There are just seven games in Round 19 of the 2011 AFL footy season but a few could impact the final eight and end some teams seasons. Below you will find all your footy tips, predictions, match previews and latest odds to help make the right choice.
With Richmond, Sydney & Brisbane all having the bye we kick off Round Nineteen Friday night with traditional Friday Night Footy Rivals North Melbourne & Carlton squaring off in what is a must win for the Roos. The Dockers V Hawks game Saturday night should be a cracker, Collingwood and Essendon will pull a big crowd to the MCG on Sunday whilst in Adelaide it is Showdown time to conclude the Round.
Best Bet of Round 19 for me is the Blues by over 40 points against the Kangaroos on Friday Night Footy which is paying $2.80 at Sportsbet.
North Melbourne V Carlton Friday night at Etihad Stadium
The Roos could welcome back big man Hamish McIntosh to partner number 1 ruck-man Todd Goldstien against Carltons tall timber. Also in good form in the reserves for the Roos were Nathan Grima, Gavin Urquhart & Lindsay Thomas kicked 4.4 for North Ballarat. The Roos will need a big upset here to keep their September dream alive.
Carlton were awesome in the second half last week blowing the Bombers away. Led by skipper Chris Judd and small forward Eddie Betts kicking 8 goals they gave Essendon a football lesson. Can Andrew Walker climb high again and maybe take another Mar of the Year contender.. The Blues easily in this one for me.
Tip: Carlton by 45 points
Sportsbet’s Friday $500 Prediction: Saints by 32
Enter the free Sportsbet Friday $500 where the person that picks the winner and margin of Friday nights game takes home a massive $500. Its free to play so make sure to get your tip before the start of the match.
To find out more about the Friday $500 see the Sportsbet site here.
Odds: Kangaroos 3.40 Blues 1.32
Western Bulldogs V West Coast Saturday at Etihad Stadium
The Bulldogs were outclassed by Sydney last week and surely now they must realise that they will not be playing finals this season. Will Rocket Eade stick with his senior players or get some games into some young future stars of the club such as , Josh Hill, Christian Howard, Will Minson and Jordan Roughead. Injury concerns over a host of big names including Cooney, Cross, Morris, Higgins, Picken & Gilbee will make things tough for the doggies.
The Eagles coming off a nail biter against Fremantle will only strengthen their side with the possible inclusion of Daniel Kerr. To keep in touch with Calrton & Hawthorn the Eagles need to win these games and after beating the Dogs by over 100 points earlier in the season I think they can get the job done again.
Tip: Eagles by 22 points
Odds: Bulldogs 2.17 Eagles 1.66
Geelong V Melbourne Saturday at Skilled Stadium
The Cats return to Skilled Stadium this week where they are unstoppable. A dominant first half was all they needed against Richmond last week to get the points. Steve Johnson, Cameron Ling and Brad Ottens should all slot back into the Cats lineup which could also feature Cameron Mooney if coach Scott thinks it is the right time to bring him back into the seniors.
Melbourne were ordinary last week against the Hawks and face an uphill battle to make the finals with games against the top sides coming up over the next 3 weeks starting with the Cats this week. Scully & Jurrah should return but it wont be enough to beat the Cats in Geelong.
Tip: Cats by 58 points
Odds: Cats 1.08 Demons 8.00
Gold Coast V St Kilda Saturday night at Metricon Stadium
The Suns were not blown away by the Pies by over 100 points last week like many would have thought. The fact that they stuck in there and gave it a good hard crack will have made coach Guy McKenna very happy. Karmichael Hunt is a chance this week after starring in the midfield in the reserves last week.
The Saints had their best win of the season last Friday night, smashing the Crows by a whopping 103 points. Stevie Milne was superb kicking 8, Schnieder adding 5 and Dal Santo starring in the midfield. St Kilda will be without captain Nick Reiwoldt this weekend though due to suspension but I can’t see this being too much trouble for the Saints who are on a roll.
Tip: Saints by 45 points
Odds: Suns 7.00 Saints 1.10
Fremantle V Hawthorn Saturday night at Paterson Stadium
Fremanlte come up just 1 point short last week in a spirited last quarter comeback against West Coast. Sandilainds still isn’t ready to go and fellow ruckman Jonathan Griffin looks set to miss also which may open the door for Kepler Bradley. The Dockers will also miss Luke McPharlin through suspension which would hurt them as he would have been the number one pick to line up on Buddy Franklin.
Hawthorn fought back to overrun the Dockers in the last quarter earlier this season at the MCG but the job will be a lot harder at Patersons Stadium. The Hawks are taking some good form into the game though after easily dispatching of Melbourne last week. The Hawks will be out for revenge on the same ground the Dockers beat them in last years Elimination final and will only be strengthened by the possible returns of Bateman, Suckling & Lisle with young gun Shane Savage set to miss through injury. This should be a cracker of a match.
Tip: Hawks by 15 points
Odds: Dockers 2.85 Hawks 1.43
Collingwood V Essendon Sunday at the MCG
The Pies looked to take the foot off the pedal in the second half last week against the Suns last week but had already done the job in the first half. Darren jolly will return after a week off with the flu to play his 200th game. Sidebottom, Didak and Beams are also possibilities to be included with Daisy Thomas and Ben Johnson possible outs through injury.
The Bombers were woeful in the second half against Carlton last week and paid the price. James Hird will have the luxury of Jobe Watson finally getting over a hamstring injury to return to the side and Dustin Fletcher but will miss defender Taite Pears for 2 to 3 weeks which could hurt the Bombers final hopes. Essendon have there backs against the wall and need to do a number on the Pies like they did to Geelong earlier in the year to continue their push towards September. Unfortunately for Bombers fans I can’t see this happening though.
Tip: Pies by 37 points
Odds: Pies 1.07 Bombers 8.25
Adelaide V Port Adelaide Sunday at AAMI Stadium
In a match the not many people out of Adelaide will care much about club champion Mark Bickley will make his coaching debut for the Crows after the resignation of Niel Craig during the week. The Crows players will be out to give their new coach a first up win. Taylor Walker along with Chris Knights are possible inclusions for the Crows.
The Power come off the bye and straight into another showdown with the Crows. Justin Westhoff will return for Port but Dean Brogan and Alipate Carlile are still a week or two off.
Expect a few fireworks in this one which could be an ugly game of footy to watch, but could be the closest of the round.
Tip: Crows by 5 points
Odds: Crows 1.57 Power 2.40
Greater Western Sydney are favourites with online bookmaker Sportsbet to secure the services of three-time All Australian and two-time Coleman Medalist Brendan Fevola in 2012.
