AFL Round 20, Tips and Previews
Saints vs. Blues
July 30th
St Kilda seeks to keep its slim chance of finals alive when it plays embattled Carlton on Friday night at Marvel Stadium.
The Saints took it right up to West Coast in Perth last week but feel short, while the Blues were picked apart and smashed by 18th place North Melbourne.
Carlton barely gave a yelp against the Kangaroos and now face a far slicker squad who will attempt to expose Carlton’s horrible defensive position (ranked 18th).
SUGGESTED BET:
St Kilda -9.5 @ $1.90
Dogs vs. Crows
July 31st
Western Bulldogs are your short-priced favourite to knock off Adelaide and rightfully so given the season it had has.
The Dogs scored a 20-point victory against Melbourne last week to snatch top spot as Cody Weightman leapt over Max Gawn to take a mark of the year contender.
Adelaide, too, brought up victory in Round 19 with a three-goal win over Hawthorn.
But the Dogs, with Josh Dunkley returning, will have too much firepower.
SUGGESTED BET:
Dogs -37.5 at $1.90
Roos vs. Cats
July 31st
North Melbourne might be entrenched at the bottom of the table but the footy is brings to this game against Geelong is far from that of an 18th placed team.
The Kangaroos skipped past Carlton with ease last week to record a 39-point victory, while Geelong belted Richmond from pillar to post in a Sunday afternoon stroll at the MCG.
Geelong are premiership favourite for a reason and will win this game, but North should be able to cover the line.
SUGGESTED BET:
Roos +32.5 at $1.90
Suns vs. Demons
July 31st
Melbourne gets a golden opportunity to bounce back against Gold Coast after coughing up top spot.
The Demons look flat as a tack in their 20-point loss against Western Bulldogs but it was not as bad as the Suns second half against Brisbane.
Gold Coast relinquished a five-goal lead to go down by 49 points and it just gets even harder against a Melbourne team who is ranked the best defence in the league.
SUGGESTED BET:
Demons -27.5 at $1.90
Pies vs. Eagles
July 31st
The race towards the top eight continues for West Coast when it meets Collingwood who has all but put the cue in the rack for 2021.
The Eagles held on from a fast finishing St Kilda to score victory and now the focus turns to a Magpies side who will be keen bounce back from a five-goal defeat against Port Adelaide.
Having a finals spot to play for should be more than enough motivation for the Eagles to get up and about for this game.
SUGGESTED BET:
Eagles -6.5 at $1.90
The Bloods are quite simply humming and if they play their hand right can manufacture a fifth win in a row when they play Essendon on Saturday.
Sydney knocked off Fremantle to put its hand up for a top four position but it was Essendon who stole the headlines after a disappointing loss to GWS meaning it dropped outside of the top right.
Lance Franklin was luckily cleared for a flailing elbow and will haunt the Bombers backline as he has done throughout his career.
SUGGESTED BET:
Swans -19.5 at $1.90
Hawthorn will need an Alastair Clarkson ‘masterclass’ if it is any chance against a hungry Brisbane team keen to get itself back into the top four.
The Lions produced an enormous second half in the Q Clash to run away with a 49-point win over Gold Coast, while Hawthorn feel three goals short of Adelaide.
Tasmania might be a proven fortress for the Hawks, but Brisbane has won the last two encounters between the teams at UTAS Stadium.
SUGGESTED BET:
Lions -28.5 at $1.90
The pressure cooker is well truly cranked up on GWS when it faces a must win clash against Port Adelaide as the pack chases down the final spot inside the eight.
The Giants scored a gritty victory over Essendon to catapult into finals contention.
It was business as usual for Port, though, as it held Collingwood at arms-length to score a 29-point win last Friday.
This is going be a tight game between two talented football teams.
SUGGESTED BET:
GWS Giants +12.5 at $1.90
There is still the faintest, tiniest beat on Richmond’s season when it goes head to head with Fremantle in Perth.
Both teams are still mathematical, realistic chances to make finals but if that dream is to continue four points are a must.
Fremantle in Perth will not be a cruisy Sunday stroll for Richmond, but the Dockers are down on form.
Trusting the Tigers system and talent to get it done across the Nullarbor.
