Brisbane vs Port Adelaide, AAMI, Sunday 3rd July, 1.10pm
Last time: PTA (75) def by BRL (1o8)
Brisbane
In: Adcock
Out: Rich (foot)
Port Adelaide
In: Ebert, Slater
Out: Carlile (Hip), Pittard(Hamstring)
Probably the first truly irrelevant game of the season, neither will make the eight, but both will be looking for a win. Brisbane lost to Fremantle but were competitive while Port were beaten convincingly by North Melbourne. I think Brisbane will get up here, mainly due to the home ground advantage and I think they are playing a little bit better footy, however $1.40 is pretty short for a team that has won 2 out of 13,.
Joe’s Bet: Brisbane over 15.5 @ 1.82 (Centrebet)
Collingwood vs Hawthorn, MCG, Sunday 3rd July, 2.10pm
Last time: HAW (98) def by COL (95)
Collingwood
In: Rounds (new), Jolly, Buckley, Faslo
Out: Didak (Calf), Goldsack, Wood, McCarthy
Hawthorn
In: Franklin, Young, Murphy,
Out: Lewis (suspension), Sewell (knee), Rioli (Hamstring)
The most intriguing game of the round, 2nd versus 3rd. Last week the Hawks smashed Essendon while the Pies won in a game which became close against Sydney after poor accuracy on goal kept the swans alive. Hawthorn claim to have the formula for beating Collingwood and have some results to back it up with a good record against the Pie’s over the last few years. Franklin comes back in for the hawks and has a great record against the Pie’s kicking 30 goals in their past 5 meetings. Travis Cloke is in great form and will be a threat too the short Hawthorn backline up the other end of the ground. Jolly returns to the Collingwood side that is pretty close to full strength with now with the players that returned last week. Dane Swan returned fresh last week and was back racking up a heap of the footy. There has been some big margins in recent games between these sides on both sides of the ledger so there might be some value in betting over 40 point margins, although rain may play a factor tomorrow at the G. I’m tipping the Pies for this one, but could be a lot of value in betting on the Hawks if you think they will get up this week.
Joe’s Bet: Collingwood over 15.5 @ 1.64 (Centrebet)
North Melbourne vs St.Kilda, ES, Sunday 3rd July, 4.40pm
Last time: NTH (63) def by STK (115)
North Melbourne
In: McMahon, Pratt, Hansen, McKinely
Out: Delaney (shoulder), Richardson, Atley, Harper
St. Kilda
In: Lynch, Ledger, Polo
Out: Baker, Clarke, Koschitzke (suspension)
Another interesting game with both these sides fighting for a top eight spot. This is the first of two matches they have in the remainder of the season and a win will go along way to a top 8 spot. St Kilda are coming of the bye last week but before that were starting to play themselves into form, a hard fought loss against Geelong and some good wins showed they are still well in the race for a finals spot. North Melbourne are in great form with another win over Port Adelaide to make it 4 in a row, all were against bottom 8 sides but they can earn a spot in the 8 for themselves this week if they make it 5 on the trot. Last two meeting have been thrashings by the Saints however that was last year when St Kilda were flying and the Roos weren’t in the form that they’re playing with at the moment. The odds are pretty close for this one with St.Kilda slight favourite, I think they will get up as well week, especially if Riewoldt can find some form on the back of some good performances against the Roo’s in recent times
Joe’s Bet: St. Kilda @ 1.85 (Sportingbet)
Nick Reiwoldt most goals of the game @ 5.00 (TAB Sportsbet)