.81) will play a home game at Etihad Stadium against St Kilda ($2) on Saturday afternoon. This is a very tricky game to predict with the Demons in red hot form, thanks largely to midfield dynamo Jack Viney. But you get the feeling the Saints are due for a big performance sooner rather than later and it has been a long time since the Demons have won three on the trot.
Best Bet – St Kilda 1-39 ($2.46)
Greater Western Sydney ($1.99) host reigning premiers Hawthorn ($1.82) at Spotless Stadium on Saturday in another contender for match of the round. The Giants are in scintillating form at the moment but face its biggest test of the season in the Hawks. But opposition teams have seemingly found a chink in Hawthorn’s armour in previous weeks with the brown and gold side having to fight hard to get the four points. But a win is a win and good teams know how to do just enough to secure victory.
Best Bet – Hawthorn 1-39 ($2.36)
Geelong ($1.08) take on the Gold Coast Suns ($7.90) in a rare night fixture at Simmons Stadium. The Cats start at short-priced favourite and deservedly so when you boast a midfield duo of Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood. But do not rule out the Suns in this one with big man Tom Lynch in the form of his career. The Cats should do enough to win but they will not have it all their own way.
Best Bet – Geelong 1-39 ($2.85)
It will be the battle of the under-performing sides on Saturday night when Richmond ($1.38) faces off against a depleted Port Adelaide ($3). The pressure will be even further intensified on either of these sides should they lose, but especially the Tigers with a number of big name players out for their opposition.
Best Bet – Richmond 1-19 ($3.50)
An impressive looking Sydney ($1.17) outfit will travel to the Gabba to take on Brisbane Lions ($5) on Sunday. The Lions certainly lift a cog when playing in front of a home crowd but the Swans have started the season in immaculate form and shape as one of the early premiership contenders.
Best Bet – Sydney 60+ ($3.90)
Two traditional rivals will face off on Sunday at the MCG when Carlton ($1.40) meet Essendon ($2.90). There will not be many times this season where the navy blues start as the favourite but a win last week should give the side enough confidence to beat the Bombers.
Best Bet – Carlton wire-to-wire ($2.25)
In the final game of Round Six it will be West Coast ($1.06) starting as short-priced favourite against Collingwood ($8.90). On paper the Magpies are not as bad as some may think and the absence of key forward Travis Cloke makes their attacking movements unpredictable for opposition defences. With that being said, it is hard to see the Eagles losing.
Best Bet – West Coast 1-19 ($7)
