Brisbane Lions v Geelong Cats
Thursday 24/6/2021
An in-form Geelong head north to the Gabba for one of the most daunting tasks in footy. But after six wins on the trot, the Cats couldn’t be better prepared for this blockbuster against the Brisbane Lions. Both sides are inside the top four, but the Cats can leapfrog the Lions into third place with victory here. The Cats have a great record at the Gabba, losing only once from their past four meetings at this venue – and that loss was by a solitary point. The Lions also come off a trip to Tasmania where they were far from at their best when beating a tenacious Roos side. The Lions will be bolstered by the return of captain Dayne Zorko following a one-match suspension, while the Cats welcome back defender Lachie Henderson from injury. At the odds, it’s extremely difficult not to have something on the Cats.
Suggested bet – 1u Geelong win at $2.22
Richmond Tigers v St Kilda Saints
Friday 25/6/21
Nothing too tricky here with the reigning premiers Richmond more than likely to blow one of the raging disappointments of 2021 off the park here. The Saints’ horror season was encapsulated by last week’s loss to Adelaide when they gave up a near unassailable lead. It’s no surprise the Tigers have a great recent record over the Saints, but there are also some questions marks around exactly how well they are travelling. They clearly aren’t firing on all cyclones just yet,but Dion Prestia returning for the Tigers is a boost. While the Saints should be a little sharper with Seb Ross and Tim Membrey returning. It’s likely this game will be played in cold, wet and generally miserable Melbourne weather so there’s a chance the Saints could keep this closer than most expect with the Tigers’ run somewhat nullified in those conditions.
Suggested bet – 0.5 Saints +26.5 at $1.90
North Melbourne Kangaroos v Gold Coast Suns
Saturday 26/6/21
This game is being played down in Tasmania and the Roos have played better than some expected while being settled at Blundstone Arena. The Roos’ recent form, despite winning only once all season, reads better than the Suns, with honourable losses to the Lions and Saints to go with a draw against the Giants, in recent weeks. The Suns were meek against Port last week, and while this is a big step down in grade, they also have a few more injury concerns to exacerbate an already lengthy list. It’s hard to get excited on the Roos as favourites, but if they can keep up their competitiveness for another week, they really should be winning this.
Suggested bet – 1u Kangaroos win at $1.75
Collingwood Magpies v Fremantle Dockers
Saturday 26/6/21
Both sides will be bolstered by some significant incisions, but Freo seem to fare better in this regard with the likes of Nat Fyfe and Matt Taberner returning. Freo’s last round win over the Gold Coast has them on the brink of the top eight, making this an important clash for the visitors. The Dockers have won this encounter on the last two occasions, which includes a win in Melbourne. While the Pies come off two wins, the ‘gloss’ of playing for snubbed coach Nathan Buckley won’t stick around forever. At nice odds, the Dockers are well capable of winning this one.
Suggested bet – 1.5u win Fremantle at $2.18
Port Adelaide Power v Sydney Swans
Saturday 26/6/21
An interesting clash which should give a better indication of where these two sides are at as they make their charge to the finals. There’s been questions marks over the Power this year, but it’s been somewhat settled by winning three of their past four, with the loss coming only narrowly to Geelong. They have proved far too good for the Swans in the past two encounters, and before that also won closer clashes between the pair to make it four straight against Sydney. Todd Marshall will help bolster the Port forward line, but they lose evergreen goal-sneak Robbie Gray. The Swans will be fresh after a week off and should be hungry after their most recent shock loss to Hawthorn. Perhaps the break came at exact right time for the Swans? If it did, and they’ve regrouped from the Hawks’ loss, they should be ultra-competitive.
Suggested bet – 1.5u +19.5 Swans at $1.85
Essendon Bombers v Melbourne Demons
Saturday 26/6/21
Melbourne has won its last eight matches in their hometown and should enjoy the return back to the MCG after the surprise loss to Collingwood a fortnight ago (in Sydney). They will come out swinging after that loss as they look to resume normal transmission and recapture their winning form. The Bombers have won four of their past five to sniff a finals berth, and whilst they may be competitive, it’s difficult to see how they can beat the Demons who will also be strengthened by the return of Jack Viney. This game could be a little wet which will likely play into the Demons’ slightly more defensive style (neither side has scored 100 points in their past six matches).
Suggested bet – 2.5u Melbourne win at $1.30
Greater Western Sydney Giants v Hawthorn Hawks
Sunday 27/6/21
The Hawks have lost nine of their past 10 day matches and have only won three matches all year. However, they tested the Bombers last week and the prior to that, pulled off an upset win over Sydney. I must say I’ve been surprised at how poorly they played prior to the last two weeks, so it wasn’t a huge surprise to see them return to some better form. Having said that, they face a Giants outfit which should have too much firepower for the Hawks as they look to become serious finals contenders. Last week they beat Carlton convincingly, but they’ve failed to win at their past three attempts away from home. They travel to the MCG for clash, and the last time the two sides met here it was the Hawks running out big winners. Previous stats seem to weigh in favour of the Hawks, however Shane Mumford returns for the Giants which is a huge plus. The Giants are rightfully clear favourites here and I think there’s a bit of value in them to win.
Suggested bet – 2.5u Giants win at $1.57
West Coast Eagles v Western Bulldogs
Sunday 27/6/21
A mega clash in Perth and a big test for the Western Bulldogs. The last two times the Bulldogs ventured to this venue they have been wiped off the park. However, the most recent of those clashes was back in 2019 and it’s clear the Dogs are a much better outfit in 2021. But they face a West Coast side which is flying at home, winning its last 14 of 16. The Eagles also welcome back a host of key players. The cauldron in the west should be too much for the Dogs to spring an upset.
Suggested bet – 1 u West Coast win at $1.69
Adelaide Crows v Carlton Blues
Sunday 27/6/21
After losing their last three, to make it seven defeats from their past nine matches, the Blues are in free fall and there’s big concerns a loss to Adelaide could be the end of coach David Teague. The Blues get some handy inclusions, but the Crows have had the wood over them in recent clashes. One of the other big talking points is where Adelaide is at this season. After a strong start, they’ve struggled to produce more wins. Happy to sit this one out from a betting perspective with two sides renowned for inconsistency.
No suggested bet