The following are previews with betting tips for Round 21 of the 2015 AFL season.
Friday, August 21
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Hawthorn vs Port Adelaide7:50PM AEST, Etihad Stadium |
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At the start of the year, this probably would’ve looked like one of the biggest games of the regular season. A huge game between two premiership contenders leading into the finals series. Unfortunately for Port, and for those who love a big blockbuster match, this game doesn’t seem very appealing at all now that it’s here. Port are struggling and won’t make the eight, while the Hawks are playing as well as ever. While Port got the Hawks at the Adelaide Oval in Round 4, it’s difficult to see them getting anywhere near the Hawks this time around. It should be another comfortable win for the premiership favourites.
Betting tip: 1 unit – Most Possessions – Jordan Lewis @ $3.25 (bet365)
Saturday, August 22
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Collingwood vs Richmond1:45PM AEST, MCG |
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I reckon this is a danger game for the Tigers. They need to keep winning to make sure of their place in the finals, but they are known to sometimes struggle against opponents they’re expected to beat. And while they’re definitely expected to beat the Pies, the Pies aren’t easy beats. The Tigers will have to be on their game and if there’s any signs early on that they’re not switched on, I’d be backing the Pies for an upset win. That being said, I think that the Tigers will realise what’s at stake and come out with intentions of giving Collingwood an absolute bath. I think it’ll be an interesting game, but in the end I expect the Tigers to get home by 5 or 6 goals.
Betting tip: 1 unit – Tigers by 25+ @ $2.55 (Centrebet)
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GWS Giants vs Sydney2:10PM AEST, Spotless Stadium |
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The Giants’ 2015 season was delivered a fatal blow last weekend by the very temperamental Port Adelaide footy side. They won’t make finals now, barring a catastrophic last three weeks from both the Cats and the Crows. The Swans, on the other hand, have everything to play for in this contest. They’ve got to keep winning to snatch that 4th position from the in-form Bulldogs. The Dogs have a tough couple of weeks, playing the Eagles and then North, and you’d think they’ll drop at least one of those. So if the Swans are good enough to win all three games, they’ll finish with the double chance.
Buddy or no Buddy, the Swans should take care of the Giants relatively comfortable, even though they’ve been struggling for rhythm up forward recently. This might be the week they get back on track.
Betting tip: 1 unit – Swans by 25+ @ $2.80 (bet365)
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Gold Coast vs Essendon4:35PM AEST, Metricon Stadium |
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Well, after much controversy and countless wasted pages in the papers, James Hird is finally gone. It’s probably for the best, as it just looked like the whole footy club was sinking. Obviously that’s mainly due to the WADA appeal, but a fresh start in terms of a new coach surely has to help. I’ll be very keen to see how the players respond this week under caretaker coach Matthew Egan. He’s clearly got a tough job with that group for the remainder of the year, but he’s also got no expectations or pressure on him. It’s always tough to know how a team will respond the week after their coach gets the boot, but on form you just can’t tip the Bombers, so I’m going for the Suns at home.
Betting tip: 1 unit – Suns to win @ $1.54 (LuxBet)
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St Kilda vs Geelong7:20PM AEST, Etihad Stadium |
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Last week’s loss to the Hawks leaves the Cats’ season precariously placed. They’ve fallen behind the 8th placed Crows by a game and a big chunk of percentage. That’s not to say it’s a lost cause, however. The Crows have a tough game against the Eagles next weekend, and then the two sides face off in the final round of the season. If the Eagles beat the Crows, and the Cats win their next two, it will set up a massive clash in Round 23 to decide which club makes the final eight. I want to see that happen, so I’m backing the Cats here. Disregarding my wish for a Round 23 thriller, they should beat the Saints comfortably anyway.
Betting tip: 1 unit – Cats at the line of -29.5 $2.07 (UniBet)
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Adelaide vs Brisbane7:40PM AEST, Adelaide Oval |
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As above, the Crows will win this game. They’re only playing the Lions, who, while made to look like a genuine top four side by the Blues last week, are actually not very good at all. They’ve got some players who are returning to form, but it’s all too little, too late, and they won’t be good enough to beat the Crows at home.
Betting tip: 1 unit – Crows by 40+ @ $1.71 (Centrebet)
Sunday, August 23
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North Melbourne vs Fremantle1:10PM AEST, Etihad Stadium |
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This is one of the few games this weekend that I expect to be a high quality game of footy. While the Dockers aren’t in the best of form, they’ve proven all year that they’re a head team to beat. The Kangaroos, at their best, are capable of beating anyone, and this is absolutely a winnable game, playing at home against an undermanned Freo side. I’m actually expecting that Roos get up here; the only thing that’s got me concerned is that this Dockers side rarely lose two in a row. Still, I’m going to go with my gut and back in the Kangaroos to lock in their finals spot.
Betting tip: 1 unit – Kangaroos to win @ $1.75 (CrownBet)
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Carlton vs Melbourne3:20PM AEST, MCG |
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Well, Carlton are finishing the season with a bang, storming their way home towards the coveted number one draft pick. It’s all very exciting at the moment, but this is a danger game; if they play well enough, they might actually be capable of beating the Demons. But, with such a big prize at stake, you wouldn’t think they’d be able to get the job done here. The Dees have much less to play for and should enjoy a nice Sunday afternoon stroll around the MCG.
Betting tip: 1 unit – Demons by 25+ @ $2.40 (Centrebet)
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West Coast vs Western Bulldogs4:40PM AEST, Patersons Stadium |
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The round once again finishes with it’s biggest game. The Eagles were superb last week, knocking off their cross town rival and current ladder leader fairly easily. The Dogs were good, but they had almost no opposition to speak of. This will be much, much bigger challenge for them. Almost the toughest challenge in the game at the moment.
Both these teams are capable of playing a very exciting brand of footy, so I’m really looking forward to sitting down and watching this one. Lots at stake as well. For the Eagles, win here and a home final is almost within touching distance. For the Dogs, win and their odds of holding sway and finishing in the top four plummet. The Dogs have struggled over in Perth in recent times, but they’ve spent this whole year changing old habits. Will this be another? It’ll be fast, it’ll be exciting, but I think in the end, the Eagles will finish comfortably ahead.
Betting tip: 1 unit – Eagles by 25+ @ $2.00 (Centrebet)