The following are previews with betting tips for Round 13 of the 2016 AFL season.
View and compare bookmaker odds for this round
View the form guide for this round
Friday, June 17
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North Melbourne v Hawthorn7:50PM AEST, Etihad Stadium |
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After losing just their second game of the year on the weekend, the Kangaroos have another difficult task awaiting them on Friday night. They’ll be forced to confront the reigning premiers with several key players out injured, being hit heavily by the injury gods last weekend after enjoying a relatively good run so far this year.
The Hawks have had a fairly subdued past three weeks, taking care of Brisbane, Melbourne and Essendon, meaning this will be their first real challenge since they went down to the Swans in Round 9. It could mean they’re well rested and ready to go hell for leather against the Roos, but on the other hand, the jump in intensity could catch them off guard. Even if they are a little slow off the mark, considering the Roos will be without Swallow, Cunnington and Waite, I think it’s safe to say the Hawks should not lose on Friday night. The Kangaroos are a good side and will make them fight for it, but the Hawks can and will take advantage of the weakened Kangaroos.
Betting tip: Hawthorn by 1-39 @ $2.25 (William Hill)
Saturday, June 18
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Brisbane v West Coast1:40PM AEST, Gabba |
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These two clubs are both beginning to come under extreme scrutiny following their respective performances on the weekend. Both clubs capitulated after a promising start; the Lions after quarter time, the Eagles after the last break. The Lions are holding on grimly to some semblance of competitiveness, the Eagles to the hope of an unlikely top four berth. Which will now be close to impossible.
In fact, the Eagles will need to improve or they’re in trouble of dropping out of the eight. Nic Naitanui being out for 6-8 weeks compounds their problems and has most of us feeling fairly confident their 2016 flag hopes have gone down the drain, if they hadn’t already a few weeks ago. Still, they’ll comfortably account for the Lions. Let’s just hope for Justin Leppitsch’s sake it’s not a 100+ point blowout.
Betting tip: West Coast by 25+ @ $1.35 (William Hill)
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Fremantle v Port Adelaide4:35PM AEST, Subiaco Oval |
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The Dockers now have two on the trot and can’t believe the AFL forced them to wait so long for a crack at clubs like Essendon and Brisbane. They were beginning to think that they themselves were just as bad. We now know that, while they’re not a great team in 2016, they’re still a hell of a lot better the Bombers and the Lions. Could they take that momentum into Saturday afternoon’s contest and roll Port at home? Well, maybe.
Maybe, but probably not. Port were back to their old selves against the Dogs last Saturday, playing really good footy in one of those contests that neither team deserved to lose. If they play like that again they’ll beat the Dockers by plenty. The Dockers may have a sneaky chance if Port are off, but you’d expect the Power to be able to take care of Freo even if they’re not at their best.
Betting tip: Port Adelaide to win @ $1.70 (Marathon Bet)
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Western Bulldogs v Geelong7:25PM AEST, Etihad Stadium |
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After a couple of poor losses, Dangerfield and Selwood and those other Cats are back in business. In the end it was a fairly straight forward victory over the Kangaroos, who succumbed to fatigue in the latter parts of the contest due to a lack of rotations.
The Dogs were immense in their victory over the Power in Adelaide. They’re still a young team, and to be able to hold on like they did when Port kept coming at them was impressive. The bad news is they’ve lost Luke Dahlhaus for at least three weeks. He’d no doubt be in the top three of their B&F at this stage so it’s a big loss. They’ve got some real depth in the middle however so they’ll still be strong in that area. But can they contain and/or compete with the two Geelong superstars? The midfield battle will go a long way towards deciding this one. It’s of the main strengths of both clubs, and one of the main reasons they occupy top four positions on the ladder midway through the year.
The Dogs are every chance of winning this, but after watching the Cats overpower the Kangaroos last weekend it’s hard to go against them. Geelong to get up by a few goals in what should be a tight contest for most of the night.
Betting tip: Geelong to win @ $1.71 (PalmerBet)
Sunday, June 19
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Sydney v Melbourne1:10PM AEST, SCG |
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The Demons comprehensively made it two from two against the Pies in 2016, beating the Pies in a Queen’s Birthday clash for the first time since 2007. They’ve broken a few hoodoos this season, which is proof they’re starting to lift themselves from the deep, deep hole they’ve been in for the last 10 years. They’ve got a tough challenge this weekend travelling to the SCG to face the Swans, who are coming off a belting at the hands of the young Giants.
Sydney will be shattered with the way they performed last week, so expect a strong response from them on Sunday. They lose the in-form Kurt Tippett, but they’ll still be too good for the Demons at home. And I reckon they’ll be looking for a big win after the disappointment of last weekend when they let slip the opportunity to snatch top spot from the Kangaroos.
Betting tip: Sydney by 25+ @ $1.93 (bet365)
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Essendon v GWS Giants4:40PM AEST, Etihad Stadium |
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The Giants took another big scalp on the weekend, beating the Swans for the second time in one season for the first time in their short history. They’ve actually got quite an easy run home from here, so there’s every chance they can not only make their first finals series, but also secure a double chance with a top four finish.
They’ll kick things off with a nice easy thumping of the Bombers at Etihad on Sunday, then head back home to take on the Blues next week before putting their feet up and preparing themselves for an assault on the second half of the year after their bye in Round 15. There’ll be no drop off from the Giants this year, they’re the real deal, and will be a serious player in the September action.
Betting tip: GWS by 40+ @ $1.33 (TopSport)
Best Bets of the Round
Hawthorn by 1-39 @ $2.25 (William Hill)
Season Tally
All Bets: +6.82 units
Best Bets: -0.66 units