Round 12 starts in Brissy with the Lions looking to lock up 2nd position on the ladder against a desperate Bombers side that just sits outside the top 8. Here is a preview of every game this weekend in the AFL.<\/p>\n
The Lions are heading into this clash with the Bombers in strong form, sitting second on the ladder with an 8-2 record for the season. They’ve been particularly impressive on the road, winning five of their six away games. Last week in Round 11, they knocked off Hawthorn by 33 points at the MCG, slotting 14 goals with Zorko racking up 33 disposals and Ah Chee bagging four goals. Over their last five matches, they\u2019ve gone 3-1-1 and are currently on a one-game winning streak. The Lions dominate at stoppages, ranked number one in the AFL for clearances, and they\u2019re also in the top four for inside 50s. That said, tackling remains a bit of a weakness – they\u2019re 14th in the league in that department. With their strong form and a solid home record, they\u2019ll be tough to beat here.<\/p>\n
The Bombers come into this one sitting 10th on the ladder with a 6-4 record and a bit of momentum after a solid 23-point win over Richmond at the MCG, where they kicked 11 goals. Zach Merrett led the way with 37 disposals, while debutant Clarke impressed with 3 goals and 16 touches. They\u2019ve been strong at home this season with a 4-1 record, but haven\u2019t quite found the same consistency on the road. Over their last five, they\u2019ve gone 3-2 and are riding a one-game winning streak. The Bombers rack up plenty of the footy – ranked number one in the AFL for disposals – but they\u2019ve struggled in a few key areas like clearances, inside 50s, and goal kicking, all of which could hurt them against a top side like the Lions.<\/p>\n
Stadium Record<\/strong><\/p>\n Brisbane are 7-3 in their last 10 games at Gabba. Essendon are 1-4 in their last 5 games at this venue.<\/p>\n Head to Head Record<\/strong><\/p>\n In the last 5 meetings, the Lions hold a 4-1 record against the Bombers.<\/p>\n Best Bet<\/strong><\/p>\n The Bombers have an interesting trend against teams that just won the Grand Final, the Over is 9-0 in their last 9 games. The conditions at the Gabba should be great for attacking footy as well.<\/p>\n Over 174.5 = $1.87<\/a><\/p>\n Same Game Multi<\/strong><\/p>\n The Bombers skipper has beaten 31+ disposals in 5 of his last 6 against the Lions. He comes off 37 touches last week too. Peter Wright has kicked 3+ goals in his last 2 games against Brisbane. Ah Chee kicked 4 goals last week and has 10 snags in his last 5 games. Brisbane lost their last home game against a bottom 8 side and I think the Bombers can keep it under a 44.5 pt margin.<\/p>\n Bombers +44.5 \/ Zach Merrett 30+ disposals \/ Peter Wright Anytime Goalscorer \/ Callum Ah Chee Anytime Goalscorer = $4.10<\/a><\/p>\n The Magpies are flying high at the top of the ladder with a 9-2 record and are coming off a dominant 45-point win over North Melbourne in Round 11, where they slotted 15 goals at Docklands. Jamie Elliott was on fire with five majors, taking his season tally to 28 and putting him fourth in the Coleman race, while Nick Daicos racked up a massive 38 disposals. They\u2019ve been strong wherever they play – 4-1 away and 5-1 at home – and are currently riding a three-game winning streak, going 4-1 in their last five. One of their big strengths is their pressure game, sitting third in the AFL for tackles. With their form and consistency, the Magpies will be tough for the Hawks to stop.<\/p>\n The Hawks sit sixth on the ladder with a 7-4 record but are looking to bounce back after a 33-point loss to the Lions at the MCG. They\u2019re currently on a two-game losing streak, though they\u2019ve gone 3-2 in their last five and have been solid at home with a 4-1 record. The Hawks have a few standout strengths – they\u2019re ranked fifth in the AFL for disposals, goals kicked, and tackles – so they\u2019re capable of putting pressure on and hitting the scoreboard. However, their biggest weakness is around the stoppages, ranking dead last in the comp for clearances. Up against a red-hot Magpies side, they\u2019ll need to tidy that up to stay in the contest.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong><\/p>\n Collingwood are 9-1 in their last 10 games at MCG. In their last 10 games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Hawthorn hold a 8-2 record.<\/p>\n Head to Head Record<\/strong><\/p>\n The Hawks are 3-2 against the Magpies in the last 5 meetings.<\/p>\n Best Bet<\/strong><\/p>\n The Hawks have a good record against the Pies and I think this will be close finish. They’re 7-0 ATS against the Pies at the MCG.<\/p>\n Hawthorn +8.5 = $1.90<\/a><\/p>\n The Suns are in red-hot form right now, sitting third on the ladder with an 8-2 record and riding a three-game winning streak. They\u2019ve won four of their last five and are coming off a solid 19-point win over the Saints at Docklands, where Noah Anderson had 36 touches and Ben Long chipped in with three goals. They\u2019re undefeated at home (4-0) and have held their own on the road with a 4-2 record. Stat-wise, the Suns are one of the most dangerous teams going forward – ranked first in the AFL for inside 50s, third for goals kicked, and fifth for clearances. They\u2019re ticking a lot of boxes and look ready to give the Dockers a serious challenge.<\/p>\n The Dockers are sitting ninth on the ladder with a 6-5 record and come into this clash on a bit of a roll, winning their last two games. They were super impressive last week with a big 49-point win over Port Adelaide at Perth Stadium, slotting 15 goals, including four from M. Reid. They’ve been solid both home and away this season, going 3-2 at home and 3-3 on the road. Over their last five, they\u2019ve gone 3-2, so they’re building a bit of form. That said, there are a couple of areas where they\u2019ve struggled – ranked 15th for disposals and last in the AFL for tackles, so pressure and ball control could be an issue against a Suns side that\u2019s been flying.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong><\/p>\n Gold Coast are 8-2 in their last 10 games at this venue. Fremantle are 2-3 in their last 5 games at this venue.<\/p>\n Head to Head Record<\/strong><\/p>\n The head to head is tied at 3-3 since 2018.<\/p>\n Best Bet<\/strong><\/p>\n The Suns are back on the Gold Coast and have a 5-0 ATS against the Dockers at this venue.<\/p>\n Gold Coast Suns -16.5 = $1.90<\/a><\/p>\n The Giants are holding onto eighth spot on the ladder with a 6-5 record and will be feeling good after a strong 28-point win over Carlton in Round 11, where they kicked 17 goals at Docklands. Jesse Hogan was a standout up forward with four majors. They\u2019ve been decent on the road this year (4-3) and split their home games 2-2. While their recent form has been a bit patchy (2-3 from their last five), they\u2019re coming off a win and looking to build some momentum. The Giants are strong with the ball in hand – ranked fourth in the league for disposals – but they\u2019ve had issues in key areas like clearances (15th) and inside 50s (14th), which could hold them back if they don\u2019t tidy things up.<\/p>\n The Tigers have had a rough run this season, sitting 16th on the ladder with a 3-8 record and currently on a two-game losing streak. They went down to the Bombers by 23 points at the MCG last week, managing just 58 points. They’ve lost four of their last five and are still chasing their first win on the road this season (0-5 away). Statistically, it’s been a tough year – the Tigers rank near the bottom of the comp in a bunch of key areas, including clearances, disposals, goals kicked, inside 50s, and tackles. Their only real consistency has come at home with a 3-3 record, but up against a Giants side pushing for finals, they\u2019ll need a serious lift to be in the contest.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong><\/p>\n GWS are 3-2 in their last 5 games at this venue. Richmond are 2-3 at this venue since 2018.<\/p>\n Head to Head Record<\/strong><\/p>\n In the last 10 meetings, the head to head is squared at 5-5.<\/p>\n Best Bet<\/strong><\/p>\n Taranto meets his former side and he should be fired up to play well. He comes off 2 goals last week and 5 in his last 5 games. So he offers nice value to kick a snag.<\/p>\n Anytime Goalscorer – Tim Taranto = $2.20<\/a><\/p>\n The Swans are sitting 13th on the ladder with a 4-7 record and come into this game off a tough 53-point loss to the Demons at the MCG. They\u2019ve dropped three of their last five and are on a one-game losing streak. It’s been a pretty mixed bag both home and away – 2-3 at home and 2-4 on the road. Stat-wise, the Swans have struggled to get their hands on the footy, ranking 14th in disposals and 15th in tackles, which has hurt them in key moments. They’ll need a sharper effort across the board if they want to bounce back against the Crows.<\/p>\n The Crows are sitting nicely in fourth spot on the ladder with a 7-4 record and come into this clash full of confidence after smashing the Eagles by 66 points at Adelaide Oval. Rachele was on fire with five goals, while Laird and Dawson both racked up 27 touches. They\u2019ve won three of their last five and are on a one-game winning streak. At home, they\u2019ve been rock solid with a 5-1 record, though they\u2019ve been a bit more hit-and-miss on the road (2-3). Offensively, they\u2019re one of the most dangerous teams in the comp – ranked second for goals kicked and fifth for inside 50s – so they\u2019ll be backing themselves to cause plenty of damage against the Swans.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong><\/p>\n In their last 5 games at SCG, Sydney holds a 2-3 record. Adelaide are 2-3 in their last 5 games at this venue.<\/p>\n Head to Head Record<\/strong><\/p>\n Since 2018, the Swans are 6-2 against the Crows.<\/p>\n Best Bet<\/strong><\/p>\n The Swans have the wood over the Crows with 6 straight wins and they’re 6-1 ATS as a home underdog.<\/p>\n Sydney Swans +6.5 = $1.90<\/a><\/p>\n The Demons are sitting 11th on the ladder with a 5-6 record but are starting to hit some form, winning their last two games and four of their past five. They\u2019re coming off a big 53-point win over the Swans at the MCG, where Pickett was a standout with five goals and 31 disposals, supported by strong performances from Salem, Langdon, and Oliver. They\u2019ve been a bit patchy at home with a 3-4 record but have been solid away, sitting at 2-2 on the road. The Demons are one of the best teams when it comes to getting the ball, ranked third in the AFL for disposals, so if they keep controlling the footy like that, they\u2019ll be tough to beat against the Saints.<\/p>\n The Saints have had a tough season so far, sitting 14th on the ladder with a 4-7 record and currently on a three-game losing streak. They\u2019re coming off a 19-point loss to the Suns at Docklands, with Sharman kicking three goals and Wanganeen-Milera racking up 36 disposals in the last game. Their tackling has been a real positive – they\u2019re ranked fourth in the AFL for it – but overall, they\u2019ve struggled both at home (3-4) and on the road (1-3). They\u2019ll need to find some form fast if they want to turn things around against the Demons.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong><\/p>\n Melbourne are 2-3 in their last 5 games at this venue. St Kilda are 0-1 at this venue since 2018.<\/p>\n Head to Head Record<\/strong><\/p>\n The Demons are 6-3 against the Saints since 2018.<\/p>\n Best Bet<\/strong><\/p>\n The Dees are back in form and have the top 8 in their sights. They love playing the Saints with a 5-0 ATS record and I think they get the job done up north.<\/p>\nCollingwood (1st) vs Hawthorn (6th)<\/h3>\n
Gold Coast Suns (3rd) vs Fremantle (9th)<\/h3>\n
GWS Giants (8th) vs Richmond (16th)<\/h3>\n
Sydney Swans (13th) vs Adelaide Crows (4th)<\/h3>\n
Melbourne (11th) vs St Kilda (14th)<\/h3>\n