AFL Round 8 Preview & Betting Tips

The following are previews with betting tips for Round 8 of the 2016 AFL season.

View and compare bookmaker odds for this round.

Friday, May 13

 

Adelaide v Geelong 7:50PM AEST, Adelaide Oval

 

And so approaches one of the most hyped-up games of the year – ex-Crows superstar Patrick Dangerfield’s first return to his old stomping ground. He left on relatively good terms, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t going to cop it from the Adelaide Oval crowd every time he touches the ball on Friday night. And considering the form he’s in at the moment, the Adelaide fans might be hoarse by the end of the night.

But regardless of the Dangerfield factor, this should be a ripping game of footy. Both clubs are in good form and playing fast-paced, exciting footy. At a neutral venue I’d probably be going with the Cats, but the Adelaide Oval is far from a neutral venue. I still expect it to go right down to the wire, but might have to give the Crows the nod in what is a vital game for both teams, but especially for them after dropping back into the middle of pack after last week’s loss to the Dogs.

Betting tip: Adelaide to win @ $2.01 (Marathon Bet)

Saturday, May 14

 

Essendon v North Melbourne 1:45PM AEST, Etihad Stadium

 

The Kangaroos survived an almighty scare from the Saints to produce their best start to a season since 1979. They’ll look to continue that great start with a big win over the Bombers, before the real tests begin in the second half of the season. They’ve had a good run with injuries so far, but losing Shaun Higgins until close to finals time is a massive blow. Their current position allows them to rest easy knowing they’ve already got wins in the bank and should be able to cover for him until finals, but they’ll definitely be sweating on him being fit and firing come September. Anyway, this one is a no-brainer, Kangaroos to win easily.

Betting tip: Kangaroos by 40+ @ $1.57 (Palmerbet)

 

Hawthorn v Fremantle 2:10PM AEST, Aurora Stadium

 

What was once a mighty battle is now a forgettable contest between the reigning premier and the only winless team in the competition. As the Dockers look to blood youth and prepare for the next generation, the Hawks are quietly going about doing the same thing – while continuing to notch up wins and contend for a fourth successive premiership. It’s a sad state of affairs for the Dockers, but it’s way too late to salvage anything from this season in terms of team success; all they can do is look to unearth some players that will take them forward in the future. There are quite a number of one-sided games occurring this weekend and this is surely one of them.

Betting tip: Hawthorn by 25+ @ $1.33 (William Hill)

 

GWS Giants v Gold Coast 4:35PM AEST, Spotless Stadium

 

The constant comparison between the two babies of the AFL world is becoming more and more unbearable for the Suns, as they watch the young Giants stamp themselves as serious contenders, while they themselves struggle to get any rhythm or consistency in their performances. Again, injuries aren’t helping, but it’s still disappointing, to say the least. If they’ve got any pride, they’ll do their best to show the Giants up at home, but even their best efforts are likely to have them falling well short of a very talented and very disciplined GWS outfit.

Betting tip: GWS by 40+ @ $1.40 (Luxbet)

 

Brisbane v Collingwood 7:25PM AEST, Gabba

 

This clash between two bottom six sides is a massive event in the context of one club’s future. That club is obviously Collingwood and the person under the pump is coach Nathan Buckley. Should they lose, I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to say that Bucks might get the sack during the week. That’s your lot when you coach the biggest club in the land and are struggling to meet expectations.

This is also a really difficult game to get a grasp on. Considering the venue and recent form, you’d have to go with the Lions, but the Pies will know that this match carries more weight than usual. They’re also generally at their best when they’ve got their backs against the wall. And being embarrassed by arch rivals Carlton is sure to rile them. I’m expecting the Pies to come out breathing fire and do everything they can do beat the Lions and save their coach, for this week at least.

Betting tip: Collingwood to win @ $2.36 (Pinnacle)

 

Richmond v Sydney 7:25PM AEST, MCG

 

The Tigers’ ship has officially set sail. Just like Freo, they need to spend the rest of the year figuring out which players will take them forward and which they need to move on. All names should be considered, as they’re in desperate need of bringing in some serious young talent at the end of the year to rebuild their footy club.

As the year progresses it’s becomeing more apparent that the top 6-8 teams are incredibly even. Every year we seem to hear the line ‘it’s the most even season in recent memory’, and I guess at this stage of the year it is hard to split teams – it’s where they go from here that sets them apart. The most pressing issue for the Swans right now is to keep winning and building towards a top four spot. From there, anything can happen.

The Tigers were good for three quarters last week, before the Hawks took control and made it seem like an easy win. We might see something similar when they take on the Swans on Saturday night.

Betting tip: Swans to win @ $1.26 (Marathon Bet)

Sunday, May 15

 

Carlton v Port Adelaide 1:10PM AEST, Etihad Stadium

 

Well, well, well, who would’ve thought the Blues would win three in a row this season? Not many, if any. And you know what, they’re a very sneaky chance of making it four. Port are a bit up and down and all over the shop, so there’s every chance they turn up not fully switched on, and if so, the Blues might just capitalise. It’s probably exceptionally unlikely – Port should win this game without a doubt – but funnier things have happened. Though the Blues would need absolutely everything to go right. While things have been going right for them over the past three weeks, I’m thinking that this week their luck might run out. I don’t expect Port to absolutely blow them out of the water, more likely they’ll just keep the Blues at arms length and end up winning by 4-6 goals.

Betting tip: Port Adelaide to win @ $1.57 (Pinnacle)

 

Melbourne v Western Bulldogs 3:20PM AEST, MCG

 

Both of these clubs were super impressive last weekend, albeit in differing circumstances. The Dees flew up to the Gold Coast and had a thumping win over the Suns, showing some new found maturity to both win on the road and close out a game they were expected to win. The Dogs, on the other hand, got the job done against an in-form Adelaide who just kept coming and coming at them. They had to do it with more than their fair share of players out injured, which made it all the more impressive.

The Dogs will need to venture out into the elements this week for their first hit-out outside of Etihad Stadium. The conditions aren’t likely to affect them too much, but the size of the MCG could stretch their zone defence, which they’ve successfully used to curtail opposition’s offensive thrusts at the smaller Etihad.

Whoever gets up will have earned it, as both clubs are currently going along very nicely. The Dogs are the better side and I expect them to get the four points, but not without a big fight from the Dees.

Betting tip: Bulldogs to win @ $1.50 (Marathon Bet)

 

West Coast v St Kilda 4:40PM AEST, Subiaco Oval

 

The Eagles once more struggled outside of Perth, while the Saints, although very impressive, again struggled to finish off a game that was theirs for the taking. Both clubs will have well and truly licked their wounds and moved their focus to this week, but it’s not likely either will have the chance at any real redemption until a later date. The Eagles are back at home and should win this game without too much trouble, but it won’t address their deficiencies when on the road.  And the Saints aren’t expected to get close enough to seriously trouble the Eagles and make amends for previous close losses that potentially should have been wins. A win to the Eagles is almost a given, after which both clubs will move on quickly and prepare for the next challenge that awaits.

Betting tip: West Coast by 25+ @ $1.40 (Sportsbet)

 

Best Bets of the Round

Swans to win @ $1.26 (Marathon Bet)

West Coast by 25+ @ $1.40 (Sportsbet)

 

Season Tally

All Bets:        +6.35 units

Best Bets:     -2.42 units

(Assuming 1 unit per bet)