The following are previews with betting tips for AFL Round 9 in the 2015 AFL season.
Friday, May 29
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Sydney vs Carlton7:50PM AEST, SCG |
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What a big week it’s been for everyone involved with the Carlton footy club, from the board, players, and coaching staff, down to all the members and fans. It was a sad way to end Mick Malthouse’s career as a senior coach, just weeks after he broke the all-time record for number of games coached. The Blues are clearly in a spot of bother, and have taken action to try to mend things as quickly as they can. Whether it was the right decision or not is something that won’t be clear until a few years from now, but for now everyone at Carlton has to be on the same page; ready to embrace a big challenge and be in full support of the new coaching staff.
There have been a number of games this year where the Blues just didn’t look like they really cared all that much. It’ll be interesting to see how they play this week. They won’t get any where near the Swans, but you’d expect to see some fight.
Betting tip: 1 unit – 1st Half Handicap – Blues (+33.5) @ $1.90 (PalmerBet)
Saturday, May 30
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Hawthorn vs Gold Coast1:45PM AEST, Aurora Stadium |
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Just like the Friday night game, this is another game that could get ugly very quickly. The Hawks will be disappointed in their loss to the Swans and their mediocre start to the season. They’ll win this by a painfully large amount.
Betting tip: 1 unit – Hawks at the line of -75.5 @ $2.20 (BetStar)
1 unit – Hawks – Round Highest Scoring Team @ $2.00 (Centrebet)
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Melbourne vs Port Adelaide2:10PM AEST, TIO Traeger Park |
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The Demons had a magnificent win against the disappointing Dogs last weekend to get their season back on track and their spirits up after a tough three week stretch.
On the other hand, Port fans were left scratching their heads and wondering if they, and their season, were in fact being torn apart. It’s going to be extremely difficult to secure a top four spot from their current position. Actually, if they don’t find some form soon it’s going to be hard for them to make the eight, forget about the top four.
This is definitely not the guaranteed win Power fans would have expected it to be 3 or 4 weeks ago. It is, however, an absolutely crucial game to win for their premiership aspirations.
Betting tip: 1 unit – Power at the line of -21.5 @ $2.00 (Centrebet)
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Western Bulldogs vs GWS Giants4:35PM AEST, Etihad Stadium |
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The Giants were, once more, incredibly impressive last week against the Crows. If anyone still had doubts about the credibility of the Giants’ finals aspirations, they should now be erased.
They’re playing really good, consistent footy. The same can’t be said for the young Bulldogs, who, after taking it up to the unbeaten Dockers, got pushed around and bullied by the previously struggling Demons.
The Dogs and their fans will be fired up for this one, ready to give a hostile welcome to their previous skipper Ryan Griffen. They’ll also be looking forward to making amends for their poor loss to the Giants in round 23 of last year. I expect this to be a heated encounter and a great game of footy with flashes of brilliance from young stars on both sides.
Betting tip: Giants at the line of -15.5 @ $2.10 (William Hill)
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Richmond vs Essendon7:20PM AEST, MCG |
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This is a biggest game of footy this weekend, and for quite a few reasons. It’s the annual ‘Dreamtime at the ‘G’ game, which is always a great occasion. It’s also Dustin Fletcher’s 400th game of AFL football, which is just a ridiculous milestone when you really think about it. How he’s still going in this modern era is beyond me.
Another reason for this being a big game is that the Tigers and the Bombers are sitting 8th and 9th respectively on equal points and separated by less than 6%. This is a classic ‘8 point game’.
The Tigers have played some really good footy in the last two weeks and the Bombers are still looking a bit out of sorts, despite their big win over the Lions. I’m tipping the Tigers in a close game.
Betting tip: 1 unit – Tigers to win @ $1.79 (BetFair)
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Adelaide vs Fremantle7:40PM AEST, Adelaide Oval |
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This week it’s the Crows turn for a crack at the unbeaten Dockers. It’s still hard to get a good gauge on the Crows and properly evaluate how they’re going. This will obviously be a big test for them, but they do have the comfort of doing it at home in front of a big crowd. I think the Dockers will be too good again, but the Crows should be able to keep it from being a blow out.
Betting tip: 1 unit – Dockers by 1-39 @ $2.12 (UniBet)
Sunday, May 31
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Brisbane vs St Kilda1:10PM AEST, The Gabba |
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Both these clubs were on the wrong end of big margins last weekend, and will be excited at the prospect of facing another club in a similar position to them. In other words, excited about the prospect of a very winnable game. The fans will be anyway.
This one could easily go either way, depending on which team turns up ready to play. I’m sticking with the Lions to win since it’s at the Gabba.
Betting tip: 1 unit – Lions to win by 1-39 @ $2.23 (UniBet)
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Collingwood vs North Melbourne3:20PM AEST, MCG |
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The less said about the Kangaroos venture to Perth last Saturday night, the better. It’s the toughest trip in footy at the moment, but a team like the Kangaroos should do better than that. They’ll be looking to bounce back against the Pies, who are fresh from a nice relaxing holiday on the Gold Coast.
The Pies still haven’t really beaten anyone of note, and I think the Kangaroos are the better side and should be able to get the job done if they produce something close to their best footy.
Betting tip: 1 unit – Kangaroos to win @ $1.77 (BetStar)
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West Coast vs Geelong4:40PM AEST, Patersons Stadium |
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The Eagles continue on their merry way, flying well under the radar while sitting happily in second place on the ladder after eight rounds of football. They’ve had quite a good draw so far, and here is another game that, while it will give them a challenge, they can, and probably should, win.
I’m looking forward to this one. If both teams play close to their best footy it should be a really close and entertaining battle. I’m sticking with the Eagles to keep ticking along and move to 7-2, but think the Cats should be able to push them well into the last quarter.
Betting tip: 1 unit – Eagles at the line of -18.5 @ $1.92 (Sportsbet)
Season Tally
Units Wagered: 50
Units Won: 48.64