2017 AFL Round 17 Betting Tips
It’s Round 17 of the 2017 AFL season and we’re back with our best betting tips for the round. We were on the money last week with the Hawks landing a draw against the Giants and the Blues pushing the Dees all the way. There are some interesting match ups this week, with several games crucial to the finals chances of some teams.
Let’s take a look at our best bets for Round 17.
St.Kilda vs Essendon (Etihad Stadium, Friday 7:50pm)
A classic “eight-point game” this Friday night as St.Kilda take on Essendon under the roof at Etihad. Both teams still harbour dreams of rising up to play finals this season, but it’s probably unlikely that both can make it, which means this game is crucial for both sides.
St.Kilda are humming after thumping the Tigers last week in impressive fashion. They blew them away in the first half and showed some of the form that we all expected from them at the start of the season. The Saints are now inside the eight after four straight wins so their fate will ultimately be in their own hands for the rest of the season. Ross, Steven and Montagna ran rampant against the Tigers, with Nick Niewoldt and Tim Membrey on fire up forward. Unfortunately they will lose Membrey for two games through suspension.
The Bombers had a shocker two weeks ago against the bottom-placed Lions, and that loss is going to really hurt them at the crunch of September. They bounced back with a solid win against the Pies last week, but they are now two games behind the Saints, so a loss here is going to make it very hard to close that gap to make the finals.
This should be a very entertaining Friday night match, and both sides play under the roof at Etihad very well. After last week, it’s hard to look past the Saints to get the job done in a close, but high-scoring contest.
Tip: St.Kilda to win -5.5 points – $1.92 at Sportsbet
Tip: Total Points over 180.5 points – $1.82 at CrownBet
Geelong vs Hawthorn (MCG, Saturday 1:45pm)
Whenever the Cats take on the Hawks, it’s something special. Both teams rise to the occasion, and even though Hawthorn aren’t in their usual top four position on the ladder, they have shown some form recently that suggests they can push Geelong here. The Hawks probably should’ve beaten the Giants last week in Launceston, but were also probably lucky to escape with a draw in the end. Two strong wins before that, means the Hawks may still have faint hopes of reaching the finals. Inspirational leader Luke Hodge announced he would retire at season’s end so that may provide an emotional boost for the remainder of the season.
The Cats have been purring quite nicely for most of the season, and had little trouble disposing of the Lions last week to maintain their spot in third place on the ladder. They will now be eyeing off a top two spot to give them the best chance of success this season. As usual, they are led in the midfield by Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood, but up forward they have looked far more dangerous this season with Tom Hawkins returning to form. It’s hard to see how the Hawks defence will be able to control them.
This should be a good contest, but I expect the Cats to turn it on and end the Hawks season right here.
Tip: Geelong to win -15.5 points – $1.92 at CrownBet
GWS vs Sydney (Spotless Stadium, Saturday 7:25pm)
A Sydney blockbuster this Saturday night with the Giants and the Swans colliding in what could be one of the most epic showdowns we’ve seen so far. The Giants are holding onto second place after battling injuries all season. They’ve managed to win games they should’ve lost, and over the last two weeks, escaped with a pair of draws in games that many other teams would’ve lost. This season may not be their year, but they are on the right path for sure. While the Giants midfield is amazing, in recent weeks it’s been the rise of Jonathan Patton which has impressed most. He is finally living up to his potential as a physical, marking beast, and with a good kick on him, he is a star in the making. They will also be hoping Toby Greene returns this week to bolster the forward line.
However the Swans probably feel that they are meeting the Giants at exactly the right time. The Giants have been doing enough to get by, while the Swans are the form team of the competition. After losing their first six games, the Swans are now in the eight after winning eight of their last nine games. Their only blemish was a narrow loss to the Hawks. The Swans are at full strength, their midfield is firing and Buddy Franklin is looking menacing up forward. Josh Kennedy was a late out last week and they will definitely need his grunt in the midfield.
Many sharps pundits believe that the Swans are the team to beat this season if they can make the finals. That is still a big IF, but IF they beat the Giants this week then the hype will be off the hook. Giants are favourites but I think the Swans get it done this week.
Tip: Sydney Swans to win – $2.05 at Sportsbet
Carlton vs Western Bulldogs (MCG, Sunday 3:20pm)
The final game we’re going to look at this week is on Sunday at the MCG where the Blues take on the Bulldogs. Two teams with Etihad as their base are going to play at the ‘G’ while Richmond play a home game at Etihad at the same time. Ok then.
Not sure if the Dogs would be happy to be at the MCG rather than Etihad, but regardless, this is a MUST WIN game if there ever was one. A lacklustre performance last week, and four losses in five games (with their only win being a one-point win over the 2nd last Kangaroos), means that the blowtorch is right on the Dogs right now and the defence of their premiership. If they are to play finals they cannot lose this match. Their run home isn’t the worst but this is a very winnable game. Many of their players are down on form from last year, and they need to find their groove quickly as now is the right time of the year to peak.
Carlton are a team on the rise. They have shown they have some really talented young players on their list, and a super coach, so with some more games under their belt, they are sure to improve every week. They pushed Melbourne last week but couldn’t get the win. It’s a similar assignment this week. They can win at their best, but at this stage of the season, it’s just able getting games into their players to make their move next season.
Surely the Bulldogs win. Surely.
Tip: Western Bulldogs win 1-39 points – $2.10 at CrownBet
TIPS ARE SIMPLY THE AUTHOR’s OPINION. ALWAYS GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY
