Round 9 of the AFL Premiership arrives as do the best bets from the best of the rest this weekend.
Geelong and St Kilda launch the new round as we head into a big weekend of footy.
St Kilda vs. Geelong
May 14th 7:50pm
St Kilda face an in-form Geelong at Marvel Stadium on Friday night in a bid to continue its winning ways.
The Saints held on for a gritty nine-point win over the Gold Coast Suns last week but now face a stern test against a Cats side who demolished the reigning premier Richmond.
In another unfortunate series of events for Zak Jones, the gun half-back flanker will miss a prolonged period of time with a serious quad injury sustained at training.
It’s hard to tip against a Geelong team who had star recruit Jeremy Cameron firing on all cylinders last week.
Prediction: Geelong by 23 points
Suggested Bets:
Geelong -16.5 at $1.87
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Geelong head to head (SGM SPECIAL)
Leg 2: M. King 2+ goals
Leg 3: T. Hawkins 2+ goals
Leg 4: M. Duncan 25+ disposals
Combined odds = $5
Sydney vs. Collingwood
May 15th 1:45pm
Collingwood will attempt to get its season back on track when it travels to the SCG to face Sydney.
The Swans have proven a tough nut to crack all year and have been one of the most exciting teams to watch this season with a combination of youth and experience coming to fore.
John Longmire’s men currently sit sixth with a 5-3 record, while the Magpies have battled all year to sit second last with a 2-6 record.
Nathan Buckley continues his struggle to find the best mix for the Pies this year given their spate of injuries and out of form players.
Not sure how their luck changes against a Swans team who look a far more united group but they should be able to cover the line.
Prediction: Sydney Swans by 13 points
Suggested Bet: Collingwood +20.5 at $1.90
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Sydney Swans head to head (SGM SPECIAL)
Leg 2: H. McLean 2+ goals
Leg 3: J. Lloyd 25+ disposals
Leg 4: Total points scored under 168.5
Combined odds = $7
Hawthorn vs. North Melbourne
May 15th 2:10pm
A bottom of the table clash between Hawthorn and North Melbourne.
This could be the best chance the Kangaroos have of putting an end to winless season.
Sitting at 0-8 after a close loss to Collingwood last week, David Noble’s first year in charge at Arden Street has been a battle.
The Hawks, too, bring their own winless run into this game having lost their two matches since a come from behind win against Adelaide three weeks ago.
It is like the picking the lesser of two evils here and while North will be competitive, it’s hard to tip a team who have not a game this year.
Prediction: Hawthorn by 12 points.
Suggested Bet: North Melbourne +20.5 at $1.90
Suggested Same Game Multi: Leg 1: North Melbourne +22.5
Leg 2: L. Breust 2+ goals
Leg 3: J. Worpel 25+ disposals
Leg 4: Total points scored over 162.5
Combined odds = $9
Gold Coast vs. Brisbane
May 15th 4:35pm
The 20th edition of the Q-Clash ensues when the Gold Coast Suns welcome the Brisbane Lions to Metricon Stadium.
It’s a rivalry that has bubbled away nicely over recent years but a rivalry that has been dominated by the Lions.
Chris Fagan’s troops have won the last four games against the Suns by an average of 47 points with the most recent of those being a 45-point drubbing in Round 16 last year.
The Suns would likely need to the Lions’ midfield and forward lines to implode in this game.
Stuart Dew will need to be at his coaching best if he is to quell the likes of Joe Daniher, Charlie Cameron and Hugh McCluggage.
Lions win this comfortably.
Prediction: Brisbane by 34 points
Suggested Bets: Brisbane -20.5 at $1.91
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Brisbane head to head (SGM SPECIAL)
Leg 2: C. Cameron 2+ goals
Leg 3: H. McCluggage 25+ disposals
Leg 4: Total points scored over 160.5
Combined odds = $4
Richmond vs. GWS Giants
May 15th 7:25pm
Marvel Stadium hosts Richmond and GWS Giants on Saturday as the Tigers look to rebound after being belted by Geelong last week.
The reigning premier was shellshocked by a second-half assault from the Cats who would inflict a 63-point loss to the Tigers.
One thing we have come to know in the last handful of the years is the Tigers know how respond after a disappointing loss but the Giants will have other things to say.
Josh Kelly and Tim Taranto were prolific in midfield against Essendon last week and will be the underpinning reason the Giants take it up to the Tigers.
Flip of the coin game.
Tigers… just.
Prediction: Richmond by 5 points
Suggested Bets: GWS Giants +12.5 at $1.89
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: GWS Giants +12.5
Leg 2: T. Taranto 25+ disposals
Leg 3: J. Kelly 25+ disposals
Leg 4: T. Greene 2+ goals
Combined odds = $4
Port Adelaide vs. Western Bulldgs
May 15th 7:40pm
Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs round out Saturday night with what should a ripper of a game at Adelaide Oval.
Both teams stake claim to being premiership contenders this season and amongst the most exciting to watch throughout 2021.
The Dogs were made to earn a hard fought victory against a dogged Carlton outfit thanks to a barnstorming final quarter, while the Power knocked off arch-rival Adelaide in the Showdown.
This looks a battle of the midfields with Travis Boak, Ollie Wines and Karl Amon coming up against Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore, Jack Macrae and Adam Treloar.
Home-ground advantage is a big factor for Port Adelaide.
Prediction: Port Adelaide by 9 points
Suggested Bets: Port Adelaide -6.5 at $1.91
Melbourne vs. Carlton
May 16th 3:20pm
Melbourne gets a big chance to make it 9-0 to start the season when it faces Carlton at the MCG.
The Demons held off a brave Sydney Swans squad to prevail by 10 points last Saturday night to hold its spot atop of the AFL ladder.
Carlton, meanwhile, let slip a near five-goal lead in the third term against the Western Bulldogs last week to go down by 16 points.
Harry McKay booted four goals in the loss as he took the lead in the Coleman Medal but he faces a tough test this weekend.
Melbourne pair Steven May and Jake Lever have combined to be one of the best defensive duos in the game and will have the task of stopping McKay.
Prediction: Melbourne by 25 points
Suggested Bets: Melbourne -22.5 at $1.90
west coast eagles vs. adelaide
may 16th 4:40pm
West Coast Eagles open the doors of Optus Stadium when it clashes with the Adelaide on Sunday evening.
The Eagles were emphatic in a 38-point defeat of Hawthorn at the MCG last week and return home with their tails up.
Adelaide, however, were left to rue another Showdown loss after going by 49 points to Port Adelaide.
Adam Simpson has coached the Eagles to three wins in a row against Adelaide and that, alongside them being a genuine finals contender this year is what give the home team the edge here.
Even without Josh Kennedy at full forward, Oscar Allen and Jack Darling will step up here and provide ample cover for the injured champion.
Prediction: West Coast Eagles by 65
Suggested Bets: West Coast Eagles -38.5 at $1.90