Round 23 of the 2011 AFL footy season looks to be a pretty straight forward one with all the top teams looking to have easy wins. Below you will find all your footy tips, predictions, match previews and latest odds for Round Twenty Three as we come to the business end of the season.
Match of the Round will no doubt be the Kangaroos Vs Saints game with so much riding on it for the winner. Carlton will be hoping the Lions can beat the Eagles to keep their top four hopes alive as all they can do this week is sit back and watch as they have a bye.
Best Bet of Round 23 is the in form Tigers between 1-39 against the Crows which is paying a healthy 3.60 at Sportsbet
Fremantle V Collingwood Friday night at Paterson Stadium
After a demoralising 98 point defeat at the hands of the Kangaroos last week the Dockers must return home and beat the reigning premiers if they have any chance at playing finals footy. To make the job even harder for the injury depleted Fremantle side they will have to do it without captain Matthew Pavlich, star onballer David Mundy, goal sneak Hayden Ballantyne and a host of others.
The Pies have injury concerns of their own heading into September with captain Nick Maxwell still a concern for the Pies Finals series. In better news Leon Davis, Sharrad Wellingham and big forward Chris Dawes should return to the side.
With the Dockers only having 25 players to choose from I can’t see them getting near the Pies.
Tip: Pies by 50 points
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Hawks V Bulldogs Saturday at the MCG
The Hawks keep going from strength to strength and a win on Saturday will pencil in a meeting with Geelong in the first week of the Finals. Waiting in the wings for the Hawks are Shane Savage, Michael Osborne, Xavier Ellis and Kyle Cheeny should they be required. How many can Buddy kick this week to clinch the Coleman Medal.
With nothing to play for the Dogs got a much-needed win for stand in coach Paul Williams over the Power last week. They will need a huge improvement on that effort if they are to get close to the Hawks though. Ben Hudson, Will Minson, Lindsay Gilbee and Dylan Addison are all a chance to return for the Dogs.
Tip: Hawks by 65 points
Odds: Hawks 1.10 Bulldogs 7.00
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Geelong V Sydney Saturday at Skilled Stadium
After a week off with the Bye the Cats will be refreshed and will look to continue their dominance at Skilled Stadium. Cameron Mooney announced his retirement at season’s end but will not get a Skilled Stadium send off as he will be missing through suspension. Scarlett, Milburn, Hawkins and Mackie are all expected to return to the Cats lineup to get ready for Finals action.
If the Swans can pull off a huge upset they will consolidate their spot in the top eight. After an impressive win last week against the Saints the Swans will head to Skilled Stadium full of confidence but I am afraid they will need a lot more than just that to get over the Cats at their fortress.
Tip: Geelong by 55 points
St Kilda V North Melbourne Saturday night at Etihad Stadium
This shapes up as being the most important game of the round, if not the season so far. Put simply if the Kangaroos win their past 2 games (St Kilda & Richmond) and the Saints lose their last 2 (Kangaroos & Carlton) then the Roos will take the Saints place in the eight.
After thumping Fremantle by 98 points last week the Kangaroos will take form and confidence into the game. Jack Ziebell looks to be the only possible inclusion into the side after all 22 players got through last week ok.
The Saints on the other hand have concerns over Sean Dempster and Nick Riewoldt after both sustained injuries last week against Sydney. Justin Koschitzke and Zac Dawson should both come back into the side after missing last week.
For the sake of keeping some interest in next weeks matches I am tipping the Roos to get the points over the Saints here and keep their Finals dream alive.
Tip: Roos by 22 points
Brisbane V West Coast Saturday night at the Gabba
The Lions put up a strong showing against Collingwood last week and another test comes this week against another top four team. I wouldn’t expect too many changes to the Lions line up from last week as they have not really got anyone pushing for selection and the way the team played last week I think Michael Voss would want to keep that same playing group together for the remaining 2 games if he can.
If The Eagles can win they will almost certainly lock up fourth position with a home match against Adelaide next week. Rumors going around are that the Eagles may rest Dean Cox for this match. With Jack Darling and Patrick McGinnity looking to get back into the side the Eagles should be too strong for the Lions as they have a lot more to play for.
Tip: Eagles by 25 points
Adelaide V Richmond Sunday at AAMI Stadium
With not much to play for the Crows have been outstanding since Mark Bickley took over as coach 4 weeks ago only losing one game to the Cats. With an easy win against the Gold Coast last week the Crows will look to knock off the Tigers and jump ahead of the on the ladder. Ricky Henderson, Brodie Martin, Ivan Maric and Luke Thompson will look to break into the side and tall forward Taylor Walker will face a fitness test.
The Tigers will look to make it 3 in a row after impressive wins over Sydney and Adelaide. After the success of the past 2 weeks I can’t see any changes at Tigerland this week.
If Richmond can take the Adelaide crowd out of the game and win the midfield battle I think they can get the points.
Tip: Tigers by 13 points
Melbourne V Gold Coast Sunday at the MCG
If there was ever a team that needed a win it is the Demons and they should get it this week against the Suns. Colin Sylvia and Aaron Davey have both been suspended and looking to replace them in the side are Tom McNamara, Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Jack Fitzpatrick, Matthew Bate and Matthew Warnock. Who will coach Todd Viney turn to as he searches for his first win.
The season can’t come to an end quick enough for the young Suns who look to be tiring late in the season. Sam Isles is a chance to return for the Suns but they will need huge games from Ablett, Swallow and Rischitelli if they are to knock off the Demons.
Tip: Melbourne by 53 points
Odds: Melbourne 1.10 Suns 6.75
Essendon V Port Adelaide Sunday at Etihad Stadium
If the Bombers want to secure a finals spot they must beat Port as they have the bye next week and don’t want to be relying on other teams to lose for them to keep their spot. Andrew Welsch and Jobe Watson should be ok after both copped knocks to the head in their teams defeat against West Coast last week. Hurley and Pears will return after missing last week but the Bombers will be without Stuart Crameri who sustained a should injury last week.
Port Adelaide need a win in the last 2 weeks to avoid the wooden spoon but they may need to look to next week against Melbourne at the Adelaide Oval as I can’t see them beating the Bombers. In a good sign for Power fans last week 2nd gamer John Butcher booted 6 goals from 6 kicks. A similar performance this week could see him nominated for the NAB rising star.
Tip: Bombers by 70 points
Odds: Bombers 1.01 Power 20.00
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