After what appears to be a routine game for Collingwood on Friday night, Saturday's games pose plenty of interest.
Both Brisbane and Essendon are coming off huge upsets in Round 9 and will look to go back-to-back against the two Sydney teams.
The pressure will be on Carlton to respond after their 109-point defeat last week, while in the early game Richmond will return to the MCG and look to extend their winning streak at the home of Aussie Rules to fourteen.
In their second Friday night match in as many weeks, the Western Bulldogs will want to redeem their woeful effort in front of goal last week where they only kicked two goals and fourteen behinds in four quarters of footy.
While they will surpass that embarrassing number here, it mightn't be by much as the Magpies' defence has been impressive in the past two weeks.
Even though Collingwood are still a long way from their best, they should have the Bulldogs' number in this clash. With gun midfielder Taylor Adams building week-on-week after his return from injury and Jordan De Goey full of confidence after booting six in the Pies' 28-point victory last round, Collingwood are heading upwards.
Key Ins: Ben Reid (Magpies, likely) Tory Dickson (Bulldogs, likely)
Key Outs: Alex Fasolo (Collingwood)
Key AFL Stats
Collingwood have covered the line in each of their last 5 Friday night games.
8 of the last 10 meetings between the Magpies and Bulldogs have been won by the favourite.
The Dogs have failed to cover the line in 9 of their last 10 night matches.
AFL Betting Tip: Collingwood to cover the -15.5 point line @ $1.92
In the first real sign of the Tigers slipping up, they were thumped by West Coast last week ceding top spot on the ladder to the Eagles. Coach Damien Hardwick has come out and backed his side to bounce back against St Kilda.
With the game played at the MCG where Richmond have an incredible winning streak, you have to trust Hardwick's confidence.
The Saints were in the game up until half time against the Magpies last week, before serving up another fade out. While their goal-kicking improved, it still leaves plenty to be desired.
Only a miracle would see the Saints overcoming Richmond here, with St Kilda's young playing roster looking like they will need another year of development.
Key Ins: Jake Carlisle (St Kilda, likely)
Key Outs: Nathan Brown (St Kilda)
Key AFL Stats
Richmond have won their last 13 matches at the MCG.
St Kilda have lost 8 consecutive away games.
Each of St Kilda's last six Saturday away matches have gone UNDER the total match points line.
AFL Betting Tip: Richmond to cover the -45.5 point line into total match points UNDER 163.5 @ $4.75
The Lions not only lifted themselves off the bottom of the ladder with their first victory of the season last week, but they did it in style after walloping the Hawks by more than 50 points.
While a Brisbane victory has been on the cards for a few weeks now, nobody expected them to win in the manner they did.
Even though the Lions will head into this encounter with a massive weight off their shoulders, the Swans have been superb away from home and should prove too strong again.
With all departments on the ground firing, Sydney are not only dangerous going forward, but one of the hardest teams to score against. You won't see the Lions repeating their 20 goal effort this week.
Key Ins: None
Key Outs: None
Key AFL Stats
Sydney are 4 from 4 away from home in 2018.
The Swans have won their last 4 Saturday matches against the Lions by a margin of 40+ points.
Sydney have won their last 10 games against Brisbane.
AFL Betting Tip: Sydney to cover the -22.5 point line @ $1.92
In the upset of the year, Essendon comprehensively defeated Geelong last round which led to audible gasps of amazement around Melbourne.
The Cats will be desperate to atone in front of their home fans, and a match-up with the lowly Blues presents the perfect opportunity to win by a handsome margin themselves.
For Carlton fans, it must surely feel like one step forwards, two steps backwards. After beating Essendon in Round 8, the Blues succumbed to a 109-point mauling at the hands of the red-hot Demons last week.
Even though young Carlton coach Brendon Bolton will be looking for a response, you'd have to be mad to tip the Blues against the midfield might of Geelong at the Cattery.
Key Ins: Esava Ratugolea (Cats), Charlie Curnow (Carlton, likely)
Key Outs: None
Key AFL Stats
The Cats have won 8 consecutive night matches against the Blues.
Carlton have lost 29 of their last 31 night matches.
Geelong's last 3 victories at Kardinia Park have come by an average winning margin of 51 points.
AFL Betting Tip: Geelong to cover the -49.5 point line @ $1.92
Saturday's final game sees the injury-stricken Giants host the giant-killing Bombers, who are fresh off taking down Geelong in the upset of the year.
After an excellent start to the season, the team from Western Sydney are in a slump and need to quickly turn things around to avoid their fourth consecutive defeat.
With star player Josh Kelly expected to return from injury, the Giants might just have enough gunpowder to scrape over the line.
The question for Essendon will be whether they can put back-to-back performances together. Their away form this year suggests it's unlikely, but after their jaw-dropping form-turnaround against Geelong, anything is possible. For the Bombers to get home, they will need Dyson Heppell and Zach Merrett to continue to shine in midfield.
Key Ins: Josh Kelly (Giants, likely)
Key Outs: None
Key AFL Stats
The underdogs have covered the line in 6 of the last 7 matches between GWS and Essendon
Each of the last 7 games between these two clubs have seen the favourite triumph.
GWS have failed to cover the line in 8 consecutive matches.
AFL Betting Tip: GWS to win by a margin of 1-39 points @ $2.00
May 24, 2018 12:57 PM
AAP
