We head to the penultimate round of the AFL Premiership season as the top eight continues to sort itself out.
The best bets from the rest of the AFL round are in.
Hawthorn vs. Western Bulldogs
August 14th 1:45pm
Alastair Clarkson heads into what will be his second last match at the helm of Hawthorn when it faces Western Bulldogs.
The Hawks scored a big win over Collingwood last week to make two-in-a-row since Clarkson announced he would be stepping down, while the Western Bulldogs will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing to Essendon.
The Dogs will be without Josh Bruce who ruptured his ACL in the loss.
They should able to get the win, even without their leading goal scorer, but the Hawks will smell blood.
Prediction: Western Bulldogs by 8 points
Suggested Bet: Hawthorn +24.5 at $1.90
Geelong vs. St Kilda
August 14th 4:35pm
Geelong is on the hunt to bounce back after a shock loss against GWS last week when it faces St Kilda.
Patrick Dangerfield went down early after copping a stray elbow from Toby Greene and was subbed out to leave a big hole in the Geelong midfield.
His presence will be much needed against the Saints who were impressive in their win over Sydney last week.
Expecting this to be a win for Geelong, but Saints can cover the line.
Prediction: Geelong by 20 points
Suggested Bet: St Kida +24.5 at $1.92
Port ADelaide vs. Carlton
August 14th 4:35pm
Port Adelaide will be circling Carlton as its prey on the weekend after the Blues had their season ended by Gold Coast last week.
The Blues will be without key bookend pillars Harry McKay and Liam Jones, but will get back the services of Zac Williams and Mitch McGovern in what is Marc Murphy’s 300th and final game of AFL.
Port looked dour in its 55-51 win over Adelaide in Showdown 50, but expect a much cleaner display in this game.
Carlton will struggle to maintain its shape and defence without Jones, so this could get ugly.
Prediction: Port Adelaide by 65 points
Suggested Bet: Port Adelaide -31.5 at $1.85
Brisbane vs. COllingwood
August 14th 7:25pm
Brisbane looks to chase down a double chance in finals when it faces Collingwood on Saturday night.
The Lions surged back into form with a big win over Fremantle in Perth as Joe Daniher stepped up with four goals in the 64-point triumph.
Collingwood, meanwhile, was no match for Hawthorn and that form is simply not good enough to trouble the Lions.
Prediction: Brisbane by 39 points
Suggested Bets: Brisbane head to head at $1.21
North Melbourne vs. SYdney
August 14th 7:40pm
Sydney looks to rectify a blip on the radar when it clashes with North Melbourne following defeat against St Kilda in Round 21.
After travelling smoothly towards the back end of the year, the Swans hit a roadblock after being outdone by the Saints, and it will not get any easier North who has put together a solid two months of form despite sitting last.
John Longmire’s men have a bit more polish and depth in the 22 that will take the park in this game.
Sydney has been brilliant to watch all year and they won’t be coughing up anther game on the way to finals.
Prediction: Sydney by 29 points
Suggested Bets: Sydney -16.5 at $1.83
Melbourne vs. Adelaide
August 15th 2:10pm
Doubt we will see the scenes we saw at Adelaide Oval earlier this year when Adelaide caused one of the upsets of the year to beat the then undefeated Melbourne.
The Crows scored a memorable one-point victory over the Demons, but it has been a year of development and building youth since then for Matthew Nicks and his troops.
Melbourne is in the hunt for premiership and there is no way it will letting the Crows get away with that Round 10 win.
Prediction: Melbourne by 55 points
Suggested Bets: Melbourne -40.5 at $1.90
Gold Coast vs. Essendon
August 15th 3:20pm
A danger game looms for Essendon when it faces a Gold Coas team fresh off victory against Carlton.
The Bombers produced their best performance of the season to down premiership fancy Western Bulldogs last week, while the Suns put the final dagger in Carlton’s season at Marvel Stadium.
It is the first time these teams play each other in 2021 with a 73-all draw being played out back in 2020.
Expecting this to be a titanic battle.
Bombers win, but by a small margin.
Prediction: Essendon by 3 points
Suggested Bets: Gold Coast +16.5 at $1.90
Fremantle vs. West Coast
August 15th 5:10pm
The Western Derby ensues when Fremantle and West Coast do battle on Sunday afternoon.
West Coast will secure a finals berth with a victory in this game, but Fremantle will have other ideas given it needs to win to keep its feint chance of making finals alive.
The Dockers were smashed by Brisbane last week in what was a sign the Purple Haze is probably not ready to feature in the top eight just yet.
Can confidently tip West Coast in this derby.
Despite the Eagles’ inconsistent form this year, they do boast a big win over Fremantle already.
Prediction: West Coast by 29 points
Suggested Bets: West Coast -15.5 at $1.90
