Round 18 is upon us and brings some important games for teams in search of a top 8 spot come finals time. The Collingwood V Brisbane match is the game of the round with both teams level pegging on the ladder with 11 wins and 6 losses. It will be a huge test for both teams and the winner will likely take a top 4 spot by the end of the weekend.
Sports Bet of the Round
Congratulations to everyone that jumped on last weeks $5.00 multi bet. It was touch and go with a few of the games but we pulled through.
My round eighteen tip is Carlton, Richmond, Geelong, Essendon and Collingwood in a multi. It will pay around $4.00 with Sportsbet who will also give you a $50 free bet just for joining them through Sportsbet Blog.
North Melbourne V Carlton Friday Night at Etihad Stadium
Tip: Carlton
Carlton will be desperate to get their game back on track after a dismal performance last Friday night against the Pies. Chris Judd is their only real shining light at the moment and looks set to be a top 3 chance for the Brownlow Medal and is paying $5.00 at Sportsbet.
With club great Adam Simpson announcing his retirement after this weekends match it may add some spark to the Kangaroos side making for a close game. But there’s no doubt that the Blues have a far stronger side and will bounce back and get a win here.
My prediction is 40+ points.
Western Bulldogs V Fremantle Saturday at Etihad Stadium
Tip: Western Bulldogs
The Dogs will be out to get back on the winners list after a heavy loss to the league leaders St Kilda. Freo have trouble playing in Melbourne and will struggle with the pace of the Bulldogs.
Brad Johnson will be the man of the moment when he lines up on Saturday to play a Bulldogs record breaking 342 game for the club. Interesting enough the Bulldogs are letting every child who is accompanied by a paying adult to enter free for this match, which should see a nice sized crowd to the game.
Geelong V Adelaide Saturday at Skilled Stadium
Tip: Geelong
Geelong again need to prove to their supporters they have what it takes to win the Premiership this year. They looked far from impressive in their 1 point win over the Hawks after the siren and need to clean up their skills if they are to get back to their usual form.
Adelaide continue to impress and would be confident coming down to Skilled Stadium this weekend. But Geelong at home are a unstoppable force and should wrap the game up early.
If your looking at betting on Geelong to win the Grand Final now is a good time as I think the odds wont get any longer than they are now. Currently they are paying $2.55 and are close favourites to St Kilda at $2.60. IASbet have a great promo at the moment that will give you a $100 free bet on heaps of events including the Grand Final when making $50 worth of bets.
Sydney V St Kilda Saturday Night at the SCG
Tip: St Kilda
The Saints are on the road to the finals now with the final 5 games being all teams that are out of the eight. Those that took up my St Kilda tip last week will be rubbing their hands together after the odds dropped from $3.15 to $1.85 for the Saints to go undefeated after the win against the Bulldogs. Their perfect run will continue up in Sydney and I’m tipping it will end any chance of the Swans getting to the finals.
As usual Nick Riewoldt and Stephen Milne will be the ones to watch after both kicking 5 goals last weekend.
Collingwood V Brisbane Saturday Night at the MCG
Tip: Collingwood
The Pies are on top of the world with the signing of Nathan Buckley this week and a big win over arch rivals Carlton last weekend. This will spur the Pies on this weekend and should get the points.
The match up against the Lions will still be great with Jonathan Brown showing he can play a one man forward with a massive eight goals last week in their 41 point win. After that effort he is now clear favourite to win the Coleman Medal with Sportsbet and is paying $2.25.
Tim Notting will be missed at the Lions with one week on the sidelines after a high hit on the Kangaroos Scott Thompson.
Melbourne V Richmond Sunday at the MCG
Tip: Richmond
Both teams are playing for pride but have shown some signs of success in the last month or so. Richmond have pleased their supporters will some hard pressure football that has resulted in a nail biting draw and a great win against Essendon.
Jade Rawlings looks to be getting somewhere with the list and has sparked up the team to give all they have. This should see them to a win over an inaccurate kicking Daemons side.
Port Adelaide V Hawthorn Sunday at AAMI Stadium
Tip: Hawthorn
The Hawks are back and this game will show they mean business. They are playing with allot of flair which saw them win the Premiership last year and if they can continue this they may just scrape into the top 8 come the end of the year.
Buddy looks to have his confidence back and playing great footy with goals from all over the ground. His presence on the field is enough to spur the team on which should see them onto a big win at AAMI Stadium.
West Coast V Essendon Sunday at Subiaco
Tip: Essendon
This is a must win game for Essendon to keep their finals chances alive. They seemed to be off their usual game last week losing in a nail biter but should bounce back over in the West.
The Dons will be do it tough though up forward with goal kicker Matthew Lloyd to miss the game with a badly bruised heel.