Nine matches, four days, three venues, one state; that’s what awaits AFL fans this weekend as the entire competition heads to South Australia for the first-ever Gather Round.
Kicking off with a Thursday night epic between Adelaide and Carlton, all 18 teams will go head-to-head in the City of Churches, and BetDeluxe is here to deliver its best bets for every game.
game of the week: Magpies vs. Saints
16th April 4:50PM
We’re heading to 4:50 pm on Sunday afternoon for the Gather Round Game of the Week, with the fifth-placed Pies taking on the undefeated, ladder-leading Saints.
Collingwood will be as hungry as they’ve been all season following last week’s 33-point loss to Brisbane, with Nick Daicos (38 disposals) and Scott Pendlebury (26) flying the flag from each end of the AFL career spectrum.
However, the makeshift operation of Dan McStay and Billy Frampton in the ruck was basically ineffectual against Oscar McInerney, with 21 hit-outs to the Big O’s 43. They will encounter similar issues this week against the likes of Rowan Marshall leading the Saints’ midfield.
Speaking of Ross Lyon’s chargers, they went 4-0 with a dominant 53-point triumph over the Suns and solidified top spot on the ladder. This game will be their biggest test to date, with their in-form midfield of Brad Crouch, Mason Wood and Seb Ross needing to go toe-to-toe with the Pies’ engine room.
Jack Bytel faces another stint on the sidelines with an ankle injury, but they could welcome Tim Membrey back into the team for the first time this season.
The Saints have continued to defy their injury problems in the first month of the season, but the Pies should be able to take advantage and get a hold of them.
Suggested Bet: Same Game Multi
- Leg 1: Collingwood to win
- Leg 2: Over 161.5 points
- Leg 3: M. Owens score anytime
- Leg 4: S. Pendlebury 25+ disposals
- Total: $5.75
Crows vs. Blues
13th April 7:40pm
Mouthwatering. That’s the only way to describe this game, as the in-form Crows host the even more in-form Blues. With Sam Walsh, Blake Acres and Matthew Kennedy all named to play, the Blues’ midfield should have more than enough firepower to edge past the locals.
Suggested Bet: Carlton to win @ $1.84
Dockers vs. Suns
14th April 5:10pm
A must-win for both sides. Fremantle showed a little in their loss to the Crows last week, and it looks like they’ve solved their Darcy/Jackson ruck headache. The Suns couldn’t back up their impressive win over the Cats, and with Jarrod Witts set to miss again, it could be another difficult night.
Suggested Bet: Fremantle to win @ $1.59
Tigers vs. Swans
14th April 8:10PM
Two sides that have been ravaged by injuries to their bigs make for an intriguing battle under Friday night lights. No Lynch or Nankervis for Richmond, no Buddy or McCartin brothers for Sydney. If it becomes a game of small ball, chaos and speed, the three-time premiers should get closer than the market suggests.
Suggested Bet: Richmond (+11.5) @ $1.90
Lions vs. Kangaroos
15th April 1:10PM
Brisbane will need to learn to win away from the Gabba if they are to feature prominently in finals, and there’s no better way to kick-start a healthy foreign record than against North at Adelaide Hills. Daniel Rich should return for the Lions, while Nick Larkey will need to pass a fitness test for the Roos. The winning-away-from-home Lions start here.
Suggested Bet: Over 160.5 total points @ $1.88
Bombers vs. demons
15th April 4:10PM
The Melbourne machine rolls on in 2023 with a 63-point win over the Eagles, their third by 50 points or more. The Bombers were valiant as they held off the Giants, despite 11.22 in front of goals. Still, opposition teams don’t stand a chance when there’s even the slightest query regarding Ben Brown’s inclusion in the Demons’ forward line after the success of Tom McDonald and Jacob van Rooyen.
Suggested Bet: Melbourne 1-39 @ $2.15
Power vs. Bulldogs
15th April 7:50PM
One of the most exciting matchups of the round pits the two rollercoaster sides of the season so far against each other. The Power bounced back from a loss to their crosstown rivals with a shock win over the Swans, while the Dogs made it two in a row with an equally surprising victory over the Tigers. The home crowd could be the only difference.
Suggested Bet: Port Adelaide to win @ $1.51
Cats vs. Eagles
16th April 1:10PM
The reigning premiers are finally on the board in 2023, with a 10-goal third quarter blowing the Hawks out of the water. Can they do it again? Well, there’s arguably no easier team to do it against than the Eagles and their unrivalled injury woes.
Suggested Bet: Geelong (-43.5) @ $1.90
Giants vs. Hawks
16th April 3:20PM
They might be 1-3 after four rounds, but the Giants’ last two outings have been brave, to say the least, with losses to Carlton and Essendon by a combined 23 points. The same can’t be said for the brown and gold and their third quarter from the depths of AFL hell over the weekend, so expect the Giants to record a much-deserved victory in this one.
Suggested Bet: GWS to win @ $1.39
