Greater Western Sydney Giants v Richmond Tigers
Friday 13/8/21
Greater Western Sydney has made six changes for its all-important Friday night clash with Richmond. Jesse Hogan, Jacob Hopper, Shane Mumford and Josh Kelly are among the big-name inclusions for the Giants, while Toby Greene will miss through suspension. The Tigers are unchanged from the side that defeated North Melbourne last week. That come-from-behind victory gave their season a glimmer of hope and steadied a horror period which saw them lose six from seven. The Giants have been hit-and-miss all year but after beating the Cats last week, they will be eyeing to continue that momentum as they look to shore up a finals spot.
Suggested bet – 2u Giants win at $2.18
Hawthorn Hawks v Western Bulldogs
Saturday 14/8/21
Important defender Alex Keath returns for the Western Bulldogs as they clash with an improving Hawthorn side. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has been rested, while Josh Schache and Josh Bruce are on the sidelines through injury for the Dogs, who come off a surprise loss to the Bombers. Importantly, the Dogs have rebounded off their seven most recent losses by recording a follow-up win. The forecast in Tasmania is pretty good for this clash so expect the Dogs to run away with it.
Suggested bet – 1.5u Bulldogs -27.5 at $1.90
Geelong Cats v St Kilda Saints
Saturday 14/8/21
After a shock loss to the Giants last week, the Cats are back at home and firm favourites against the Saints. Dan Hannebery is a confirmed starter for the Saints and will play his first game of the season and Dougal Howard is back from injury. For the Cats, Jeremy Cameron’s return is one of four changes, which includes lively forward Gary Rohan being ruled out. Geelong has won its last 16 matches at this venue when following up a loss, and while they should be too good here, I don’t think the Saints will be easy beats.
Suggested bet – 1.5u Saints +25.5 at $1.90
Port Adelaide Power v Carlton Blues
Saturday 14/8/21
Port Adelaide can cement their spot in the top-four by winning their sixth straight against the Blues. The hapless Blues come off a loss to the Suns and are now without Liam Jones, Harry McKay and Jack Silvagni due to injury. Port have been a curious team to assess this year, but after winning their past four, perhaps it’s time to put them back in the ‘premiership contender’ category. They’ll also be wanting to improve off last week’s disappointing performance when only narrowly beating the Crows in last week’s Showdown.
Suggested bet – 1.5u Port -35.5 at $1.90
North Melbourne Kangaroos v Sydney Swans
Saturday 14/8/21
Lance Franklin has been left out of Sydney’s clash against North Melbourne, while Jake Lloyd will also miss through injury. This shapes as an interesting clash and another test of how far North’s progression has come in the latter half of the year. Sydney has won its last nine away matches against North and they’ll be wanting to continue that trend and bounce back after last week’s loss to the Saints. I think the market has this one about spot on – Sydney should win, but not by a big margin.
No suggested bet
Brisbane Lions v Collingwood Magpies
Saturday 14/8/21
The Lions curbed their slide down in premiership calculations by smashing Freo in Perth last week. It helped steady the Lions poor recent previous showings which saw them lose three of their last four. Now they are back at home and will be looking to keep their momentum flowing for finals. They also get Lachie Neale and Darcy Gardiner back to further bolster the side. However, it’s interesting to note Collingwood have the wood over the Lions in recent years, despite the Lions winning the last two (only by narrow margins). It is hard to see the Pies being really competitive here again though, especially given last week’s loss to Hawthorn.
Suggested bet – 1.5u Lions -38.5 at $1.95
Melbourne Demons v Adelaide Crows
Sunday 15/8/21
The Dees return from Perth after beating West Coast and now face the Crows side which inflicted upon them arguably the biggest upset of the season earlier this year. The Dees should get the job done here, especially with the Crows without ruckman Reilly O’Brien. Expect the Dees to dominate the midfield and give their forward line plenty of scoring opportunities.
Suggested bet – 1u Melbourne -43.5 at $1.90.
Gold Coast Suns v Essendon Bombers
Sunday 15/8/21
Essendon needs to win this game to further boost their top eight hopes and follow-up a brilliant win over the Bulldogs last weekend. They come up against the Suns who beat the Blues last week at GMHBA Stadium, which should aid the Bombers. The Bombers will be without gun forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti but get Dyson Heppell and Andy McGrath back. If the Bombers perform anywhere neat the level they produced last week, they’ll be winning this easily.
Suggested bet – 1u Essendon -21.5 at $1.90
Fremantle Dockers v West Coast Eagles
Sunday 15/8/21
One of biggest editions of the Derby in years with plenty on the line. Fremantle can almost put the final nail in West Coast’s season while keeping their own finals hopes alive. However, West Coast has won each of its last 11 matches against Freo who will be without the suspended Angus Brayshaw. The Eagles will be without Shannon Hurn but they do regain some key players including Luke Shuey and Liam Ryan. How much fight is in left in the Eagles after two straight losses? I still think they should be able to sneak past a Freo side still without Nat Fyfe.
Suggested bet – 2.5u West Coast win at $1.40