Round 15 is upon us as the BetDeluxe team preview the AFL’s best of the rest.
With the game of the round already analysed and previewed we look ahead to the rest of the weekend.
Richmond vs. St Kilda
June 25th 7:50pm
St Kilda knows its season is on a knife’s edge when it heads into this clash against Richmond on Friday night under the roof of Marvel Stadium.
It all looked amazing for the Saints when going 35-0 to the better of Adelaide prior to the bye, but the second half turned pear-shaped as Riley Thilthorpe broke the Saints’ heart with an incredible over head goal late in the game.
The loss put a dagger in the 2021 season and it will not get any easier coming up against the reigning premier who is stinging from a close loss to West Coast.
Richmond battered and bruised the Saints earlier this season with an 86-point thumping back in Round 5 as the alarms on St Kilda’s season began to ring.
The alarm bells have turned into air siren waves and a loss for the Saints would all but dash their slim chance of a finals berth.
Hard to see this being anything but a win for the yellow and black.
Prediction: Richmond by 33 points.
Suggested Bet: Richmond -27.5 at $1.91
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Richmond head to head (SGM SPECIAL)
Leg 2: J. Aarts 2+ goals
Leg 3: Total points scored over 152.5
Combined odds = $4.33
North Melbourne vs. Gold Coast
June 26th 1:45pm
North Melbourne gets the golden opportunity to put its honourable losses to rest when it faces an embattled Gold Coast Suns.
The Roos threw everything at Brisbane down in Tasmania last week but were simply outclassed in their 23-point loss.
Gold Coast, meanwhile, was handed a humbling 50-point defeat at the hands of Port Adelaide at Metricon as its second-half woes continued.
While the Suns may have had the wood over North in recent times, the surroundings of Blundestone Arena will ultimately favour Ben Noble’s men.
Nick Larkey proved a handful for a strong Lions backline and should do so in this game, while the form of former Sun Aaron Hall has been undersold by many this season.
Prediction: North Melbourne by 25 points
Suggested Bet: North Melbourne -4.5 at $1.86
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: North Melbourne head to head
Leg 2: A. Hall 25+ diposals
Leg 3: B. Cunnington 25+ disposals
Leg 4: N. Larkey 2+ goals
Combined odds = $4.2
Collingwood vs. Fremantle
June 26th 1:45pm
Robert Harvey takes charge of Collingwood for the first time when it faces Fremantle on Saturday afternoon.
Collingwood produced its best performance of the year in Nathan Buckley’s final game as head coach by defeating Melbourne at the SCG prior to the bye.
The win is sure to be a building block heading into the second half of the year, while Fremantle attempt continue its winning form after a comfortable victory against Gold Coast before resting their legs last week.
Fremantle has actually won the last two clashes between these teams but its poor form at Marvel Stadium this season means Collingwood deserve to be the favourite heading into this one.
Prediction: Collingwood by 15 points
Suggested Bet: Collingwood -5.5 at $1.90
Port Adelaide vs. Sydney
June 26th 4:35pm
Sydney return off the freshen up of a bye when it faces Port Adelaide in a bid to return to winning ways after a bitterly disappointing Round 13 loss
The Swans put in its worst showing of 2021 to be comprehensively beaten by Hawthorn, while Port walloped Gold Coast to the tune of 50 points.
The running power of Ken Hinkley’s squad might be what catches out what looked to be a very lethargic Sydney side.
An interrupted week for the Swans which has seen them rush off to Adelaide to beat border bans is not an exactly ideal preparation.
The last time Sydney travelled to Adelaide for this fixture was in Round 14 last season where it was handed a 26-point loss.
Robbie Gray was pivotal with 27 disposals and two goals but his presence will not be felt here due to the veteran requiring knee surgery.
Prediction: Port Adelaide by 15 points.
Suggested Bets: Sydney +20.5 at $1.90
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Port Adelaide head to head (SGM SPECIAL)
Leg 2: Sydney +20.5
Leg 3: C. Dixon 2+ goals
Combined odds = $4.75
Essendon vs. Melbourne
June 26th 7:25pm
You could argue this is the game of the round when Essendon does battle with premiership favourite Melbourne.
The Bombers return home after winning a thriller against arch-rival Hawthorn as ‘The Package’ Jack String went berserk with four goals and 29 disposals to seal three Brownlow votes.
However, Melbourne represents a completely different challenge.
There is no way Stringer and his cohort will be granted as much time and space from an offensive point.
The Demons boast the defence in the league despite it being exposed against a resurgent Collingwood.
Going to ignore the sentiment around the Bombers and focus purely on structural nous and who has the runs on the board this year.
Prediction: Melbourne by 32 points
Suggested Bets: Melbourne -23.5 at $1.91
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Melbourne head to head (SGM SPECIAL)
Leg 2: B. Fritsch 2+ goals
Leg 3: T. McDonald 2+ goals
Leg 4: C. Salem 25+ disposals
Leg 5: C. Petracca 25+ disposals
Combined odds = $5.25
GWS Giants vs. Hawthorn
June 27th 1:10pm
The MCG is the new home away from home for GWS after its game against Hawthorn was moved due to health and safety requirements.
Hawthorn will have its mojo up and about after trouncing Sydney before putting its legs up during the bye, while the Giants bring in the momentum of a 36-point drubbing of a hapless Carlton.
The MCG factor brings Hawthorn right into this game and the return of Kyle Hartigan in defence as well as James Worpel in midfield will also strengthen the ‘visitors.’
Jeremy Finlayson and Toby Greene combined for nine goals last week and that form is sure to have Alastair Clarkson’s ears pricked and eyes peeled.
Expecting a tight affair but Hawks look the value.
Prediction: Hawthorn by 3 points.
Suggested Bets: Hawthorn head to head at $2.31
West Coast vs. Western Bulldogs
June 27th 3:20pm
West Coast seek to build on its barnstorming victory against Richmond when it hosts Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium.
Josh Kennedy proved the hero last week with a customary checkside set shot from the pocket at the death to steal the four points for the Eagles in a dream win.
However, the story for the Bulldogs was a nightmare as Geelong forward Gary Rohan nailed a set shot after the siren to hand them a five-point defeat.
Having to follow up a trip down to GMHBA Stadium with a trip across to Perth would be amongst the toughest fortnight for any team.
West Coast in a canter here as it continues its impressive record at Optus Stadium this year.
Prediction: West Coast by 29 points
Suggested Bets: West Coast -3.5 at $1.90
Carlton vs. Adelaide
June 28th 4:10pm
Carlton will attempt to alleviate the scrutiny of an underwhelming season when it faces Adelaide at Marvel Stadium.
The pressure on the Blues mounted again after a disheartening 36-point loss against GWS last week, while Adelaide relaxed after an incredible comeback against St Kilda.
Adelaide is playing with verve and vibrance this season and get the Blues at the perfect time.
Even when things looked terrible for Adelaide last season it still made a mockery of Carlton with a 16-point upset win at Metricon Stadium in Round 17.
Carlton is in desperate need for a circuit-breaker victory but not sure if there enough to handle a Crows midfield who has busted a gut all season.
Prediction: Adelaide by 3 points.
Suggested Bets: Adelaide head to head at $2.47
