AFL Round 21
Geelong Cats vs GWS Giants, GMHBA, Aug 6th, 7.50pm
Round 21 kicks off in Geelong in a game that could have a huge impact for the race to the finals. If the Giants lose this their season is over and it will be alarm bells for coach Leon Cameron. They went down last weekend to a red-hot Power side and in my eyes were beaten in the contest which is a big coach killer. They need more out of their forward line, Toby Greene can’t do it on his own. The Cats are surging towards a top two spot and they are my flag fav at the moment. Their game is very hard to match up on and when they get movement with their elite kicks, they are very hard to run down. Hawkins is a big presence up forward and when they add Duncan and Cameron back to this side watch out. Cats by 30+ on Friday night.
Head 2 Head
Giants have won two of the last three games vs the Cats
Best bet
Cats –34.5 Line $1.90
Carlton Blues vs Gold Coast Suns, Marvel Stadium, Aug 7th 1.45pm
Look, it wasn’t the greatest performance the Suns put in last weekend against a top four side, but they come up this weekend against a Blues side who are beatable. The Suns lack confidence in the back half for years as they are a younger side and lack a bit of fitness it is understandable. The problem the Suns face now is more media scrutiny as it happens year in year out, Stuart Dew isn’t safe from getting the sack this year and with Clarkson leaving Hawks, he could be on the way out. The Blues are riding high after a good win last weekend versus St Kilda but we know what happens when this team gets ahead of themselves. Often perceived as an arrogant side, the Blues, when they have a win and I reckon the Suns will come out firing. Line is a good bet here.
Head 2 Head
Blues have won the last three vs the Suns
Best bet
Suns +24.5 $1.90
Richmond Tigers vs North Melbourne, MCG, Aug 7th, 4.35pm
Jeez, the Tigers were unlucky last weekend against the Dockers in Perth and had their chances to win but bad kicking is bad football and their final chances might be slipping away. The Tigers need some troops back. Cotchin, Bolton, Lynch and Baker can’t do it on their own but with injuries adding up, the chance of a finals spot is slipping. They come up against a North side that is struggling with no Cunnington. They were strong in patches last weekend against the Cats but class got them over the line in the end. Game will be won in the middle and the Tigers should get on top there, I expect a big performance for the Tigers forwards after being wayward last weekend. Baker has been a star for the Tigers this year and look for him to do more midfield minutes this weekend. Tigers by 20+ line best bet.
Head 2 Head
Tigers have won two of the last three games vs the Kangas
Best bet
Tigers win $1.44
Tigers -13.5 $1.90
Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide Power, Adelaide Oval, Aug 7th 4.10pm
Arrrrr the good old showdown this weekend against two old rivals for bragging rights in the City of Churches. The Crows are coming off a belting by the Dogs last weekend, while the Power are coming off a good win against the Giants. Rumour is that Taylor Walker could miss for an off the field incident a few weeks ago, so watch this space. I don’t think it will matter with the Power surging towards a finals spot and would love to boost their percentage with a big win over the Crows. Dixon up forward is becoming a handful for defences, I bashed him at the start of the year but he is improving and watch out if he gets going early. Butters and Rozee are killing teams up high half forwards and if they get off the chain, it will be goodnight. Power by 40+ could get ugly for the Crows. Crowds will be at this game.
Head 2 Head
Power have won the last three games vs the Crows
Best Bet
Power -31.5 $1.90
Power 40+ $2.25
St Kilda Saints vs Sydney Swans, Marvel Stadium, Aug 7th 7.40pm
This is my best bet of the round and I am shocked that they are giving you $1.45 for the Swans. The Swans are doing everything in their power to get a top four spot and if they get it, watch out. I thought moving away from the SCG they would lose a few games but they have gone strength to strength. It says a lot about this young group, they are strong minded. They play for each other as well. Papley could have kicked 6 last weekend but gave a few off and that shows they are willing to get everyone involved. The Saints are going backwards and during the week, Billings' name was thrown up for trade, I would trade him in a heartbeat, can’t hit a target to save his life. Swans will open up this Saints side with their midfield power and then their weapons up forward. I would not be surprised if Buddy kicked 8+ he loves playing against the Saints.
Head 2 Head
Swans have won two of the last three games vs the Saints
Best Bet
Swans win $1.45
Swans -15.5 $1.90
Swans 40+ $3.80
Hawthorn Hawks vs Collingwood Magpies, UTS, Aug 8th, 2.10pm
Battle of the bottom four heads to Tassie for a game that promises a lot. Hawks are riding the highs after a great win against the Lions, while the Pies showed the Eagles how it was done at the MCG. Both sides are young and just took the game on last weekend against seasoned bodies. Down the guts is the quickest way home and they absolutely took the Lions and Eagles to town on that. The Hawks are playing at their second home ground and with Clarkson leaving at the end of the year, they will play these last 3 weeks with everything they have. The Pies have a couple of good players coming through as well and are playing a more attacking brand of footy under Robert Harvey. Tipping the Hawks here and am a little surprised they aren’t favs for this game as it is in Tassie. Hawks by 10+
Head 2 Head
Hawks have won two of the last three games vs the Pies
Best Bet
Hawks win $1.95
Western Bulldogs vs Essendon Bombers, Marvel Stadium, Aug 8th 3.20pm
Can’t wait for this game come Sunday afternoon against two sides who take the game on. The Dogs are pushing for a top two spot and had a training run last weekend against the Crows but this weekend it will be a much more physical game with the Bombers showing they can match it with the big boys, it showed last weekend with them taking it up to the Swans for four quarters. Dons need a key forward but their goal kicking mids are proving hot to handle. While, the Dogs are spoilt for choice up forward. I watched last weekend and wasn’t overly impressed with Naughton's game, he needs to lift and kick a big bag leading into finals as Josh Bruce won’t be able to do it on his own. The Bont and Mcare are elite and if the Bombers have any chance of winning, they need to stop them. I am going with the Bombers though, they will be up for this game. Dons by 5+
Head 2 Head
Dogs have won two of the last three games vs the Bombers
Best Bet
Dons win $3.60
Dons +23.5 $1.90
Fremantle Dockers vs Brisbane Lions, Optus Stadium, Aug 8th 5.10pm
looking forward to this game come Sunday afternoon in the West. The Dockers are up and about after beating the Tigers last weekend and can keep their spot in the 8 with a win over the Lions this weekend. The Lions are in a real lull patch. They lost to Hawks last weekend and they are in danger of missing out of a top 6 spot, which will rule out a home final for them (pending Covid). I really like the Dockers this weekend, they have a good young batch of players coming through and I reckon they knock off the Lions here. Need a big game from Brayshaw and Darcy like last weekend. I love their attack off the backline and they run and carry. Dockers by 10+
Head 2 Head
Lions have won two the last three games vs the Dockers
Best Bet
Dockers win $2.50
West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons, Optus Stadium, Aug 9th 8.10pm
Monday night footy in the West. The Demons have arrived in Perth seven days early but have had to quarantine, so will be caged animals ready to go nuts come Monday night. The Eagles lost to the Pies last weekend in one of the worst games of football they’ve played in the last 6 years. I am tipping them this weekend. Home crowd, massive game with a lot on the line. If they win they play finals. If they lose, they will find it very difficult in the last two rounds. Demons will be without Viney who is suspended for two games. Could be a very big night for both teams' forwards. Can’t wait for Nic Nat vs Gawn, a massive match up. Eagles by 10
Head 2 Head
Eagles have won the last three games vs the Demons
