Mothers Day and Footy are the two things to look forward to this weekend. Let’s only consider the latter in our AFL Round 6 Preview
Collingwood vs Geelong Cats
Collingwood – $1.62
Geelong – $2.35
Round 6 begins with the in-form Pies taking on an improving Geelong outfit at the MCG on Friday night. Fresh from a huge, Scott Pendlebury inspired win over Carlton last weekend, the Pies are expected to be too strong for the Cats in the round’s opener. Collingwood look well settled in second place on the ladder and bast probably the most hype Brownlow Medal contender in their midst.
The Cats on the other hand look to be improving, and can rely on their impressive win over Richmond last weekend as inspiration for another upset. They may still be contenders come September but appear to lack the overall quality to post tow wins in a row.
Collingwood to take it out.
North Melbourne vs Richmond
North Melbourne – $1.60
Richmond – $2.35
11 plays 12 in a battle of underachieving teams in the rounds second match. Blundstone Arena will host North Melbourne and Richmond, two teams who entered the season with some expectation but have so far failed to catch fire. The poor starts make this Round 6 clash somewhat of a must win for both if either are to springboard up the leaderboard. Titles aren’t won early doors but they’re certainly lost.
The Roos dominated this fixture last time they played, that’s why we’re backing them to get the job done again this week.
North Melbourne to win.
Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda
Bulldogs – $1.42
St Kilda – $2.85
The previously calamitous Western Bulldogs side has shocked the entire AFL community by putting their off season issues behind them and putting together some excellent on-field performances. The Western Bulldogs find themselves in 3rd on the ladder after fairytale wins over the Crows and Swans. The win over the Swans in particular was as impressive performance as we’ve seen from anyone over than Fremantle this year.
They’ll be too good for St Kilda who are looking a possibility for back to back wooden spoons after posting just a solitary win from their five games. Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna return in order to help St Kilda halt the Bulldogs, but we doubt they’ll be able.
Western Bulldogs to win comfortably.
GWS Giants vs Hawthorn
Giants – $3.75
Hawthorne – $1.27
The Giants have come along way in their short AFL history and displayed some impressive form over the first four rounds of this years edition. However, that run was abruptly halted when they were thrashed by the West Coast Eagles last week. They mustered just 33 points, and now face the difficult task of tackling the reigning premiers.
Hawthorn haven’t reached the heights of last year’s Grand Final but are still handily placed in 3rd. Having said that they lose a whole heap of experience this week with both captain Luke Hodge and vice-captain Jordan Lewis copping bans for nasty incidents last week.
They should still get up though. Hawthorne to win.
Gold Coast Suns vs Adelaide Crows
Suns – $6.25
Crows – $1.12
There are not to many upset opportunities in Round 6. Famous last words, but there really does not appear to be many viable contenders. Certainly the Gold Coast Suns games against the Adelaide Crows isn’t one. The Crows should be far too good for the Suns despite losing their last two after posting wins in their first three matches.
The Suns did enjoy a win last week – an impressive win against the Lions too – but are still missing Gary Ablett Jr and are likely to find the going too tough against Phil Walsh’s side.
After starting their season with three huge victories, the Adelaide Crows have now lost their last two. The Crows will be hoping to revive their early-season form when they descend onto Metricon Stadium to face the Gold Coast Suns, who will be brimming with confidence after notching up their first win for the season last week.
Adelaide to win.
Melbourne vs Sydney Swans
Melbourne – $5.00
Swans – $1.17
The Swans are through the back end of a rough couple of weeks that saw defeats at the hands of the Bulldogs and Fremantle and will now focus their attention on the 13th placed Melbourne side. Melbourne have failed to record consecutive wins this season and have been given little chance by punters this week against last year’s minor premiers.
Expect Melbourne to play with plenty of energy and aggression as they look to unsettle the Swans and force them into nervy errors. Bullying has also been the best approach against the Swans and the tactic is Melbourne’s friend on Saturday at the MCG.
Sydney should be able to withstand though. They’ll take this one out.
Prediction: Sydney Swans by 30 points.
Fremantle vs Essendon
Fremantle – $1.20
Essendon – $4.50
Fremantle have looked close to untouchable through five rounds of the competition with some going as far as saying it will take 15 rounds before they lose. Although they are yet to be challenged this year, that unlikely situation could eventuate if the Bombers don’t stop them this weekend.
The Bombers sit in 9th and have gone from the scrappy to the sublime in their efforts this season. Highlighting that point was their narrow win over St Kilda last week. Their Round 5 opponents, are in imperious form, their dismantling of Melbourne last week is sure to send the shivers up their opponents.
Dockers to get home easily.
Carlton vs Brisbane Lions
Carlton – $1.25
Lions – $4.00
In yet another predicted one-sided matchup, Carlton host the Brisbane Lions to kick off Sunday’s AFL action. The Blues come into this one without form of their side – they lost by 75 points last week. But fortunately, the Lions are winless and have conceded almost double the amount of points as they have scored.
Carlton have not lost to the Lions in Melbourne since 2008 and we believe that trend will continue and heap the pressure on coach Justin Leppitsch.
Carlton by 20.
Port Adelaide vs West Coast Eagles
Port Adelaide – $1.20
Eagles – $4.50
The round concludes when Port Adelaide host the West Coast Eagles at the Adelaide Oval. The ladder might suggest this will be a comfortable Eagles win, but their wins have come against weak opposition (including the Suns last week).
They have a reputation as fine weather / weak opposition bullies, whereas Port Adelaide will provide a much sterner challenge. Port Adelaide have won three in a row, and they are guaranteed to finish higher than their current ranking of 10th.
If there is to be an upset this round it could be courtesy of the Eagles, but we don’t think so. We believe that the home advantage will be telling and pick the Port Adelaide by 20 points.
This Weeks Multi
This week’s head to head multi pays a conservative $11.03.
Odds taken from William Hill Australia.
