Sportsbet Blog

The 19th Soccer World Cup in South Africa is nearly upon us and the whole world is slowly becoming struck down with football fever. Millions and millions of people will be watching the opening fixture every one of them carrying with them a mass of hopes and dreams. But not every team will have what it takes to lift the iconic trophy, and ultimately only one team will.

Here at Sportsbetblog.com.au we are going to look all the likely winners and some of the countries with something of an outside chance, so that you know where best to place your free bet from Sportsbet

England

As with every other Englishman around the world I began 2010 full of hope and optimism. England cruised through their qualifying group unbeaten. Wayne Rooney is scoring goals for fun. Steven Gerrard is fit and in John Terry we have one of the best center backs in the business. But as always something just had to go wrong for us and burst the big bubble that was beginning to build.

The last few months has been full of nothing but controversy for the England squad with John Terry and Ashley Cole sleeping with anything in a skirt and an orange spray tan, including team mates wives, that has resulted in nothing but bad press. Then there was the amazing news that super boss Fabio Cappello was being spied on during a friendly game against Egypt as the rest of the world tries to find out what makes him a true football genius. All of this has come on top of the news that Rooney is injured and will miss the rest of the season and could struggle to be fit for the first game in South Africa. While talisman David Beckham is definately out after snapping his achilles tendon playing for Italian side AC Milan.

COULD ANYTHING ELSE GO WRONG?

But despite the down sides to the year I still think we have a serious chance of pulling something out of our backsides at this World Cup. Rooney swears that he will make it, Gerrard is coming in to good form and in Cappello we have a coach that seems to be able to get our players to produce their club form at the international level, which has been a major problem for so long in English football.

In a recent interview with ‘Soccer International’ magazine Cappello also revealed the team has been practising the dreaded penalties, “We practice penalties a lot. For the finals, we have time to decide who will take the penalties. I will get them to practice. But practice is easy without a crowd!”

So if JT can keep it in his pants for just at least six months I feel that we maybe in with a chance and the bookies seem to agree with Centrebet making them third favourites at $6.50.

Round 6 is rivalry round with great games all weekend. The match of round six would have to go to Friday nights clash against the Saints and the Bulldogs. A win to either club here will gain the confidence they need for what it takes to win the premiership this year.

Best Bet of Round 6

This weeks bet of the round is St Kilda and North Melbourne both to win in a multi. It pays a generous 4.30 with Sportsbet here.

Western Bulldogs V St Kilda Friday Night at Etihad Stadium

Tip: St Kilda

Odds: Western Bulldogs 1.81 St Kilda 2.20

The Saints looked flat footed last week in a scrappy game of football against Port in what could be a start of a downwards turn.

A loss for St Kilda here will be the telling tale for them as they try and replicate their 2009 regular season where they finished on top of the ladder.

I think they will bounce back now they are under dogs. Expect a much better performance from Justin Koschitzke up forward as he tries to make up for the injury of Nick Riewoldt.

North Melbourne V Melbourne Saturday at Etihad Stadium

Tip: North Melbourne

Odds: North Melbourne 2.20 Melbourne 1.80
One month ago this game would have been looked over but with both clubs coming off good wins is has turned into an interesting game.

With talks of a Melbourne finals campaign this year I think the club may be looking a little too far ahead. Although they will start favourite to win the match, my prediction is that Melbourne’s three game winning streak will come to an end.

Adelaide V Port Adelaide Saturday at AAMI Stadium

Tip: Port Adelaide

Odds: Adelaide 2.48 Port Adelaide 1.66

The Showdown XXVIII match this weekend will be a one sided affair with the Power in pretty good form of late. They have the ability to change the oppositions game plan and flip the game on its head which I think will break the crows early in the match.

Adelaide will be without the important Patrick Dangerfield which will make it all the harder for the Crows.

Sydney V Brisbane Saturday Night at the SCG

Tip: Sydney

Odds: Sydney 1.61 Brisbane 2.56

The top of the table Swans have continued to surprise the footy intellects with many of them tipping them out of the top 8 this season.  Paul Roo’s has taken a back flip on his Sydney game plan for his final year as coach and so far has proven successful.

I think Sydney look the cleaner side with plenty of carry through the midfield and accurate kicking to the forwards. Even without key player Craig Bolton I think sydney will win in a close match.

Daniel Bradshaw V Jonathan Brown will be ones to keep an eye on with both forwards doing well this season for their clubs.

Essendon V Hawthorn Saturday Night at the MCG

Tip: Hawthorn

Odds: Essendon 2.47 Hawthorn 1.56

This is a must win for the Hawks. They are stuck on one win for the season and yet to show the form they are known for. I would be wary about betting too heavily on this game, although the Hawks are clear favourite and should win I think Essendon will match them early and only fade out late in the game.

My prediction is the Hawks by 13 points so take the 1-39 points margin paying 2.25 at Sportsbet and you should be safe.

Geelong V Richmond Sunday at Skilled Stadium

Tip: Geelong

Odds: Geelong 1.04 Richmond 22.00

Richmond’s odds keep getting longer and longer, I was shocked to see them at $13 last week but $22 this week at Betfair? Thats beyond a joke!

The Cats will demolish them this weekend especially after the shock loss last weekend to Carlton. I’m tipping the Cats to win by over 40 points paying a small but safe $1.31.

Carlton V Collingwood Sunday at the MCG

Tip: Collingwood

Odds: Carlton 2.42 Collingwood 1.60

A huge crowd will see a very high pressure game on Sunday with both Clubs coming off big wins. The key to the game will be Collingwood’s forward line. If Travis Cloke can kick straight in a pressure game I think they will win. He has struggled in the past in key games but I think he may have over come this and get the win for the Pies.

Pies defender Simon Prestigiacomo will be out again this week as he still struggles with a groin injury. Carlton’s Andrew Walker is sidelined for up to six weeks after breaking his collarbone in their 36 point win over the Cats.

West Coast V Fremantle Sunday at Subiaco Oval

Tip: Fremantle

Odds: West Coast 3.10 Fremantle 1.47

Freo will easily take care of  West coast in this years AFL Derby.West Coast over use the ball and make too many mistakes in the middle which cause to many turn overs. Freo on the other hand are getting the ball nicely into the forward line making life easy for Pav up with a few cameo appearances from big 211cm Arron Sandilands and Hayden Ballantyne.

Keep an eye out for Michael Barlow for Freo. He averaged 30 possessions a game in the VLF last year and has brought that over to the AFL with 32 of his own last weekend. If you haven’t got him in your dream team, get him in.

Online bookies could lose hundreds of thousands of dollars after numerous bets being placed this morning just before Melbourne Storm and the NRL announced the salary cap infringements.

Not only have Melbourne Storm lose their two premierships but all points in the 2010 season handing them the wooden spoon after only six rounds.

Online bookmaker Sportingbet took several bets at 250-1 with some punters set to win $10,000 from each bet

“We took three bets to win $10,000 and another to win $8000 for the Storm to win the wooden spoon all within 10 minutes of each other this morning,” Sportingbet Australia spokesman Bill Richmond said.

“You don’t take a series of bets like that unless someone knows something and we have suspended betting on the wooden spoon as a result.”

“Melbourne is now our worst result for the wooden spoon despite the fact they are premiership favourites.”

The TAB also took a $200 bet for Storm to take the wooden spoon the night before the announcement at the odds of $200-1 with a massive $40,000 payout. Before suspending the market the TAB received further bets that morning.

Another major online bookmaker IASbet took “farily odd” bets on the wooden spoon and have suspended betting and waiting out the storm to see what results from it all.

Australia’s only betting exchange Betfair also was hit with wooden spoon bets before the rumour become fact with Betfair spokesman Hugh Taggart saying that his agency would not void a market based on hearsay and rumour, and it would take advice from the NRL for Betfair to stop the public betting on the market.

“We would only avoid a market in an extreme circumstance.”

“Punters always bet on rumour and innuendo.”

“Our markets will be dictated by what happens in the public domain.”

It has been a very messy day for the NRL and the bookies have been cough up in the middle of it. I can’t see the bookies accepting these bets I think a refund will be given to clients that put bets on 24 hours before the announcement.

Where it could get messy is the Melbourne premiership betting. Do the bookies keep the bets or will refunds be given out. It will very interesting to see which bookmakers makes the first move with the others likely to follow suit.

Round 5 looks to be one of the easiest to tip with the shortest odds for an underdog this round being Melbourne to win at $3.50.

The Match of round 5 is the ANZAC clash between Collingwood and Essendon, its always a huge event and shouldn’t disappoint.

Best Bet of Round 5

I’m taking the plunge this week and taking the 8 leg multi of all the teams I’ve tipped in round five. Its paying around the $4.00 mark with Sportsbet and at a glance looks a safe bet.

Western Bulldogs V Adelaide Friday Night at Etihad Stadium

Tip: Western Bulldogs

Odds: Western Bulldogs 1.15 Adelaide 7.20

Adelaide are looking like they won’t break their bad form and bombing out this year. Although Nathan van Berlo is returning for the Crows I can’t see them beating the Bulldogs who are recalling Brad Johnson and Jason Akermanis. The Doggies are now pretty much equal favourite for the flag this year at $5.00.

Sydney V West Coast Saturday at the SCG

Tip: Sydney

Odds: Sydney 1.19 West Coast 5.80

The Swans look very strong at the moment especially at the SCG and will go on to win their 4th game in a row. West Coast are without star midfielder Daniel Kerr which will make the task even more difficult. My prediction is Sydney by over 39 points paying  $2.25 at Sportsbet

Melbourne V Brisbane Saturday Night at the MCG

Tip: Brisbane

Odds: Melbourne 3.50 Brisbane 1.37

The Lions will upset Melbourne’s 2 game winning streak this weekend when they match-up on Saturday night. Brisbane is a much stringer side and will out muscle Melbourne all over the ground.

Expect a big bag of goals from Brown and Fev in what should be a training session for the Lions.

Port Adelaide V St Kilda Saturday Night at AAMI Stadium

Tip: St Kilda

Odds: Port Adelaide 3.90 St Kilda 1.33

I think the bookies haven’t given Port much respect with long odds of $3.90.  This match will be much closer than many people think.  The Saints welcome back star forward Justin Koschitzke which should see a more conventional St Kilda game.

The Saints have a decent record at AAMI Stadium and should win on Saturday night but not without a gallant fight from Port who are welcoming back Jay Schulz from injury and blooding untried ruckman Matthew Lobbe.

Collingwood V Essendon Sunday the MCG

Tip: Collingwood

Odds: Collingwood 1.31 Essendon 3.95

The ANZAC Day match between these two clubs always lives up to the day we are guaranteed a great match. Both clubs have recalled some big names making the match definitely one to watch.

Essendon expect Brent Stanton, Mark McVeigh and Angus Monfries all to play after recovering from injury.

Collingwood have named Nathan Brown, Chris Dawes, Shane O’Bree and Ben Reid to play with defender Simon Prestigiacomo the only star to miss. The Pies should win the game after the solid 64 point thrashing of the Hawks last week.

Hawthorn V North Melbourne Sunday at the MCG

Tip: Hawthorn

Odds: Hawthorn 1.39 North Melbourne 3.55

The Hawks will bounce back with a win this week with Lance Franklin and star midfielder Brad Sewell both returning. It’s an important match for both the Hawks and North who still only have one win for the season. This will put alot of pressure on the losing club.

I predict the Hawks to take the four points by winning between 1-39 points paying a honest $2.25 with Sportsbet.

Fremantle V Richmond Sunday Night at Subiaco Oval

Tip: Fremantle

Odds: Fremantle 1.07 Richmond 13.00

Sportsbet have the odds spot on here with Richmond out at $13.00. You would expect to see those kind of odds in a horse race let alone a win/lose event!

The Tigers have made six changes to the squad with Nathan Foley, Ben Cousins, skipper Chris Newman, Luke McGuane, Dean Polo and Robin Nahas all named to play, this should make a great after party in WA after the game!

Freo will win comfortably on Sunday and will work their way back up the ladder after falling four spots after the loss to the Saints last week.

Carlton V Geelong Monday at the MCG

Tip: Geelong

Odds: Carlton 5.10 Geelong 1.24

I can’t go past Geelong again this week. They are looking more and more polished every week and will make Carlton look unorganised.

With the short odds of $1.24 I’ll be keeping away from this and taking the 31 point $2.00 line bet.

Online bookmaker Sportsbet has paid out on Richmond to collect the wooden spoon after only four rounds.

With 18 rounds to go in the 2010 AFL Premiership Season, the bookie has paid out more than $100,000 to punters who backed Richmond to finish on the bottom of the ladder.
“Unfortunately for Richmond fans we think we’ll be paying out on the Tigers at the end of the season, so our punters may as well collect their cash now,” said Sportsbet’s Haydn Lane.
“There are 18 rounds to go so it’s a definite gamble.”
Richmond, who were paying as much as $5 in early Wooden Spoon markets, are now $1.25 favourites to take home the dreaded prize.

The payout applies to all bets placed before 12noon Monday 19th April.

Sportsbet is also offering odds of $5 on Richmond not winning a game this season, although one big punter has faith and has placed $10,000 at $1.16 on the Tigers winning at least one match this season.

Sportsbet is generating a reputation for paying out early on big sporting competitions. In November last year, the bookie paid out early on Tiger Woods to win the Australian Masters after two rounds when he was three strokes ahead. Woods faltered in the third round to share the lead with two others, before he shot clear on the final day to win the tournament.

Sportsbet offer up to $200 worth of free bets for making an account with them, checkout their website here for more information on how to get the free bets.

Updated Wooden Spoon Market
$1.25 Richmond
$7 North Melbourne
$12 Adelaide
$17 Melbourne
$17 West Coast
$26 Essendon
$41 Port Adelaide

One punter with online bookmaker Sportsbet will turn a $5 investment into more than $8000 if Typhoon Tracy can win the Doncaster Mile on Saturday.

The punter had a seven-leg multi bet at the odds of $1676.34 on a combination of AFL and NRL matches last weekend. The final leg of the bet is for Typhoon Tracy to win the Doncaster.
Typhoon Tracy is unbeaten in her last five runs – four of those at Group 1 level – and goes into the race as the $3 favourite with Sportsbet.

“We often get excited by the bigger bets, but spare a thought for this $5 punter who stands to win a motza if Typhoon Tracy can get across the line first on Saturday,” said Sportsbet’s Haydn Lane.
“She is certainly the one to beat and I don’t think she’ll be too disadvantaged by her wide barrier (14).”

$5 Multi bet with Sportsbet at the combined odds of $1676.34 to win $8376.68

Odds Selection
$2.25 AFL – St Kilda to beat Collingwood by 1-39 points (St Kilda won by 28 points)
$2.50 AFL – Brisbane to beat Port Adelaide by 1-39 points (Brisbane won by 27 points)
$2.25 AFL – Western Bulldogs to beat Hawthorn by 1-39 points (Western Bulldogs won by 16 points)
$3.15 AFL – Fremantle to beat Geelong by 1-39 points (Fremantle won by seven points)
$3.65 NRL – Gold Coast to beat Melbourne by 1-12 points (Gold Coast won by four points)
$3.20 NRL – Wests Tigers to beat North Queensland Cowboys by 1-12 points (Wests Tigers won by seven points)
$3.60 Typhoon Tracy to win the Doncaster Mile – Saturday, 17 April @ 3.35pm

Looking at the list of bets above it doesn’t look extremely risky at all. If Typhoon can get up on Saturday it will be defiantly be one to the punters and will leave Sportsbet shaking their heads in disbelief.

Multi Bet’s are where the money is if you can get a good run. Sportsbet offer a huge range of markets across hundreds of events so your sure to find a decent long string multi bet with some massive payouts.

Leading online bookmaker Sportsbet says Richmond is a $5 chance to go winless throughout the 2010 AFL Premiership Season.
“Given their current form it’s hard to see where the Tigers are going to find an easy kill this year,” said Sportsbet’s Haydn Lane.
“We’re offering odds of $5 to punters who think Richmond will not win a match in 2010.”

With at least four omissions from the side that lost to Sydney by 55 points, Richmond has had little support ahead of their Round 4 fixture against Melbourne.
“We cannot lay a bet on the Tigers to beat the Demons this week, which they would normally pencil in as a possible victory,” said Lane.
“They’ve drifted from $2.55 out to $3.35 to defeat the Dees, while Melbourne has firmed from $1.52 into $1.33.”

Richmond has also firmed as the outright favourite in betting for the dreaded Wooden Spoon.

“The Tigers were $5 in pre-season betting for the wooden spoon, now they’re the hot favourite at $1.45,” said Lane.
“We have taken bets of $5000 at $3.75, $3000 at $3.50 and $10,000 at $3.25 on the Tigers for the spoon.”

Toothless Tigers
$5 Richmond will not win a match in 2010
$1.16 Richmond will win a match in 2010

AFL Round 4
$3.35 Richmond (out from $2.55)
$1.33 Melbourne (in from $1.52)

Wooden Spoon
$1.45 Richmond
$5 Melbourne
$7.50 North Melbourne
$9 West Coast

Checkout the Sportsbet site for the latest odds. For new customers Sportsbet will give you up to $200 worth of free bets just for betting with them click here for more info on this great offer.

Round 4 we be looked back on as one of the season builders this year with the cream of the crop doing battle against each other along with the cellar dwellers.

In my mind there are two matches of round four. St Kilda (1) V Freo (2) and Brisbane (3) V Bulldogs (5). Both should be cracking games and should go down to the wire.

Best Bet of Round 4

St Kilda between 1-39 points paying 2.20 at Sportsbet who also will give you uo to $200 worth of free bets. For more info on this offer checkout the Sportsbet website.

West Coast V Essendon Friday Night at Subiaco Oval

Tip: West Coast

Odds: West Coast 1.63 Essendon 2.54

I predict west Coast to win at home, they play a decent brand of footy in the West and with McVeigh out for Essendon I think the task will be out of their reach. I will be interesting to see how Hurley goes for his first game of the year, he will be out to make his mark on the game after serving a club imposed sanction.

North Melbourne V Sydney Saturday at Etihad Stadium

Tip: Sydney

Odds: North Melbourne 2.70 Sydney 1.54

Sydney are my surprise club of the year so far winning 2 from 3 and nearly knocking off St Kilda in round 1. They have changed their game plan this year and are playing a more exiting game which is seeming to work for them.

They should continue their winning for at the Docklands this weekend over the Roo’s who haven’t quite found their feet as yet.

Adelaide V Carlton Saturday at AAMI Stadium

Tip: Adelaide

Odds: Adelaide 1.94 Carlton 2.02

This should be a hard fought game with both clubs struggling early in the season, especially the Crows who are yet to get a win on the board and were expected to be a top 8 side this year.

The Crows regain Johncock to their side that will bolster the back line and could be the difference at the end of the day. Even with Judd back in the side for the Blues I think Adelaide will get their act together and find a win.

Lions V Western Bulldogs Saturday Night at the Gabba

Tip: Lions

Odds: Lions 2.08 Western Bulldogs 1.91

The battle of the big guns. Hall, Brown and Fev all in one game? This time last year I would have said you were dreaming! It should be a great spectacle in a high scoring match.

It will be a matter of who gets more inside 50′s that will win the game and I think the Lions have shown in the last few weeks they have both speed and strength in the midfield and should get over the line. My prediction is the Lions by 12 points.

Collingwood V Hawthorn Saturday Night at the MCG

Tip: Collingwood

Odds: Collingwood 1.67 Hawthorn 2.44

The Pies looked guttered after their loss to St Kilda last weekend and with all the bad press about their Coach Mick Malthouse this week I think they will be out to change the headlines.

Forward Lance Franklin and Backman Josh Gibson are out for the Hawks and Heath Shaw is in for the Pies. It will make the challenge all that more difficult for Hawthorn and I expect the Pies to get a comfortable win.

Richmond V Melbourne Sunday at the MCG

Tip: Melbourne

Odds: Richmond 3.75 Melbourne 1.35

Looking back I think it was 2007 since Melbourne went into a game as favourites and at 1.35 it reflects how bad Richmond are traveling.

The Tigers are without club leaders Chris Newman (leg) and Ben Cousins (club suspension) for the match. I think someone need to tell Richmond that tanking just wont work this year with all the top draft picks going to the new clubs. They are debuting Troy Taylor (South Alice Springs/NT Thunder), Matthew Dea (North Ballarat), David Astbury (North Ballarat) for the game and will struggle to get a flowing game going. Melbourne by 35 points.

Geelong V Port Adelaide Sunday at Skilled Stadium

Tip: Geelong

Odds: Geelong 1.17 Port Adelaide 6.80
Skilled Stadium and Geelong go hand in hand and this match wont be an exception. They will be ruthless on Sunday an wont stop until the final siren after the surprise loss to Freo last week. the Cats have recalled Mooney, Milburn and Ottens for the game and will bounce back with a win.

Look out for Port Adelaide’s Dean Brogan and David Rodan who both are rejoining their club and should be the shining light for Port.

St Kilda V  Fremantle Sunday Afternoon at Etihad Stadium

Tip: St Kilda

Odds: St Kilda 1.35 Fremantle 3.65

1 v 2 and a great match to finish off round 4. The winner here could end up a game clear on top of the ladder with a decent percentage. A restructured St Kilda forward line will see Michael Gardiner the goto man after Nick Riewoldt’s now famous hamstring giving way last week and Justin Koschitzke another week on the side lines due to suspension.

The key to the game will be in the middle with 3rd tier ruckman Rhys Stanley getting the call up along with Steven King to go against giant Aaron Sandilands, if Sandilands can dominate the match it may be a closer game that one might expect.

Zabrasive ($3.00) is set for the 2010 AJC Australian Derby and is the clear pick. IASbet said he has been well backed and they are keeping him very safe. Zabrasive has got the Zabeel breeding on his side, while Rock Classic ($4.00 out to $4.40) is an easing second favourite but does have the Bart factor. Keep The Peace ($12.00 into $9.00) is the unknown quantity, is lightly weighted and has a very impressive record from across the ditch.

We are happy to lay Shoot Out (with odds of $6.50). He failed to reproduce his barnstorming finish in the Randwick Guineas at Rosehill last time in and we think he is a risk at the 2400m.

IASbet is offering a Money Back Special on Rock Classic, a 100% Reload bonus on the Chairman’s Handicap and a cracking 25 Multi boost for the AJC Derby.

SportsbetBlog has also orgainised an exclusive promo code with IASbet giving new members a $100 free bet. Simply use the promo code BFF100 when joining and make a deposit of $50 or more. Within 24 hours your $100 free bet will be credited to your account, easy as that!

Checkout the IASbet site for more info on this free bet offer and for the latest odd for the 2010 AJC Australian Derby.

*See Round 3 2011 Tips Here

Round 3 is setup to be one of the hardest rounds for AFL footy tips with numerous matches with level or near level odds and some potential interstate upsets.

The game of the round three would have to go to the Bulldogs V Hawthorn. Both teams have started the season fairly well and a win here will show they are the real deal in 2010.

Best Bet of Round 3

I like Geelong to beat Freo between 1-39 points this week paying 2.25 with Sportsbet.

St Kilda V  Collingwood Friday Night at Etihad Stadium

Tip: St Kilda

Odds: St Kilda 1.50 Collingwood 2.60

The Saints are going along nicely and would be hard to tip against this week. They are a well drilled side and at the moment cant do anything wrong. Simon Prestigiacomo is a 50/50 chance to play for the Pies and would help hold the saints forward line which thrashed North Melbourne last week.

North Melbourne V  West Coast Saturday at Etihad Stadium

Tip: North Melbourne

Odds: North Melbourne 1.91 West Coast 1.91

Although Sportsbet can’t split them in the odds, my prediction is North to bounce back from the 104 point loss handed to them by the Saints. Look out for “Boomer” Harvey who only could rack up 5 possessions last week, he will be keen for a good game this time round for North and could be wise to add him to your Dream Team this week.

Port Adelaide V Brisbane Saturday at AAMI Stadium

Tip: Brisbane

Odds: Brisbane 1.91 Port Adelaide 1.91

Although Port have looked in good form lately and they are playing at home I can step away from Brown and his side kick Fev up forward. Brisbane have a number of new faces at the club but they are playing like they have been together for many years. I predict Brisbane to have a good chance to win by over 40 points this weekend which is paying 6.50 at Sportsbet. I wouldn’t put my house on it but its well worth a bet.

Sydney V Richmond Saturday Night at the SCG

Tip: Sydney

Odds: Sydney 1.10 Richmond 7.00

the Swans loves the SCG and will demolish the Tigers on Saturday night. The only value bet for this game is the First Scoring play bets for each quarter. Stick to a Sydney goal and point (3.20 and 3.40) and you should be right. Keep an eye on round 2 Rising Star nominee Dan Hannebery, with 23 touches last week he will be out to repeat the performance.

Carlton V  Essendon  Saturday Night at the MCG

Tip: Carlton

Odds: Carlton 1.55 Essendon 2.50

Carlton don’t have a good record against Essendon of late losing the last five games to them dating back to 2007. But this time around I think Carlton will be able to slow down the blistering run of the Dons through the middle and should end Essendon’s winning streak. The key to the game will be defender and fill-in captain Michael Jamison, if he can cut off just a hand full of defensive 50 entries it will go a long way to the Blues winning.  Congrats to 23 year old Eddie Betts will play his 100 game for the Blues and is in career best form.

Melbourne V Adelaide Sunday at the MCG

Tip: Adelaide

Odds: Melbourne 2.55 Adelaide 1.52

Adelaide have gotten of to a shocker this season still without a win after 2 win-able matches. They should have no problem getting over Melbourne although Melbourne did show that they are on the improve and should surprise a few clubs this year. Nathan van Berlo should be right to rejoin the Crows this weekend and skipper and match winner Simon Goodwin will need to go through a fitness test later in the week before he can put his hand up for selection after he suffered a corked knee last week.

Western Bulldogs V Hawthorn Sunday at Etihad Stadium

Tip: Western Bulldogs

Odds: Western Bulldogs 1.52 Hawthorn 2.55

The match of round 3 should be a telling tale for these two clubs and could shape the rest of their seasons. The Bulldogs looked a little flat footed against their big win over the Tigers last week. They will need to return back to their regular high class game to beat the Hawks who narrowly went down to Geelong last week in a grueling clash where Hawk Michael Osborne was suspended for 1 match.

With the 6 day break and injuries to Jordan Lewis (50/50 chance) and Rhan Hooper I’m tipping the Bulldogs to run over them in the 2nd half.

Fremantle V  Geelong Sunday Afternoon at Subiaco Oval

Tip: Geelong

Odds: Fremantle 2.32 Geelong 1.62

I wont write off the Dockers in this game as they have on many occasions created upsets ruining good multi bets along the way. I wont be tipping them though. The Cats aren’t at 100% but they still look silky smooth and will put the pressure onto the Dockers early and should win the match through the midfield. Geelong will be without key players on both sides of the ground in Matthew Scarlett and Cameron Mooney which will be interesting how much they might missed.

Just keep Geelong out of the Multies this weekend. There’s nothing worse than a Sunday night Multi failure.