Round 9
Western Bulldogs vs Richmond Tigers
July 29th (Wednesday 7.10pm) Metricon Stadium
33 games in 20 days starts tonight between two teams who are pushing for that top four spot. The Dogs over recent times have had a good record vs the Tigers and after a hard fought win last weekend vs the Gold Coast Suns will look to take that form into the game tonight. The Suns are no easy beat and last week the Dogs showed a lot of grit to get over the line in a thriller. The Bont played his role and in the dying stages it was himself and the other mids that had a calm head to get the dogs over the line. They will need a lot of things to go their way tonight to knock off a Tigers side who will be out for revenge after losing to the Giants last weekend. They were in the game last weekend but then out of it. Dustin Martin was back to his brilliant best and it looked like he was going to get the Tigers over the line in the last stages of the game last weekend but he needed more troops. The Tigers welcome back Cotchin but drop Rioli who looks very out of sorts this year and is struggling for any form. I am sticking with the Tigers tonight, If Dusty and Cotchin get rolling early they will be hard to beat. Tigers win 10+
H2H
Dogs have won four of the last five games vs the Tigers
Best Bet
Tigers $1.95
Tigers 1-39 $2.25
Melbourne Demons vs Port Adelaide Power
July 30th (Gabba 7.10pm) Metricon Stadium
The Demons will be kicking themselves after last week's 5 point loss to the Lions. They had chances to beat a top four side but again silly errors and a stupid 50m penalty in the last stages of the game ruined their chances. They are still a very inexperienced side Melbourne and will need to build on that if they are to have any chance this weekend. They come up against a Power side who lost to the Saints last week at their home ground and they will be out for blood. I am not completely sold on the Power being a premiership fancy as I believe they have beaten no one and have lost to easy sides this year. Charlie Dixon needs to do more, he is the biggest player on the ground but his goal kicking lets him down. This game is being played at the Gabba and this will favour the Demons as they love to run and carry the ball. If they bring their speed and quick play on they can challenge the Power here. They have rested Harley Bennell who last week looked tired. Tom Rockliff is back for the Power as Todd Marshall is out for 6 weeks with a broken hand. Power by 10+
H2H
Power have won three of the last five games vs the Demons
Best Bet
Power $1.65
Power 1-39 $2.05
Carlton Blues vs Hawthorn Hawks
July 31st (Friday 5.40pm) Optus Stadium
This is a must win for the Blues here they have shown a lot of fight over the last few weeks but to knock off Hawthorn in Perth would be one of their biggest wins. I know the Hawks aren’t going so well but they love getting to Optus Stadium. They knocked off the Eagles last year there and will look to get back to winning ways this weekend. The Blues had a great win last weekend vs the Kangaroos in the wet conditions, Patrick Cripps is now being tagged by 2 players at each stoppage I don’t think the Hawks will go with a hard tag but don’t be surprised if you see Mitchell go with Cripps at some stages of the game. Start is key here as we have seen from the two games this round already fast starts set up wins. Tigers kicked away early on Wednesday and same with the Power last night. If one of these sides can kick away early it will be good night. I am looking forward to seeing Jaegar Omera back in his home state tonight. If he can get the ball going forward the Hawks can win. Tipping an upset Hawks to win by 15+
H2H
Hawks have won four of the last five games vs the Blues
Best Bet
Hawks win $2.25
Essendon Bombers vs Brisbane Lions
July 31st (Friday 8.10pm) Metricon Stadium
Bomber fans will be saying their prayers after last weekend's game vs the Crows. They hung on by the barest of margins and the Crows were coming late in that game. John Worsfold has had tight wins before as an Eagles coach and I reckon he has a play for the Lions this weekend. Lions are in good form but the Bombers have a knack of beating teams they shouldn’t beat and especially backs against the wall this weekend with some troops out. Lions on the other hand are in good form but weren’t at their best last weekend against the Demons. If they bring their running game though watch out. Their mids led by Zorko and Mcgullage are on fire and the delivery is A class to their forwards. I am picking the Lions in this one purely because it is on the Gold Coast and the Bombers went to Adelaide last weekend for a hard game. As mentioned before start is crucial.
H2H
Bombers have won three of the last five games vs the Lions
Best Bet
Bombers +14.5 $1.90
North Melbourne vs Adelaide Crows
1st August (Saturday 2.35pm) Metricon Stadium
If I was a North fan today I would be very very very nervous. The Crows are coming for a win, they got close last weekend vs the Bombers and they can smell blood against a side who has been all over the shop. North last weekend should have beaten Carlton but they let them kick the first 5 goals of the game and in these shortened qtrs it is difficult to peg back those sort of leads. Coach Shaw has made two big changes dropping Brown and Polec for the game two players who haven’t been in the greatest bit of form lately, freshen up is what they might need. Crows can win this game if they bring the intensity. They were in it for 4 qtrs vs the Bombers last weekend but a few silly decisions in the last moments cost them a win. If Taylor Walker steps up and kicks a bag they can 100% win. Good to see Byrce Gibbs back in the side this weekend. I am tipping an upset and have gone with the Crows by 10.
H2H
Crows have won three of the last five games vs the Kangaroos
Best Bet
Crows +10.5 $1.90
Crows win $2.45
St Kilda Saints vs Sydney Swans
1st August (Saturday 5.10pm) Gabba
Saints are flying high at the moment two wins in a row and two wins at a ground they couldn’t win at from 10 previous starts in Adelaide Oval. They need to take that form back to the hub and get a convincing win against a Sydney side who is gaining some momentum after beating the Hawks last weekend the Swans are up and about. Tom Papley is the best small forward in the comp and could win the Coleman medal this year if he kicks another bag or two. He is unstoppable at the moment, no defender can go with him. Saints have found a few hidden gems with Membrey and Steele in career best form and if they are to make a run at the finals this year those two need to keep the form they are in and make a stand for this football club. Game will be won in the middle with Saints most likely to get first use with Ryder and Battle in the ruck, their mids have improved their skills to give their forwards a chance to kick a goal. Saints by 20+
H2H
Swans have won five of the last five games vs the Saints
Best Bet
Saints -15.5 $1.90
West Coast Eagles vs Geelong Cats
1st August (Saturday 8.10pm) Optus Stadium
Match of the round here the Eagles announced themselves to the competition last weekend that they are back. The Eagles have another 4 games at Optus Stadium and they will be hard to beat on their home deck. Josh Kennendy is back to his best form with seven goals last weekend against arguably the best backline in Collingwood. If they bring that form from last weekend they will beat the Cats tonight. The Cats had a nice win vs the Dockers but I have nothing good to say about the Dockers they are one of the worst teams in the comp. Tom Hawkins had a nervous week but got off his charge of elbowing during the week, which sets up a great contest between him and Tom Barrass who is also in very good form as a defender. Eagles have a debut with Harry Edwards coming into the side for Rotham who is dropped. Eagles by 15+
H2H
Geelong have won three of the last five games vs the Eagles
Best Bet
Eagles -17.5 $1.90
Eagles 1-39 $1.85
Gold Coast Suns vs GWS Giants
2nd August (Sunday 3.35pm) Metricon Stadium
Match between semi rivals as they are the newest clubs in the AFL will be a cracker come Sunday. They are both in good form beating teams that they should have beaten. The Giants had a good win last vs the Tigers and will look to take that form into the game come Sunday. Toby Greene was on fire and if he brings that form into today's game they will be very hard to beat. The Suns have been in good form and should have won last weekend but the Doggies held on by 5 points. They will need to bring the heat early vs the Giants and exploit their mids early and get their run on. The Giants need to get the ball long into Cameron and the other small forwards as they rarely get beaten by their opponents in the air. I am tipping the Giants but I think it will be a lot closer than people think. No change for the Suns one change for the Giants Zac Williams is in and that is huge as he adds a lot of run and dash.
H2H
Giants have won five of the last five games vs the Suns
Best Bet
Giants -13.5 $1.90
Fremantle Dockers vs Collingwood Magpies
2nd August (Sunday 6.10pm) Optus Stadium
Sunday night's game is against two sides who need a win badly. The Pies got smashed last weekend against the Eagles and will be out to get revenge this weekend against the other WA side in the Dockers. They couldn’t kick a score to save themselves the Pies last weekend but with Varcoe and Sidebottom coming into this side I reckon the Pies could go nuts on Sunday. The Dockers backline is under a lot of pressure and will need their mids to help come Sunday. Nat Fyfe is back after a hamstring injury and boy do they need him. If he can pop up and kick 3 goals the Dockers can test the Pies on Sunday, big loss with Michael Walters to miss with a hamstring injury. Pies have won the last 4 games vs the Dockers and will add to that today. Pies by 20+
H2H
Pies have won four of the last five games vs the Dockers
Best Bet
Pies -13.5 $1.90
