It’s the King’s Birthday weekend and we have five days of AFL to sink our teeth into.
BetDeluxe provides tips for every game, including the feature between the Dees and the Pies.
game of the week: Demons vs. Magpies
12th June 3:20PM
This year’s King’s Birthday match-up is a genuine clash of the titans as Melbourne attempt to slow down the ladder-leading Collingwood at the MCG.
With both teams inside the top three on the ladder, the Pies enter the match as $1.83 favourites, having won the last three encounters between the sides.
Craig McCrae has a few issues to handle in the lead-up to this match, needing to find a replacement for the suspended Jordan De Goey and waiting on the fitness of both Beau McCreery and Will Hoskin-Elliott. Jamie Elliott is expected to return after missing last week’s victory over West Coast with a shoulder complaint, while Dan McStay is also available for the first time since Round 5.
The Pies aren’t the only side experiencing selection headaches, with Clayton Oliver’s previously confirmed return now under a cloud due to an infected blister. Oliver missed the last two games against Fremantle and Carlton with a hamstring strain but was expected to re-join Christian Petracca and Max Gawn in Melbourne’s midfield.
With two losses from their last three games, the Demons have been the least convincing top-four side in the competition. Irrespective of whether Oliver gets the all-clear to play, we’re expecting the all-conquering Magpies to win their 12th game of the year.
Suggested Bet: Same Game Multi
- Leg 1: Collingwood 1-39
- Leg 2: N. Daicos 30+ disposals
- Leg 3: K. Pickett score anytime
- Leg 4: L. Hunter 20+ disposals
- Total: $6.25
Swans vs. Saints
8th June 7:10pm
Buddy, Buddy, Buddy. If the Swans ever had anything to play for, it’s their superstar full-forward’s 350th game. It comes at an excellent time for Sydney as they welcome Dane Rampe back into their defensive 50 while looking to continue their mid-season resurgence with a third-straight win. The Saints have been a picture of inconsistency with three losses from their past five and a 10-point defeat to Hawthorn, but they will be buoyed by the return of young gun Mitch Owens.
Suggested Bet: L. Franklin top match goal scorer @ $4.50
Bulldogs vs. Power
9th June 7:50pm
Much like the Saints, the Western Bulldogs will be hoping to snap their own form slump when they host the second-placed Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium. While their last two losses have been to Gold Coast and Geelong, the Dogs gave up seven goals to two in a disappointing second half against the Cats. The Power have no such issues with nine consecutive wins. And they could welcome both Charlie Dixon and Travis Boak back. Scary.
Suggested Bet: Power to win @ $1.83
Hawks vs. Lions
10th June 1:45PM
Is this the week the Lions taste victory at the MCG? It’s one of the very few roadblocks to their upcoming finals campaign, but they won’t get a much better chance than against the Hawks this week. Hawthorn will regain skipper James Sicily this week, but it is unlikely to be enough against a Lions outfit coming off their first loss since Round 3.
Suggested Bet: Lions 1-39 @ $2.10
Crows vs. Eagles
10th June 4:35PM
While the Crows have serious issues playing away from the Adelaide Oval, they need not concern themselves with it this week against the Eagles. Tom Barrass (hip), Elijah Hewett (concussion), Shannon Hurn (hamstring) and Connor West (knee) have added to the injury woes for Adam Simpson. Tom Doedee will miss for the Crows, their $1.03 quote says it all.
Suggested Bet: Crows (-59.5) @ $1.90
Dockers vs. Tigers
10th June 7:25PM
Can Richmond make it two in a row under Mini McQualter? They’ve been impressive over the past two weeks, with a 10-point loss to the Power followed by a six-point win at GWS. Fremantle will be refreshed following their bye round, but Luke Jackson will need to do the bulk of the ruck work following Sean Darcy’s hamstring injury. Freo should, but Richmond could.
Suggested Bet: Tigers (+15.5) @ $1.90
Kangaroos vs. Giants
11th June 3:20PM
North Melbourne delivered their most convincing performance in weeks on Sunday afternoon, going down to Essendon by just six points at Marvel. That’s three consecutive weeks now where they’ve troubled their opponents for significant periods of the game. The Giants were unlucky not to make it two wins in a row, but they should receive a boost with the return of Nick Haynes across half-back.
Suggested Bet: Giants to win @ $1.46
Blues vs. Bombers
11th June 7:15PM
There could not possibly be more pressure on a team, their coach, and their ability to score than Carlton, Michael Voss, and their forward line. The Blues lost their fifth consecutive game when they went down Melbourne, but it was their 44 points that once again had the critics talking. They’ve now averaged 57 points in their last five games. The Bombers did what they needed to against North but will need to overcome a string of three losses to the Blues in this one.
Suggested Bet: Bombers to win @ $1.85
