Geelong Cats v Western Bulldogs
Friday 18/6/21
Geelong has home ground advantage as they look to keep momentum after a hard-fought away win over Port last week. They are unbeaten at GMHBA Stadium this year and this time they’ll play in front of a small amount of fans. Shaun Higgins will miss for the Cats but is replaced by prolific ball-winner Cam Guthrie. It’s no surprise the Cats have a good record against their opponent at this venue, but this is a rejuvenated Western Bulldogs, having only lost to Melbourne and Richmond in 2021. They have the defence to handle a Geelong forward line which found its mojo last weekend, with Jeremy Cameron, Tom Hawkins, and Gary Rohan on fire. If the Bulldogs’ midfield can limit the Cats’ supply into the forward 50, it will be a huge help to their backmen quelling the influence of that trio.
Suggested bet – 1u Bulldogs win at $2.45
Gold Coast Suns v Port Adelaide Power
Saturday 19/6/21
A lot has been made on where Port is at in season 2021, but they showed last week against Geelong that their season – and perhaps even top four credentials – are not totally dead and buried just yet. While they weren’t able to get the win at home, it showed they are still in the conversation as one of the better sides in the competition. They will be looking to hit back and convert over a Suns side which has lost four of its past five. There wasn’t much to get excited about in their 27-point loss to Fremantle last week. Ruckman Scott Lycett returns for a Port side which has also won its past 11 matches over the Suns. I’m surprised they aren’t much shorter in the market.
Suggested bet – 2u Port win at $1.47
North Melbourne Roos v Brisbane Lions
Saturday 19/6/21
The Lions will be fresh – and hungry – after the bye weekend and now make an unexpected last-minute trip to Hobart to face North Melbourne. The Lions seven-game winning streak before the bye was relinquished when they went down to Melbourne by 22 points, but their mid-season form has rightly put them squarely in the premiership debate. The Roos come off a gritty draw against the Giants, which was also played in Tasmania, which is now proving a happy hunting ground. They clearly face a much sterner test against the Lions here, but it’ll be a cold Saturday afternoon down there – and there should be big upside in the fact the Roos are somewhat acclimatised, while the Lions will be coming from a much warmer Queensland. I doubt the Roos can win, but the near-six goal line is tempting.
Suggested bet – 1u Kangaroos +34.5 at $1.85
Greater Western Sydney Giants v Carlton Blues
Saturday 19/6/21
A tricky clash with the Giants solid mid-season form coming to a halt in the past two weeks with a big loss to the Lions and then the draw to the Kangaroos. Carlton has now lost six of its past eight and are essentially out of finals contention despite promising big things in 2021. They are now under further scrutiny with a mid-season review of the entire club which only puts more pressure on the players. There was a lot to like about how the Giants came back from 28 points down late in the game to halve the points with the Roos and I’m tipping it’ll be the wake up call they need. Ex-Giants co-captain Phil Davis is back for the Giants, while big-man Mumford will miss the game with injury. The Giants have won seven of their past eight against the Blues and if they want anything to do finals, must be winning here.
Suggested bet – 1u Giants -8.5 at $1.90
Hawthorn Hawks v Essendon Bombers
Sunday 20/6/21
If the Hawks hadn’t sprung an unexpected win over the Swans last week, I’m tipping they’d be much longer in the market for this clash with Essendon. The win snapped a five-game losing streak, and earned the Hawks’ third win of the season. For the Bombers, last week’s loss to Richmond killed a three-game winning streak. They now head to Tasmania for their first clash in that state since 1992. The Hawks enjoy playing in Tasmania and are well-accustomed to doing so. Thy have also won four of their past five over the Bombers. There’s too many variables in this one to get too excited from a betting perspective.
No suggested bet