Round 8 of the AFL Premiership arrives as do the best bets from the best of the rest this weekend.
The Gold Coast Suns and St Kilda take us into yet another massive week of AFL.
Gold Coast vs. St Kilda
May 8th 1:45pm
St Kilda take the flight up north to tackle the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon on Saturday afternoon.
The Saints got some of their mojo back after smashing a depleted Hawthorn by 69 points in Round 7, while the Suns piled more misery on Collingwood to triumph by 24 points.
Both the Saints and Suns played out a classic at Metricon in Round 10 last year with the Saints prevailing by four points and in doing so made in five wins in a row against Stuart Dew’s men.
The Saints winning record against the Suns dates back to 2017 but this game is tough to line up.
It’s a case good form against very average football teams for both clubs heading into this game.
A win against the Pies and a win against the Hawks at this stage of the year does not exactly seem to be a newspaper headline.
Prediction: St Kilda by 2 points
Suggested Bets:
St Kilda head to head at $2.01
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: St Kilda head to head
Leg 2: B. King 2+ goals
Leg 3: M. King 2+ goals
Combined odds = $4.2
GWS vs. Essendon
May 8th 2:10pm
The flair and fire has returned to the GWS Giants as it prepares to host the ‘Baby Bombers.’
Lachie Whitfield marked his return from a serious health concern with a trademark 30-disposal game in the 67-point hiding of the Adelaide Crows.
The win all but confirmed the Giants’ season is back on track after a shaky start.
Essendon, meanwhile, were outdone in a thrilling shootout at the MCG by arch-rival Carlton.
But coach Ben Rutten would have been pleased with what he saw from youngsters Harrison Jones, Archie Perkins and Nick Cox.
That being said, the experience the Giants have on the park is what will hold them in good stead for this game.
Jesse Hogan might just very well be the Jeremy Cameron replacement Leon Cameron has been looking for.
Prediction: GWS Giants by 19 points
Suggested Bet: GWS Giants -17.5 at $1.89
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: GWS Giants 1-39
Leg 2: J. Hogan 2+ goals
Leg 3: T. Greene 2+ goals
Leg 4: T. Taranto 25+ disposals
Combined odds = $5
North Melbourne vs. Collingwood
May 8th 4:35pm
Nathan Buckley’s coaching career could be on the line when Collingwood face the winless North Melbourne.
The Pies were the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons last week after being easily beaten by the Gold Coast Suns.
However, North Melbourne, despite a 30-point loss to Melbourne, showed continued signs of improvement.
The Roos held a 20-point led early in the third quarter but were unable to match it with the undefeated Demons late in the piece.
There will definitely be more excitement and energy within the Roos’ playing group and that might just well prove enough against an opponent who look desperately vulnerable.
Tipping a big upset in this one and Ben Cunnington to run riot again after his 35-disposal, two-goal effort in Round 7.
Prediction: North Melbourne by 1 point
Suggested Bet: North Melbourne +22.5 at $1.91
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: North Melbourne +22.5
Leg 2: N. Larkey 2+ goals
Leg 3: B. Cunnington 25+ disposals
Combined odds = $3.4
Melbourne vs. Sydney
May 8th 7:25pm
The two in-form teams of the competition do battle against each other when Melbourne clashes with Sydney at the MCG.
The Demons remain the only undefeated team through the 2021 season thus far and sit in top spot, while the Swans continue to surprise after an upset two-point win over Geelong ensured it remained in the top four.
It was not all smooth sailing for Melbourne across Bass Straight last week after being troubled by North Melbourne but a six-goal haul to Bayley Fristch ensured victory.
The Swans are likely to welcome back Dane Rampe and Lance Franklin which will be a huge boost.
Sydney did beat the Demons last time they met at the MCG back in 2018 but Melbourne kicked terribly in front of goal to cost itself the win.
Prediction: Melbourne by 15 points
Suggested Bets: Sydney +22.5 at $1.91
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Melbourne head to head (SGM SPECIAL)
Leg 2: C. Salem 25+ disposals
Leg 3: B. Brown 2+ goals
Leg 4: L. Jackson anytime goalscorer
Combined odds = $4.60
Port Adelaide vs. Adelaide
May 8th 7:40pm
Showdown 49 is upon us as Port Adelaide prepare to trade blows with arch-rival Adelaide.
Both South Australian stalwarts were well accounted for in Round 7 as the Lions inflicted a 49-point defeat to a Travis Boak-less Port Adelaide, while the Crows suffered a 67-point thrashing at the hands of the Giants.
Both Boak and Rory Sloane will likely make their way back into their respective teams with the latter overcoming eye surgery to be fit for this game.
The Power has won the last two Showdowns by an average margin of 11 goals and it might get to that point here given how poor Adelaide was last week.
Port Adelaide has a clear class edge over its rivals but the return of Sloane should be able spur the Crows on enough to make Ken Hinkey’s men sweat for victory.
Prediction: Port Adelaide by 25 points
Suggested Bets: Adelaide +30.5 at $1.90
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Port Adelaide head to head (SGM SPECIAL)
Leg 2: Adelaide +30.5
Leg 3: B. Keays 25+ disposals
Leg 4: R. Laird 25+ disposals
Combined odds = $4.33
Hawthorn vs. West Coast
May 9th 1:10pm
West Coast and Hawthorn go head to head the MCG on Sunday afternoon in opposing veins of form.
The Eagles launched a second-half assault to win The Western Derby against Fremantle on Sunday, while the Hawks were belted by St Kilda.
A return to the MCG should spark improvement from Hawthorn as will welcoming back Jaegar O’Meara and Chad Wingard.
Tom Barrass is likely to bolster the Eagles’ defence but Shannon hurn will miss again after re-injuring his calf.
The Hawks, prior to 32-point loss to the Eagles last year, have matched it if not beaten the Eagles in the last five fixtures.
Prediction: West Coast by 5 points
Suggested Bets: Hawthorn +12.5 at $1.90
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Hawthorn +12.5
Leg 2: J. Darling 2+ goals (SGM SPECIAL)
Leg 3: J. Kennedy 2+ goals
Combined odds = $4.75
Western Bulldogs vs. Carlton
May 8th 3:20pm
The Western Bulldogs will be keen to atone for their first defeat of season against Carlton on Sunday afternoon.
After holding a 19-point half-time lead against Richmond last Friday, the Bulldogs capitulated in the second-half to go down by 22 points.
Carlton, meanwhile, recorded a 16-point win over Essendon after trailing by 21 points in the early stages of the second term.
Star duo Harry McKay and Sam Walsh led the way for the Blues in the shootout victory and will now fancy themselves against a side they have had the wood over in recent years.
However, the Blues have struggled against genuine contenders this season and there is nothing to suggest anything will change in this game.
Prediction: Western Bulldogs by 16 points
Suggested Bets: Western Bulldogs head to head at $1.32
Suggested Same Game Multi
Leg 1: Western Bulldogs 1-39
Leg 2: A. Naughton 2+ goals (SGM SPECIAL)
Leg 3: H. McKay 2+ goals
Leg 4: Total points scored over 174.5
Combined odds = $5.5
Fremantle vs. Brisbane
May 9th 4:40pm
A COVID outbreak has forced this Fremantle against Brisbane home game out of Western Australia and into the Gabba.
The game now sets up perfectly for the Lions to continue their charge towards the top four after smashing Port Adelaide in Round 7.
For Fremantle, it will come into this one with dented pride after barely giving a second half yelp in its 20.12.132 to 11.7.72 capitulation to West Coast in the Western Derby.
The Dockers may take home solace in the fact they pushed the Lions all the way in their Round 2 fixture last year.
Former Docker Lachie Neale was the difference in the 12.9.81 to 10.9.69 victory in favour of the Lions on that occasion.
Brisbane should win, but the Dockers can serve it up to them in this one.
Prediction: Brisbane by 24 points
Suggested Bets: Fremantle +29.5 at $1.90
