GWS Giants vs Hawthorn Hawks
August 9th (Friday 7.50pm) UNSW
Pack your blanket and hand warmers it’s going to be a cold night in the Nation's Capital. There is a possibility of snow for this game and that would make for great viewing. Anyway enough about the coldness we have a great contest installed the Giants are in great form after a tough win against their cross town rivals last week in Sydney. The Hawks had a reality check last weekend losing to the Kangaroos after leading by 30 points after the first qtr. The Giants have been led by Toby Greene who has stepped up with the absence of their midfield players who are out injured. If Toby can rally the troops this weekend they will put a big score on the Hawks which will help them in the run to a top 4 spot. Jezza Cameron is back for the Giants and will be looking to kick a bag after missing last weekend with soreness. The Hawks have lost Birchall and Mcevoy to injury two stars out again for the Hawks. Scully, Wingard, O’Meara need to have big games to try and make an impact on this game. I am tipping a Giants win but Alaistair Clarkson may have a few tricks up his sleeve.
H2H
Giants have won 3 of the last 5 games vs the Hawks.
Best Bet
Giants -21.5 $1.90
Melbourne Demons vs Collingwood Magpies
August 10th (Saturday 1.45pm) MCG
Another injury to the Pies with Mason Cox ruled out for the year with an eye injury I believe that is the final nail in the coffin and I am going on record to say Collingwood can’t win the Grand final this year. It has been such bad luck for the Pies who’s roster has been decimated with injuries. Saying that it won’t stop them beating the Demons on Saturday who have been appalling all year, Maybe Gary Lyon was right and we all bought into the Demons hype and they just had one of those years last year and got lucky. The Demons were smashed in wet conditions last weekend vs the Tigers while the Pies had a training session vs the Suns. The Pies midfield even with the injuries they have are still strong and can dominate on the weekend. I am most looking forward to the battle of the best rucks in the game in Gawn and Grundy going at it. I think Grundy will be to strong and his movement will open Gawn up and this will make the Pies forwards eyes light up when they have first use coming out of the midfield. Tipping the Pies by a lot here, questions need to be asked about the coaching style of Simon Goodwin.
H2H
Collingwood has won 3 of the past 5 games vs the Demons
Best Bet
Pies -14.5 $1.90
Pies win $1.45
Port Adelaide Power vs Sydney Swans
August 10th (Saturday 1.40pm) Adelaide Oval
The Power had their best win of season 2019 last weekend vs the Bombers at Marvel Stadium. Never looked like losing and it was one of those games where everyone played well. They were all over the Bombers from the first qtr and didn’t let them back in the game at all. A 60 point win might come very valuable coming to the final rounds of the year if they are to play finals. They will need to put in another one of those performances if they are to beat the Swans this weekend. The Swans last weekend could say they were robbed of a shot at goal in the final seconds vs the Giants where it seemed that Sam Reid held onto a mark that most thought would be paid. It is Isaac Heeney’s 100th game and look for him to spark this side up. He is a good player but hasn’t reached the heights that everyone thought he would rise to. Tipping an upset here because of how inconsistent the Power are and the Swans will be hurting from last weekend's game. Dane Rampe is back for the Swans, the Power go in un changed.
H2H
Sydney has won 3 of the past 5 games vs the Power
Best bet
Swans +17.5 1.90
Swans win $3.05
Brisbane Lions vs Gold Coast Suns
August 10th (Saturday 4.35pm) Gabba
The Q clash could be a very bad Saturday afternoon game for any Suns fans. The Lions are hunting for that second spot and a win here by a big margin could be the difference between 2nd or 3rd spot and that valuable home final. The Suns last weekend were belted by the Pies and never looked like getting into the game. Saying that this is a Q clash and they would love nothing more than beating their big brother who has bullied them in recent clashes. The Suns will be looking at this game as their mini grand final. The Lions again last week showed they are peaking perfectly for September and with a big win here can leapfrog the Eagles into second spot. I don’t think Chris Fagan would have said anything about that this week but surely it’s in the back of the players mind to get that top 2 spot and the home final. The Lions go in unchanged the Suns have dropped Peter Wright and surprisingly Jack Martin who has been rumoured to be leaving at the end of the year.
H2H
Brisbane have won 4 of the past 5 games vs the Suns
Best Bet
Lions -50.5 $1.90
Essendon Bombers vs Western Bulldogs
August 10th (Saturday 7.25pm) Marvel
Last weekend was a bad result for both of these sides. The Bombers were smashed vs the Power and that was a minor speed bump on their road to September they can ill afford to be losing this game or it will make for a very interesting final rounds for them. The Bulldogs were brave and fought to the end last weekend vs the Lions but fell short at the final hurdle. That loss all but shuts out their quest for finals. Saying that this game will be a cracker on Saturday night both sides play an attractive brand of football which is free and fast flowing. The Bombers will hope the fast deck of Marvel Stadium can help their midfield who is welcoming back Dyson Heppell back can set up their forwards like Jake Stringer and Tippa. Stringer would love nothing more then to kick a big bag against the club that kicked him out for being too much of a liability. Efforts Mckernan is back for the Bombers and they walk taller when he plays. Dogs bring in Hayes for Daniel. I am tipping a Bombers win but this game will be tough and physical.
H2H
Western Bulldogs have won 4 of the past 5 games vs the Bombers
Best Bet
Bombers win $1.85
Bombers -1.5 $1.90
Geelong Cats vs North Melbourne Kangaroos
August 10th (Saturday 7.10pm) GMHBA
An interesting fixture here with the Cats in a bit of a hole after losing the Dockers in Perth last weekend. They get back to their home ground where they are red hot favs and on paper should make easy work of the Kangaroos but confidence is a big thing in footy and the Kangaroos are full of it at the moment. They had a great comeback win last weekend vs the Hawks and they seem to be playing a much more attractive brand of footy under Rhyce Shaw. It would not surprise me one bit if they knocked off the Cats on Saturday night in Geelong. Anderson and Atley are back for the Kangaroos who both add grit and brut strength while the Cats have made 4 changes. They have dropped Scott Selwood and that could be his season as they have tried to find a position for him to no success. Gary Rohan is injured and that is a massive out for the Cats as his leg speed can’t be matched. I am tipping the Cats to win this game but it will be close and wouldn’t be surprised if the Kangaroos got up and caused a huge shake up to the top 4.
H2H
Geelong has won 4 of the past 5 games vs the Kangaroos
Best Bet
Kangaroos +22.5 $1.90
St Kilda Saints vs Fremantle Dockers
August 11th (Sunday 1.10pm) Marvel
Ross Lyon vs his old side and this game is massive for his side and his job security next year. The Dockers are still in with a chance of qualifying for finals this year but they need to win their next three games. It starts this weekend vs the Saints, last weekend they knocked off the top of the table in a game where they would have beaten anyone the attack on the footy was second to none and never let the Cats get anywhere near the ball. The Saints had a hard fought game against the Crows in Adelaide and had their chances to win but in typical St Kilda fashion they took the easy road and pulled out the white flag in the final qtr and lost the game. They should get up for this game as it is at their home ground and they would love nothing more to end Ross Lyon’s chances of playing finals with the Dockers. Lobb for the Dockers has been ruled out for the year but they welcome back Mccarthy and Ballantyne. Dan Hannebery is back for the Saints the big recruit will be looking to help his side over the line. Saints by 20.
H2H
Fremantle has won 3 of the past 5 games vs the Saints
Best Bet
Saints win $1.70
Saints -6.5 $1.90
Richmond Tigers vs Carlton Blues
August 11th (Sunday 3.20pm) MCG
Old rivals go head to head at the MCG on Sunday in a game which will be a good contest for Sunday viewing. The Blues have found a second wind under care-taker coach David Teague. They tested the Eagles last weekend and their fans would be happy with the result and the effort their boys showed. The final three rounds are vital for David Teague he needs to show the board that he is the right man for the top job at Carlton. The Tigers on the other hand are tracking beautifully towards the finals. Alex Rance during the week ruled himself of a miracle comeback from an ACL and won’t play any part in the Tigers finals. The Tigers made easy work of the Demons last weekend led by Dusty this side looks the one to beat leading up to the finals. Their forward line with Jack and Lynch look unstoppable at stages of the game last weekend.
H2H
The Tigers have won the last 5 games vs the Blues
Best Bet
Blues +34.5 $1.90
West Coast Eagles vs Adelaide Crows
August 11th (Sunday 3.20pm) Optus Stadium
Round 21 rounds out in the West for a game the Eagles are expected to win but the Crows will want to get revenge on the Eagles after they came from behind in the previous fixture to beat the Crows by 12 points. Both sides had competitive victories last weekend but this match will be a lot tougher than last weekend's games. The Eagles are flag favs and they should be as they have one of the best defense and attacking lines in the league if the Crows can somehow stop Mcgovern then they might be in with a chance of winning this game. Still no Josh Jenkins for the Crows who has fallen out with the coach and there are reports he had a punch up with his coach. Not a great look leading into an important game to save your season and somehow sneak into the top 8. The Eagles will be to strong here as they welcome back Hutchings and Cripps from injury look for Waterman and Cameron to go out. Eagles by 24
H2H
West Coast has won 3 of the past 5 games vs the Crows.
Best Bet
Eagles 1-39 $2.05
