WE’RE into the third week of the NAB Challenge and the AFL is offering up six games for footy punters to sink their teeth into.
Last year’s grand finalists the West Coast Eagles welcome the Gold Coast Suns on tonight, with the Sydney derby between the Swans and Greater Western Sydney Giants on Friday night.
Two games on Saturday kick off with the decimated Essendon Bombers taking on the rejuvenated Geelong Cats, while the North Melbourne Kangaroos head to Wagga Wagga for a twilight clash with the Collingwood Magpies.
Sunday also has two games, with the Western Bulldogs up against the Melbourne Demons and the Brisbane Lions up agains the St Kilda Saints.
As always, we’ve run the rule over the six matches and picked out a few options that should give you good chance of cleaning up on your multi.
Suggested multi:
Greater Western Sydney Giants to win at $2.65
Geelong Cats to win at $1.29
North Melbourne to win at $2.15
Melbourne Demons to win at $1.95
Brisbane Lions to win at $1.89
Multi pays $27.08 with sportsbet.com.au
Sydney Swans vs. Greater Western Sydney Giants
Our tip: Greater Western Sydney Giants to win at $2.65
Hopefully it’s not to our detriment, but we are off the Swankies bandwagon this season, but we’re all over the rising Giants. And there will be a familiar face in new surroundings when former Geelong superstar Steve Johnson pulls on the Giants colours for the first time. Johnson crossed from the Cats in the off season and will add much needed experience and talent to the young Giants’ squad. GWS was no match for the Western Bulldogs in last week’s NAB Challenge outing, as they fell by 31 points, 1.13.17 (104) to 0.11.7 (73). It should have been more, with the wasteful Dogs letting them off the hook. Rhys Palmer continued his strong preseason with 20 touches and Josh Kelly was good again with 18. The Swans knocked over Port Adelaide in their last hit out, sporting eight individual goal scorers in a 21 point win 1.10.12 (81) to 1.7.9 (60). Luke Parker and Tom Mitchell lead the way for Sydney with 32 touches each, while Jake Lloyd had 31. Johnson isn’t the only addition for GWS, though, with co captains Phil Davis and Callan Ward, Shane Mumford, Heath Shaw, Ryan Griffen and Jeremy Cameron adding plenty of bite to a side that struggled against the Dogs. Swans’ co-captain Kieren Jack has been included for his first run of the season, while young gun Isaac Heeney has also recovered from injury. We’re backing the Giants additions to get them over the line at good odds.
Essendon Bombers vs. Geelong Cats
Our tip: Geelong Cats to win at $1.29
Bet of the weekend right here. The $1.29 is better than bank interest. Geelong shook off the preseason cobwebs with an entertaining hit out against the Magpies last week, before eventually going down by eight points 0.21.5 (131) to 2.16.9 (123). New recruit Patrick Dangerfield was the star of the show, cruising around like he owned the place with 32 disposals and three goals. He looms as having an astroid like impact on the Cats’ season. Mitch Duncan had 22 and George Horlin-Smith had 21 in the losing effort. Do the Bombers have any hope in hell in this one? They won the first battle of the wooden spoon favourites when they knocked over Carlton by 10 goals 1.13.8 (95) to 1.3.8 (35), but they, and their supporters, should savour this moment – joy is going to be few and far between. Joe Daniher and Brendon Goddard booted three goals each and David Zaharakis had 28 disposals in the big win. But, with Jimmy Bartel, Tom Lonergan and Josh Caddy all set to suit up for the Cats, this one is doom and gloom for the Bombers. Old hand Drew Petrie and young buck Mason Wood booted four goals each, while Lindsay Thomas and Jarrod Waite kicked three a piece as the Roos forward line started the season off cooking.
North Melbourne Kangaroos vs. Collingwood Magpies
Our tip: North Melbourne to win at $2.15
The Pies put on a high scoring show against the Cats, as we’ve previously mentioned, with Alex Fasolo starring with five goals and 19 disposals, before landing himself in hot water when he was caught urinating into a cup during the match. Dane Swan booted three goals, as did young buck Corey Gault, while Steele Sidebottom had 28 touches and up and coming slick midfielder Jordan De Goey 24. Scott Pendlebury, Travis Cloke, Darcy Moore and Tom Langdon will make their preseason debuts for the Pies, but supporters will have to wait another week to see prized recruit Adam Treloar in the senior side – he will suit up in the VFL. The Kangaroos have had a week off after whacking St Kilda by 44 points in round one, 0.18.9 (117) to 1.9.10 (73). Fourteen Roos had 10 or more touches, but none had more than the 18 of Luke McDonald. Both sides are on form, but we’re going with the Roos to make it two from two after having the week off to freshen up.
Western Bulldogs vs. Melbourne Demons
Our tip: Melbourne Demons to win at $1.95
Two sides that are on the rise, the Doggies are where the Dees wish they were. As we mentioned, the Sons of the West whacked the Giants in their clash last week, with The Package Jakey Stringer booting three goals and gathering 17 disposals to lead the attack. Koby Stevens looks like one to watch after snaring 29 touches, while Lachine Hunter had 25 and Jason Johannisen 24. The Dees matched the Dogs’ success, upsetting the Port by 19 points, 0.15.5 (95) to 1.10.7 (76). Jack Viney led the way with 28 touches, while Jeffy Garlett booted three goals as the Demons swarmed an understrength Power line up to give their supporters hope that this season holds plenty to be positive about. The Doggies are already on the record this week saying they will be sending out a more youthful side than the one it used against the Giants and we think that spells trouble for the men in red, white and blue. The Dees will be without young gun Angus Bradshaw after he suffered a knee injury against the Power, but the form of Max Gawn in the ruck will hearten the Dees faithful and we think they can continue in the challenge with another win.
Brisbane Lions vs. St Kilda Saints
Our tip: Brisbane Lions to win at $1.89
The kids will be on show in this clash of two teams who have yet to register a win in the NAB Challenge. The Lions went down to the Gold Coast Suns by 25 points, 0.9.14 (68) to 0.6.7 (43), and will be without key utility Allan Christensen, who has had finger surgery after suffering an injury during the match. Mitch Robinson had 25 touches leading a very young side. The Lions just don’t seem to be able to kick goals, so it will be interesting to see how they respond. Great hope Josh Schache had just five touches, but will be better for the run and will hope to slot a few against the Saints. The lone bright spot for the Saints in their loss at the hands of North Melbourne was the form of Seb Ross, who snared 26 disposals and was the only player to pass 18 in the match. Josh Bruce was the only multiple goal kicker for the Saints with two. This one is really a toss of the coin, but we’re going with the Lions, on account of the long trip the Saints have to make and the fact young key forward Paddy McCartin is out with injury.
