Round 16 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.
Gold Coast vs. Richmond
July 1st 7:20pm
Richmond has called upon ex-Gold Coast Sun Tom Lynch to return it to winning ways when it attempts to right the wrongs from its loss against St Kilda last week against Gold Coast.
The Tigers looked a shadow of their former selves when being handed a 40-point loss to leave them teetering on the edge of the top eight.
Meanwhile, the pressure continued to mount on Stuart Dew after his men were dealt a nine-point loss to North Melbourne.
Neither Richmond or Gold Coast are travelling particularly well at the moment.
Richmond may have the class edge in this game but the line looks massively overstated.
Prediction: Richmond by 17 points
Suggested Bet: Gold Coast Suns +25.5 at $1.91
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Gold Coast Suns +25.5
Leg 2: B. Ellis 25+ disposals
Leg 3: Total points scored under 155.5
Combined odds = $5.75
Geelong vs. Essendon
July 2nd 7:50pm
Geelong and Essendon clash for the first time this season when the pair do battle on Friday night at GMHBA Stadium.
Essendon was valiant in defeat against Melbourne last weekend, while Geelong looked lacklustre in its 44-point loss against Brisbane.
A return home for the Cats should hold them in good stead but given what Essendon showed in its 11-point loss against Melbourne there is every reason for the home team to feel a bit queasy.
Ben Rutten has instilled a belief in his young troops that has seen them not die down at all this year.
Geelong should have the experience and depth to win this but picking this will be closer than most think.
Prediction: Geelong by 10 points
Suggested Bet: Essendon +25.5 at $1.89
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Geelong head to head (SGM SPECIAL)
Leg 2: P. Dangerfield 25+ disposals
Leg 3: J. Cameron 2+ goals
Leg 4: T. Hawkins 2+ goals
Leg 5: G. Rohan 2+ goals
Combined odds = $5.50
Melbourne vs. GWS
July 3rd 1:45pm
Melbourne will look to continue its build towards a top four finish when it meets the GWS Giants at the MCG.
The game represents as a massive opportunity for the Demons to solidify its spot atop of the league given how poor the Giants were against Hawthorn last week.
The huge injury toll the Giants have faced all year has cost them dearly as has a lack of form.
Melbourne is the best defensive team in the competition this year and if the defensive clamps are applied here, the Giants will be lucky to kick anywhere over 50-60 points.
Prediction: Melbourne by 55 points.
Suggested Bet: Melbourne -30.5 at $1.89.
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Melbourne head to head (SGM SPECIAL)
Leg 2: A. Neal-Bullen anytime goal
Leg 3: T. McDonald 2+ goals
Leg 4: B. Fritsch 2+ goals
Leg 5: C. Salem 25+ disposals
Combined odds = $6.5
Adelaide vs. Brisbane
July 3rd 4:35pm
Brisbane seeks to ride the wave of its Round 15 belting of Geelong when it meets Adelaide.
The Lions looks at their imposing best last week, while Adelaide were left to rue missed opportunities in front of goal during their 10-point loss against Carlton.
Joe Daniher played arguably his best game of the year booting four goals in the win over Geelong.
The only dampener coming into this game for the Lions is a calf injury to Lachie Neale.
Though his omission won’t change the result here.
Prediction: Brisbane by 35 points.
Suggested Bets: Brisbane head to head at $1.24
Hawthorn vs. Port Adelaide
July 3rd 7:40pm
Hawthorn welcomes Port Adelaide to Victoria on the back of a three-goal win against the Giants last week.
The Power, meanwhile, survived a tough clash against Sydney to come away with the four points.
Despite Hawthorn being in ‘rebuild’ mode, you can never doubt the mastermind of Alastair Clarkson.
The gold and brown also have added sentiment heading into this fixture with Shaun Burgoyne set to play his 400th game.
Ken Hinkley’s men were arguably in better form last season and still battled to beat a less experienced and talented Hawthorn side.
Sentiment aside, this should be a Power victory but the Hawks will be buoyed by their Round 15 win and the milestone for ‘Silk.’
Prediction: Port Adelaide by 15 points
Suggested Bets: Hawthorn +19.5 at $1.88
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Port Adelaide head to head
Leg 2: Hawthorn +19.5
Leg 3: L. Breust 2+ goals
Combined odds = $6.25
Fremantle vs. Carlton
July 3rd 7:40pm
The MCG will play host to Fremantle’s ‘home game’ against Carlton after the fixture was thrown up in the air to West Australia’s COVID lockdown.
It might seem as though it will advantage the Blues, but Fremantle has been playing some fairly solid football in recent weeks.
Sam Docherty (ankle) and Zac Williams (suspension) will miss the game for Carlton and it opens the door for Fremantle to return the favour after the Blues belted them earlier this year.
Dealing with Harry McKay will be at the forefront of Justin Longmuir’s mind given the Coleman medal leader bagged seven majors back in Round 3.
The return of Nathan Fyfe will be a much added boost to the Dockers’ midfield.
Prediction: Fremantle by 17 points
Suggested Bets: Fremantle head to head at $1.95
Collingwood vs. St. Kilda
July 4th 3:20pm
St Kilda legend Robert Harvey will guide Collingwood when it meets the Saints at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
Harvey was unable to get the better of Fremantle in his first game as interim coach of the Pies last week, but the story of round 15 was the Saints.
The Saints rollercoaster of a season hit a peak last week after accounting for Richmond by 40 points.
Luke Dunstan had a career best game as the Saints put on their best performance of the year.
The market has Collingwood favourite in this game which is a slight head scratcher.
Prediction: St Kilda by 9 points
Suggested Bets: St Kilda head to head at $2
Western Bulldogs vs. North Melbourne
July 4th 4:40pm
North Melbourne return to the scene of its nightmare when it faces Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
The final scoreline in Round 3 read 25.17.167 to 5.9.39 as Josh Bruce kicked 10 goals to hand the Roos their biggest ever loss in club history.
But North Melbourne have flown the flag with much more passion and desire since that horrific defeat.
A nine-point win over Gold Coast should see them bring a level of confidence into this game despite their slim winning chance.
The Doggies bring in a 44-point win over West Coast in Perth to this game and they will probably be wanting to pencil this game in as a percentage boost.
Prediction: Western Bulldogs by 45 points
Suggested Bets: North Melbourne +51.5 at $1.87
