The exciting 2020 AFL season continues this weekend with Round 14 action. There are eight games on the card from Thursday through to Sunday, plenty of which have the ability to shake up the top eight. Adelaide and Brisbane are the two teams with the bye while all 16 other clubs will be in action. As always, we bring you our best betting picks for each match, with thanks to the guys at Total Sports Picks. Let’s get stuck into it!
Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers
Thursday 4:40pm, Adelaide Oval
Hawthorn put up a good fight against the ladder-leading Power last weekend, but weren’t able to get over the line. Finals are now clearly out of reach for the struggling Hawks.
Essendon were close enough if good enough midway through their Dreamtime clash with Richmond – and they weren’t good enough. Interestingly, Joey Daniher is back for the Bombers for this clash with the Hawks, which should give them a bit of spark up forward.
The Hawks season is done and dusted and it’s hard to see them winning many more games. On the other hand, the Bombers will be desperate for a win to keep in touch with the top eight, so they look the way to go here.
Prediction: Bombers -4.5 @$1.90
Richmond Tigers vs West Coast Eagles
Thursday 7:10pm, Metricon Stadium
Richmond found a gear in the second half against the Bombers that couldn’t be matched – and they went on to win pretty comfortably as a result. The Tigers remain a huge chance for a top four spot if they finish the season strongly.
West Coast capped off their string of home games with a win, but now must move back into a Queensland hub where they were deplorable earlier this season.
This is a tricky game to get a handle on because you just don’t know which Eagles outfit is going to turn up. That said, even if they do play the type of footy they’ve dished up over the past six weeks, the Tigers will still be in it with a good shot of winning. It’s a low bet game, but the Tigers at the line get the nod.
Prediction: Tigers -3.5 @$1.90
Western Bulldogs vs Geelong Cats
Friday 7:50pm, Metricon Stadium
The Bulldogs used some external motivation to fuel their big win over the Demons and now have their sights set on a top eight finish.
Geelong put in a half-hearted effort against Adelaide, but that’s all that was required. They ended up winning comfortably and remain just one game behind top spot.
Both clubs come into this in great winning form, which makes this a tricky one to predict. The Cats have been the more consistent of the two clubs however, and they’ve already proven themselves in big games this season, which makes them the better play in this clash in our opinion.
Prediction: Cats 1-39 @$1.90
Port Adelaide Power vs Sydney Swans
Saturday 1:45pm, Adelaide Oval
The Power were nearly made to rue all their missed chances in front of goal against the Hawks, but were able to crawl over the line for win #10 on the season.
Sydney weren’t able to replicate their performance against GWS when they took on the Dockers in Round 13, losing by 31 points and only scoring 19 themselves.
The Swans are a young and inexperienced side that aren’t quite up to the task against the big boys of the competition at the moment. We’re expecting a very comfortable win for the home side here.
Prediction: Power 1-39 @$1.81
Fremantle Dockers vs GWS Giants
Saturday 4:35pm, Optus Stadium
Fremantle have been in inspired form for about a month now and they’ve got the results they’ve deserved. Three wins from their past four matches is a fantastic return.
GWS put in a much better effort against the Eagles last weekend compared to previous rounds, but they still came up short. Finals are now quickly slipping away and an urgent response is needed.
You would think that GWS go all out in this clash to remain in the hunt for finals, but the Dockers have shown they won’t be easy beats this year. We expect both clubs to have chances to win this game – making the +7.5 start for the Dockers look like great value.
Prediction: Dockers +7.5 @$1.85
Melbourne Demons vs St Kilda Saints
Saturday 7:40pm, TIO Traeger Park
Demons fans copped a reality check in Round 13 when their side was smashed by the Dogs. To say it was a disappointing performance is an understatement, particularly coming off 3x 50+ point wins on the spin.
The Saints were gallant in defeat against the Lions on the weekend and can be very proud of their efforts. They remain a big chance to finish in the top four if they can keep up their current form.
This is a huge game for both sides and we expect it to be a hot footy as a result. That said, the Saints are the better team and should be a bit shorter in the market. Take them at the line in this one.
Prediction: Saints -3.5 @$1.90
Carlton Blues vs Collingwood Magpies
Sunday 3:35pm, Gabba
Carlton put in another top notch performance last round against the Suns and have moved to an even 6-6 on the season. They have a favourable run home and now loom as a genuine top eight chance.
Collingwood finally saw some kicks go through the big sticks in their win against North, which has somewhat steadied the ship. They come into this round sitting seventh on the ladder.
What a huge game this is – 7th vs 9th and you just get the feeling there’s only room for one of these clubs in the finals. We’re expecting a cagey affair where goals are at an absolute premium.
Prediction: Total Points Under (TBC)
Gold Coast Suns vs North Melbourne
Sunday 6:10pm, Metricon Stadium
The wheels have fallen off at the Suns again this season, but at least they stayed competitive for a month or two longer than last year.
Speaking of wheels falling off, that was the case for North Melbourne after just two games this season.
A very unattractive game to finish the round, but someone has to win it. At home, we give the slight edge to the young Suns in a low bet game.
Prediction: Suns -8.5 @$1.90
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