The current landscape of the top eight paints a compelling picture heading into Round 9.

Melbourne remains undefeated following last week’s win over St Kilda as the reigning premiers now enter a very favourable stretch of schedule that starts with this week’s trip to West Coast.

Friday’s game between Collingwood and the Dogs holds plenty at stake, while the Tiger Army can keep on marching against Hawthorn on Saturday afternoon.

The Saints will be looking to get back on track against the Cats on Saturday, while the Blues are also shooting for three straight when they face the Giants on Sunday in Canberra.

There’s plenty on the line and our best bets for a massive Round 9 can be found here!

The Pies and the Dogs follow similar scripts heading into Round 9.

Both sides have lost three of their last five – Collingwood coming off a defeat to Richmond, and the Dogs having fallen short to Port in Adelaide last week.

To add further spice, the Pies and the Bulldogs currently sit 9^th and 10^th on the ladder respectively, setting up what could be a season-defining game for either side on Friday night.

The Pies have won four of their last five against the Dogs, but they’ll likely have to deal with a well-rested Marcus Bontempelli after the gun forward was given a spell ahead of last week’s road trip.

Bont’s potential inclusion should provide a boost to a Bulldogs forward line that struggled to make the most of their opportunities inside 50 last week, while key ruckman Tim English is also a chance at returning from a hamstring injury.

Both names are a huge problem for Collingwood, particularly after giving up six goals to Tom Lynch last week.

Down the other end, the Pies failed to make the most of their opportunities kicking 12 goals and 14 behinds – a recurring problem for Collingwood with their forward line lacking depth.

Statistically these two sides are incredibly similar, but given what’s at stake, the Dogs should get home.

Tip: Back the Bulldogs 1-39 @ $2.15

The Tigers have their sights set on a hat-trick when they meet the Hawks on Saturday.

Dustin Martin’s return to Punt Rd helped inspire the yellow and black to a second straight win over Collingwood last week, a game highlighted by Tom Lynch’s six-goal bag.

As for the Hawks, it’s safe to say they’d probably like a do-over on last week’s game against Essendon.

Hawthorn was the better team for three quarters before Peter Wright inspired a comeback for the ages.

That result had to be disappointing for first-year head coach Sam Mitchell on the back of the performance against Melbourne the week prior, especially after heading into the final term with a healthy lead.

The Hawks have historically responded well to similar performances in year’s past, but it just feels like the Tigers have rediscovered some of their mojo over the last month.

Richmond’s pressure has been outstanding as the season has worn on, while they’ve also been one of the more accurate teams in the competition, now ranking second in points per game.

You can’t discount the Hawks giving this a real shake, but since their goals seem to come in spurts, this does look a tall order against a Tigers outfit riding a healthy wave of momentum.

Tip: Back Richmond to Cover the Line (-15.5 Points) @ $1.90

Can Port Adelaide pull off the unthinkable?

A month ago the season looked lost, but the Power have suddenly regained some form with wins over West Coast, St Kilda, and the Dogs in succession.

A game against wooden spoon favourites North Melbourne should help Ken Hinkley’s side edge even closer to the top-eight on Saturday, a team the Power beat quite well when they met in Round 1 last year.

The conditions in Tassie should play a big part this week with rain forecast but based on everything we’ve seen from the Roos recently, it’s hard to back any kind of upset.

Goals have proven hard to come by for David Noble’s men, while North’s basic lack of talent has been on full display over the last two weeks against Carlton and Fremantle.

Currently, the Roos rank bottom of the league in disposals and marks, not to mention the fact they rank second-last in average goals per game.

With Port facing a tough trip to The Cattery next week to face Geelong, this looks like the perfect game for the Power to build some confidence, and most importantly, some points.

Tip: Back Port Adelaide to Win & Over 158.5 Total Points @ $2.10

Suddenly St Kilda find themselves in danger of slipping outside the eight following back-to-back losses to Port Adelaide and Melbourne.

The Saints had their moments last week against the reigning premiers, but a goalless first term proved too much to overcome on their way to a 38-point loss.

Geelong, on the other hand, did what they do best: bounce back.

The Cats put their Round 7 loss to Fremantle behind them with a convincing win over GWS on the road, and they’ve again gone up a nice price to make it two on the trot against the Saints this week.

Chris Scott’s side has won six in a row over St Kilda dating back to 2017, and with Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron currently kicking goals for fun, it’s likely the Cats can add to that number.

The Saints have been notoriously slow starters this season, a potential recipe for disaster against a Geelong team that is averaging five more scoring shots per game, as well as eight more inside 50s.

The Cats currently hold a 1-2 record against teams inside the Top 8, but with the Saints really struggling for points, they should be able to level things up.

Tip: Back Geelong to Cover the Line (-6.5 Points) @ $1.90

This mightn’t be the most exciting game on paper, but it could be the most important one.

Back-to-back losses has the Swans in danger of slipping outside the eight, while there’s still life left in Essendon on the back of last week’s come-from-behind win over the Hawks.

Sydney head coach John Longmire will have spent most of the week’s training sessions addressing one important issue: goal kicking.

The Swans kicked eight goals and 13 behinds against Gold Coast, while their work around the clearances also lacked the usual polish.

As for the Bombers, it’s hard to read too much into one good quarter against a young Hawthorn outfit.

Peter Wright’s heroics were enormous, but a talented team like the Swans will punish another first half marred by turnovers and missed opportunities.

Looking back, it is fair to say that this game might be close, though.

The last five games between Sydney and Essendon have been decided by 10 points or less and with both teams a little out of form, a similar scoreline wouldn’t surprise.

Tip: Back the Swans 1-39 @ $2.10

The Lions and the Crows found themselves at opposite ends of the spectrum last week.

As expected, Brisbane covered the healthy 70-point line set against a wounded West Coast, while the Blues were on the receiving end of their own blowout defeat against Carlton.

The Lions have opened healthy favourites again on the road, but this does shape as an interesting challenge for Chris Fagan’s men after Dan McStay suffered an ankle injury last week.

McStay’s potential absence puts more pressure on a forward line also missing Joe Daniher, leaving many to wonder if Eric Hipwood might make his return to the side sooner than expected.

Regardless, there’s still enough talent and depth for the Lions to put the Crows to the sword.

We saw Dayne Zorko push forward and kick goals a couple of weeks ago against the Swans, while Lincoln McCarthy, Charlie Cameron, Cam Rayner, and Zac Bailey are all capable of carrying the load.

The Crows are a feisty team that has pushed teams like Fremantle and the Bulldogs this year, but the way they’ve been giving up goals recently is a big concern.

Adelaide now ranks fourth in goals allowed to opponents, while they’re also averaging over five scoring shots less than Brisbane this year.

The Lions have won three in a row over the Crows dating back to 2019, and if they can avoid a slow start on the road, they should pick up another here.

Tip: Back the Lions 1-39 @ $2.10

Six wins on the trot sees the Dockers sitting second on the ladder as they prepare for another winnable game against the Suns on Sunday.

Freo managed to dismantle North Melbourne by 78 points last week with a few players missing, and they should hold fond memories of playing the Gold Coast after winning by a comfortable margin last year in Perth.

Fremantle’s methodical play has been terrific to watch this year, but this does shape as an intriguing game following the Suns’ win over the Swans last week.

Stuart Dew’s side snapped a three-game skid with a 14-point victory at the SCG, a game the Suns deserved to win after dominating the fourth quarter.

Gold Coast has won two of its last three games against Fremantle, but they’ll need to be sharp against a Fremantle team that doesn’t give up anything cheap inside 50.

The Dockers have allowed the fewest inside 50s per-game, while they’ve also been a tough side to move the ball against through the midfield.

Low-scoring games have also become a staple of Fremantle’s season, a trend that doesn’t bode well for the Suns given their inability to kick straight at times.

Overall, Gold Coast could keep this tight early, but the class of the Dockers, plus the fact they’ve covered in seven of their eight games so far, is tough to ignore.

Tip: Back the Dockers to Cover the Line (-11.5 Points) @ $2.00

The Blues find themselves sitting fourth on the ladder heading into Round 9, a position they can improve on with a win over the Giants this week.

Carlton has rattled off two wins on the trot over hapless North Melbourne and Adelaide over the last fortnight as Patrick Cripps continues to firm in Brownlow Medal betting.

The fearsome duo of Harry McKay and Ed Curnow up forward continues to dominate, while the Blues should also have some revenge in mind after losing to the Giants twice last year.

GWS beat the Crows themselves two weeks ago by a healthy margin, but they were quickly found out last week by a superior Geelong outfit that walked away comfortable 53-point winners.

Scoring has been the biggest problem for the Giants this season – a big concern going up against a Blues team that features one of the best forward pairings in the competition.

The rainy weather in Sydney could see this turn into a scrappy game, but with the Blues dominating through the midfield and currently leading the competition in marks and disposals, they should be tough to beat.

Tip: Back Carlton to Cover the Line (-2.5 Points) @ $2.00

The Dees extended their winning streak to 15 last week with a comfortable win over the Saints and if you’ve watched West Coast at all this season, you’ll know Melbourne’s run is unlikely to come to an end this weekend.

West Coast has now suffered four consecutive losses of 60 points or more and a game against the red-hot reigning premiers could not have come at a worse time.

Like last week against Brisbane, the line has opened at a healthy -57.5 in favour of Melbourne as the Eagles continue to struggle through injury and a basic lack of confidence.

The Dees won by only nine points when they visited West Coast in Perth last year but considering Optus Stadium was the sight of their Grand Final win in September, it’s almost a sure thing that they win this game by plenty.

Whether Simon Goodwin chooses to rest more than just Max Gawn this week will be fascinating, but with West Coast ranking first in goals allowed, you have to think even a B-grade Melbourne side is capable of handing out a beating.

The Eagles were their own worst enemies last week against the Lions, stacking more players than they needed to behind the ball.

In turn, West Coast was caught short when it came to moving the ball forward, and a similar strategy will almost certainly cost them early against the benchmark team in the competition.

Tip: Back the Demons to Cover the Line (-57.5 Points) @ $2.00

2021

Round 9 looks to be a tough one for AFL tipsters with a couple of 50/50 blockbusters in store on Saturday.

Richmond is looking to bounce back from their shock defeat last week against Geelong when they take on GWS at Marvel, followed by a big clash down south between Port and the Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval.

Only 12 points separate second from 11^th on the ladder, meaning this is another crucial round as far as the finals are concerned.

If you’re looking for a fill-up, be sure to read our entire 2021 AFL Round 9 Preview here!

The Cats will head to Marvel full of confidence on Friday night following last week’s monumental upset over the reigning premiers.

Geelong’s season has been a mixed bag through the first two months, but Chris Scott has to be happy with the way his new-look forward line operated in what turned into a whopping 63-point win.

The Saints, on the other hand, head back home looking to make it three wins on the trot after surviving yet another scare against the Suns on the Gold Coast.

Brett Ratten’s side did enormously well to keep the Suns off the scoreboard in the final term, but if they hold any hope of picking up their second win over a top eight club, they’ll need to dig even deeper.

The Saints have gone 8-5 as the underdog at the line over the last calendar year, but the fact they’ve lost four straight to Geelong dating back to 2017 makes them tough to have.

The Cats should win this game if their forward line can dominate like it did last week against Richmond.

Gary Rohan, Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron were a nightmare for a very talented Richmond backline, so that obviously doesn’t bode well for a St Kilda team that ranks fifth in goals allowed.

Tip: Back Geelong to Cover the Line (-15.5 Points) @ $2.00

The last four games between the Swans and Collingwood have been absolute thrillers, and it wouldn’t be surprising if that is the case again on Saturday.

Collingwood won by nine points when these two sides met last August, but the bookies seem to be all-in on the Swans following last week’s nine-point loss to Melbourne at the MCG.

As for the Pies, they moved a step closer to turning things around with a win over North Melbourne, but it is worth noting they still haven’t picked up a win over a top eight side this year.

To make matters worse, the Pies will likely be without Jeremy Howe for the rest of the season – a big blow heading into this week’s game with the Swans boasting one of the most potent forward lines in the league.

Buddy Franklin and Sam Wicks were basically non-factors last week in the loss to the Dees, so this looks a nice bounce-back game not only for the Swans, but also for a couple of their key stars.

Tip: Back the Swans 1-39 @ $1.98

The two cellar dwellers get together on Saturday in what could turn out to be a very tight tussle in Tassie.

Like they have for most of the year, the Hawks flashed some promise last week against West Coast before things ultimately got out of hand in the third quarter on the way to a 38-point loss.

North, meanwhile, remain winless in 2021, although there was a bit to like about their five-goal third quarter last week in the loss to Collingwood.

Hawthorn somewhat holds the wood over the Roos with three wins from their last five meetings, which includes last year’s four-point thriller at Marvel that came right down to the wire.

As the market suggests, the Hawks look a good bet to add to that record if they can start this game on time.

Hawthorn’s biggest issue this year has been falling behind in the first quarter, but they should have one less headache to worry about on Saturday with Jaidyn Stephenson ruled out for the next few weeks with a fractured wrist.

If you are looking for some value though, the under is probably worth including in your bet slip.

Just like on the ladder, both sides rank 17^th and 18^th respectively in goals scored this year, so we could be in for a low-scoring affair.

Tip: Back the Hawks to Win & Under 160.5 Total Points @ $2.75

The first Q-Clash of the season gets underway at Metricon on Saturday night with more than just bragging rights on the line.

Winners of four straight, the Lions have reverted back to their old ways to cement their spot in the eight, while the Suns still find themselves in the mix despite another heart-breaking loss to the Saints last week.

As far as the ladder goes, Brisbane can venture back inside the top four if results go their way, while the Suns have a chance to close the four-point gap between themselves and Richmond, Fremantle, and St Kilda.

The Lions have typically dominated this fixture though, particularly over the last two seasons.

Brisbane has won the last three Q-Clashes by 40 points or more, and we could see a similar margin unfold this time around if Chris Fagan’s forward line has its way.

After a rough start to the season, Charlie Cameron finally got the revs up with a three-goal bag against the Dockers last week, followed closely by another outstanding performance from big offseason recruit, Joe Daniher.

The Suns do have enough talent in their own forward line to keep this close, but whether they have the legs to compete with the Lions for four quarters, or the strength to deal with Brisbane’s relentless pressure, remains to be seen.

Tip: Back the Lions to Cover the Line (-20.5 Points) @ $1.90

Things aren’t about to get any easier for the Tigers as they now meet a GWS side that has won four of its last five.

Richmond will be eager to put last week’s horror show against Geelong behind them, and although they won a flag against Leon Cameron’s side back in 2019, they won’t hold fond recent memories of GWS after losing by 12 last time they met.

Away from the field, things have only gotten worse at Tiger Land with Shai Bolton fracturing his wrist in a night club incident over the weekend.

Bolton’s absence leaves Richmond without its most dangerous forward and also places more strain on Damien Hardwick with Shane Edwards, Dylan Grimes, Trent Cotchin and Dion Prestia also missing.

That said, the Tigers have been a very strong bounce-back bet over the last 12 months winning six of their last eight games following a loss.

GWS is also yet to win against Richmond at the MCG, while their fourth quarter performance last week against Essendon left a lot to be desired.

It wouldn’t be surprising if less than two goals decides this one, but if the Tigers can up their effort level and cut back on the shocking skill errors they made last week, they should get home.

Tip: Back Richmond 1-39 @ $2.05

The Power and the Dogs are both looking to make it two wins on the trot on Saturday when they meet in a potential finals preview between second and third.

Port cruised to a comfortable 49-point win over the Crows in The Showdown last week, while the Dogs again came from behind to defeat Carlton with a huge six-goal final quarter.

The bookies are siding with the Power in betting, but it wouldn’t be surprising if we get a low-scoring game between these two.

Both Port and the Dogs rank bottom five in goals allowed to opponents this year, while they’ve also been two of the toughest sides to get the ball inside 50 against.

The Power have an obvious advantage playing at home, but it is worth noting the last three games between the two sides have all gone Under the Total.

With a big game atmosphere and plenty of pressure, it wouldn’t be surprising if both sides play a fairly composed brand of footy.

Tip: Under 155.5 Total Points @ $1.88

The Bombers and the Dockers are both on similar paths this week after suffering back-to-back losses.

After a very encouraging effort against Carlton a week earlier, the Dons again came agonizingly close to a victory last week in a two-point loss to the Giants in Sydney, while the Dockers have suffered much worse in back-to-back blowouts to West Coast and Brisbane.

Freo has also lost four straight to the Bombers, with their last win over Essendon in Melbourne coming way back in 2010.

It’s fair to say Freo has drawn the short end of the stick due to Perth’s ongoing COVID problems, and although they did narrow the gap late in the fourth quarter last week against the Lions, this still looks to be a difficult test for them on the road.

The Bombers are really starting to establish their identity now as several young players like Kyle Langford and Archie Perkins come of age, and if the midfield can put pressure on this Fremantle outfit like the Lions did last week, they should go a long way towards winning.

With a strong 4-1 record as the home favourite against Fremantle, the Bombers look a good bet.

Tip: Back Essendon 1-39 @ $2.30

It is no surprise to find the Dees at short odds on Sunday afternoon as they look to improve to improve to 9-0 against Carlton.

Melbourne has won each of its last five games against the Blues dating back to 2017 as they now try and build on the momentum of last week’s nine-point win over the Swans.

The Blues, on the other hand, have lost three of their last five, but there was a lot to like about their performance last week against the Dogs, despite what the scoreboard suggests.

Carlton led by two goals heading into the final term but were simply outclassed in the late stages as Josh Bruce and Aaron Naughton had their way.

The Blues can also feel good about the fact they’ve lost their last two games against Melbourne by no more than a goal.

Only two points separated these two sides last time they met, which does make Carlton an intriguing bet with a 10-5 record in their last 15 games as the line underdog.

Overall, Melbourne should be able to win this through the midfield, but considering the Dees have had some close calls against the Swans, North and Hawthorn a few weeks back, Carlton keeping this close isn’t as absurd as it might seem.

Tip: Back Carlton to Cover the Line (+22.5 Points) @ $1.90

A battle between the birds wraps up the round on Sunday with West Coast installed as whopping -38.5 favourites at the line against Adelaide.

After flexing their muscle a week earlier against the rival Dockers, the Eagles didn’t miss a beat last week against Hawthorn in a much-needed road win at the MCG.

The Crows, meanwhile, were on the receiving end of a blowout in The Showdown to extend their losing streak to four.

Injuries have largely been to blame for Adelaide’s demise, and things are only about to get worse with Lachlan Murphy now ruled out for the foreseeable future.

To their credit, the Crows did have some decent spurts last week early on against the Power, but they just couldn’t convert opportunities into points on the scoreboard.

None of that bodes well against an Eagles outfit that has held its last two opponents to under 75 points, while the fact the Crows haven’t won against West Coast in Perth since 2016 is of equal concern.

Tip: Back West Coast to Win & Over 170.5 Total Points @ $2.00

2020

It’s AFL in overdrive for the next three weeks as fans, players and punters prepare for a hectic 20 days of round the clock footy.

Round 9 kicks off nice and early on Wednesday night with a potential finals preview between the Bulldogs and Tigers, followed by a Thursday night battle at the Gabba with both Melbourne and Port Adelaide looking to bounce-back.

Friday’s top-eight showdown between the Bombers and Lions is one of the highlights of the round, right before West Coast and Geelong meet on Saturday in a rematch of last year’s Semi-Final.

Tipping remains a crapshoot, but that hasn’t stopped us from analysing each and every game in our 2020 AFL Round 9 Preview below.

The Dogs and the Tigers have put on some real classics in recent years and the market suggests we’re in for another tight one on Wednesday night.

Luke Beveridge’s side has enjoyed the better part of this matchup winning five of their last six games against Richmond, and if the Dogs turn up like they did last week against the Suns, they should prove tough to beat.

Richmond are looking to bounce back from a loss to the Giants last week that has sent them packing from the eight. You can never take the Tigers lightly, but their long list of outs seems to be catching up to them.

A win for either of these sides wouldn’t come as a surprise, but you have to like the Dogs here with a few games under their belt at Metricon.

The Tigers struggled for goals last week in crucial stages against GWS, and things aren’t about to get any easier here against a Bulldogs forward line that has really gone up a gear over the last two weeks.

Tip: Back the Bulldogs to Win @ $2.10

Port Adelaide have opened as the favourites on Thursday at the Gabba despite receiving a reality check last week at the hands of the Saints.

The Power lost by 29 in front of their home fans, but the trends suggest they should bounce-back against a Dees side still licking their wounds following a narrow loss to the Lions.

Over the last calendar year, Port are a perfect 3-0 on the back of a previous loss and they have also won three of their last five games against Melbourne.

All of those five games have gone Under the Total, so with some value on offer in the head-to-head market, this shapes up as a nice Same Game Multi opportunity.

Tip: Back Port Adelaide to Win & Under 122.5 Total Points @ $3.18

It’s been a long, long time since the Hawks have started a game as the underdog against Carlton, but their current four-game losing streak more than justifies the odds.

Blues coach David Teague only needs to rewind back to Round 7 last year if his players find themselves short on motivation.

Carlton came agonizingly close to beating the Hawks in a five-point thriller in Launceston, a game that really stands out as the turning point for the club.

The long list of injuries coupled with the time away from home has really made life tough on the Hawks, while the Blues are yet to play a bad game of footy despite what their 4-4 record suggests.

The neutral turf of Optus Stadium makes this an interesting matchup from a betting perspective, but with revenge on their mind from a season ago, take the Blues to win in a close one.

Tip: Back Carlton 1-39 @ $1.90

There won’t be any love lost between these two rivals on Friday night, especially with an opportunity for both clubs to improve on their position inside the eight.

The Bombers and the Lions both cut it close last week in their respective wins over the Crows and Demons, but the recent history between these two clubs has been anything but.

Essendon walloped the Lions by 47-points last year at Marvel and have also won three of their last five games against Brisbane.

Of course, times have changed, and the Lions do hold a distinct advantage here playing down the road at Metricon – a ground the Dons struggled on two weeks ago in their blowout loss to the Bulldogs.

The Lions are perhaps the toughest team to face in the competition right now, which doesn’t bode particularly well for a Bombers team that has won six of their last seven games by 15-points or less.

Tip: Back the Lions 1-39 & Under 123.5 Total Points @ $3.23

History suggests we could be in for an exciting game on Saturday between the cellar-dwellers.

No more than two goals have separated North Melbourne and Adelaide in their last two meetings, and although the Crows remain winless, they should fancy themselves this week against a Kangaroos side that has had very little to celebrate.

The Crows nearly found the winner’s circle last week in their three-point loss to the Bombers, an effort they are sure to build on.

Likewise, the Roos put a scare into Carlton losing by only seven points.

You can currently take $1.10 for the Crows in our “Least Wins” market, while remain good value for the spoon at $9.00.

As far as the game goes though, it’s worth sitting on the fence in what should be a nail-biter.

Tip: Either Team to Win By Less than 15.5 Points @ $2.30

The Saints will be looking to build on their statement victory over Port Adelaide last week when they face the Swans at the Gabba.

St Kilda edged their way into the top four with a win over the ladder leaders, but they must exercise caution on Saturday against a Swans side riding the highs of a come from behind win over Hawthorn.

Sydney have won 10 straight against the Saints dating back to 2012, so it’s safe to say John Longmire has St Kilda pretty well figured out.

Unfortunately for Swans fans though, the long list of outs makes this a very tough ask, especially against a Saints team that is capable of scoring goals in a hurry.

Last week St Kilda held Port Adelaide scoreless in the final term, so they also have the defence to match their forward line.

With an equally impressive 6-2 record at the line to match, take the Saints to win comfortably.

Tip: Back St Kilda to Cover the Line (-13.5 Points) @ $2.00

The Cats dug deep for a hard-fought win over the Dockers in the rain last Monday, a performance they’ll need to replicate tenfold on Sunday against the relentless Eagles.

It’s crazy to think West Coast actually trailed Collingwood at quarter time last week when you look at the final score.

Home field advantage is obviously playing huge dividends for Adam Simpson’s side, which spells big trouble for a half-strength Cats side clinging to a spot in the top four.

The absence of Gary Ablett and Joel Selwood was evident against the Dockers, and we should see the Eagles exploit it even further this week.

Geelong hasn’t beaten West Coast in Perth since 2013, while the Eagles have covered the line in each of their last four games.

With several big names missing and the trends point in West Coast’s favour, this one isn’t worth overcomplicating.

Tip: Back West Coast to Cover the Line (-17.5 Points) @ $2.00

There’s still plenty of footy left to play, but you could almost call this a must-win game for the Suns and Giants on Sunday.

Both clubs could potentially find themselves back in the eight if results go their way tied on 16 points apiece.

Despite holding home-field advantage, the Suns find themselves as the outsiders in the market after the Giants walked away with a two-goal win over Richmond last week.

It’s worth noting that the Giants have won each of their last eight games against the Suns while the favourite has covered in 11 of the last 12.

The battle between the forward line should be fascinating, much like it was last week between the Suns and the Dogs, but with Toby Greene fresh from a five-goal game, the edge goes to the Giants.

Tip: Back the Giants to Cover the Line (-9.5 Points) @ $2.00

The Pies are looking to get their season back on track after suffering their third loss in five games last week against West Coast.

Another defeat would surely send Collingwood packing from the eight, but with an added rest advantage on their side, it’s no surprise to find the Pies heavily favoured in the market.

Fremantle, meanwhile, are looking to make amends for their loss to Geelong last week at home.

The treacherous conditions made life almost impossible in front of goal, but the Dockers might receive a ray of sunshine this week with skipper Nat Fyfe a chance to return from injury.

The Dockers defeated Collingwood when these two sides met at the MCG last year in a memorable 79-75 thriller, but until we know the status on Fyfe, you have to stick with the Pies.

Collingwood are 3-1 at the line on the back of a loss over the last 12 months, so take the Pies to win big.

Tip: Back Collingwood to Cover the Line (-15.5 Points) @ $2.00

2019

It might be now or never for the likes of the Bombers, Demons and Suns this week.

All three face crucial games as they scramble for a spot in the eight, while Saturday’s clash between the Lions and the Crows could help determine which club is a contender or a pretender moving forward.

Upsets are a given, but we’ve done our best to try and tip some winners. Be sure to read on for our entire 2019 AFL Round 9 Preview.

Sometimes an entire season can come down to a game, but a point? That might mean the difference between finals or an early holiday for the Demons this year.

Melbourne trailed by six points late in the fourth quarter against the Suns last week, right before Marty Hore levelled the scores with less than two minutes remaining. The Dees won the ensuing center clearance to give themselves one last chance – an opportunity Tom McDonald didn’t pass up by bouncing one into the post for the game-winning behind.

Things weren’t quite so nerve-wracking for the Eagles last week as they escaped Marvel with an 18-point win over the Saints. Jamie Cripps and Josh Kennedy combined for a four-goal bag lifting West Coast from 10th to seventh on the ladder.

Suddenly this game looks intriguing for both parties with plenty of implications on the line.

The Eagles will hold fond memories of their 66-point defeat over the Demons in last year’s Prelim Final, but keep in mind, Melbourne walked away with a 17-point defeat of their own in Perth only three weeks’ prior.

Unfortunately, injuries to Michael Hibberd, Jordan Lewis and Jake Melksham make this year’s trip West even more difficult.

For the Eagles to win, they simply need to stick with what works. Kennedy booted four goals during last year’s Prelim, which spells bad news for a club like Melbourne that has allowed the sixth-most inside 50’s and the most goals scored defensively.

There’s a big line set for this game, and with a 6-6 record as the home favourite over the last 12 months, you can’t back West Coast to cover it. Instead, stick with the margin – in their three home wins this year, the Eagles have won by an average of 29 points.

Tip: Back West Coast 1-39 @ $2.00

Good teams know how to win close games, and even if it was against Carlton, Collingwood’s class was on full display last week during their 19-point victory over the Blues.

Collingwood found themselves on the ropes at three-quarter time trailing by a goal but exploded with five unanswered goals of their own in the final six minutes to leave with a win.

St. Kilda’s comeback attempts fell short against the Eagles at home, losing by 18-points in another lackluster effort. The Saints have now lost three straight games to slump to 12^th on the ladder, and as the odds suggest, they are in for a tough time this week against the premiership favourites.

Nathan Buckley’s side has won three of their last five meetings against the Saints, and with a 9-3 record as the home favourite, Collingwood should win this one easily. The Saints are allowing an average of nine goals a game, and considering the Pies will likely look to make a statement for last week’s ho-hum performance, you can expect this one to get out of hand.

Tip: Back Over 162.5 Total Points @ $1.84

This looks to be the highlight game between two massive finals sleepers.

Brisbane’s rollercoaster season hit a low point last week falling by 16-points to the Dogs in Ballarat. Chris Fagan’s side was dominated in the cold and rainy conditions, particularly in the backline as Aaron Naughton walked away with a handy three-goal bag.

Adelaide crept up to ninth on the ladder after securing their fourth straight win last week – a blowout 20-point victory over Port in Showdown 46. Suddenly Adelaide looks a serious premiership threat, and if Tom Lynch and Taylor Walker can continue to find form in front of the posts, there’s no telling just how far the Crows might soar.

Don Pyke’s side has won seven straight over the Lions dating back to 2012, which calls the market into question this week. The Crows left The Gabba with a thrilling five-point win last year, and if Brisbane fails to turn up in the third quarter like they did last week, the Lions could be in some trouble.

Brisbane are 3-1 as the home favourite over the last 12 months, and while The Gabba has become a fortress for the Lions this season, they’ll need to be at their best this week against a Crows side that ranks fourth in effective disposals.

Adelaide has shown tremendous grit over the last month, and if they can win the hardball and keep it in inside 50, they should have no problems evading Brisbane’s pressure through the midfield.

Tip: Back the Crows To Win @ $2.10

The Bulldogs looked dead and buried a fortnight ago, but two straight wins have propelled them up to 10^th on the ladder with a chance of rejoining the eight this week.

Ahead of them is a Geelong side in red hot form. The Cats survived a scare last week against North Melbourne to win by 24-points, but as the market suggests, it’s tough to back against Geelong at The Cattery.

Chris Scott’s side has won four of their last five meetings against the Dogs, but they’ll have revenge on their mind this week. The Doggies pulled off a thrilling two-point win during Round 15 last year, largely due to Marcus Bontempelli’s 23 disposal, two-goal game.

While you could argue the Cats might be due for a poor performance, the fact the Dogs haven’t won in Geelong since 2003 cancels out any hopes of an upset.

All eyes will be on Luke Dahlhaus as he squares off against his former teammates for the first time, but if Geelong can double team Aaron Naughton and match the Dogs’ rag-tag play through the midfield, Saturday’s game should be no trouble for the ladder leaders.

Tip: Back Geelong 1-39 @ $2.10

It’s been a long week for the Bombers following last week’s Dane Rampe controversy.

A five-point loss to the Swans has sent the Dons all the way down to 13^th on the ladder, and despite the AFL’s lack of consistency in regard to the rules, it’s now up to Essendon to prepare for this game with a chip on their shoulder.

Fremantle also found themselves with the tribunal in mind following Nat Fyfe’s collision with Tom Lynch last week. The superstar midfielder has avoided suspension – good news for the club as they desperately hope to hang on to their spot in the eight.

The Bombers have been hard done by over the last few weeks, and there’s no doubting they are due a win. Essendon made short work of the Dockers last year winning by 29-points at Marvel, a game that saw Orazio Fantasia snag a five-goal bag.

John Worsfold’s side has nothing to show for their efforts on the ladder, but they still rank Top 10 in clearances, goals and inside 50’s this year. Better yet, the Bombers are 6-4 at the line as the home favourite, so back the Dons to make a statement.

Tip: Back Essendon to Cover the Line (-17.5 Points) @ $1.90

Carlton occupies the wooden spoon spot for now, but this game could go a long way to determining who finishes second last on the ladder.

The Swans and North Melbourne are both tied on eight points. Sydney snapped their four-game losing streak with a narrow (and controversial) win over the Bombers last week at home, while the Roos put up a gallant fight in their 24-point loss to Geelong.

This mightn’t look the most exciting game on paper, but recent history suggests there’s no love lost between these two sides. The Swans lost by two points at home to North in Round 7 last year before they went on to win by a goal at Marvel in Round 17.

With home-field advantage, the bookies are all over North this week, but the Total might be the safest play. Both sides rank bottom four in goal differential this year, and with their last meeting resulting in 202-points, make sure you back the Over.

Tip: Over 166.5 Total Points @ $1.87

The Suns have had a week to stew on last week’s heartache after losing by a point to the Dees at home.

Port Adelaide also had some time to reflect on their disappointment in Showdown 46 after failing to boot a single goal in the entire first quarter against the Crows.

This is a big game as far as the ladder is concerned. The Suns find themselves 14^th but only four points away from a spot in the eight. The Power, meanwhile, sit 11^th tied on points with Fremantle, Hawthorn, the Bulldogs and St. Kilda.

It’s been exactly eight years since the Suns last won at Adelaide Oval. Gold Coast secured a nail-biting three-point win against the Power during their inaugural season but have since lost nine straight games to Port Adelaide.

The bookies are giving the Gold Coast no chance this week with a whopping 32.5-point line set. Gold Coast are 6-4 over the last 12 months as the line underdog, however, and considering Stuart Dew continues to come up with new strategies to stifle opponents, the Suns can easily keep this game close against a very questionable looking Power side.

Tip: Back the Suns to Cover the Line (+32.5 Points) @ $1.90

The Tigers army was in full voice last week as Richmond held on for a brave 25-point win over the Dockers.

Richmond now finds themselves back in the eight sitting sixth on the ladder, but they’ll need to regather the troops this week with the loss of Toby Nankervis to a groin injury.

Hawthorn were labelled “boring” during the week by Wayne Carey after their impressive 33-point win over the Giants. Alastair Clarkson out-coached Leon Cameron across all four quarters, but the three-time premiership winner will need to come up with a new strategy this week if he hopes to snap his club’s three-game losing streak to the Tigers.

These two sides met twice last year, both of which resulted in blowout Richmond victories. Hawthorn simply haven’t had the class through the midfield to keep up with the Tigers’ pressure in recent years, but there’s no denying Hawthorn’s chances this week with Nankervis out.

The Hawks can easily win this game if they control the ruck battle, and Ben McEvoy is the man for the job. Hawthorn also have to be encouraged by the work of Ricky Henderson last week – the youngster finished with 36 disposals against the Giants.

Richmond will rely heavily on Dustin Martin and Tom Lynch in this game, but if Hawthorn can temper the pressure early and force Martin to come forward from the midfield, they should keep this close.

The Hawks are 6-4 against the line as the underdog over the last 12 months, so back Clarkson’s side to turn up for a fight.

Tip: Back the Hawks to Cover the Line (+8.5 Points) @ $1.90

Patrick Cripps promised the Blues would play better last week, and that’s exactly what they did.

Carlton led the Pies by a goal at three-quarter time, right before Collingwood went on a five-goal surge to win by 29-points.

It was a disappointing ending to another game Carlton should have won, but it was still encouraging from a side that many gave zero chance.

It was quite the opposite for GWS last Sunday as the Giants extended their losing record at the G’ to 2-16. Leon Cameron’s side were flat and lethargic in their 33-point loss to the Hawks, and with both sides looking to turn their form around, we should be in for a fascinating battle.

The Giants are 8-3 against the Blues since they entered the competition, and a more impressive 7-3 as the home favourite.

Carlton, meanwhile, have provided tremendous value against the line over the last 12 months with a strong 8-3 record as the underdog.

Still, Carlton will need more than just a monster effort from Cripps to win this game, and with many doubting the Giants’ credibility as a top four side, expect GWS to open this game with plenty of energy and storm ahead early.

Tip: Back the Giants 1-39 @ $2.32

2018

There were a host of upsets in the AFL in round eight and that makes for another intriguing weekend of action.

We have to wait until the final match of the weekend for the highlight of round 9 as the West Coast Eagles host Richmond in a top-of-the-table clash.

Before that there are a host of other interesting games and we have analysed all the action to bring you the complete 2018 AFL Round 9 tips.

Adelaide may have gone down to Port Adelaide in Showdown 44 last weekend, but they will still go into this clash with the Western Bulldogs as dominant favourites.

The Crows looked in control of Showdown early and at one stage led by 27 points, but a disastrous third quarter cost them the game and that is the type of loss that can leave mental scars.

Adelaide have won ten of their past 14 games as home favourites and more impressive than that is the fact that they have covered the line in each of those wins.

The Western Bulldogs heads into this clash on the back of wins over Carlton, Gold Coast and Brisbane and it is fair to say that Adelaide represent a much tougher assignment..

The Bulldogs have struggled against the best teams in the competition this season and they have lost their past four games as away underdogs, while failing to cover the line in any of these defeats.

Adelaide recorded a dominant win over the Bulldogs when they met at the Adelaide Oval last season and a repeat could be on the cards on Friday night.

Back Adelaide To Cover The Line (-36.5 Points)

Are North Melbourne the real deal?

That question could be answered this weekend and they will start this clash with Greater Western Sydney as narrow favourites.

North Melbourne may not have beaten Richmond on Sunday, but their was still plenty to like about their performance and their attitude to their football so far this season has been nothing short of outstanding.

The Kangaroos already hold wins over Hawthorn and Sydney this season and they have won 12 of their previous 16 games at Blundstone Arena, but they have won only one of their three games as favourites this season.

GWS were wasteful with the football once again against West Coast last weekend and their inability to turn scoring opportunities into points has been a big issue for them this season.

The Giants have won only one of their past five games as away underdogs and their record against the line in this scenario is no better.

This is a game that the market does look to have just about right and I am happy to stay out from a betting standpoint.

No Bet

This will be the second ever AFL game in China after Port Adelaide comfortably won the corresponding fixture 12 months ago.

It is the Power that will once again go into this clash as favourites following their memorable Showdown win over the Adelaide Crows last weekend.

Port Adelaide have won their past eight games against the Gold Coast Suns – in fact they have never lost to them outside of the Suns’ first ever win back in 2011 – but their record as favourites has been unconvincing this season.

The Power have won ten of their past 16 games as favourites for a clear loss and they are 7-9 against the line when giving away a start.

Gold Coast showed some promise at the start of the season, but they head into this clash on the back of a heavy defeat at the hands of Melbourne.

The Suns have won only four of their past 18 games as underdogs and their record against the line isn’t much better.

It would not surprise if the travel and poor conditions for Australian Rules football hurt both the Suns and the Power and I am expecting this to be a low-scoring affair.

Back Under 154.5 Points

Essendon’s season hit a new low when they went down to Carlton last weekend and it is Geelong that will start this clash as favourites.

They weren’t overly impressive, but Geelong were able to grind out a win over Collingwood last weekend and they have now won four of their past five games.

The Cats have now won nine of their past 13 games as favourites, but they are only 5-8 against the line in this scenario.

Essendon slumped to their fourth loss on the trot when they went down to Carlton last weekend and they are now officially a side in crisis.

The Bombers poor kicking at goal did cost them, but that is far from their only problem and their chances of finishing inside the top eight are quickly evaporating.

Essendon have won five of their past 13 games as underdogs and they are 7-6 against the line in this scenario.

The Bombers are a tough side to trust from a betting perspective, but they generally do save their best positions for the better teams in the competition and I would not be surprised if they gave the Cats a scare.

Back Essendon To Cover The Line (+27.5 Points)

Ben Ronke led Sydney to a thrilling win over Hawthorn last weekend and they will go into this clash with Fremantle as clear favourites.

Consistency has been something of an issue for the Swans this season and they have recorded back-to-back wins only once, but they have not lost to Fremantle in Sydney since 2011.

The Swans have won eight of their past 12 games as home favourites and they have covered the line in seven of these victories.

Fremantle have been one of the big improvers in the AFL this season and they produced a professional performance to beat St Kilda in the ‘Ross Lyon Cup’ last week.

Winning away from home does continue to be an issue for the Dockers and they have won only one of their past nine games as away underdogs, but they are 5-4 against the line in this scenario.

Games between these two teams have traditionally been low-scoring affairs and a repeat of that does look likely this weekend.

Back Under 159.5 Points

St Kilda have not won a game since the opening round of the season and it is Collingwood that will go into this clash as clear favourites.

Collingwood produced one of their worst performances of the season to date against Geelong last Sunday afternoon and they are definitely a better side than that type of effort suggests.

The Magpies have won eight of their past ten games as favourites for a clear profit and they have covered the line in six of these wins.

St Kilda were expected to be a team heading in the right direction this season, but they have been one of the biggest disappointments of the season and coach Alan Richardson doesn’t appear to have any answers.

The Saints have won only one of their past 14 games as underdogs and their record against the line when being given a start is a shocking 3-11.

Collingwood should be able to return to winning form and they can cover the line of 20.5 points in the process.

Back Collingwood To Cover The Line (-20.5 Points)

Carlton were finally able to record their first win of the season last weekend, but it is Melbourne that will still start this game as favourites.

Melbourne made it three wins on the trot with a big victory over the Gold Coast Suns and they are now starting to produce the sort of football that was expected from them at the start of the season.

The Demons have won ten of their past 15 games as favourites for a small loss and they are 7-8 against the line when being given a start over the past 12 months.

Carlton got their first win of the season on the board with a polished performance against Essendon and they were able to give Melbourne a scare in their two meetings last season.

The Navy Blues have won only four of their past 20 games as underdogs, but they are 11-9 against the line in this scenario.

This should be a closer game than the current betting market suggests and Carlton are a great bet to cover the line with the big start of 34.5 points.

Back Carlton To Cover The Line (+34.5 Points)

The Brisbane Lions are the only winless side in the AFL this season, but there has been some early support for them to beat Hawthorn this weekend.

Brisbane were not disgraced once again against the Western Bulldogs last weekend and there is an argument to be made that they are the best 0-8 side in history.

It has been a a long time since the Lions beat Hawthorn – they have won only one of their past 12 meetings – and they have won two of their past seven games as home underdogs, while they are 4-3 against the line in this scenario.

Hawthorn suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Sydney last weekend and they are yet to suffer back-too-back defeats this season.

The Hawks have not lost a game at The Gabba since 2007, but their record away from home over the past 12 months hasn’t been great and they have won only two of their past four games as away favourites.

An upset win is just around the corner for Brisbane and it would not surprise if they gave Hawthorn a genuine scare in this Sunday afternoon clash.

Back Brisbane To Cover The Line (+15.5 Points)

This is the biggest game of the AFL season to date as the West Coast Eagles and Richmond do battle for the outright competition lead.

North Melbourne threw everything at Richmond last weekend, but the Tigers were still able to come up trumps when it mattered and they have now won six games on the trot.

The Tigers have won two of their past three games against West Coast in Perth, so this trip does not scare them and the Tigers have won five of their past seven games as away favourites for a clear profit.

West Coast extended their winning streak to seven with a tough victory over Greater Western Sydney last weekend and a win over Richmond will truly stamp them as genuine premiership contenders.

Backing the Eagles as underdogs has been a very profitable betting play over the past 12 months and they have won five of their past ten games as outsiders.

The real value in this clash lies in the Total Points betting market and backing the Under in Richmond games continues to be a winning play.

Less than 150 points have been scored in three of the past four games played between these two sides and the Under is the value again.

Back Under 164.5 Points

2017

The 2017 AFL season continues to produce the goods and we were treated to a number of thrillers last weekend.

Once again it was the underdogs that had the ascendancy and punters taking the big AFL odds on offer continue to profit.

We have analysed another tricky weekend of fixtures and our complete 2017 AFL Round 9 tips can be found below.

Geelong have won their past ten games against the Western Bulldogs, but it is the Bulldogs that will start this clash as clear favourites.

The Western Bulldogs played out another thriller with the West Coast Eagles last Friday night and were unable to come away with the four points.

They have won four of their past six games as away favourites for a loss and they are a particularly poor 1-5 against the line in this scenario.

Geelong’s season hit crisis point with a poor loss to Essendon last weekend and they have now suffered three defeats on the trot – all against sides that aren’t expected to finish in the top eight.

This will be just the second time in the past 12 months that the Cats have started a game as underdogs and they were able to win that fixture.

Geelong’s excellent record against the Western Bulldogs really can’t be ignored and I am keen to take the punt that they can return to their best form this weekend.

 Back Geelong To Win @ $2.10

The Sydney Swans have won the past six games played between these sides, but it is St Kilda that will start this clash as clear favourites.

St Kilda made it three wins on the trot with a comfortable victory over Carlton and they have climbed into the top eight with their most recent victory.

The Saints have won five of their past six games as home favourites for a clear profit, but they are only a middling 3-3 against the line in this scenario.

Sydney made it two wins on the trot with a comfortable victory over North Melbourne and they have shown the type of football that they are capable of in recent weeks.

The Swans have won three of their past five games as away underdogs for a clear profit and they are also 3-2 against the line in this situation.

Sydney have been absolutely dominant against St Kilda in recent seasons and there is no reason that they can’t beat them again this weekend.

Back Sydney To Win @ $2.15

Richmond suffered a heart-breaking defeat at the hands of Fremantle last weekend and it does not get any easier for them against the GWS Giants.

Greater Western Sydney came from behind to beat Collingwood thanks to a late Steve Johnson goal and they will start this clash with Richmond as clear favourites.

The Giants have won eight of their past 11 games as home favourites for a loss, but they have been a profitable play against the line in this scenario.

Richmond’s promising start to the season has blown up in front of their face and they let slip four crucial points with their defeat at the hands of Fremantle last weekend.

The Tigers have failed to win any of their past eight games as away underdogs and they are an extremely poor 2-6 against the line in this situation.

This will be a tough game mentally for Richmond and it would not surprise if they suffered another heavy defeat at the hands of Greater Western Sydney.

Back Greater Western Sydney To Beat The Line (-28.5 Points)

The Adelaide Crows have suffered back-to-back defeats, but they are still the shortest-priced favourites of the weekend.

It is tough to know what to make of the recent performances of Adelaide, as they have been nothing short of disgraceful after making such a strong start to the season.

The Crows have won eight of their past ten games as away favourites and they are 6-4 against the line in this scenario and it is very easy to see them putting up a massive score against the Lions.

Brisbane slumped to their seventh straight defeat against Hawthorn last weekend and it does not get any easier for them against Adelaide.

The Lions have won only one of their past ten games as home underdogs and their record against the line in this scenario is a very poor 2-8.

Adelaide have the scoring fire-power to cover this big line comfortably.

Back Adelaide To Beat The Line (-46.5 Points)

This is one of the most interesting games of the weekend and it is Collingwood that will go into this clash as clear favourites.

The Magpies were unable to get the job done against Greater Western Sydney, but they were still able to produce one of their best performances of the season.

Collingwood have had significant problems winning as favourites over the past 12 months and they have won only three of their past eight games as the punter’s elect for a clear loss.

Hawthorn made it two wins on the trot with a comfortable victory over the Brisbane Lions and this is a big opportunity to show that they really are back.

The Hawks have proven to be a profitable betting play as underdogs over the past 12 months and they have won their past eight games against Collingwood.

Hawthorn really should go into this clash as favourites and they are excellent value at their current price.

Back Hawthorn To Win @ $2.10

The West Coast Eagles have won three games on the trot and they will go into this clash with Essendon as clear favourites.

West Coast showed a fair bit of grit to beat the Western Bulldogs last Friday night and there has been a fair bit of merit in their past three wins.

In saying that, West Coast can often be tough to trust away from home and they have won four of their past seven games as away favourites for a clear loss.

Essendon produced one of their best efforts of the season to beat Geelong last weekend and they have played some quality football at times this season.

The Bombers have actually won five of their past 11 games as home underdogs for a clear profit and they are a most impressive 8-3 against the line in this scenario.

Essendon are more than capable of pushing this West Coast outfit and they are a good bet to beat the line with a start of 11.5 points.

Back Essendon To Beat The Line (+11.5 Points)

Melbourne are now within a win of the top eight and they will start this clash with North Melbourne as clear favourites.

The Demons could hardly have been more impressive against Adelaide and they may never have a better opportunity to end their 15-game losing streak when facing North Melbourne.

Melbourne have won six of their past ten games as favourites, but they are only 4-6 against the line in this scenario.

North Melbourne had their winning run ended by Sydney last weekend and it will be interesting to see how they bounce back this weekend.

The Kangaroos have won only one of their past 14 games as underdogs and they are 6-8 against the line in this situation.

Melbourne really should be able to beat North Melbourne for the first time in over a decade, but there is no value at their current price and I am keen to stay out of this clash from a betting standpoint.

No Bet

Fremantle were written off by the majority of AFL experts at the start of the 2017 AFL season, but they now find themselves just one win outside the top eight.

The Dockers have now won five of their past six games – following their remarkable victory over Richmond – and they will start this clash with Carlton as clear favourites.

Fremantle have won their past three games as home favourites and they are 2-1 against the line in this scenario.

Carlton continue to struggle to score points and are yet to crack a century this season, but they have impressed with their defensive toughness at times.

The Blues have won only one of their past seven games as away underdogs, but they have been a profitable 5-2 against the line in this scenario.

This really should be a fairly dour low-scoring game and with a start of 22.5 points Carlton should be able to cover the line – even if they fail to come away with the victory.

Back Carlton To Beat The Line (+22.5 Points)

2016

Round 9 of the 2016 AFL season begins with an absolute Friday night blockbuster between Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans – a rematch of both the 2012 and 2014 AFL Grand Finals.

There is another grand final rematch on Saturday afternoon when Collingwood host Geelong  before Fremantle host Richmond in the pick of Saturday’s night games.

There are three games on Sunday afternoon and the round concludes when St Kilda take on Essendon in the Sunday twilight fixture.

This is one of the best modern day rivalries in the AFL and they did battle in the AFL Grand Final in both 2012 and 2014.

The Hawks have had the edge in recent seasons and have won six of the last eight games played between the two sides, with the triple premiers favourites to extend their excellent record against their rivals.

Hawthorn have won nine of their past 12 games as home favourites, but they actually have not been a profitable betting play as the punter’s elect and their record against the line in this scenario is a very poor 3-9.

Sydney had their winning streak ended by Richmond after the siren last weekend and it was clear by the Swan’s reactions after the game that they realized they had thrown away four points.

The Swans are a reliable betting side as favourites, but no so much as underdogs and they have won just one of their past five games as outsiders, while they are 2-3 against the line in this situation.

This should be a very interesting game to watch, but the market appears to have got it just about right and I am happy to stay out from a betting perspective.

Recommended Bet: No Bet

Geelong are now outright favourites to win the 2016 AFL Premiership following their comfortable victory over the Adelaide Crows and they have a great opportunity to record their seventh straight win this weekend.

The Cats don’t have the most reliable record as away favourites and they have won just three of their last six games in this situation, while their record against the line is a poor 2-4.

Collingwood produced a much improved performance to return to winning form against the Brisbane Lions last Saturday night, but they obviously face a much stiffer challenge against Geelong.

The Magpies have won only one of their past four games as home underdogs, but they do have a decent record against the Cats in this scenario and they have beaten the line in seven of their past 11 games as underdogs.

Geelong have covered the line in just nine of their past 26 games when giving away a start of 33 points and Collingwood are good enough to ensure that this game does not end in a blowout.

Recommended Bet: Back Collingwood To Beat The Line (+33.5 Points)

The Gold Coast Suns have been very poor against the Adelaide Crows since they entered the competition in 2011 and they have lost all eight games that they have played against their rivals.

The Suns produced another dismal display of football against the Greater Western Sydney Giants last weekend and it is no surprise that they will go into this game as clear underdogs.

Gold Coast have won just two of their past 17 games as underdogs and they are a horrid 6-11 against the line in this scenario.

Adelaide go into this game on the back of back-to-back losses against the Western Bulldogs and Geelong, but it is very tough to see them losing again.

They have won six of their past eight games as favourites, but they have not been convincing against the line as the punter’s elect.

In saying that, Adelaide have covered the line in five of their past six games when giving away a start of over 50 points and if they play anywhere near their best they should be able to register a big score against the Suns.

Recommended Bet: Back The Adelaide Crows To Beat The Line (-50.5 Points)

Port Adelaide’s season hit a new low when they were beaten by Carlton last weekend and they face a very tough challenge against the West Coast Eagles this weekend.

This will be just the second time that Port Adelaide have started a game at the Adelaide Oval as underdogs in the past 12 months, but they did lose that fixture and they are only a middling 3-3 against the line when being given a start.

West Coast returned to winning form with an absolutely brutal performance against St Kilda last weekend, but their record away from home is far less convincing than their record at Domain Stadium.

The Eagles have won just three of their past seven games as favourites and they are 3-4 against the line in this scenario.

It would not surprise to see Port Adelaide return to a semblance of their best form this weekend and they are a good bet to cover the line with a start of 23.5 points.

Recommended Bet: Back Port Adelaide To Beat The Line (+23.5 Points)

North Melbourne continued their unbeaten start to the season with their fighting win over Essendon last weekend and they are clear favourites to continue their winning run against Carlton.

The Kangaroos have won 15 of their past 17 games as favourites for a sizeable profit and they are 10-7 against the line in this scenario.

Brendon Bolton is surely one of the leading contenders for coach of the year and he has instilled a passion that has been missing from Carlton for a number of seasons.

The Navy Blues have now won four games on the trot, but the data suggests that they won’t make it five in a row this weekend as they have won just two of their past 13 games as away underdogs.

In saying that, their recent record against the line can’t be ignored and they are 12-9 against the line in this situation.

I think that North Melbourne will win, but there is no edge in their current price and the line of 30.5 points seems just about right.

Recommended Bet: No Bet

This is one of the most interesting games of the weekend and at this stage the market can’t split the two teams.

Fremantle are still yet to record their first win of the AFL season after going down to Hawthorn last weekend and they face a Tigers side that will have taken plenty of confidence from their dramatic victory over Sydney last weekend.

The Dockers have struggled in front of their home fans at Domain Stadium over the past 12 months – having won just seven of their 13 games – and their record against the line at home is a putrid 4-9.

The Tigers kept fighting to the finish against Sydney last weekend and that victory could prove to be the turning point of their season.

Richmond have actually played some of their best football on the road in the past 12 months and they beat Fremantle at Domain Stadium last season, so this road trip will hold no fears for them.

The Tigers have won seven of their past 11 games on the road and they are great value to improve that record with a win over the Dockers on Saturday.

Recommended Bet: Back Richmond To Win @ $1.91

Melbourne received a reality check when they were beaten the Western Bulldogs, but they will still start this weekend’s clash with the Brisbane Lions as dominant favourites.

The Demons have only started five games as favourites in the past 12 months but, in very worrying signs for their supporters, they have won just one of these fixtures for a big loss.

The problem for punters is that the recent record of the Brisbane Lions has been just as poor and they produced another uninspired performance against Collingwood last weekend.

The Lions have lost their past 12 games as away underdogs and their record against the line in this situation is a horrific 2-10.

I have no interest in backing either of these two teams, but there is still a betting market that stands out and that is the total points.

The over has saluted in 11 of the 16 games played by these sides and it would not surprise if neither side bothered defending in this contest.

Recommended Bet: Back The Over (198.5 Points)