Hawthorn v Sydney
MCG
Friday 20 May, 7:50pm
In light of the devastating personal health issues surrounding triple-premiership star Jarryd Roughead, it feels inappropriate to preview this match between Hawthorn ($1.62) and Sydney ($2.30). But while everyone hopes for the best possible outcome for Roughead, the show will go on this week. It should be a highly entertaining contest between two clubs which have enjoyed a fierce rivalry in recent years. All eyes will be on Lance Franklin, who is in arguably career best form and will undoubtedly want to produce a big performance against his old side. The Hawks are a great side but I feel the off field dramas of this week could have a draining effect on the side, and understandably so. The Swans on the other hand will look to rebound hard after a shock loss to Richmond.
Best Bet: Sydney 1 – 24 ($4.00)
Collingwood v Geelong
MCG
Saturday 21 May, 1:45pm
Geelong ($1.16) are in some exciting form at the moment and face a Collingwood ($5.20) side fresh off a confidence boosting win over Brisbane. While the Magpies will have its tails up, it is hard to see them having enough firepower to get the points in this match. With Selwood and Dangerfield doing as they please through the midfield, the Cats should be too strong in this match.
Best Bet: Geelong 1 – 39 ($2.36)
Gold Coast v Adelaide
Metricon Stadium
Saturday 21 May, 2:10pm
The Gold Coast Suns ($14) are in a world of trouble at the moment and face Adelaide ($1.02) at home at Metricon Stadium. Compounding the Suns’ issues will be the absence of Aaron Hall and Gary Ablett through the midfield. Stranger things have happened, but surely this will be an easy win to the Crows.
Best Bet: Adelaide 40+ ($1.34)
Port Adelaide v West Coast
Adelaide Oval
Saturday 21 May, 4:35pm
There is no sugar-coating it, Port Adelaide ($2.85) are struggling badly. The Power has gone backwards since its meteoric rise up the ladder in 2013 and 2014 and are struggling to get consistent efforts out of their top-line players. West Coast ($1.42) looked dominant last week, easily disposing of a disappointing St Kilda outfit in Perth. But question marks remain over their ability to win away from home and I suggest that they will be out to prove a point this week.
Best Bet: West Coast 40+ ($4.00)
North Melbourne v Carlton
Etihad Stadium
Saturday 21 May, 7:25pm
North Melbourne ($1.23) are sitting comfortably at the top of the ladder yet to record a loss and will look to continue the streak against Carlton ($4.00) on Saturday night. Confidence is an amazing thing in football and the Blues will be riding high with four wins on the trot. But the Roos have proven to be a quality outfit this season and the trio of Ben Brown, Drew Petrie and former Blue Jarrod Waite will be too much for Carlton to contain.
Best Bet: North Melbourne 40+ ($2.50)
Fremantle v Richmond
Subiaco Oval
Saturday 21 May, 7:40pm
When discussing the disappointments of 2016, Fremantle ($2.10) are right at the top of the list. The Dockers are yet to win a game this season but they still possess plenty of talent on paper. Inside midfielder Lachie Neale is clearly not distracted by the contract talk and is racking up possessions at will this season. The Tigers ($1.74) will go in confident and apart from a shocking effort against West Coast earlier this year, they normally play well on the bigger ground. Eventually the Dockers will break through for a win and this week could be it.
Best Bet: Fremantle 1 – 39 ($2.50)
Melbourne v Brisbane
MCG
Sunday 22 May, 1:10pm
It must be a pleasant sight for Melbourne ($1.16) supporters to see their side go into a match as heavy favourites. Their opponent, the Brisbane Lions ($5.20), are a basket case at the present and you could not tip them with any confidence. Max Gawn and Jack Viney are proving to be a devastating combination for opposition midfielders and will run riot again on Sunday.
Best Bet: Melbourne 40+ ($2.02)
GWS v Western Bulldogs
Spotless Stadium
Sunday 22 May, 3:20pm
The game between Greater Western Sydney ($1.44) and Western Bulldogs ($2.80) shapes as one of the matches of the round with two youthful sides playing a fast brand of football. The Giants are the talk of the football world at the moment and are establishing themselves as a genuine premiership contender. But the Bulldogs have not done a lot wrong this year. Losing a couple of key running players from the back half has wiped a bit of polish from the side but the boys from the Western Oval have produced creditable performances in recent weeks. Look for a fast-paced game with the Dogs winning in a shootout.
Best Bet: Western Bulldogs 1 – 39 ($3.35)
St Kilda v Essendon
MCG
Sunday 22 May, 4:40pm
After a terribly disappointing performance last weekend, St Kilda ($1.18) will be desperate to make amends against a young Essendon ($4.80) side. The Saints were well below par over in the west but have enough young talent in the team to play a solid brand of football, as evidenced against Hawthorn and Melbourne earlier this year. The Bombers have played with heart this season but I cannot see them getting the points here.
Best Bet: St Kilda 40+ ($4.80)
