We head to the final round of the AFL Premiership season as the season comes to a close and we take one step towards finals.
The best bets from the rest of Round 23 are in.
Western Bulldogs vs. Port Adelaide
August 20th 7:50pm
Western Bulldogs are in desperate need of a form reversal when it plays Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.
The Dogs went down to Hawthorn in Tasmania last week as it slumped to fourth on the ladder, while Port Adelaide catapulted into third place following a 95-point destruction of Carlton.
Not sure the Port Adelaide formline is one we can trust wholeheartedly given how poor Carlton was last weekend.
Even though the Dogs have struggle without Josh Bruce, a return to Marvel should spark them into life.
Prediction: Western Bulldogs by 15 points
Suggested Bet: Western Bulldogs -5.5 at $1.90
Richmond vs. Hawthorn
August 21st 1:35pm
Alastair Clarkson’s farewell game plays out against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
‘Clarko’ has his lads humming towards the back end of the year and may just very well end the season with four wins in a row if it can beat a struggling Richmond.
The Tigers were played off the park by Greater Western Sydney last week and it’s inadvisable to be with them in this game.
Prediction: Hawthorn by 14 points
Suggested Bet: Hawthorn -10.5 at $1.90
Sydney vs. Gold Coast
August 21st 1:45pm
Marvel Stadium hosts Sydney and Gold Coast when the pair do battle in the last round of the premiership season.
The Swans will be fully aware this is a danger game given how well the Suns beat them earlier this year.
Sydney, however, has looked a completely reformed team since that loss and can give themselves a chance at a home final with a win.
Expecting John Longmire’s men to put a cloud over the Suns and send them packing into the pre-season for 2022.
Prediction: Sydney by 36 points
Suggested Bet: Sydney -29.5 at $1.90
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Sydney head to head
Leg 2: Total points scored under 163.5
Leg 3: G. Hewett 25+ disposals
Combined odds = $5.25
Brisbane vs. West Coast
August 21st 4:35pm
West Coast must win against Brisbane at the the Gabba in order to get itself back into the eight with a reliance on other results to keep it inside finals.
The Eagles coughed up a golden opportunity to entrench itself inside the top eight last week, but fell short against cross-town rival Fremantle to go down by 15 points.
Brisbane, meanwhile, pummelled a hapless to the tune of 85 points at the Gabba as Charlie Cameron piled on six goals.
Lions are just going too well at the moment and we know of West Coast’s struggles away from Perth.
Prediction: Brisbane by 45 points
Suggested Bets: Brisbane -29.5 at $1.75
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Brisbane head to head (SGM SPECIAL)
Leg 2: Total points under 171.5
Leg 3: C. Cameron 2+ goals
Leg 4: J. Daniher 2+ goals
Combined odds = $5
Carlton vs. GWS
August 21st 7:40pm
A decision on the future of David Teague will be weighing on the mind of Carlton when it faces a resurgent GWS Giants team on Saturday night.
The Blues were woeful in their 95-point hiding against Port Adelaide, while GWS ended Richmond’s season with a big 39-point victory under the roof of Marvel Stadium.
Carlton will likely welcome back Patrick Cripps from a tight quad, but even his inclusion will not be enough to stop the Giants.
Toby Greene returns after serving his one-week suspension and that will prove a headache for Carlton’s defence.
Prediction: GWS by 56 points
Suggested Bets: GWS -22.5 at $1.90
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: GWS head to head (SGM SPECIAL)
Leg 2: Total points over 168.5
Leg 3: M. Kennedy 25+ disposals
Combined odds = $5
St Kilda vs. Fremantle
August 22nd 12:15pm
Fremantle will know its fate heading into the final home and away game against St Kilda in Tasmania.
The Dockers scored a famous victory in the Western Derby last week after an incredible banana goal from Caleb Serong sealed the deal at the death.
St Kilda, meanwhile, battled strongly against Geelong but fell short in the end.
Not sure how to separate these teams at the neutral venue, but Fremantle will probably have a heap to play for.
Prediction: Fremantle by 11 points
Suggested Bets: Fremantle head to head $2.15
Essendon vs. Collingwood
August 22nd 3:20pm
Century old rivals do battle when Essendon faces Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday.
The Bombers took full control of their season with a 68-point win over Gold Coast ensuring a win in the last round would lock them into finals.
Collingwood, however, turned their feet up after half time against Brisbane and felt the full force of an 85-point annihilation.
Ben Rutten’s first season as Essendon coach looked the goods when his team knocked off Collingwood on Anzac Day and we expect that winning form against the Magpies to continue.
Prediction: Essendon by 15 points
Suggested Bets: Collingwood +22.5 at $1.91
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Essendon head to head
Leg 2: Collingwood +22.5
Leg 3: J. Elliot 2+ goals
Combined odds = $6
Adelaide vs. North Melbourne
August 22nd 4:40pm
This might be a dead rubber in the scheme of the season but it will be intriguing to see how these young, building teams line-up against each other.
North continued its brave finish to the season by pushing finals bound Sydney all the way.
The Roos would ultimately go down 91-77, but in the process showed much better form than what Adelaide did in its 41-point loss against Melbourne.
Prediction: North Melbourne by 12 points
Suggested Bets: North Melbourne head to head at $1.86
