AFL Round 18
Fremantle Dockers vs Geelong Cats, Optus Stadium, July 15th, 8.10pm
The Dockers are in the 8 which I can’t believe I am saying because I think they play some of the most boring and uninspired brand of football in the comp. The results have fallen their way and they are magically above cross town rivals the Eagles as well. They come up against a powerhouse in the Cats and this game is their biggest test of Season 2021. Nat Fyfe is playing some good footy and was leading from the front last weekend to beat the Hawks in Tassie. They will appreciate getting back to their home ground this Thursday and will look to get an upset win. The Cats are storming towards September and everything is gelling nicely for this side. They took care of Carlton last weekend and will look to take that form over to the West. Cats @1.80 is overs they will do a number on the Dockers tonight. Will be tough to stop their forwards if they get a sniff.
Head 2 Head
Cats have won the last three games vs the Dockers
Best bet
Cats win $1.80
Richmond Tigers vs Brisbane Lions, MCG, July 16th 7.50pm
Can’t wait for this game on Friday night with two teams coming off bad losses last week but can still cause headaches if they make the eight. The Lions had a shocking loss to the Saints last weekend and it came at a cost with Eric Hipwood out for the year with an ACL injury. This is time Joe Daniher stands up and makes the forward line his own or it could be good bye Lions season. The Tigers are in no mans lands. Up by 20 points last weekend against the Pies and lose by 9 points. They look tired and some players are obviously carrying injuries, I would not write them off just yet. Big game for Jumping Jack this weekend as its his 300th . They need to get the ball quicker into the forward line with Tom Lynch down there. Look for Dusty to get on top in the middle. Tigers by 10+
Head 2 Head
Lions have won two the last three vs the Tigers
Best bet
Tigers win $2.75
Tigers +13.5 $1.90
St Kilda Saints vs Port Adelaide, Marvel Stadium, July 17th 1.45pm
Saints are riding high after some very good performances against some very tough opponents. Last weekends win versus the Lions on the Gold Coast had their 2020 fingerprints all over it. Tough footy from the start but weren’t afraid to take on the game through the middle. Zac Jones helped with his run and carry. The Power on the other hand are going backwards and some pressure is on Ken Hinckley 's 10th season with his best result being a prelim final, pressure is on. He doesn’t get enough out of Charlie Dixon and the pressure is really on him at the moment, went to water last weekend and for the money he is on, he really needs to do something. The Saints can sneak into the 8 this weekend if they beat the Power and I believe they will on Saturday night. Saints by 10+
Head 2 Head
Power have won two of the last three games vs the Saints
Best Bet
Saints win $1.90
Gold Coast Suns vs Western Bulldogs, Metricon, July 17th 4.35pm
Suns are flying high at the moment with two wins with victory against two good, hard sides. The Tigers win was their best and they will look to take that form into a game against a very tough opponent in the Bulldogs. The Suns younger players are really performing. This time last year they dropped off but that was due to the fact they are a young side. Swallow and Miller are becoming a very good duo in the midfield and if they get on top, they can help this side win on the weekend. The Dogs will come out hunting as they lost to the Swans last weekend in a game where they didn’t look in sync at all. Naughton is back for the Dogs and he will be a handful for any defender. Dogs by 30+
Head 2 Head
Dogs have won two of the last three games vs the Suns
Best Bet
Dogs 40+ $2.90
Melbourne Demons vs Hawthorn Hawks, MCG, July 17th 7.25pm
I didn’t really rate the Demons chances last week, but they were amazing versus the Power - away from home as well. Ben Brown was a target up forward and did his role to a tee last weekend. Petracca and Oliver were so clean around the ball and if they bring that again, they will make easy work of the Hawks come Saturday. Only negative is Jack Viney looked very slow last weekend and should be dropped. Hawks are in trouble of finishing this year’s season last on the ladder and a few of their players have gone down with injuries like CJ who has done his knee. I can’t really see the Hawks winning this game. Demons to get a nice percentage win.
Head 2 Head
Demons have won the last three games vs the Hawks
Best Bet
Demons 40+ $1.90
North Melbourne vs Eseendon Bombers, Marvel Stadium, July 18th 12.35pm
For a 1.10pm time slot on a Sunday I can see this game turning into a classic. The Kangaroos had a great win on Monday night in the West against the Eagles and they will look to take that form into this game. Stephenson and Zuharr had their best game for the club and if they perform they can do anything on Sunday. The Bombers made easy work of the Crows last Friday night and will look to do the same come Sunday, if they are to make a late charge for the finals. The Bombers have found another star with Archie Perkins winning the rising star nomination last weekend. The Kangaroos will need to stop the influence of Parish and Merrett if they are to win. Bombers 1-39 for me.
Head 2 Head
Bombers have won the last three games vs the Kangaroos
Best Bet
Bombers 1-39 $1.95
Collingwood Magpies vs Carlton Blues, MCG, July 18th 3.20pm
Old rivals going at it on a Sunday afternoon, both teams can’t make the finals so I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw some fireworks. The Blues were competitive last weekend against the Cats but again fell short in the last quarter and they couldn’t kick straight to save themselves in front of the big sticks. The Pies had their best win of Season 2021 with a great performance against the Tigers to get the win. It was a great come from behind win against the Tigers, led by De Goey and Adams, who were unstoppable in the last quarter. If they bring the heat early, they will make light work of the Blues on Sunday. Pies by 15+
Head 2 Head
Pies have won the last three games vs the Blues
Best Bet
Pies win $1.55
Adelaide Crows vs West Coast Eagles, Adelaide Oval July 18th 4.40pm
Interesting game come Sunday afternoon for both sides. The Crows were belted last weekend against the Bombers and the Eagles lost to last-placed Kangaroos on their home deck. The Crows have played their best footy for Season 2021 at their home ground. The Eagles have a good record at Adelaide Oval and their game plan of 'chip it around the back' might actually work on the weekend. Doodee is out for the Crows but they should welcome back Tex Walker. The Eagles have lost Barrass and Kelly looks injured, so wouldn’t be surprised if he missed this. I am tipping the Crows to win this game and I think they will do it quite easily. Crows by 30+
Head 2 Head
Eagles have won the last three games vs the Crows
Best Bet
Crows win $2.15
Crows +5.5 $1.90
GWS Giants vs Sydney Swans, Mars Stadium, July 18th, 6.10pm
In my eyes match of the round on Saturday. The battle of the bridge has been moved to Ballarat due to the Covid Issues in Sydney. The Giants would have learnt last weekend that making the most of your opportunities with the wind can win you this game. The Suns over ran them last weekend and they will not want that happening again. Stephen Coniglio is back for the Giants which is a massive in as he is a match winner and has so much time and poise when making decisions. Swans are steamrolling to the finals, knocking off the Bulldogs on their home deck last weekend. Dawson off the back line is a jet and the Swans will want to get the ball in his hands as much as possible. Unsure if Buddy Franklin has ever been to Ballarat but it will be a dangerous thought, him lining up 60m out with the wind at his back. Swans by 20+
Head 2 Head
Giants have won two of the last three games vs the Swans
Best bet
Swans $1.55
