2017 AFL Round 21 Betting Tips
Another good week for us in our Round 20 AFL tips as we hit on 3/4 bets for a profitable weekend. Teams look to be settling down now, a few weeks out from finals, with every favourite winning on the weekend for probably the first time all year. We’ll look to capitalise on that this week as we present our preview and betting tips for Round 21 of the AFL below.
Western Bulldogs vs Greater Western Sydney (Friday, 7.50pm AEST)
The rematch of the ridiculous 2016 prelim-final between the Bulldogs and the Giants promises to be another exciting one with the two teams seeming to have hit form around the right time of year once again. The Giants were dominant winners over Melbourne on the weekend after kicking out to a massive six goal lead at quarter time, all without their three leading goal kickers for the season.
They’ll likely get Jonathon Patton and Toby Greene back this weekend to bolster the forward line stocks while Jeremy Cameron could still be a few weeks away. Shane Mumford will also miss through suspension. The Dogs are battling their own injury concerns, with Easton Wood, Tom Boyd, Tom Campbell, Marcus Adams and Dale Morris all set to miss the clash. Jake Stringer and Jason Johannisen could return to the side this week, however.
The Dogs have had a blessed schedule over the last month, and although they have won their last four games, three of the wins have come against the Blues, Suns and Lions. They’ll get three massive tests to round out the season and with the injury list they have at the moment we can’t see them getting over the line against the in-form Giants.
TIP: Greater Western Sydney 1-39 – $2.30 at Sportsbet
Geelong vs Richmond (Saturday, 2.10pm AEST)
Another game with massive ladder position implications is Geelong vs Richmond on Saturday afternoon. Richmond sit in third position and have a two-point advantage over the Cats. Both teams will be aiming to jump to second position on the ladder to secure the home final. The Cats will be without Joel Selwood for the rest of the home and away season after an ankle injury on Friday night. They will, however, get Patrick Dangerfield back after his suspension which should bolster the midfield.
Key players Tom Hawkins and Mitch Duncan will miss through suspension while Mark Blicavs remains on the sidelines with an injured ankle. Daniel Menzel and Steven Motlop will undergo a test to prove their fitness and will be needed for their goal scoring ability with Hawkins out.
On the Tigers injury front, Jack Riewoldt is the only concern after he missed last week with an eye injury. He will likely return though, which will have the Tigers at near full strength. Tough to look past them here considering how depleted the Cats will be. But you can never write off the Cats at Simonds, should be a close one.
TIP: Richmond 1-39 – $2.10 at CrownBet
Essendon vs Adelaide (Saturday, 7.25pm AEST)
After a big win in the Adelaide derby on the weekend, the Crows now sit six points clear on top of the ladder with games against the Bombers, Swans and Eagles to come. They have been prone to some really close games in Melbourne of late, drawing with Collingwood and defeating the Blues by just 12 points.
The Crows have a pretty good-looking injury list at the moment, with Daniel Talia and Curly Hampton the only worries heading into this weekend’s match. The Bombers are also looking pretty strong, with Orazio Fantasia being their only concern with a hamstring injury and Zach Merret set to miss through suspension.
Tough game to pick as the Bombers are absolutely desperate for a win to stay in finals contention. Seems like a game that the Crows may be susceptible to taking their foot off the pedal in so we like the Bombers to cover a 3-goal lineat Etihad where they have been fantastic this year.
TIP: Essendon +18.5 – $1.92 at Ladbrokes
Melbourne vs St Kilda (Sunday, 1.10pm AEST)
The only Sunday game that features two teams still vying for something sees the Demons hosting the Saints at the MCG from 1.10pm. The two teams picked to take the next step at the beginning of the year sit on the cusp of the top eight, in 11th and 12th place by percentage only. The Saints secured a massive win over the Eagles to keep their finals hopes alive on the weekend while the Demons were embarrassed by the Giants in Canberra.
It marks two losses in a row for the Demons, who were firmly inside the top eight just a few weeks ago and now find themselves on the outside looking in. The cavalry returned from injury a few weeks ago for the Demons but they’ll be without a few again for this week’s clash with Jesse Hofan, Christian Salem and Joel Smith all set to miss.
The Demons won comfortably when the two teams met in Round 1 but the Saints seemed to be playing with added vigour in their win over the Eagles. Perhaps the announcement of Nick Riewoldt’s retirement has sparked their competitive drive. We like the Saints to win this one in a thriller.
TIP: St Kilda to win – $2.25 at CrownBet
TIPS ARE SIMPLY THE AUTHOR’s OPINION. ALWAYS GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY
