Are the Crows legit? Is the Suns’ midfield cooked? And how does Norf respond to last week’s debacle?
We dive into every game ahead of Round 14 and deliver a bevy of best bets.
Who’s sold on the Adelaide Crows?
While this guy has been pushing their case for most of the season (a 7-5 record means it’s been a relatively unsuccessful push) they showed glimpses yet again they could be a legitimate finals team during their one-point win over Geelong.
They’ve now won four of their past five games but will be forced into making changes for the injured Callum Ah Chee (hamstring) and suspended Taylor Walker. Luke Pedlar and Riley Thilthorpe are likely inclusions.
As for the Dogs, they’ve now won three on the bounce thanks to their gritty six-point win over Hawthorn last week. They’ve confirmed Luke Kennedy will make his AFL debut in Thursday night’s clash after his 17 disposals and 16 tackles in the VFL last week.
Bont going head-to-head with Jordan Dawson is mouthwatering and could be the only difference between these sides.
Who needs it more?
Both Geelong and Gold Coast have lowered their colours over their past two games, with the Suns falling to the Lions (31) and North (6), while the Cats haven’t been any better with losses to Adelaide (1) and Carlton (4).
The Cats, who are $1.25 favourites to inflict more pain on Dimma’s men, are on a nine-game winning run at GHMBA Stadium but will need to make it 10 without star defender Tom Stewart (concussion).
The Suns’ midfield has been the most disappointing aspect of their season, with Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson, Touk Miller and Christian Petracca ranked 17th for total clearances and 14th for centre clearances this season.
After starting the year as premiership fancies, the Suns need to upset the Cats just to maintain touch with the top six.
After a barnstorming victory over Collingwood in the King’s Birthday clash, Melbourne will be looking to replicate their winning ways as $1.18 favourites against Essendon.
Trailing at the final break, the likes of Kozzie Pickett (28 disposals and 3 goals) and Max Gawn (22 and 46 hit-outs) led the fifth-placed Dees to a memorable win.
A scary neck fracture for Brody Mihocek means Steven King will be making at least on forced change.
The Bombers, who continue to dwell on the bottom of the ladder, fell five points short of Carlton despite having more clearances, more i50s and more free kicks.
However, they are set for a boost with Jordan Ridley likely to return from injury after one week in the magoos.
The line has been set at -29.5 and we’re happy to take that in what is likely going to be a very one-sided affair.
North Melbourne went full Norf last weekend when they gave up 19 consecutive goals during their 124-point loss to Fremantle.
It was the most insipid performance from any team in recent memory yet somehow, they’re entering this week’s clash as $1.67 favourites against West Coast.
It was the equal-seventh-largest losing margin in club history, as well as the side’s fifth loss in six matches.
For their part, the Eagles have been in much-improved form with two wins from their past four games and a combined 16 points only from that pair of losses.
Defender Reuben Ginbey (quad) is a big omission for the Eagles, but don’t be surprised if in-form young stars Harley Reid and Willem Duursma take it right up to Norf.
Another game that could be a genuine blowout, the Swans can re-take top spot on the ladder with a win over Port at the Adelaide Oval.
The Swannies are fresh from breaking the hearts of every St Kilda supporter after their incredible two-point win thanks to Jai Serong’s last-gasp game-winner.
Isaac Heeney is in Brownlow Medal-winning form (into $7 with Ladbrokes) accumulated 30 touches and two goals despite a Marcus Windhager tag.
Star defender Tom McCartin went down with yet another concussion, while Justin McInerney is set to miss at least two months with a hamstring tear.
The Power snapped a four-match losing streak by holding on to defeat the Eagles 77-71 at Optus Stadium, with Zak Butters continuing his elite form with 27 disposals.
Nine wins from their past 10 matches, tick this one off for Dean Cox’s Swannies.
At $1.06, the Brisbane Lions are short-priced favourites against Richmond after they returned to form with a strong 31-point win over the Gold Coast.
The Lions of old and next gen mixed perfectly with Lachie Neale racking up 37 disposals and 10 clearances alongside a career-high seven from Logan Morris.
They will not need to be nearly as precise when they take on the 17th-placed Tigers who are fresh off a bye after recently succumbing to Sydney by 114 points.
Maurice Rioli (hamstring) is available for selection, while skipper and enforcer Toby Nankervis (hamstring) is a chance to return after 12 weeks.
Brisbane has won each of its last four matches against Richmond and will soon make it five.
In the final match of the round, St Kilda will be looking to put last week’s devastating loss to Sydney behind them when they face GWS at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Having already managed a four-point win over the Giants earlier this season, the Saints could potentially re-enter the top 10 if they replicate what they did against the Swans for three quarters last week.
Liam Ryan was outstanding with five goals and mark of the year, while Nas delivered a 32-disposal, one-goal and six-clearance masterclass.
The Giants could welcome back all of Jesse Hogan, Ryan Angwin, and Cody Angove from injury, all of whom got an extra week to recover with the bye.
GWS has won three of its past four games and is certainly overs as $2.02 outsiders in this one.
