Geelong suffered a third straight defeat, while the Dogs pushed the Eagles in Perth but went down. There are problems at the Cattery. Teams are carving through them and last week\u2019s tackle count emphasised their defensive issues. Last year they lifted against good teams and they will need to this week against the reigning premiers. The Bulldogs were gallant but undermanned in the west. They rely on 22 contributors and sustained effort. To aid their cause they get Morris, Murphy, Cloke, Wallis and Dickson back, while M. Boyd and Liberatore are omitted. Geelong also have two good inclusions in Henderson and S. Selwood. The Cats have owned the Dogs in recent times and love their home deck, but large question marks surround Geelong. This match could go either way, so go with the home team.<\/p>\n
Stadium Record<\/strong> Head to Head Record<\/strong> Best Bet<\/strong> St Kilda fought off a determined Carlton, while Sydney played their best football for the year to defeat North Melbourne. The Saints have won their last three due to a balanced and healthy line-up. Their pace is suited to Etihad and their young midfield group continue growing. Last week was Dunston\u2019s turn to shine. The Swans good players played well and it made a significant difference. Kennedy, Parker, Hannebery and Heeney were all terrific. For some reason the Swans really enjoy Etihad too. This looks like a good game especially with Rampe, Rohan and Tippett back. The Saints made a statement two weeks ago when they beat the Giants, it\u2019s time to do it again and beat the once feared Swans with pace, defensive pressure and multiple goalkicking options.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong> Head to Head Record<\/strong> Best Bet<\/strong> GWS found a way to win thanks to Johnson\u2019s late goal, while Richmond found a way to lose. GWS are learning to win without playing their best football and that is always a good sign. What is not good is their injury list. Coniglio is out again and he would have likely gone to Cotchin or Martin. Richmond was outplayed for three quarters and then changed the game in the middle. They gathered ascendency and early goals in the last quarter fuelled belief. Much has been made about that last goal, however Neale gathered the ball from a Sandiland\u2019s fumble and his delivery was outstanding. Yes, Richmond should have guarded the back of the square, but Fremantle\u2019s setup was excellent. The Tigers have now lost three in a row, but the Giants are gettable. They are only just winning at home and Richmond is not afraid of traveling. They also have Presita back.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong> Head to Head Record<\/strong> Best Bet<\/strong> Brisbane is bottom of the ladder, while Adelaide is still on top even though they have lost their last two. It\u2019s the same story for Brisbane each week. They are young, play well in patches, but are ultimately not ready to win too many games of football. Adelaide\u2019s preseason query was their midfield depth and speed. It has been brought to light again after Sloane was tagged out of the match for the second week running. Teams are also looking at Adelaide\u2019s ability to score goals over the back and are keeping their defenders on the defensive side. Expect Adelaide and Sloane to hit the contest hard and look to blow Brisbane out of the water. The young Lions defenders will struggle containing the Crows forward line if that happens, even with Jenkins\u2019 omission.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong> Head to Head Record<\/strong> Best Bet<\/strong> The Pies looked to have another scalp in GWS, but lost in the final minute, while the Hawks got the four points in Tasmania. Collingwood seems to play well against certain sides and GWS is one of them. They challenged the Giants with great pressure, but their execution let them down. While the Pies trouble some teams, Hawthorn is not one of them. The Hawks have recently feasted on the Magpies. It\u2019s hard to get a read on Collingwood. Their midfield is very good, but the rest of their game is vulnerable. Meanwhile the Hawks have won the last two but aren\u2019t convincing. Both teams have important injuries (Collingwood- Reid, Hawthorn- Rioli, Stratton and Frawley) and that further complicates the equation. I\u2019m leaning towards Collingwood but they are second last for a reason.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong> Head to Head Record<\/strong> Best Bet<\/strong> The Bombers were outstanding in Kelly\u2019s 300th game, while West Coast just beat the Dogs at home. Essendon were bold and silky, while defensively tremendous. Daniher kicked straight and the run and carry through the middle of the ground was led by Merrett. Kenndey kicked 3.6 against the Dogs and it nearly hurt them as they seemed to run out of legs. Even though Hurley didn\u2019t play on Hawkins, he should get Kennedy. The other end looks tight as well and that leaves the midfield battle. West Coast looks to have the edge. The Eagles away record keeps coming up but it\u2019s not all doom and gloom. Their bad record is largely confined to three grounds: the MCG, Simonds Stadium and the SCG.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong> Head to Head Record<\/strong> Best Bet<\/strong> Melbourne had a fantastic win away from home, while North was outplayed by the Swans. It\u2019s been a tough week for the Dees with their young superstar being diagnosed with cancer. It\u2019s been a torrid year for the Hogan family and health and football cannot be compared. North Melbourne has been pretty good this year, even though they have only won two games. They welcome back Waite, who was electric two weeks ago and they enjoy playing the Demons. North has not lost to Melbourne for over ten years. This looks like another game between the ears for the Dees. They have struggled with expectation, but that has to change. I think it starts with the next generation like Viney, Oliver and McDonald as they control a large proportion of their club\u2019s destiny.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong> Head to Head Record<\/strong> Best Bet<\/strong> Fremantle clinched victory in the dying stages for the third time this year, while Carlton was once again competitive against the Saints. Mundy\u2019s after the siren goal overshadowed a fantastic third quarter and the carry and delivery of Walters and Hill. Carlton hit the lead in the last quarter but couldn\u2019t sustain it as the Saints won by three goals. Carlton will need to lock down on Fremantle\u2019s good users of the football. Ed Curnow might get one of the Hill brothers or Walters for the afternoon. On the flip side Carlton\u2019s skipper Murphy, will definitely be expecting close attention for Blakley. Fremantle seem to have more forward options and Hamling is a rock down back. Carlton should fight and compete again, but winning away from home against a team that has won five of their last six is a tall order.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong>
\nThe Cats have won 12 of their last 13 at home. Their only lost during that time was to Sydney last year. The Dogs have lost their last seven at Simonds. Their last win there was in 2003.<\/p>\n
\nGeelong has won the last 10 against the Dogs. They won both encounters last year by 25 and 57 points.<\/p>\n
\nGeelong win $1.90.<\/a><\/p>\nSt Kilda v Sydney<\/a>
\n20 May, Etihad Stadium<\/h4>\n
\nSt Kilda has won 4 of their last 5 at Etihad. Their only loss was to Geelong. Sydney has won 11 of their last 12 at Etihad. They are 1-1 there this year.<\/p>\n
\nSydney has won the last 6 by an average of 57 points. They beat the Saints by 70 points last year.<\/p>\n
\nSt Kilda win $1.75.<\/a><\/p>\nGWS v Richmond<\/a>
\n20 May, Spotless Stadium<\/h4>\n
\nIn three matches Richmond has never lost at Spotless Stadium. However, they have not played there since 2014.<\/p>\n
\nGWS recorded their first win over Richmond last year. It was an 88 point smashing.<\/p>\n
\nRichmond at the line +25.5 $1.90.<\/a><\/p>\nBrisbane v Adelaide<\/a>
\n20 May, Gabba<\/h4>\n
\nBrisbane has only won 1 of their last 12 home matches. Since 2009, Adelaide has played at the Gabba 6 times for 5 wins.<\/p>\n
\nAdelaide has won the last 5 against the Lions. They beat Brisbane by 138 points last year.<\/p>\n
\nAdelaide first quarter line -10.5 $1.82.<\/a><\/p>\nCollingwood v Hawthorn<\/a>
\n20 May, MCG<\/h4>\n
\nThe Pies have only won 1 of their last 7 at the MCG. That win was against Geelong in Round 6. Hawthorn has won their last 2 at the MCG. Before that they lost 5 in a row.<\/p>\n
\nHawthorn has won the last 9 against the Pies. Collingwood\u2019s last win over the Hawks was an epic 3 point victory in the 2011 preliminary final.<\/p>\n
\nCollingwood win 1-39 $2.20.<\/a><\/p>\nEssendon v West Coast<\/a>
\n21 May, Etihad Stadium<\/h4>\n
\nEssendon has only won 1 of their last 16 at Etihad. They lost their only game there this year to Melbourne by 38 points. West Coast has won 3 of their last 4 at Etihad, including a 43 point win over North Melbourne this year.<\/p>\n
\nWest Coast has won the last two by more than 8 goals, however both those games were played at Domain Stadium.<\/p>\n
\nWest Coast at the line -11.5 $1.90.<\/a><\/p>\nMelbourne v North Melbourne<\/a>
\n21 May, MCG<\/h4>\n
\nMelbourne has lost their last three at the MCG by 3, 13 and 2 points. North has only played four games at the MCG since 2014 and they split those games 2-2.<\/p>\n
\nMelbourne has broken a few hoodoos the last couple of years and they face another one here. North has won the last 15.<\/p>\n
\nMelbourne win 1-39 $2.20.<\/a><\/p>\nFremantle v Carlton<\/a>
\n21 May, Domain Stadium<\/h4>\n
\nFremantle has won 4 of their last 6 at home. Their two losses were to West Coast and Geelong. Carlton don\u2019t mind travelling west as they have won 7 of their last 13 at Domain.<\/p>\n