Round 13
Gold Coast Suns vs Carlton Blues
Friday (21st August 7.50) TIO Stadium
Indigenous rounds starts with a bang with two teams that are on the rise and I am looking forward to these two sides having a real crack up in the NT. The Blues had a famous win last weekend vs the Dockers thanks to a Jack Newnes after the siren goal to break the Dockers hearts. While the Suns pushed the flag favourites all the way in a fiery contest. I watched the Suns vs Tigers game and to be honest the Suns looked tired and the Tigers had all the ball in the second half. They need to be on their game this weekend vs the Blues or the Blues will get away early. The Blues have been playing good footy but they need to beat the Suns this weekend in a game they should win. The Suns midfield needs to lift early or Cripps will run riot. I am tipping an upset and going with the young Suns in a tight contest. Suns by 10+
H2H
Blues have won three of the last five games vs the Suns
Best bet
Suns +9.5 $1.90
Suns win $2.52
Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne Demons
Saturday (22st August 1.45) Metricon Stadium
Two teams fighting for that final top 8 spot and this game looks to be a cracker on the Gold Coast. The Doggies have been playing good footy over the last few weeks and had it all their own way last week vs the Crows. I would still like to see cleaner ball when going forward they just bomb it long and hope for the best. Lachie Hunter had a good game last weekend and boy did he need it after a few off field incidents this year. The Demons on the other hand are up and about and would love nothing more than to knock the Dogs off on a Saturday. They are stringing some good performances together and there midfield is on fire and if that engine room gets going they will be hard to stop today. Like the Dogs they still struggle to kick a score due to not having a key forward. Will be tough for the Dees today with no Gawn but I believe they can win this game and move into the top 8. Dees by 8 for me today.
H2H
Melbourne have won three of the last five games vs the Bulldogs
Best bet
Demons +3.5 $1.90
Demons win $2.05
Port Adelaide Power vs Hawthorn Hawks
Saturday (22st August 4.35) Adelaide Oval
Port need to win this game and by a big margin they have been poor over the last month but are hanging on for dear life for a top 2 spot. Charlie Dixon in my opinion is overrated and the Power need more out of him in the lead up to finals. Sure he gets his hands to the ball and makes a few contests but if you want to be a Power forward in this comp you need to kick big scores. Today the Power come up against a Hawks side who needs to find some of its mojo asap they are in all sorts and it looks like they are due for a big clean out. Omera and Mitchell need to lead this side in the midfield and try and get some ball for their forwards. They have been really poor and during the week they were labelled the nice guys of the AFL, this would anger coach Clarkson who has made an effort of his side being the unsociable Hawks over the glory years. I can’t tip against the Power today and I think they will win by a big score.
H2H
Hawks have won three of the last five games vs the Power
Best bet
Power -25.5 $1.90
Essendon Bombers vs Richmond Tigers
Saturday (22st August 7.45) TIO Stadium
Great to see that the dream time game will be played up in the NT this year and expect this game to be a fiery contest. The Tigers through the week have been bashed pillar to post over the way Tom Lynch is behaving on a footy field. I must have forgotten that Footy games are won on popularity and how nice you are to your opponent. Tom Lynch keep doing what you are doing. It is a contact sport. Tigers look good on paper tonight and I think will be too tough for the Bombers. Tigers have stars all over the ground and will look to put this game to bed early if they can get Lynch clean ball out of the middle. Dusty is just tracking along nicely and will look to get on the score ball this week and dominate this game. It is a big game and usually Dusty brings his best for these contests. Tipping the Tigers by 25+
H2H
Tigers have won five of the last five games vs the Bombers
Best bet
Tigers -25.5 $1.90
Fremantle Dockers vs Sydney Swans
Saturday (22st August 8.10) Optus Stadium
On paper this game doesn't look great at all but I think it will be a cracker. Both sides are having a go and playing some real competitive footy. The Dockers last week yes I will say they were robbed so look for them to come out guns blazing in this one in one of their final games in Perth for season 2020. The Swans had a famous win last weekend against their cross town rivals in the Giants. They were all over them from the start and looked unstoppable when going forward. The Dockers defence has been quite good this year not giving up big scores and playing a relaxed style of defence that has been setting up their attack. This game will be a battle of the youngsters. I am tipping a Dockers win but expect the Swans to come out led by Papley and give everything they’ve got.
H2H
Sydney have won three of the last five games vs the Fremantle
Best bet
Freo $1.50
Freo -8.5 $1.90
Adelaide Crows vs Geelong Cats
Sunday (23rd August 1.05) Adelaide Oval
Big game this weekend for the Crows as it is their favourite son Taylor Walker 200th game for the club. Has given a lot over the years to this club and led them through a horrible patch with the passing of Phil Walsh. I hope the Crows show some fight for the big Texan today and put in a four qtr effort. I can’t see them beating a red hot Cats side who are in some great form led by big Tom Hawkins who at the moment can’t miss in front of goal. If he can kicks a bag today the Cats will win by 60+ and Hawkins might have won himself the Coleman medal. The Cat's engine room has been the driving force this year and if it gets going early this game could get messy. Dangerfield up against his old side would love nothing more than going crazy and have a very big day. I like the Crows line as +39.5 is way too much for a footy game and they should show up for the big Texan!!!
H2H
Crows have won three of the last five games vs the Cats
Best bet
Crows +39.5 $1.90
Brisbane Lions vs St Kilda Saints
Sunday (23rd August 3.35) Gabba
Two top four teams are going at it today and this looks like a cracking game. The Saints have been playing some fast and energetic footy which has helped them get into the top 4 this year but they come up against a Brisbane side who are going a little better. They look very classy and unstoppable at their home ground. They are pushing for that top 2 spot and a chance to get two home finals and even the grand final being played in Brisbane, this could be their best opportunity to win a Grand Final ever. The Saints need a big day from its ruck department, if Ryder and Battle can get up top early and give their mids clean ball they can win this game. Jack Steele needs to lead this side from the middle. Has been in awesome touch and could get his side over the line today. I am going the Lions line as it is at the Gabba and the Lions are rocking.
H2H
Saints have won four of the last five games vs the Lions
Best bet
Lions -15.5 $1.90
West Coast Eagles vs GWS Giants
Sunday (23rd August 6.10) Optus Stadium
Sunday footy rounds out in the West and boy oh boy this game looks a ripper. The Eagles are flying at the moment and have not lost in seven rounds. Today they come up against a Giants side who badly needs a win. They have been smashed in the media the last couple of weeks for not showing effort or hunger for the ball and look slow and tired. Well they get their biggest asset back today in Toby Greene. When Greene plays the Giants play well he is their superstar and the Giants boys lift when he is in the side. Look for Zac Williams to use his running game this week as he will really enjoy the big ground of Optus Stadium. The Eagles have two key forwards who are in sync at the moment so the Giants will need to beat Darling and Kennedy to have any chance of winning this game. O’Neil comes in for the Eagles to make his debut. Eagles 1-39 looks a good bet for this game.
H2H
Eagles have won three of the last five games vs the Giants
Best bet
Eagles 1-39 $1.85
Collingwood Magpies vs North Melbourne Kangaroos
Monday (24th August 7.05) Gabba
Round 13 ends in the Sunshine State for a game the Pies must win to keep their finals chances alive. Haven’t been in the best form lately and a few injuries have hurt this side who many had as their flag favourites. They come up against a Kangaroos side who aren’t much chop in my opinion and look tired and very slow, you will get that when you play young players. The Gabba deck does suit the Pies and if they can get some long direct ball down to Mason Cox who is back this weekend they can kick a good score. It is a game the Pies should be winning and that is why I am taking on the line -15.5 they should cover that. The Roos fade in and out of games but their midfield has been a shining light this year as they have found a player in Jye Simpkin. Steele Sidebottom has told the Pies he is heading home to be with his partner and newborn. As mentioned before Cox is back for the Pies and he will need to have a good game to earn a new contract. Pies by 15.5+
H2H
Pies have won three of the last five games vs the Kangaroos
Best bet
Pies +15.5 $1.90
