Collingwood Magpies vs Essendon Bombers
August 23rd (Friday 7.50pm) MCG
What a Friday night fixture this is to kick off round 23. Both teams are playing finals but this game is massive for the Pies a win here and if the Eagles or Tigers lose they will move into 4th spot and secure a vital double chance. The best position the Bombers can finish 7th and they will play their first final against a Giants side who has a lot of injuries. The Bombers have lost a few stars with Stringer, Clarke, Fatasia, Heppell and Zaharakis all ruled out through injury. Worsfold might be resting a few of his stars though knowing they can’t move up or down on the ladder. The Pies have lost arguably their best player in Steele Sidebottom who has been ruled out with a ruptured testicle they welcome back Darcy Moore who is back from a hamstring injury. I think this game is a preview of what the finals are to be, this game will be a bash and crash and both teams will use this atmosphere and pressure to be ready for finals in two weeks time. Tipping the Bombers here they have played very well this year when their backs are against the wall. Bombers by 10 or less.
H2H
Collingwood has won three out of the last five games vs the Bombers
Best Bet
Bombers win $4.25
Bombers +27.5 $1.90
Sydney Swans vs St Kilda Saints
August 24th (Saturday 1.45pm) SCG
What a day this will be in Sydney Lance Franklin is back for his 300th game, Kieren Jack and Jarred Mcveigh are playing their last game and a nice touch for the Saints they are playing Sam Rowe who will play his 100th game of AFL. Buddy hasn’t played in 7 weeks since he injured his hamstring playing his old side in the Hawks rumours are that he was ready to go last weekend but was held back and set to be unleashed vs the Saints. Weird little history lesson here Buddy has played his 100th, 200th and 300th all against the Saints. Last time he played against the Saints in his 200th he kicked 10 goals so we might be in for a Buddy show come Saturday. This game is a dead rubber as both teams can’t make the finals but with all these retirements and Buddy 300th this is a game every footy fan should be tuning in for. Swans by 20+
H2H
Swans have won the last five games vs the Saints
Best Bet
Swains -14.5 $1.90
North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Melbourne Demons
August 24th (Saturday 2.10pm) Blundstone
Last weekend's result for the Demons confirmed to me that Simon Goodwin has lost the playing group. Losing by 40+ points to a team that is two spots higher than you on the ladder is a disgrace. The way they conducted themselves last weekend was shocking and the board at the Demons should do the right thing in the off season and move Goodwin on. The Kangaroos will be licking their lips to face them this weekend and get another win for their new coach, they were fantastic vs the Power last weekend and Ben Brown might of won himself the coleman medal with a great performance and 10 goals to his name vs the Power. This game is in Tassie and the Kangaroos love getting to their second home and will love nothing more to inflict more pain on Goodwin’s side. Mason Wood has been recalled for the Kangaroos which could be his final game for them as he is being shopped around for a potential trade. Hunt and Preuss are back for the Demons. Kangaroos by 30+
H2H
Melbourne have won three out of the last five games vs the Kangaroos
Best bet
Kangaroos -24.5 $1.90
Geelong Cats vs Carlton Blues
August 24th (Saturday 4.35pm) GMHBA
Many will be thinking this game will be a walk in the park for the Cats as they look to secure top spot. Think again the Blues would love nothing more then to knock the Cats off and then the Lions and Eagles could secure a top 2 spot. If the Cats lose this and the Eagles win they will switch positions which could be the worst result for the Cats as they have been on top of the ladder for most of the season. The Cats lost to the Lions last weekend after leading for most of the game but again fell away in the last 10mins and that has been a pattern over the last few weeks. The Blues have found a second wind under David Teague and are playing a fast flowing brand of football. I am so excited to see Patrick Cripps go up against Tim Kelly and Patrick Dangerfield. Cats welcome back Rhys Stanley and Gary Rohan while the Blues welcome back Weitering and Cunningham. I am tipping the Cats to win but wouldn’t be surprised if there was an upset down in Geelong.
H2H
Geelong has won four out of the last five games vs the Blues
Best Bet
Carlton +30.5 $1.90
Gold Coast Suns vs GWS Giants
August 24th (Saturday 7.25pm) Metricon
Well this could get ugly. First of all congratulations to Touk Miller who plays his 100th game this weekend could have taken the easy road and left the Suns and moved back to Melbourne to chase cash and finals football but has stuck to his word and battled it out on the Sunshine State a credit to him. His side is going to need a lot of luck this weekend to beat the Giants who are under pressure after not kicking goals after half time for two weeks in a row. Jeremy Cameron is a big inclusion and could win the coleman medal so look for him to kick a big bag of goals this weekend. The Suns are tired there is no question about that and are begging for the off season. They have fought hard this year but again the bigger bodies vs the smaller and younger bodies of the Suns have been smashed week in week out. They will want to put in a good final show for their fans but I think this will be another road kill for the Giants and be all over by qtr time. Suns by 70+
H2H
GWS has won the last five games vs the Suns
Best Bet
GWS -48.5 $1.90
West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn Hawks
August 24th (Saturday 6.10pm) Optus Stadium
Huge game for the Eagles here a win and a few results go their way they could secure a top 2 spot lose this game and Pies win they could find themselves in fifth spot. While if the Hawks win they could be playing finals football so this game is no dead rubber at all. The Eagles played some unbelievable football last weekend vs the Tigers but when the rain came it ruined their chances of free flowing football. Tom Barrass had his worst game of footy for a long time but he will learn from his mistakes and be better this weekend. The foot skills of the Eagles last weekend were elite and if they can bring that vs the Hawks they will win and win well. The Hawks sent one of their favourite sons off in style last weekend. Roughead kicked 6 goals in a performance everyone was hoping for a man who gave so much to his club for so many years it was a pleasure to watch. The man he is he dropped himself for this game to give someone else a go. Eagles lose Hutchings and drop Rotham recall Masten and Duggan. Hawks bring in Howe and Scrimshaw drop Roughead and Jiath. Eagles by 20+
H2H
West Coast has won three out of the last five games vs the Hawks
Best Bet
Hawks +27.5 $1.90
Western Bulldog vs Adelaide Crows
August 25th (Sunday 1.10pm) Mars
What a game the town of Ballarat has installed both teams fighting for that final spot in the eight. This game is going to be huge. The Dogs have been in crazy good form smashing the Bombers then smashing the Giants they look unbeatable while the Crows look like they couldn’t beat their reserves side. Saying that this game is like a final so anything could happen. The home ground fixture will play into the Bulldogs hands but don’t write off the Crows yet with two of their players from Ballarat in the Crouch brothers who would love to show their family a thing or two. Teams are yet to be finalised but expect the Crows to run with a much quicker team then last weekend and try and open up the Dogs on the rebound. The Dogs love to get the ball on the outside and use plenty of run and carry to expose their opposition. Tipping the Crows here by 10+
H2H
Adelaide has won three of the last five games vs the Bulldogs
Best Bet
Adelaide +17.5 $1.90
Richmond Tigers vs Brisbane Lions
August 25th (Sunday 3.20pm) MCG
Match of the round. Lions win and they are top spot Tigers win they are in the top 4. Lions lose they are 3rd. Tigers lose and they are 5th. So much on the line when both these sides face each other on Sunday at the MCG. The Tigers had a great victory vs the Eagles last weekend when they came back from 29 points down to defeat last years premiers by six points. The Lions are in some form and don’t look like being beat. They beat the Cats last weekend after coming from behind and what a win it was. They lose Allen Christensen who has reinjured his hamstring but should be ready for finals. I am tipping the Lions here just because of the form they are in and they fear no one. Half this side hasn’t played in front of 50,000 people expect 60+ this weekend and the noise will be louder than anything they would of heard up at the Gabba but this young side is up for the challenge and will come away with the chocolates.
H2H
Richmond has won the last five games vs the Lions
Best Bet
Lions +14.5 $1.90
Port Adelaide Power vs Fremantle Dockers
August 25th (Sunday 4.10pm) Adelaide Oval
What a week for the Dockers they have sacked the best coach in the club's history. What a legacy he leaves. First coach to take the Dockers to a Grand Final multiple final appearances and a host of classic games, you will be missed Ross. Saying that the fans had enough of Ross and no finals this year was the final straw. This weekends game for the Power is huge if they win and win well and a few results go their way they will be playing finals football they don’t deserve to but they will be in there mostly making up the numbers. The game last weekend vs the Kangaroos confirmed to the world that this Power side are not up to the standard of the top 6 yet. Ken Hinkley looks like he is on borrowed time and this game could be his final as Power coach. Power welcome back Lycett and Duursma while Freo have rested Sandilands and Ballantyne who are both retiring. Tipping an upset here with the Dockers to win for interim coach David Hale.
H2H
Fremantle has won three out of the last of the last five games vs the Power
Best Bet
Fremantle win $3.20
Fremantle +17.5 $1.90
