Gold Coast vs Western Bulldogs, Metricon Stadium, Sat 25th June, 2.10pm
Last time: WBD (122) def GCS (51)
Gold Coast
In: Zac Smith, Hayden Jolly(New), Charlie Dixon, Joel Wilkinson(New), David Swallow.
Out: Trent McKenzie (Rest), Sam Day (Rest), Daniel Harris, Rex Liddy, Daniel Gorringe.
Bulldogs
In: Barry Hall, Christian Howard Out: Nathan Djerrkura, Thomas Liberatore.
The bulldogs are coming off a win against Adelaide last week and holding on to a chance of playing finals this year. To have any hope they need to gain some momentum with a win over the Suns this weekend. Although they are still not playing great footy they have seemingly arrested their for slump and are close to full strength with the exception of the back-line. Barry Hall has come back into the side in what looks to be his last shot at resurrecting his career, he’s done it before, so I’m not writing him off to do it again. Guy Mckenna continues to rotate his young players, looking towards the future, 5 changes this week, most notable Zack Smith and D Swallow back into the side. They have struggled the last few weeks against Hawthorn and North Melbourne with skill errors and decision making letting them down. Wining first Quarters has been a problem all year and they will need to come out strong to be a chance against Dogs who beat them convincingly earlier in the year. Ablett is back to his best form over the last last month and has a good record against the dogs, will be one to watch, along with Boyd who had a quiet week last week being tagged by Doughty. The Suns don’t tag, and Ablett is almost untagged so it will be an interesting battle in the middle. Expecting the Dogs to win this one pretty comfortably.
Joe’s Bet: Western Bulldogs over 39.5 @ 2.15 (Sportingbet)
H2H Supercoach – Robert Murphy @ 1.85 against Jared Brennan (Sportsbet)
Most Disposals in Group – Garry Ablett @ 2.50 (TAB Sportsbet)
Richmond vs Melbourne, MCG, Sat 25th June, 2.10pm
Last time: MEL (109) def RIC (80)
Richmond
In: David Gourdis, Jake Batchelor Out: Jake King (suspension), Jayden Post
Melbourne
In: Mark Jamar, Jordan Gysberts Out: Clint Bartram, Max Gawn
Massive game for both clubs. Both are pushing for potentially the same finals spot as this is the first of two match ups they have in the remainder of the year. Betting has been neck and neck with Melbourne coming in slightly to be favourites with most bookies. Both had good wins last week with Richmond winning comfortably over Brisbane at the GABBA and Melbourne smashing a Fremantle rabble by 89 points. Jamar is a big inclusion demons, had been one of their most influential players this before getting injured, while loosing Jake king to suspension is a blow to the Tigers. This is pretty much a coin flip as the odds suggest, game is there for the taking for both clubs. I’m just leaning towards Richmond, think they have performed slightly better under pressure this year than the Demons and their younger midfielders in Martin and Cotchin have had a bit more time to develop than Trengrove and Scully who have had troubles with injury and suspension this year. Jack Watts has showed something in the last few weeks after a slow start to the year and backing up a good performance from last week would go along way in helping his side to victory. Up the other end the tigers will be looking for Riewoldt to fire up, who has been playing good team footy, but hasn’t been as damaging on the scoreboard in recent weeks.
Joe’s Bet: Richmond +2.5 @ 1.83 (Centrebet)