Sportsbet Blog

Round 8 footy tips should be very interesting with some top 4 potential clubs going head to head this week. The match of round eight is on Friday night with top of the ladder Collingwood going against equal top Freo over in WA.

Another great game to watch will be Sydney and the Bulldogs. Barry Hall will have his first match against his former club and I’m sure a few of the Sydney boys know how to get into Barry head so expect some fireworks!

Best Bet of Round 8

This week I’m taking St Kilda to win between 1-39 points with odds of $2.25 at Sportsbet. The Saints will likely play another defensive style of game so expect a low scoring game with a low margin.

Fremantle V Collingwood Friday Night at Subiaco Oval

Tip: Collingwood

Odds: Fremantle 2.10 Collingwood 1.90

Who would have thought the match of round 8 would be between these clubs over in Perth!

Collingwood should grind out a win as Freo are coming off two 6 day breaks and a trip to Brisbane which could see them fade out in the second half of the match.

Keep an eye on Arron Sandilands, the big man took 44 hit outs last time the teams met and my prediction he will dominate again with Collingwood’s Darren Jolly not in the best of form at the moment.

Melbourne V West Coast Saturday at Manuka Oval

Tip: Melbourne

Odds: Melbourne 1.41 West Coast 3.35

Melbourne young guns Tom Scully, James Frawley and Jack Trengove have inspired the Demons in the past few weeks giving the club a lot of promise. These players will be the key to the match and it will be very hard to keep the footy away from them. Melbourne could have been 7 wins 1 loss and equal ladder leaders if it wasn’t for some pink umpires and a narrow loss to the pies.

West Coast’s injury worries wont help them this weekend with Darren Glass admitting his not 100% with groin soreness and some bad form but is expect to play.

Western Bulldogs V Sydney Saturday at the MCG

Tip: Western Bulldogs

Odds: Western Bulldogs 1.72 Sydney 2.36

This match will be won in the middle with some of the finest midfielders in the comp playing in both teams.

The bulldogs will likely get first use of the ball at stoppages with both Sydney ruckman Shane Mumford (suspended) and Mark Seaby (injured) leaving the ruck inexperienced Mike Pyke and Jesse Smith to fill the height gap. Expect the Bulldogs to take full advantage of this which should create a winning margin.

North Melbourne V Adelaide Saturday Night at Etihad Stadium

Tip: North Melbourne

Odds: North Melbourne 1.69 Adelaide 2.40

North should do well against Adelaide who are still looking pretty shaky all over the ground. Adelaide still have some work to do and I think the Kangaroos who have won 3 from their last 5 will easily account for the Crows.

Andrew McLeod is likely to be right to play for the Crows after suffering a shoulder sprain last week.

Brisbane V Geelong Saturday Night at the Gabba

Tip: Geelong

Odds: Brisbane 3.60 Geelong 1.37

Geelong look in fine form at the moment and it will be hard to tip against them no matter who/where they play this year. Brisbane will but up a fight but the team experience and strong final quarter from the Cats will get them the win.

As the odds are pretty short for Geelong (1.37) I’ll be betting on the 24.5 point even line market at Sportsbet. I think Geelong will be able to cover the 24 points comfortably.

Richmond  V Hawthorn Sunday at the MCG

Tip: Hawks

Odds: Richmond 5.50 Hawthorn 1.20

Finally, the Hawks will get a decent win with Richmond looking all but gone for the season.

Hows this for some inclusions, the Hawks are welcoming back Jordan Lewis, Shaun Burgoyne, Coleman Medalist Lance Franklin, captain Sam Mitchell and Rhan Hooper.

My prediction is a 40+ point win to the Hawks paying $2.25 with Sportsbet.

Port Adelaide V Carlton Sunday at AAMI Stadium

Tip: Carlton

Odds: Port Adelaide 1.96 Carlton 2.00

The bookies have this game at pretty much an even contest and on paper it looks that way as well. Both teams are in good form at the moment especially Carlton who have comprehensively beaten both of last years grand finalists recently. With that fact in hand I’m tipping the Blues to win over in Adelaide.

Although Port have won their last three games Port will miss Warren Tredrea too much this week and the run of Carlton will be the telling factor.

St Kilda  V Essendon Sunday at Etihad Stadium

Tip: Western Bulldogs

Odds: St Kilda 1.47 Essendon 3.05

This could be a danger game for the Saints. Although they are strong favourites for the match I see this a much closer game as some may predict.

When Essendon get going they have a fast paced game which could leave Saints back line vulnerable. Carlton showed last week that getting the ball in quickly pays off and I expect the Bombers to try and replicate this.

I’m tipping the Saints but if your having a bet don’t put your house on it.

Melbourne may be sitting at the very bottom of the ladder with just one win to their name, but they are certainly showing enough to suggest that last place is not where they will end up.  In round 8 against the Western Bulldogs Melbourne were the better tean for the majority of the game. It took a dissapointing third quarter and an inspired performance from veteran Jason Akermanis to give the Bulldogs a 104 to 97 victory. Akermanis turned back the clock scoring four goals and taking 19 touches adding to the call from Doggies fans for him to continue playing for a few more years yet.

Akermanis to win the Brownlow? Get your free bet from sportsbet now.

Round 8 saw reigning premiers Hawthorn put their season back on track with an 87 to 65 victory over Fremantle. Last years 100 goal man Buddy Franklin looked back to his best scoring four majors. While both Stuart Dew and Brent Guerra showed their amazing technical skills helping to pick apart the Fremantle defence almost at will. The only up side for Fremantle was the continued good form of captain Matthew Pavlich, but the man can’t do it all on his own.

You can get odds of $6.00 for Hawthorn to retain the title as well as a free bet at sportsbet.com.au

Even without Garry Ablett Geelong look pretty much unbeatable. In this round 8 demolition of North Melbourne the Cats scored 18 goals with 10 different goal scorers. In the first term alone they amassed 137 touches destroying The Kangaroos with their creativity and guile.

At $2.00 they are the hot favourites  to reclaim the flag and it would take a brave man to bet against them.

The Bribane Lions continued their good form under new coach Michael Voss with a 119 to 83 victory over The Adelaide Crows. Despite being behind at half time an amazing performance by Justin Sherman and four goals in the 3rd quarter from Daniel Bradshaw saw The Lions Collect their 5th win of the season and cement their place in the top eight. There was a downside for Voss’s boys though as Daniel Merrett, Jed Adcock and Joel Patfull all finished off the field. Adelaide will have to pick up their game in the coming weeks as they now have a 3 and 5 record and sit 12th on the ladder.

Adleide are $26.00 to turn their season around and claim the flag. Get your free bet at sportsbet.com

The round 8 tie between West Coast and Sydney promised alot, and in keeping with the great games we have seen so far this year the two teams didn’t disappoint. Only a few poinst seemed to seperate the sides all night before Sydney came out with a noarrow 106 to 101 victory. Adam Goodes was back to his devastating best for the Swans with three goals and 26 possesions. Josh Kennedy proved to be a handful all night and bagged three goals, but it wasn’t quite enough to get the Eagles what would have been an excellent and much needed 4 points. West Coast are now two places outside the 8 in 10th, while Sydney have jumped in to 9th.

You can get odds of $5.50 on West Coast missing out on the 8 all together and a free bet at sportsbet.com.au

Warren Tredrae put in a stella performance against a luckless Richmond side who not only lost the game after Tredrae scored his 7th goal in the dying seconds, but they also lost their star recruit Ben Cousins after he broke his hand. Cousins had only just returned from a hamstring injury and is now certain to miss round 9 after an operation to put a metal plate on the broken bone.  Tredrae’s seven goals gave Port Adelaide a 102 to 99 victory, which keeps them in the top four.

Richmond are at $2.35 to gain their second win of the season against Essendon in round 9

Carlton youngster Bryce Gibbs feels that captain Chris Judd is in Brownlow medal winning form and after his performance in round 8 against Collingwood many people agree, as Judd grabbed himself one goal, 32 possesions and four goal assists. But Judd wasn’t the only great performer for the Blues who sent a resounding message to the rest of the teams with a 104 to 53 thumping of Collingwood, on their day they are as good as anyone.

Carlton are at $2.50 to finish in the top four. Well worth your free bet at sportsbet.com.au

St Kilda remain top of the ladder with an unblemished 8-0 record, but this was certainly their toughest test of the season. Essendon found them selves 28 points down after the first quarter but they never gave in. Captain Matthew Lloyd caused the Saints back line problems and scored three goals as did rising star Jay Neagle, but it wasn’t enough and the Bombers end round eight in eighth place.

Get your free bet on The Saints winning the flag at sportsbet.com.au

Round nines footy predictions won’t be as straight forward as last weeks. The bookies took a battering with all favourites winning last round. This week I think a few outsiders have a great chance of getting up, making for a top round of footy.

Sports Bet of the Round

There are some good odds for this weeks tip. This week I recommend Freo, Adelaide and West Coast in a multi bet that at Sportsbet will pay around $7.00. Currently they have an offer where you get a $50 bet just for signing up which would make a handy profit for this weeks bet of the round.

Geelong V Western Bulldogs, Friday Night at Etihad Stadium

Tip: Geelong

Friday night brings the game of the round with two of the top four teams battling it out. The Bulldogs play well against Geelong as we saw in the finals series last year. They didn’t let Geelong play their flowing game and only went down by a few straight kicks. Jason Akermanis is showing great form and should trouble the Cats midfield but with Robert Murphy out through injury I don’t think they have enough depth to match the unbeaten Geelong.

North Melbourne V Fremantle, Saturday at Etihad Stadium

Tip: Fremantle

This is a tough one to pick. Sportsbet have set North at 1.77 favourite but personally I think Freo have what it takes to get over the Kangaroos. Big Matthew Pavlich is playing great footy at the moment that will suit Etihad Stadium. Aaron Sandilands continues to own his opposition with a massive 41 hit outs last weekends.

Adelaide V Carlton, Saturday at AAMI Stadium

Tip: Adelaide

This game is another one where I think the bookies may have it wrong. The Crows play decent footy at home and Carton have yet to prove they can win out of Victoria this year. Sportsbet have Carton as clear favorites at 1.65 to the Crows 2.20, it might be worth chucking a few dollars on the Crows this weekend as I think the bookies have underestimated Adelaide. I’ve picked the Crows to win in a hard battle.

West Coast V Collingwood, Saturday Night at Subiaco Stadium

Tip: West Coast

Collingwood are in shambles at the moment with the team riddled with injuries and Mick Malthouse’s sacking being called for by some parts of the media. Majority of AFL supporters will be happy with the way things are going with the Pies especially after the flogging against arch rivals Carlton last weekend. West Coast is a solid team with alot of potential that come the end of the year could see them take part in the finals this year. Lets hope the Eagles can make it three big losses in a row for the Pies!

Richmond V Essendon, Saturday Night at the MCG

Tip: Essendon

The Dons really pushed the Saints last week winning three of the four quarters but couldn’t quite put a few goals together. This weeks “Dream time” match should see the Dons do it easier and will continue to play a very fast straight down the middle game. This will catch out the Tigers midfield giving some clear inside 50 entries to Matthew Lloyd. Richmond’s nightmare season continues with a three point loss last week after leading with seconds to go, the speculation of coach Terry Wallace’s sacking earlier this week and now looking at another loss in this big game.

Sydney V Port Adelaide, Sunday at the SCG

Tip: Sydney

Sportsbet have Sydney as 1.60 favourites which looks about right. Port are still yet to prove their critics that they are a contender this year with inconsistency in past weeks. Warren Treadrea continues to hold up the Port team and Barry Hall is starting to get a fair bit of the ball for Sydney which could see a goal shootout from both ends. The Swans senior players Adam Goodes, Rhyce Shaw and Jude Bolton will be the key to Sydney winning and if all three are on song the Swans should win comfortably.

St Kilda  V Brisbane, Sunday at Etihad Stadium

Tip: St Kilda

St Kilda should continue their winning ways against the Lions on Sunday. Although the Saints look likely to win this weekend there is plenty of value for Brisbane with the bookies. Sportsbet have set the Lions at $5 which I think is pretty long odds. St Kilda may have some problems with the Brisbane forward line made up of Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw, which could see the game being much closer than first thought. The added incentive of the 200th game for Lenny Hayes and the announcement of long term dedication from Nick Riewoldt after signing a four year deal should see them get over the line.

Hawthorn V Melbourne, Sunday at the MCG

Tip: Hawthorn

Last week the Hawks showed some signs of returing form and this game should be a walk in the park for them. Arron Davey and Cale Morton both show that Melboure can play decent footy but they lack team effort which is needed to win especially against last year premiers. Hawks by 40+ points

Theres only one real standout game in round eight worth tuning in for with arch rivals Collingwood and Carlton going head to head. This should be a great game, both teams are looking to cement a spot into a top four and both play a great brand of attacking football. The Essendon V St Kilda may also be worth a look but I suspect that a poor Essendon side to turn up on the day and will be crushed by the Saints pressure game style.

Sports Bet of the Round

This week I recommend a multi bet with the following teams. Brisbane, Sydney, Collingwood and St Kilda. All teams are destine to have a win and should pay around $8 . I also recommend Sportsbet for all your footy bets. I’ve found they have the best odds around for all the games and they also double your first deposit when joining with them. Find out more info on this here.

Fremantle V Hawthorn, Friday Night at Subiaco Oval

Tip: Hawthorn

This is a hard one to pick. On one hand I think that playing in Perth, Freo should have a win against a undermanned and out of form Hawks side. But on the other I can see the Hawks get their act together and start playing the footy they are known for. I’ve gone with the latter and think the Hawks should get the points. It was also interesting to see that the bookies have still set the Hawks as third favourite for the flag even after their rocky start to the season.

Melbourne V Western Bulldogs, Saturday at the MCG

Tip: Western Bulldogs

This ones a no brainer, the Doggies will have a nice win this weekend that should see them cement a top four position on the ladder. Melbourne have done everything except wave the white flag as they look towards the future playing youth and trying new game plans. Watch for Adam Cooney and Nathan Eagleton to both have big possession games, Melbourne will struggle to hold down any of fast paced midfielders from Bulldogs.

Geelong V North Melbourne, Saturday at Skilled Stadium

Tip: Geelong

Another Skilled Stadium game = another win for the Cats. Steve Johnson has taken the injured Gary Ablett’s position nicely with a definite 3 Brownlow vote performance with four goals and eleven marks last weekend. They have a huge presence all over the ground that would leave any coach scratching his head when trying to match up the classy unit. Geelong by 45+

Brisbane V Adelaide, Saturday Night at the Gabba

Tip: Brisbane

On paper Adelaide may be having their worst year on record with the team notching up a never seen before four straight losses at AAMI stadium. Brisbane on the other hand have only dropped one at home and had a nice win last week at the MCG. Brisbane seem to be playing as a team and are all in a good zone together which makes for some fast precise footy. Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw continue to be a handy forward duo providing easy targets for the Lions midfielders.

Sydney V West Coast, Saturday Night at ANZ Stadium

Tip: Sydney

This should be a close scoring game with both teams needing a win to keep in touch of the pack. Darren Jolly had a poor game against the Cats last weekend where he was considerably beaten in the hitout count so expect a big game from him against big man Dean Cox. With Daniel Kerr our for a couple of months West Coast will have a few problems in the middle that will play into Sydney’s hands especially Jude Bolton will his high tackling pressure. This is where the game will be won and I think the Swans will get over the line.

Port Adelaide V Richmond, Sunday at AAMI Stadium

Tip: Port Adelaide

Although Port lost last weekend they played pretty well in Melbourne and should take it step further at AAMI stadium. Even with Ben Cousins back playing half a game and decent games from both Joel Bowden and Nathan Foley they cant kick a winning score so I have trouble finding any light at the end of the tunnel for the Tigers. Port are showing good form and currently sit fourth on the ladder and a hapless Richmond sit fifteenth with only one win on the board. Warren Tredrea continues to prove his critics wrong with a handy three goals and seven marks on his last outing.

Collingwood V Carlton, Sunday at the MCG

Tip: Carlton

An interesting stat for this game is over the last seven rounds whoever St Kilda has beaten the week before has had a win the following round. I was at the game on Monday night against St Kilda and if the Pies play anything like they did then this stat will be blown out of the water. Suspect knee injuries to both Fraser and Swan will make it even harder for the Pies. Both teams are at level pegging on the ladder at seventh and eighth spots so this result will be very important come the end of the season. Carlton by a comfortable 24 points.

Essendon V St Kilda, Sunday at Etihad Stadium

Tip: St Kilda

As mentioned in the first paragraph I think Essendon will come to the game in a poor mind set and fall to the Saints pressure from all over the ground. St Kilda are going nicely at the moment and I can’t see an inconsistent team in the Bombers stopping them. Nick Dal Santo and Leigh Montagna both had exceptional games on Monday with 38 possessions so expect a similar proformance from them this weekend.