Round 17 Preview
West Coast Eagles vs St Kilda Saints
Thursday (10th September 7.10pm) Gabba
Huge game tonight with 5th vs 6th in a game that if the Eagles lose they are out of the running for a top 4 spot which they badly need or it is hub life for them. They were unlucky last weekend vs the Dogs getting out to a four goal lead in the first qtr before the Dogs pegged them back and got away with a win. The Eagles midfield is injured and yes I mean they are all injured and the Eagles have had to make 5 changes this weekend. Big plus for them Nic Nat is back and when he has played the Eagles have played very well. They will need his ruck craft tonight to get over the Saints. The Saints had a solid win vs the Hawks last weekend and would love nothing more than to move above the Eagles in their quest for a finals appearance in a long time. I am tipping the Saints here as the Eagles are wounded and will have no run through the middle of the ground. At 2.30 I am having a throw at the stumps on the Eagles, Nic Nat back could spark a famous win.
H2H
The Eagles have won four of the last five games vs the Saints
Best bet
Eagles win $2.30
Eagles +6.5 $1.90
Geelong Cats vs Richmond Tigers
Friday (11th September 7.50pm) Metricon Stadium
Massive game tonight on the Gold Coast if the Tigers lose they might not finish in the top 4 as the Eagles won last night and if the Cats lose they can kiss their top 2 finish goodbye. Both teams are flying but I am in favour of the Cats they are playing some fast flowing football and Tom Hawkins can’t miss he is on fire and looks like he will finish the Coleman medal on top. If the Cats can get him the ball in the forward line he doesn’t miss at the moment. Down the other end the Tigers have Tom Lynch who is also in great form and not many defenders can out mark him or spoil him at the moment, throw Dusty down there for his casual 3 goals and it could be good night for the Cats. The game will be fast and rapid as both sides take the game on. Three changes for the Tigers while the Cats have dropped Jenkins and Gutherie which is surprising as I thought he was in a good touch of form. Going the Cats tonight in a close game.
H2H
The Tigers have won four of the last five games vs the Cats
Best bet
Cats win $1.68
Cats -4.5 $1.90
North Melbourne vs Fremantle Dockers
Saturday (12th September 2.10pm) Metricon Stadium
H2H
The Dockers have won three of the last five games vs the Kangaroos
Best bet
Port Adelaide Power vs Essendon Bombers
Saturday (12th September 5.10pm) Adelaide Oval
H2H
The Bombers have won three of the last five games vs the Power
Best bet
GWS Giants vs Melbourne Demons
Saturday (12th September 7.40pm) Gabba
H2H
The Demons have won three of the last five games vs the Giants
Best bet
Carlton Blues vs Adelaide Crows
Sunday (13th September 2.10pm) Metricon Stadium
The Byrce Gibbs cup will be played today. Gibbs gets to face his old side in what will be his last AFL game, a great career that in the last two seasons has gone down the drain. Such a wasted talent at the Crows, unreal skills and elite vision when going forward. Will be a good game today with the Crows winning two on the trot and will give themselves every chance to have a win today. They are yet to win away from Adelaide Oval. The Blues had a great victory last weekend coming from 39 points to beat the Swans in a weird game of footy. They need to tighten up their starts the Blues as they let teams kick a quick 5 goals and it could be all over. The midfield of the Blues are really starting to gel and will be a force next year with another pre season under their belts. I am tipping the Blues in a game that will have a bit of feeling in it early on.
H2H
The Crows have won three of the last five games vs the Blues
Best bet
Crows +18.5 $1.90
Hawthorn Hawks vs Western Bulldogs
Sunday (13th September 3.35pm) Adelaide Oval
Hawks are scraping the bottom of the ladder and a loss here will put them into 15th position and that’s not the Hawthorn way. They need to show their fans that they can still fight in season 2020. They haven’t been playing the worst football they just have these really bad qtrs and it goes all belly up for them. They need their midfield to fire up and take the game on like they were doing in season 2018, the run and carry was unreal. The Dogs had a great victory last weekend vs the Eagles and will look to take that form into this game. The Bont was incredible last weekend and if the Hawks are any chance they need to stop him early on. He can open up a game in seconds. I am tipping the Dogs by 15+
H2H
The Hawks have won three of the last five games vs the Bulldogs
Best bet
Hawks +19.5 $1.90
Sydney Swans vs Brisbane Lions
Sunday (13th September 6.10pm) Cairns Stadium
Interesting game here with the Swans being very fast starters but with the younger side they have been falling away at the end of games. If they can get the jump on the Lions early they can make this game very interesting for a Sunday afternoon. The Lions are going through their gears at the moment and will look to post a big score to secure some much needed percentage heading into the last week of the season. I have been very impressed with the Lions defence and the set up they create from the back half. Daniel Rich has been elite with his skills over the years but this year has gone to another level. The Cairns stadium is a funny one with a big breeze always going to one way of the ground. Whoever gets that in the first qtr can set up their game plan. Lions by 20+ for me.
H2H
The Swans have won four of the last five games vs the Lions
Best bet
Lions -16.5 $1.90
Lions 40+ $4.20
Collingwood Magpies vs Gold Coast Suns
Monday (14th September 7.10pm) Gabba
H2H
The Pies have won five of the last five games vs the Suns
Best bet
