2018 AFL Round 17 Betting Tips
Round 17 of the 2018 AFL Premiership Season will decide the fate of several teams vying for top 8 and top 4 positions. We’ve got exciting matches happening all the way from Thursday to Sunday, starting at Adelaide Oval on Thursday Night with a high stakes match between Adelaide and Geelong, and concluding with at the new Optus Oval with a clash between Fremantle and Port Adelaide.
After a solid week in Round 16, we’re back with our best bets for AFL Round 17. Good luck if following!
Adelaide Crows vs Geelong Cats (Thursday, 7:50PM AEST)
Kicking off Round 17 is Crows vs Cats at Adelaide Oval on Thursday Night. In many ways, this looms as a must-win match for both teams. For Adelaide, it’s vital that they claim the four points to stay in touch with top 8 and keep their finals hopes alive, while the Cats top 4 chances are hanging by a thread and will be all but done if they fall short against the Crows.
Geelong have capitalized on their modern-day success to lead the all-time head-to-head record 23-19 against the Crows. They’ve also won 3 of the last 5 against them, although the Crows have won the last 2, which have both been at Adelaide Oval by an average margin of 41 points.
In a do-or-die match we fancy Adelaide to get the job done. They’re always a tough side to beat at home and with most of their troops back they should be too strong for the Cats.
TIP: Crows to win – $1.95 at Ladbrokes
St Kilda Saints vs Carlton Blues (Friday, 7:50PM AEST)
The Etihad Stadium attendance records are in no danger of being broken on Friday Night, with the Saints hosting the Blues in an anti-blockbuster. These two teams have a combined total of 4 wins this season to go along with 25 losses. Although both teams have shown a bit more competitive spirit in recent matches, which could make this into a decent contest.
Since 1980, Carlton hold a 36-27 record over the Saints. Although in recent times it’s been all St Kilda. They have won the last 3 meetings between by an average margin of 41 points. As a result of their poor seasons, both teams are just playing for pride at this point. They’ve both been reasonably competitive in their recent matches, but the Saints have just been a little bit more convincing. Happy to take them at the line here.
TIP: Saints at the line (-21.5) – $1.92 at Sportsbet
GWS Giants vs Richmond Tigers (Saturday, 7:25PM AEST)
Saturday Night’s match at Spotless Stadium has potential to be the match of the round, with both sides needing a win for different reasons. The Giants finals aspirations hang by a thread, but a big win against the Tigers could put them back into the box seat, meanwhile, the Tigers need a win to keep their buffer at the top of the ladder, as Collingwood, West Coast, and Port Adelaide are all hot on their heels.
In their short history of head-to-head’s, Richmond have come on top in 9 of them, although there could be an asterisk placed next to the Giants first 2-3 seasons in the league. The Giants wins over the Tigers have both come in home games, which will give them some confidence coming into this one.
Despite being on top of the ladder, Richmond are just 2-3 away from the MCG this season. They are yet to convince us that they can win consistently on the road, for this reason I’m more than happy to have the Giants with a 13.5 points headstart.
TIP: Giants at the line (+13.5) – $1.92 at CrownBet
Fremantle Dockers vs Port Adelaide Power (Sunday, 4:40PM AEST)
The Final match of the round is the Sunday Twilight clash between Fremantle and Port Adelaide at Optus Oval. The Dockers injuries have derailed their season to the extent that they’re now just playing for pride in the jumper, while the Power are pushing hard towards a top 2 finish, but will need to win these types of matches to give themselves a chance.
The Power lead the Dockers 19-15 in their head-to-head record, since Port Adelaide entered the league in 1997, although the last 10 have been split at 5 a piece. The home team has only lost 3 times in their last 15 meetings, although Fremantle have fielded much stronger teams in the past.
We’re expecting this one to be one-way traffic in favour of the Power. The Dockers just don’t have the depth to cover the loss of Fyfe and Sandilands, which will result in the Power mids giving them a bath.
