AFL Best Bets, May 26
Sydney vs. Carlton
Head-To-Head
Can Carlton bounce back into form? While it seems unlikely that the SCG is the venue where Michael Voss can get his men back in the winner’s stall, that’s exactly what we’re’ predicting this weekend.
The Blues have been poor over the past five weeks, with four losses and just one win against the Eagles. However, they’ve not been blown out of the water in any of those losses, with their 28-point defeat to Collingwood on the weekend the biggest margin of them all.
They now face a Sydney outfit who almost lost to the Kangaroos, went down in their previous two contests at the SCG (GWS and Fremantle), and don’t have a defender to take either Charlie Curnow or Harry McKay.
Suggested Bet:
Blues to win at $1.84
West Coast vs. Essendon
Handicap
This is shaping as another massacre for the Eagles as they attempt to earn back an ounce of respect after going down to the Hawks by 118 points.
Unfortunately for Adam Simpson and his injury-plagued squad, they’re coming up against an Essendon outfit that just won one of the games of the year – Dreamtime at the ‘G.
Like the Blues, the Bombers weren’t getting pummelled in their losses (except perhaps the Lions), so there’s every chance they take their new-found winning ways and apply it in a very big way out west.
Suggested Bet:
Essendon (-49.5) at $1.90
St Kilda vs. Hawthorn
Totals
Neither the Saints nor the Hawks have set the scoring world on fire in 2023, ranking 10th and 16th for points, respectively.
Before their demolition job over the Eagles, Hawthorn had kicked over 65 points just once in the previous month, while the Saints weren’t far off a similar record.
While the Saints are expected to win this one comfortably, we’re edging on the side of caution regarding total points scored, especially given that Mitch Owens is out with concussion.
Suggested Bet:
-158.5 total points at $1.88
Jayden Short (Richmond)
25+ Disposals
Most punters will gravitate to Butters, Rozee and Taranto in this game and for a good reason; they’re disposal kings. But they’re short.
A free-flowing game is expected for the first Richmond match without Damien Hardwick in 13 and a half years.
Short has already posted three matches with 25+ disposals and only narrowly missed with 24 last week against Essendon. He can bounce back here at $2.10.
Suggested Bet:
Jayden Short at $2.10
Melbourne vs. Fremantle
Same Game Multi
The Demons and the Dockers will meet at the MCG on Saturday afternoon in one the home side will desperately want to win as they look to maintain touch with Collingwood, Brisbane and Port Adelaide.
While they’ve lost Clayton Oliver to injury, both Christian Petracca and Jack Viney were down last week, and can pick up the slack in front of the home fans.
These two sides have never kicked more than 150 points from their past three meetings, and it’s no secret the Dockers’ don’t have the greatest affinity with the ‘G.
- Melbourne to win
- Under 169.5
- C. Petracca 25+ disposals
- L. Schultz 2+ goals
