We’re back into full nine-game rounds in the AFL, thankfully, but this one is a deceptively tricky weekend to tip.
Brisbane Lions vs Geelong Cats
This weekend begins with one of the hardest matches to tip so far this season.
Brisbane have been in scintillating form at home this season, whereas the Cats have been in scintillating form full stop.
Home ground advantage has seen punters flock to the Lions, but they’re coming off a pretty underwhelming couple of weeks, whereas Geelong looks to be firing on all cylinders.
Their excellent recent record over Brisbane means a Geelong upset looks too tasty to pass up.
Cats by 21 $2.64 at PlayUp
Richmond vs St Kilda
Conversely, this is probably the only game of the round you can tip with complete confidence.
The Tigers will be smarting after a narrow loss to West Coast last time out and will be primed to take their anger out on the hapless Saints who can’t beat an egg right now.
It’s hard to believe this is a semi-final rematch from last season.
Tigers by 56 $2.80 at PlayUp
Collingwood vs Fremantle
Will the ‘new coach factor’ work in Collingwood’s favour?
AFL sides in recent years have consistently put in big performances to welcome a new coach mid-season and, we checked, it still happens even if they lifted in a farewell game for their old coach beforehand.
The Magpies are on a sneaky two-game winning streak right now and should get the points over the Dockers given they’re not playing in Perth
Magpies by 19 $2.19 at PlayUp
North Melbourne vs Gold Coast Suns
Every man and his dog is piling on the Gold Coast Suns after a disappointing fortnight, but we all seem to be forgetting they’ve only lost two games in a row.
Yes, North Melbourne is a different beast when they play in Tasmania, but we like the young and hungry Suns to put a backs-against-the-wall performance together and shock the Kangas.
Suns by 27 $2.68 at PlayUp
Port Adelaide vs Sydney Swans
Amazingly, despite this game being fifth versus sixth, this is one of the easier games of the weekend to tip.
Once upon a time, the Swans used to own Port Adelaide – winning a whopping 20 of the first-ever 27 clashes between these sides. The last four years, however, have seen the Power flip the script with four straight wins.
Sydney looks to be limping towards the finish line, whereas Port still have a top-four spot to play for.
Power by 35 $2.00 at PlayUp
Essendon vs Melbourne
It’s been an encouraging month and a bit for Essendon – they’ve won four of their last five and look to really be building something promising for the first time in years.
They face a very tough task on Saturday night, however, going up against the ladder-leading Demons.
Melbourne have a good recent record against the Bombers and should correct some recent shaky form with a win.
Demons by 29 $1.96 at PlayUp
GWS Giants vs Hawthorn
Greater Western Sydney versus Hawthorn is one of the most interesting head-to-heads in the AFL right now.
The Giants have beaten the Hawks every single time they’ve played at Giants Stadium.
The Hawks have beaten the Giants every single time they’ve played anywhere else.
Given this match has moved to the MCG, the Hawks look a lot more enticing.
People have to jump on the GWS bandwagon after their trouncing of Carlton last week, but let’s not forget they had to throw everything at North Melbourne just to escape with a draw the week before.
Hawks by 9 $2.68 at PlayUp
West Coast Eagles vs Western Bulldogs
These two clubs played an absolute pearler at Marvel Stadium earlier this year and it’s fantastic that we get to see the rematch.
The Eagles are welcoming back a fair few injured players, so punters are all over them, but they still have an appalling record against the top four sides.
The Bulldogs may have gone down to Geelong last week, but they still proved once again they’re the real deal and should be able to escape Perth with the points.
Bulldogs by 13 $2.54 at PlayUp
Carlton vs Adelaide Crows
Carlton is under all sorts of pressure coming into this one and rightly so – their last month has not been up to scratch.
That said, they haven’t been as bad as everyone makes them out to me and the Crows – despite some incredible upsets – haven’t been as good either.
Adelaide seems to be giant killers in 2021, but susceptible to the lesser sides, and we’ll back the Blues to continue that trend.
Blues by 23 $2.14 at PlayUp
A version of this preview was originally published over at The Roar https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/06/24/the-roars-afl-expert-tips-and-predictions-round-15-6/
