Sportsbet Blog

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.

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.

*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.