Geelong had a comfortable win over Carlton, while Sydney lost another close one against Hawthorn. Dangerfield has dominated discussion all week. His one week suspension not only impacts this game but it makes him ineligible for the Brownlow. A few weeks ago Geelong\u2019s next tier players like Menegola, stood up when Joel Selwood went down. They will need to do it again against an in-form Sydney who is looking to bounce back. Sydney has also lost star midfielder, Kennedy, but regain Reid, Lloyd and Rohan. Grundy v Hawkins and Franklin v Lonergan will be fascinating. Geelong at the Cattery is never easy, but Sydney won\u2019t fear it. This one could go either way and is an early taste of September.<\/p>\n
Stadium Record<\/strong> Head to Head Record<\/strong> Best Bet<\/strong> GWS scrapped a win against Fremantle, while Melbourne lost to North Melbourne for the seventeenth straight time. The Giants are not playing the free-flowing football we saw last year. They are only just going and finals are around the corner. Viney was held to 17 touches and Melbourne lost to the Kangaroos. The skipper was not alone as other players were also down. Top four and top eight positions are on the line in this one. Melbourne has played well against good sides and GWS is nowhere near its best. The midfield will be tight and brutal, especially with Jones and Vince back for the Dees, while there are GWS tall forwards at one end and Melbourne\u2019s nippy forwards at the other. Unfortunately, both full-forwards are out; Cameron and Hogan. Melbourne\u2019s recent form line is better and they have won on the road this year. I think they can do it again and upset the Giants.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong> Head to Head Record<\/strong> Best Bet<\/strong> Essendon lost a high-scoring affair against the Dogs, while Carlton was comprehensively beaten by Geelong. The Bombers couldn\u2019t contain the usually low-scoring Dogs. The Bulldogs changed a few things, the main one was throwing Johannisen forward, and Essendon couldn\u2019t stop him. Carlton\u2019s pressure was not at the standard they have shown this year and it suggests the young group are feeling the effects of a long season. They might be able to get up against the old enemy. Merrett and Gibbs were both well held last week and might receive some attention this week. Jones versus Daniher is an important matchup, while Carlton young talls, Curnow and McKay, have big asks against Hartley and Hurley. Essendon must win to keep their final\u2019s hopes alive.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong> Head to Head Record<\/strong> Best Bet<\/strong> Brisbane was no match for the West Coast Eagles, while the Western Bulldogs played their best game of the year. They threw Johannisen forward and his four-goal performance was outstanding. What does Beveridge do with him this week? The Lions welcome back Zorko, McStay and Hipwood, which are big ins. Zorko adds speed and carry, McStay is a good young defender, while Hipwood is good in the air and surprisingly good on the ground for a big man. These teams played each other earlier this year and Brisbane led by five goals at half-time. The Bulldogs restored normal order after that, but it just shows the Dogs need to be on their game as this young Lions outfit can play without fear. I\u2019m still expecting a Bulldogs victory, but Brisbane will match them for pace and enthusiasm.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong> Head to Head Record<\/strong> Best Bet<\/strong> Fremantle pushed the highly-fancied Giants right to the end last week, while Gold Coast bravely battled against Richmond and an unthinkable injury list. A young Fremantle side led at three-quarter time, but couldn\u2019t sustain it. Players like Cox, Darcy, Weller, Tucker and Ryan continued showing promising signs. Gold Coast lost May and Ablett before the bounce and then three more went down. Thankfully, Ablett and May are back this week and it is a winnable game because Fremantle has lost 8 of their last 9. Fyfe could be the figure that stands in their way. He is getting back to his best and doing it forward and in the middle. While Fremantle looks to their captain, Lynch is just as important for the Suns. He will get the reliable Hamling which is no easy task. This should be a tight one in the west.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong> Head to Head Record<\/strong> Best Bet<\/strong> The Kangaroos did it again; they beat Melbourne, while Collingwood played an epic draw against the Crows. North\u2019s attack on the ball was sensational and Brown is in great form. Who would have thought a couple of seasons ago he would become a Coleman Medal threat? Collingwood\u2019s first half against Adelaide was unbelievable. Treloar, Sidebottom, Adams and in particular Wells, dominated the middle of the ground. They fell away in the second half, but the positives outweigh the negatives. If North cannot quell Collingwood\u2019s midfield they will be hard to beat. Reid is giving them a target up forward, alongside Moore, and Dunn is playing a role down back. North will keep looking at their next tier of players to continue developing. Collingwood looks to have a bit too much firepower, but North have been plucky all year.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong> Head to Head Record<\/strong> Best Bet<\/strong> St Kilda\u2019s hearts were broken in the last minute of the game against Port Adelaide, while West Coast easily accounted for Brisbane. It seemed like St Kilda\u2019s inaccuracy in front of goal was going to cost them, but in the last quarter they kicked straight and led by 10 points with a minute to go. It wasn\u2019t to be as Young and Gray kicked late goals to give Port the win. West Coast ran away with it after quarter-time and Kennedy kicked 6 goals for the second straight week. Brown will probably get him but they have Carlisle as a backup. The midfield battle is always pivotal and Sheed and Duggan have developed throughout the year for the Eagles. If they put in another strong performance it will make the going tough for St Kilda. The thing in the Saints favour is West Coast\u2019s flaky road record. The Eagles need to make a statement in Victoria because that is where premierships are won.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong> Head to Head Record<\/strong> Best Bet<\/strong> Richmond defeated Gold Coast last week, while Hawthorn beat the Swans in a pulsating game. Richmond found a way to kick goals without Riewoldt, which will give them confidence. Meanwhile, Hawthorn continues developing. Their young players are standing up in big games and their inexperienced backline was tremendous against Franklin. This is a fascinating game. Richmond needs the win to stay in the top four, while Hawthorn\u2019s form is as good as anyone\u2019s. In the last five matches they have beaten Sydney, Fremantle in Perth, Adelaide in Adelaide, drew with GWS and lost to Geelong by 3 points. Their kicking game is back and they have players like Shiels and Langford who can shutdown Martin and Cotchin, if need be. I like what I\u2019m seeing from the brown and gold and I think they can beat the Tigers in front of a big MCG crowd, even without Hodge who is suspended.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong> Head to Head Record<\/strong> Best Bet<\/strong> South Australians were spoilt last week as Port kicked two goals in the last minute to win and Adelaide drew, after the siren, after being 50 points down. The Port Adelaide finish was dramatic while the Adelaide draw had everything you love about football. Showdown 43 might be the best one yet. It is on the line and it is first versus fifth. Adelaide\u2019s midfield depth is a concern and Collingwood exploited it. Port will be looking to do the same. Betts missed last week and returns to Adelaide\u2019s forward line. At the other end, Keith has stood up in his first few games and it doesn\u2019t get any easier. The ruck contest is just as good, Ryder v Jacobs. The difference could be the halfback line. They got Adelaide going last week and the likes of Laird, Smith, Lever and Brown set up a lot of Adelaide\u2019s counter attack. I\u2019m not sure if Port has the personnel to stop them.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong> Head to Head Record<\/strong> Best Bet<\/strong>
\nGeelong\u2019s home record is outstanding. They have won 15 of their last 16 at Simonds, however that one loss was to Sydney last year. Sydney has won 2 of their last 5 at Simonds, which is as good as any recent away record there.<\/p>\n
\nSydney has won 4 of the last 5 against Geelong, including a 37-point victory in last year\u2019s preliminary final.<\/p>\n
\nSydney win first quarter $1.85.<\/a><\/p>\nGWS v Melbourne<\/a>
\n5 August, Manuka Oval<\/h4>\n
\nGWS has won 7 of their last 8 in the national\u2019s capital, including their last five there. Since GWS\u2019 inception, Melbourne is 1-1 at Manuka.<\/p>\n
\nMelbourne has won the last two between these two teams.<\/p>\n
\nMelbourne win $2.45.<\/a><\/p>\nEssendon v Carlton<\/a>
\n5 August, MCG<\/h4>\n
\nEssendon is 4-2 at the MCG this year and beat Collingwood in their last outing at the home of football. Carlton has lost their last four at the MCG.<\/p>\n
\nCarlton has won 2 of the last 3 against Essendon, including a 15-point victory earlier this year.<\/p>\n
\nCarlton at the line +26.5 $1.90.<\/a><\/p>\nBrisbane v Western Bulldogs<\/a>
\n5 August, Gabba<\/h4>\n
\nBrisbane is 2-6 at home this year. Their two wins were against Carlton and Fremantle. The Bulldogs have lost their last four at the Gabba.<\/p>\n
\nThe Bulldogs have won the last two against Brisbane by 32 and 53 points.<\/p>\n
\nBrisbane at the line +27.5 $1.90.<\/a><\/p>\nFremantle v Gold Coast<\/a>
\n5 August, Domain Stadium<\/h4>\n
\nFremantle has lost their last four at Domain to Hawthorn, West Coast, St Kilda and Collingwood. Gold Coast beat Fremantle at Domain last year. That is their only win there in nine matches.<\/p>\n
\nGold Coast won both contests last year by 24 and 26 points.<\/p>\n
\nGold Coast at the line +16.5 $1.90.<\/a><\/p>\nNorth Melbourne v Collingwood<\/a>
\n5 August, Etihad Stadium<\/h4>\n
\nNorth Melbourne has lost their last five at Etihad. Their last victory there was against Carlton in round 10. Collingwood has won 2 of their last 3 at Etihad.<\/p>\n
\nThese two teams have split their last six games against each other. Collingwood was victorious last year by 40 points.<\/p>\n
\nCollingwood win 1-39 $2.15.<\/a><\/p>\nSt Kilda v West Coast<\/a>
\n6 August, Etihad Stadium<\/h4>\n
\nSt Kilda has been inconsistent at Etihad this year. Last up, they lost to Essendon by 10 goals and before that they beat Richmond by 11 goals. West Coast is just as inconsistent at Etihad this year and is 2-2 there in 2017.<\/p>\n
\nWest Coast has won the last eight against St Kilda, including a hard-fought 19-point win earlier this year.<\/p>\n
\nWest Coast win $2.10.<\/a><\/p>\nRichmond v Hawthorn<\/a>
\n6 August, MCG<\/h4>\n
\nRichmond has a good MCG record this year; they are 7-2 there. Hawthorn has won 2 of their last 3 at the MCG.<\/p>\n
\nRichmond was one of a few teams that matched Hawthorn during their peak. These two have split their last six games.<\/p>\n
\nHawthorn win $2.10.<\/a><\/p>\nAdelaide v Port Adelaide<\/a>
\n6 August, Adelaide Oval<\/h4>\n
\nAdelaide has won 4 of their last 5 at the Adelaide Oval and is 8-2 there this year. Port has also won 4 of their last 5 at home. Their only loss was to Richmond.<\/p>\n
\nAdelaide has won the last four against Port, including a 17-point victory earlier this year.<\/p>\n
\nAdelaide win 1-39 $2.00.<\/a><\/p>\n