AFL Round 19
Port Adelaide vs Collingwood Magpies, Marvel Stadium, July 22nd, 7.10pm
Travis Boak 300th game kicks off Friday night footy and boy, will the Power come out breathing fire. Game was meant for Adelaide in front of fans but the SA government has shut up the borders so the game has been moved to Marvel Stadium with no fans….weird. Power played at this ground last weekend and got a tough win against a Saints side that threw everything at them. Ollie Wines runs this side and if the Pies can’t stop him, I think it will be a long night for the Pies. The Pies lost to the Blues last weekend, so that’s how they’re going at the moment, don’t write them off for an upset though. This Pies side, when on, can really hurt teams on the rebound. De Goey and Adams need a big game. Dixon will be the task up forward for one of the Pies defenders and if he gets confident early, could be on for a big night.
Head 2 Head
Power have won two of the last three games vs the Pies
Best bet
Port -17.5 $1.90
Carlton Blues vs North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium, July 24th 1.45pm
If you have plans with your in laws during this game, I would attend and not check the score. This could possibly be one of the most boring games of the season. Blues got a lucky win last weekend versus a Pies side that just stopped halfway through the third quarter. The Kangaroos got beat by the Bombers but have been showing some positive signs the last couple of weeks. I am tipping a North win here because I believe their forwards will be too hot to handle for the Blues' defence. Zuhar is in career best form and if he pops up with a bag it will be game over. Cunnington in the middle, getting contested possessions with Simpkin on the outside will be very dangerous in the coming years. Kangas by 10.
Head 2 Head
North have won two the last three vs the Blues
Best bet
North win $2.75
Brisbane Lions vs Gold Coast Suns, Gabba, July 24th, 3.30pm
The Q clash looks a ripper this year with the Suns up and about after pushing the Bulldogs all the way last weekend and the Lions in a lull at the moment, losing their past two games. The Suns younger players are starting to believe they can mix it with the big boys and their last month of footy has shown that. Loving King up forward and then the rouge defender in Collins - their spine looks very good. The Lions, on the other hand, look slow and were bullied last weekend versus a Tigers side that gave them a footy lesson. Joe Daniher needs to stand up, he has been poor over the last two weeks and really needs to give his mids reward for effort when entering the forward line. Love the Suns line here and will be closer than you think.
Head 2 Head
Lions have won the last three games vs the Suns
Best bet
Suns +28.5 $1.90
West Coast vs St Kilda Saints, Optus Stadium, July 24th 4.35pm
The Eagles got back to some good form last weekend and boy was it needed. They smashed the Crows and rightly so. The team had a real go and that paid off. Cripps kicked 5 after two poor performances over the last two weekends. Darling was a leading forward and really set it up for the smaller defenders. No one could catch Liam Ryan and if they bring that on the weekend at home, watch out St Kilda. The Saints got beat by the Power last weekend and that might have been their final chance to make the 8 in Season 2021. They don’t deserve to be there, but they can still sneak in. Saints have been in Perth for a week due to the Covid restrictions, so they could come out very fired up. Eagles big win here. Yeo and Gaff to get off the chain.
Head 2 Head
Eagles have won two of the last three games vs the Saints
Best Bet
Eagles -15.5 $1.90
Eagles 40+ $3.90
Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs, MCG, July 24th 7.25pm
Match of the round come Saturday night against 1st and 2nd and it looks a ripper. The Demons had a draw to second last placed Hawthorn last weekend and that could hurt their chances of a top two finish, they have a reasonably hard draw coming into September so they need to win these games put in front of them. The Dogs had a workman-like win versus the Suns last weekend and will look forward to getting back to the MCG. Hunter and Mcrae are becoming two of the best kicks in the comp - they never waste the ball and that is vital for the Dogs' forwards. The Bont is on another level and it will be a good match up against Petracca. Demons need more from their forward line this weekend if they are going win this game. Dogs by 5 or more $1.95 is overs.
Head 2 Head
Dogs have won two the last three games vs the Dogs
Best Bet
Dogs win $1.95
Adelaide Crows vs Hawthorn Hawks, Marvel Stadium, July 25th 7.40pm
The Hawks would be riding high after they nearly snatched victory from the ladder leaders last weekend and will take that confidence into a game they should win here. The Crows were beaten by the better side last weekend in the Eagles and their younger players look very tired coming into the back end of the year. Tom Mitchell for the Hawks is freak and reminds me of Matt Priddis. 39 touches last weekend and was the reason the Hawks got so close to beating the Demons. O’Meara in the middle adds so much polish to this side and when they go forward, they look a huge threat. Taylor Walker needs a huge game come Saturday if the Crows are going to win this one. Hawks by 10+
Head 2 Head
Hawks have won two of the last three games vs the Crows
Best Bet
Hawks win $1.58
Hawks -8.5 $1.90
Sydney Swans vs Fremantle Dockers, Metricon Stadium, July 26th 12.30pm
The Swans were very good last weekend to get the win when four of their players had to withdraw from the match because of Covid issues. They let the Giants get out to a 30-point lead but after half-time the Swans overran them and it was good night. Lance Franklin kicked four and was unstoppable at stages during the game, so if he brings that this weekend, he will have a field day against the Dockers. The Dockers got belted last weekend versus the Cats and never looked like winning. Media saying they deserve to be in the 8 must be watching different games, they have no idea when going forward and look lost in the midfield. Tipping the Swans to win this by a country mile.
Head 2 Head
Freo have won the last three games vs the Swans
Best Bet
Swans 40+ $3.30
Geelong Cats vs Richmond Tigers, MCG, July 25th 3.20pm
Interesting game here come Sunday; two teams who met in last year's grand-final are charging towards September this year. The Tigers had their best win of Season 2021 last weekend, beating the Lions on the Gold Coast in a game they played the Richmond way. On the downside of the game though, is Dustin Martin is out for the year with a bruised kidney and in my eyes, that has put a line through the Tigers' chances of winning the flag this year. The Cats, on the other hand, are the team to catch. They destroyed the Dockers last weekend and their keeping off game style is too hard to beat. Hawkins kicked four last weekend, if he brings that this weekend, the Cats will win this easily. Tigers need to stop the run of Menagola and Toovey if they are to be any chance. Cats by four goals.
Head 2 Head
Tigers have won two of the last three games vs the Cats
Best Bet
Cats -16.5 $1.90
Essendon Bombers vs GWS Giants, Metricon Stadium, July 25th 6.10pm
The Bombers are storming towards a top eight spot and they come up against a Giants side who I believe are going backwards now and not by their own fault, just the rub of the green. Four players, including star player Toby Greene, have been forced into isolation for a Covid breach and that effects their season. He is the star and their best player, and they need him. They were up by 30 points last weekend but the Swans overran them. The Bombers have signed Jake Stringer for another three years in a good move. The Dons played well last weekend versus the Kangaroos and will look to take that form into this weekend. Their mids are on fire with Merrett and Parish running riot. Bombers by 20+
Head 2 Head
Giants have won two of the last three games vs the Bombers
Best Bet
Bombers -5.5 $1.90
