It’s Round 16 of the AFL season, the bye rounds are done and dusted, and we’ve got nine of the best this weekend.
BetDeluxe provides tips for every game, including an in-depth look at the mouth-watering match-up between Brisbane and Richmond.
game of the week: Lions vs. Tigers
29th June 7:20PM
The AFL fixture gods have once again gifted us with a Thursday night thriller, pitting the Brisbane Lions against Richmond at The Gabba.
While the Lions are as short as $1.35 with BetDeluxe, it’s not strictly representative of recent form, and we’re confident there’s value to be found.
Brisbane will enter the match with a pep in their step after momentarily breaking their Melbourne hoodoo with a 28-point win over St Kilda at Marvel Stadium. Returning to the Gabba brings a sense of confidence for Chris Fagan’s men, who have all six of their home games at the venue this season. They will likely only strengthen their side with former skipper, Dayne Zorko, returning from a calf injury.
As for Richmond, they’ve freshened up with the Round 15 bye after notching five wins from their past seven games, including a three-match winning streak. Andrew McQualter has reintroduced the formula at Tigerland since taking the reins and, for the first time, will have a few selection headaches with the return of Jacob Hopper, Marlion Pickett and Noah Cumberland.
The midfield battle between Brisbane’s Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley, and Hugh McCluggage, and Richmond’s Tim Taranto, Dustin Martin and a reinvigorated Trent Cotchin will undoubtedly decide the match.
Suggested Bet: Richmond (+18.5) @ $1.90
Swans vs. Cats
30th June 7:50pm
The shoulders are back, chests are out, and the Swannies are back in business after delivering a record-breaking 171-point dismantling of West Coast last weekend. Will Isaac Heeney replicate his season-high five goals? Probably not. But he’s back in form, and that’s what they needed against a Geelong team who just took down an in-form Melbourne side.
Suggested Bet: T. Stewart 25+ disposals @ $2.20
Crows vs. Kangaroos
1st July 1:45pm
The Crows were desperately unlucky during their two-point loss to the Magpies, and there’s very little doubt they will come out all guns blazing in this one. Teetering on the edge of the eight just ahead of Geelong, Gold Coast, Fremantle, and Richmond, this needs to be a percentage booster and another haul from new Coleman leader Tex Walker.
Suggested Bet: Crows (-41.5) @ $1.90
Bulldogs vs. Dockers
1st July 1:45PM
In another game with finals implications, the seventh-placed Western Bulldogs will attempt to make it two in a row when they host Fremantle at Marvel Stadium. The Dogs snapped a three-game losing streak when they downed the Kangaroos, but they will need to solve their defensive issues after injuries to Liam Jones and Tim O’Brien. The Dockers returned to their brand of footy against Essendon and will need to exploit the Dogs’ depleted defence.
Suggested Bet: Bulldogs to win @ $1.52
Suns vs. Magpies
1st July 4:35PM
Another day, another Collingwood come-from-behind victory. Fly McCrae has instilled an unshakable belief in his troops, and it was on show again when they kicked five goals to two in the final quarter against Adelaide to return to the top of the ladder. And did we mention Nick Daicos and his 37 touches? It should be close, with Collingwood winning the last two by an average of 15 points, but a tough outing for the talented Suns.
Suggested Bet: Magpies to win @ $1.60
Bombers vs. Power
1st July 7:25PM
Port Adelaide will return from their mid-season bye as $1.49 favourites against Essendon as Ken Hinkley’s men try to make it a perfect 12 wins on the trot. Yes, 12. Junior Rioli is set to bolster their forward half, while Xavier Duursma is on track to return from a PCL. The Bombers had won four in a row before Saturday’s loss to Fremantle, but we’re expecting another loss against the form side of the competition.
Suggested Bet: Power (-10.5) @ $1.90
HAwks vs. Blues
2nd July 1:10PM
Two of the most inconsistent sides in the AFL. Hawthorn was demolished by the Suns one week against taking care of Brisbane, while Carlton finally snapped a six-game losing streak with a barnstorming 59-point win over the Suns. Form lines suggest the Blues, but we understandably hesitate to trust them. What’s the saying about ‘fool me twice’?
Suggested Bet: Blues 1-39 @ $2.08
Demons vs. Giants
2nd July 3:20PM
Melbourne’s scoring woes plagued them at the Cattery, kicking just eight goals for the third week in a row. Unfortunately, they could not keep their opponents behind them in this instance, a defensive lapse that shouldn’t occur against the Giants. Clayton Oliver will miss a fifth straight game, while Jesse Hogan returns for GWS. If the Dees consider themselves serious finals threats, they need to kick a winning score.
Suggested Bet: Demons 1-39 @ $2.10
Eagles vs. Saints
2nd July 4:40PM
Saints.
Suggested Bet: Saints first team to score @ $1.45
