2018 AFL Round 19 Betting Tips
Round 19 of the AFL kicks off on Friday Night with Essendon taking on Sydney at Etihad Stadium in what promises to be the first of many exciting games on the weekend. Once again, we’ve provided short previews and betting tips for some of the key games of the round! Good luck if following.
Essendon vs Sydney (Friday, 7:50PM AEST)
The first match of the round is an absolute blockbuster between the Bombers and the Swans at Etihad Stadium. The circumstances surrounding both sides top 8 hopes should make this one an absolute cracker. The Bombers currently sit four points outside the top 8 in 11th position and will see this match as a mini elimination final, whilst the Swans are in 4th position but are only four points clear of 9th placed Geelong.
Interestingly, the last 5 head to head matches between these two sides have all been played in Sydney, with the Swans winning all 5. The last time they played each other at Etihad Stadium was back in Round 9, 2014, which makes this on a little hard to read. However, the fact that Essendon have won 7 of their last 10 and Sydney are coming off a mind-boggling loss to the Suns last weekend means we have to lean towards the Bombers on Friday Night.
TIP: Essendon to win – $1.77 at Ladbrokes
Richmond vs Collingwood (Saturday, 1:45PM AEST)
The first match on Saturday is probably everyone’s match of the round. The two biggest clubs in Australia are both in stellar form and will face off at the home of footy in front of a 90k+ crowd. The Tigers have shown absolutely no signs of a premiership hangover and sit on top of the ladder, whilst the Magpies have surprised everyone with their surge up to third on the ladder as it stands after 17 games.
It’s no surprise that the Tigers come in as favourites after the form they’ve shown this season, especially at home where they’re currently undefeated. On top of that, the Magpies are yet to defeat a top 4 side this season and are going to be without young stud Jordan De Goey for the clash. The Collingwood injury list is just a little bit too long for my liking, with a lot of talent set to miss this huge clash. I can see the Tigers asserting themselves from the opening bounce and running out reasonable comfortable winners.
TIP: Richmond at the line (-18.5) – $1.92 at CrownBet
GWS vs St Kilda (Saturday, 4:35PM AEST)
This one doesn’t quite fall into the ‘blockbuster’ category as the previous two matches, but it still has huge finals implications. The Saints season is over, there’s no doubt about that, but the Giants season is far from it. They have found some unbelievable from in recent weeks and are making a surge towards September on the back of a huge away win against Port Adelaide last weekend.
The Giants come into this match as short favourites – and for good reason. They have most of their cavalry back and will be looking to make a statement against a team that they drew against earlier in the season. I’d take the Giants line anywhere up to -50, so the -39.5 that’s currently on offer looks too good to refuse.
TIP: GWS at the line (-39.5) – $1.92 at Sportsbet
North Melbourne vs West Coast (Sunday, 1:10PM AEST)
Our final play comes from another huge game in Round 19, with North Melbourne hosting West Coast at Blundstone Arena in Tasmania. For the Kangaroos, it’s pretty much do or die at this stage. They’ve lost 3 of their last 4 games and are coming off their most disappointing game of the season against the Magpies last weekend, getting smashed from the first bounce to eventually fall by 66 points. Meanwhile, the Eagles are back in winning form, claiming their last 3 games all in impressive fashion.
The Eagles have travelled to Melbourne a lot better this year than in the past, highlighted by their impressive win just two weeks ago against the Magpies at the MCG, who were the hottest team in the AFL at the time. We’re more than happy to back them in to do it again at Etihad this weekend against North Melbourne.
TIP: West Coast to win – $1.80 at Sportsbet
