AFL Round 9
St Kilda Saints vs Geelong Cats, MCG, 14th May 7.50pm
Round nine kicks off under the roof of Marvel Stadium. The Saints are riding high after a strong come-from-behind win last weekend against the Suns and will need all the confidence in the world to knock off flag fancies in the Cats. The Saints nearly had themselves to blame last weekend when they couldn’t kick a goal but a great last quarter and some strong plays from key position players got them the win. Crouch and Hill were great in the last quarter and their run really helped them get over the line. The Cats are flying high after their best win in the last three years against the team that beat them in the Grand-Final last year. Their forward line is unstoppable and if Cameron kicks another bag ,this game will be put to bed early. I am sensing a fight early in the middle as both sides have strong midfields, but you can’t go past the Cats at the moment - they knocked off the Tigers and they will beat the Saints well.
Head 2 Head
Cats have won the last three games versus the Saints
Best bet
Cats -15.5 $1.90
Cats 40+ $3.80
Sydney Swans vs Collingwood Magpies, SCG, 15th May 1.45pm
Interesting game here, the Pies coming off a big win versus the Kangaroos, you wouldn’t read much into that, but they do match up well against the Swans. The Swans had a tough physical game against ladder leaders the Demons, and you would expect that took a lot out of them going into this one. The smaller SCG will suit the Pies and if De Goey can get off the chain, they can give the Swans a scare. Buddy needs to lift this weekend. He was goalless against the Demons and really needs to help his forward line if they are to put the Pies to bed. Swans midfield led by Parker and Kennedy will be too strong for this young Pies side. Swans at the SCG will be hard to beat but if the Pies can start well, it could be on. Line is still a good bet.
Head 2 Head
Pies have won two of the last three games versus Swans
Best bet
Swans -19.5 $1.90
Hawthorn Hawks vs North Melbourne Kangaroos, UTS, 15th May 2.10pm
This game could be one of the most boring game of football you will witness. The Hawks last weekend were very defensive against the Eagles and it worked for one quarter but after quarter time, the Eagles were too strong and ran riot on the Hawks defenders. The Hawks are troops down at the moment. They are badly missing O’Meara and Sicily and Tom Mitchell can’t do it all on his own, so they need reinforcements asap. The Kangaroos have told everyone they are in a rebuilding stage and frankly winning this might be a disservice to them and their draft picks. They badly need pick 1, so in my eyes, they will lose this and all but confirm them wooden spooners for this year. Hawks to be too strong in Tassie. Not worth watching.
Head 2 Head
Hawks have won two of the last three games versus the Kangaroos
Best bet
Hawks win $1.45
Hawks win 1-39 $2
Gold Coast Suns vs Brisbane Lions, Metricon Stadium 15th May 4.35pm
The Q clash on a Saturday afternoon will throw up a few fireworks and a spot fires which is always great viewing. These two sides over the years have built up a good rivalry after the Lions beat up on the Suns in the early stages of their existence. The Lions are in hot form after they gave the Dockers a bath last week. They can improve their percentage here as they push for a top four finish. The Suns last weekend have no one else to blame bar themselves losing to the Saints after leading all game in a match they should have won. Lions are more experienced and with their dynamic forward line in Daniher and Hipwood, they will be too strong for this young Suns side. Lions by 40+
Head 2 Head
Lions have won last three games versus the Suns
Best bet
Lions -20.5 $1.90
Lions 40+ $3.20
Richmond Tigers vs GWS Giants, Marvel Stadium, 15th May 7.25pm
This will be a very good game of football come Saturday night. The Giants got out of jail last weekend against the Bombers but were in control for three quaters of the game. Losing their key defender Keefe will hurt their chances of winning this as they will find it difficult to stop Lynch up forward, but their younger defenders have shown strength down back. The Giants hopefully get back Jesse Hogan to play forward and give Toby Greene a hand up there. The Tigers are coming off a huge loss to the Cats last weekend and throw the off-field incident with Rioli and Bolton (who will miss through injury sustained in his night club fight). Plus, for the Giants here is that the Tigers rarely play home games at Marvel Stadium, so they can take some confidence that they aren’t playing them at the home of football where they play so well. Tipping the Tigers to still win but it will be a lot closer than people think.
Head 2 Head
Tigers have won two of the last three games versus the Tigers
Best bet
Tigers -17.5 $1.90
Port Adelaide Power vs Western Bulldogs, Adelaide Oval 15th May 7.40pm
Match of the round on Saturday night in Adelaide where it has been forecasted to rain. The Power had a training drill last weekend against the Crows in the Showdown and never got out of first gear. Their forward line is coming to play and if Dixon and co can kick a score this weekend, they will be very hard to beat on their home deck. I can’t go past the form the Dogs are in, though. They came from behind last weekend against the Blues in a game which they easily could have given up but good sides win those tight games. This game will test how good the Dogs are away from home. Adelaide is a tough place to go and win so if they can go there and do it, they will stamp themselves as a flag fancy. Hunter broke his hand last weekend and looks the only player to miss this game. Tipping the Dogs in a tight contest.
Head 2 Head
Power have won two of the last three games versus the Dogs
Best bet
Dogs win $2.30
Dogs +7.5 $1.90
Essendon Bombers vs Fremantle Dockers, Marvel Stadium, 16th May 1.10pm
Sunday footy kicks off between two teams who are battling it out for that top eight spot and both are coming off a loss. The Bombers nearly pinched victory last weekend against the Giants and if it wasn’t for some iffy umpiring decisions, they should have won it. Thy need to start well this weekend against a Freo side who have been on the road for the past two weeks due to some COVID-19 issues in WA. They came up short against the Lions last weekend as they didn’t have the manpower to go with the strong Brisbane side. Fyfe needs more out of his troops if they are to win this game, he can’t be expected to go on his own and play forward and midfield. The Bombers will use their rebounding defenders to expose the Dockers side. Tipping an easy Bombers win and that line and win price looks very juicy.
Head 2 Head
Bombers have won the last three games versus the Dockers
Best bet
Bombers win $1.90
Bombers -7.5 $1.90
Melbourne Demons vs Carlton Blues, MCG, 16th May 3.20pm
The Demons are 8-0 and if the form of the last three weeks is to go by, they will easily beat the Blues and move a step closer to finishing in the top four. A lot of good signs for the Demons last weekend with their defence, who led them to a great victory against the Swans. Credit needs to be given to May and Lever who are rock solid down back and didn’t look like getting beat. The game is at the 'G and the Demons have found a well-suited game plan to press sides to kick long down the line. The Blues on the other hand were pathetic in the last quarter last weekend against a top four side. Led for most of the game but went to water in the last interval which lost them the game. Teague needs to make the tough decision and drop Eddie Betts who is past it. Cripps looks to miss the game with a back injury. Demons by 40+
Head 2 Head
Demons have won two the last three games versus the Blues
Best bet
Melbourne -23.5 $1.90
West Coast Eagles vs Adelaide Crows, Optus Stadium, May 16th 4.40pm
Round nine rounds out in the wild west. The Eagles got a valuable away win last weekend against a Hawks side that played very defensive footy. Ah Chee and Darling opened them up and Kelly and Sheed gave the forwards first use out of the middle. The Eagles will get back Mcgovern and Barrass which will bolster their defence and I really can’t see the Crows kicking a score. Taylor Walker is out of the game as he is rested. The Crows were belted last weekend against the Power and I really can’t see how they can beat the Eagles on their home deck. The Eagles will swing Allen forward now and Kennedy will most likely get a rest this with a niggling calf issue. Eagles by 40+
Head 2 Head
Eagles have won the last three games versus the Crows
Best bet
Eagles -38.5 $1.90
Eagles 40+ $2.15
