AFL Round 7
Richmond Tigers vs Western Bulldogs, MCG, 30th April 7.50pm
Round 7 kicks off and boy, this game will be a cracker, with two teams that will feature deep into September. The Dogs are 6-0 and are looking to beat the Tigers to go to 7-0 and really put a strong grip on being favourites for this year’s flag. They are getting the Tigers at a good time with Dustin Martin out with a concussion injury and he is also headed to New Zealand to visit his father, pray to god he doesn’t get stuck over there. The Tigers were belted last weekend against the Demons and in patches looked slow and were second to the ball, but I am tipping them to respond this weekend. The Dogs had a good physical game against the Giants but their class was too good for the young GWS team. I am tipping a big game from the Tigers' forwards and look for Tom Lynch to kick a bag. Tigers need to stop the Bulldogs midfield. Dunkley out helps! Tigers by 12+
Head 2 Head
Tigers have won two of the last three games versus the Dogs
Best bet
Tigers win $2.50
Tigers +11.5 $1.90
Collingwood Magpies vs Gold Coast Suns, MCG, 1st May 1.45pm
Nathan Buckley is on thin ice and if he loses this game, his job is under serious threat. The Suns had an impressive win last weekend against the Swans and if they knock the Pies over and win, their season is back on track. Their younger players are playing competitive football and if King can keep on presenting and kick a bag, I believe they can win this game. The Pies are shot with injuries left, right and centre - and really - their younger players are not performing as they would have liked. Does Buckley have a plan b? I am going to say no and with a new president in, he must be feeling nervous. Last week they were competitive 'til the third quarter and then ran out of legs. The Suns are young, fit and hungry. I am tipping an upset. Suns by 10+
Head 2 Head
Pies have won the last three of the last three games versus the Suns
Best bet
Suns win $2.82
Adelaide Crows vs GWS Giants, Adelaide Oval, 1st May 2.10pm
Interesting game here on Saturday, I'm a little surprised to see the Crows as underdogs in a game they are hosting. They played well for a half last weekend and should have beaten the Hawks in Tassie. 32 points up and lost. Some worrying signs, maybe their younger players are getting tired but still, you shouldn’t be giving up that sort of lead. Tex is leading the forwards and they are kicking a score and I am really liking the game of Seedsman adding a lot of run to their midfield. They are back on their home deck and with the home ground advantage they can win this. Giants came up short against the Dogs last week but jeez, the form of Toby Greene is something special. 4 goals last weekend and nearly won the game off his own boot. He is the best small forward in the comp so if he comes out swinging on Saturday, the Giants are in for a chance. Going for the Crows here with the home ground advantage in a game that I believe will be close. Crows 6+
Head 2 Head
Crows have won two of the last three games versus the Giants
Best bet
Crows win $2.05
Crows +3.5 $1.90
St Kilda Saints vs Hawthorn Hawks, Marvel Stadium 1st May 4.35pm
A game that could go both ways on Saturday afternoon with two teams who offer the world but now delivering an atlas. The Saints were smashed last weekend versus the Power in Adelaide and never looked in it. In my opinion , they are a bottom three side. The players they have are not up to standard and they have put chips in on some players who are really not up to it. Hill is the scape goat. He is being hammered in the media for his non-defence acts. He has never been a run with player, he is a ball runner in a good side. The Hawks came from behind to beat the Crows last weekend in a good performance but really, you can’t be giving sides a 32-point lead and then peg them back. It just won’t work against the good sides. Loving the run and carry CJ provides out of the back line for the Hawks - they need to use him to their advantage. Tipping the Hawks here as they love being the underdogs and O’Meara and Mitchell are in good form and can provide for the Hawks forwards.
Head 2 Head
Saints have won two of the last three games versus the Hawks
Best bet
Hawks win $2.58
Hawks +8.5 $1.90
Brisbane Lions vs Port Adelaide Power, Gabba, 1st May 7.25pm
Match of the round on Saturday night at the Gabba. Two teams who are up and coming and are in a flag window. The Lions had a strong win versus the Blues last weekend and will look to beat down on the Power who are flying high with a 5-1 start to the season. If the Lions are going to be a threat in season 2021, they need to beat sides like the Power at their home ground. If it rains, have the house on the Lions who proved they are a good wet weather footy side but if it is dry, I am thinking the Power are a serious chance. Dixon and Hartlett plus Wines are a handful for any side but if you can somehow stop them, you are a big chance of winning. Big out for the Lions with Neale missing with an ankle injury. I am tipping the Lions here. The forward line are too strong and at their home deck, they need to win this game more than the Power. Lions by 20+
Head 2 Head
Lions have won the last three games versus the Power
Best bet
Lions win $2.15
Lions +6.5 $1.90
Sydney Swans vs Geelong Cats, SCG 1st May 7.25pm
Interesting game here, come Saturday night. The Swans coming off two losses and last week was a bad loss to the Suns up in the Sunshine State. They were bashed all over the ground and their leaders went to water. They will look to bounce back on their home deck and they need a win to stay in touch with the top four. The Cats are coming off their best win of the year when they smashed the Eagles by 97 points. Game was over at half time after they kicked 10 goals to 1 in the second quarter. If they bring that form versus the Swans, they win by 30+ points. Hawkins and Cameron look very good up in the forward line and if they are in sync like last weekend, it will be a tough evening for the Swans defenders. I am tipping a Swans win as I believe they will treat this game as a mini final. Papley needs to stand up as the main forward and kick a bag. Will be a good game come Saturday night. Swans by 10+
Head 2 Head
Cats have won the last three games versus the Swans
Best bet
Swans win $2.70
Swans +12.5 $1.90
North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Melbourne Demons, Blundstone Arena, 2nd May 1.10pm
First AFL game back in Tassie for over two years for the Kangaroos at their second home. They will look to put some pressure on the Demons in a game they have absolutely no chance of winning. The Kangaroos are not up to standard and this ground is usually used for cricket but come Sunday the Demons might post a cricket score on the Kangaroos. News in that Ben Brown will make his debut for Melbourne this weekend. How fitting he comes up against his old side in his debut. Will most likely kick a bag and rub salt into the wound of all North fans. The Demons are flying high after knocking off the Tigers last weekend and can go 7-0 and press their case for a top four finish. I see the Demons winning this game by 70+, so that line is 50/50 now. The big difference playing footy in Tasmania is the wind factor. If the Demons kick with the wind first quarter - watch out. Demons by 70+
Head 2 Head
Demons have won two of the last three games versus the Kangaroos
Best bet
Melbourne -56.5 $1.90
Essendon Bombers vs Carlton Blues, MCG, 2nd May 3.20pm
Two old rivals batting it out at the MCG come Sunday afternoon. The Bombers made light work of one of their biggest rivals last weekend against the Pies on Anzac Day and will look to bring that form against the Blues. The Blues are in all sorts, yet another loss to the Lions last weekend and really this team is going no where, playing old aged players and really not giving their 80k membership base any hope of improving in the coming years. Eddie Betts needs to be dropped. It is a joke that he is still getting a game. 34 years of age... what is he achieving clogging up the spot, instead of some young player they could be getting experience? Can’t see the Blues winning this one with the form the Bombers are in. Good youth at the Bombers and my god that Darcy Parish has turned into a star. Bombers by 20+
Head 2 Head
Blues have won two the last three games versus the Bombers
Best bet
Bombers win $2.20
Bombers +7.5 $1.90
West Coast Eagles vs Fremantle Dockers, Optus Stadium, May 2nd 4.40pm
Round 7 finishes in the west between the old rivals and god do these two teams hate each other. The Dockers haven’t beaten the Eagles in the last 10 games but come Sunday, this is their best chance to beat them in over 4 years. Eagles will be without McGovern, Yeo and Shuey but could welcome back Kennedy and Hurn, which will help their younger players who were smashed last weekend in that shocking display against the Cats. The Dockers, on the other hand, are on a good streak of wins and will look to beat their cross-town rivals. The game will be hot in the kitchen early but I think the Dockers will be too slick for the Eagles and in my mind, should be favourites. It is a big game for Kelly and Nic Nat. If those two can get on top, the Eagles are in with a chance. Dockers by 10.
Head 2 Head
Eagles have won the last three games versus the Dockers
