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Essendon v Geelong, Telstra Dome, Fri Jul 6 (7:40pm) The Odds (as at 8pm Thurs)
Results Since 2004
Key Stats & Facts
The Form Book Essendon lie 5th on the ladder after sneaking home in yet another close one over the Demons last Friday night. Gutsy & tenacious are certainly all among the adjectives used to describe the Bombers run of narrow victories in recent weeks but even the most one eyed Dons supporter would concede an element of luck has fallen their way. Geelong continued their magnificent run of recent form in beating the Sydney convincingly at Skilled last Saturday although the Swans accuracy in the 1st half was nothing short of woeful. The Footypunt View The Bombers are surely going to feel the affects of all these tough contests sooner or later and without Lloyd you would think this could be the game where they are found out. However there are a couple of big plus’s in the motivational stakes for Essendon with Hird celebrating his 250th and Ramanauskas making an emotional return from the biggest battle of them all. Geelong must also be due to put in a poor one after their eight match winning streak and perhaps this could be set up for another of those fairytale results we have seen in recent weeks. If the Cats can get their continuity game together in benign conditions at the Dome they could end up clearing out to a sizeable victory. On the other hand there will be no lack of motivation from the Bombers here and there is every reason to believe they will fight this one out right to the finish. Prepared to back the Bombers at the line here with what looks a rather generous 22.5 point head start. Best shopping currently $1.97 at Pinnacle. Collingwood v St Kilda, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Sat Jul 7 (2:10pm) The Odds (as at 8pm Thurs)
Results Since 2004
Key Stats & Facts
The Form Book Despite going down to the Hawks in a hard fought affair last Sunday Ccllingwood remain 4th on the ladder and continue to impress with their resolute performances week in & week out. The Saints have returned to some winning form with victories over West Coast & Richmond in the past two rounds and are now within striking distance of a spot in the 8. The Footypunt View More precipitation forecast for the weekend and this match is likely to be weather affected to some extent or another. Saint Kilda have beaten West Coast & Richmond in recent weeks but still haven’t done enough to convince me they are a side capable of figuring come finals time this season. Collingwood on the other hand continue to impress as a team on the up and their consistent fighting performances have won over many a punter, including myself this season. Their nemesis has undoubtedly been kicking for goal and this was again evident in last weeks loss with 27 scoring shots to Hawthorns 20. If Collingwood can re-produce a performance of last weeks quality with slightly improved accuracy at goal then they should be too strong for the Saints here. Recommend hopping on the Pies at the line giving away 4.5 points at $1.96 with Pinnacle. Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide, Telstra Dome, Sat Jul 7 (2:10pm) The Odds (as at 8pm Thurs)
Results Since 2004
Key Stats & Facts
The Form Book Strange season for Port so far. A great start was followed by an equally dramatic form slump and yet another reversal in recent weeks with useful victories in their past two matches. They now sit 6th on the ladder, 3 places clear of the Bulldogs who were not allowed to play their natural game by a Kangas unit fired up for Archers 300th last week. The Footypunt View The Bulldogs are at their best when allowed some space through the middle and Port Adelaide could struggle to close them down like the Kangaroos were able to do last week. Port looked classy in patches against the Lions but were outscored by 30 scoring shots to 27 and it was only Brisbane's poor accuracy on goal which allowed Port to pull away to such a dominant lead at ¾ time. Back at Telstra Dome and desperately in need of a win I expect the Bulldogs to be too strong in this and feel they are good value at around $1.70 head to head. West Coast v Brisbane Lions, Subiaco, Sat Jul 7 (7:40pm) The Odds (as at 8pm Thurs)
Results Since 2004
Key Stats & Facts
The Form Book West Coast bounced back in typical style with a convincing win over Adelaide last Sunday. Brisbane have not won a match since round 6 against Freo and dropped to 13th place on the ladder after going down to Port at home last week. The Footypunt View Not going to spend too much time on this one. Judd, Embley, Fletcher, Cox & Kerr all play this week and West Coast (along with Footypunt) will be wanting to relegate that last home loss to the Saints well into distant memory. Brisbane are just not going well enough to challenge the Eagles at Subi and the line bet giving away 42.5 looks like the Bet of the Week for me. Adelaide v Hawthorn, AAMI Stadium, Sat Jul 7 (7:40pm) The Odds (as at 8pm Thurs)
Results Since 2004
Key Stats & Facts
The Form Book Hawthorn impressed yet again last week scoring their 9th win of the season against Collingwood to consolidate their position in 2nd place on the ladder. Adelaide continued their roller coaster ride with a home loss to West Coast and now sit precariously placed in 8th spot on the ladder. The Footypunt View Surprisingly Adelaide have struggled at AAMI so far this season, already losing matches to Essendon, Collingwood, Geelong & West Coast. They are clearly in need of a win here to have any chance of challenging for a top 4 spot and should be determined to perform in front of the home fans who have been let down several times already this season. On form Hawthorn deserve to go into this game as warm favourites but with winnable matches coming up against Richmond & St Kilda in the next two rounds they may not be targeting this game as one they must win. Adelaide may be a bit too strong here and the head to head odds of $1.74 at Pinnacle look pretty good value. Sydney v Fremantle, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sun Jul 8 (1:10pm) The Odds (as at 11am Sat)
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