2018 AFL Round 4 Betting Tips
It’s been an entertaining start to the 2018 AFL season with just one team (Port Adelaide) undefeated after 3 rounds. SmitTips has gone 8-4 on line bets so far and is confident on improving that record in what promises to be an exciting Round 4!
Adelaide Crows vs Collingwood Magpies
After a tough start to the season the Crows look to have hit their straps and are coming off an emphatic 49-point win against the Saints at Etihad Stadium last weekend. They now head back to the fortress that is the Adelaide Oval to kick off Round 4 against the Magpies. Rory Laird has been their best play in the early part of the year, while they’ll be looking for a bigger showing from their skipper, Tex Walker.
The Magpies got their first win for the 2018 season when they defeated the Blues at the MCG last Friday Night. Despite their injury problems they were just too much for the inexperienced Blues outfit, with Steele Sidebottom leading the way with 35 touches and 3 goals in a best-on-ground performance.
The Crows were an absolute powerhouse at home last season and SmitTips expects more of the same in 2018. He feels that the 32.5 line is child’s play for the reigning minor premiers in this one.
TIP: Crows at the line (-32.5) – $1.92 at CrownBet
GWS Giants vs Fremantle Dockers
Smit’s next value game of the round comes in the matchup between the Giants and the Dockers. The Giants took their first loss of 2018 in the ‘Battle of the Bridge’ in Round 3, falling to Buddy Franklin and the Swans by 16 points. The Giants will have a huge boost to their attacking options against the Dockers, with 2017 AA Toby Greene returning to the team.
The Dockers have been able to take advantage of a soft draw to go to 2-1 for the season. They were too much for the Suns in Round 3, defeating them by 28 points at Optus Stadium. Skipper Nat Fyfe looked back to his Brownlow Medal winning best against the Suns, collecting 38 disposals along with a goal in a dominant performance.
SmitTips says the Giants will bounce back after a disappointing loss to obliterate the Dockers at home.
TIP: Giants at the line (-33.5) – $1.92 at CrownBet
Western Bulldogs vs Sydney Swans
The Dogs bounced back from two embarrassing defeats to start the season by defeating the Bombers by 21 points at Etihad Stadium last weekend. The Dogs took advantage of a flat Bombers outfit and managed to hit the scoreboard at the right time to distance themselves enough to survive a late Bomber surge.
The Swans look really good in the early part of 2018, with their only blemish being a tough loss to the Power in Round 2. Their midfield looks really engaged and hungry, while Buddy Franklin (dare I say) may well be in career best form.
Although the Dogs claimed a big win in Round 2, SmitTips isn’t sold on them just yet and believes that the Swans will easily cover the 3-goal line on Saturday Afternoon.
TIP: Swans at the line (-17.5) – $1.92 at Sportsbet
Essendon Bombers vs Port Adelaide Power
The final match of the round that Smit will be providing a tip for is the Etihad duel featuring the Bombers and the Power on Sunday. The Bombers are frustratingly inconsistent and suffered their second loss of the season when they fell to the Dogs in Round 3. They have all the talent in the world but look to be lacking that hunger and desire that the top tier teams possess.
The Power limped to a 5-point win against the Lions last weekend to remain the only undefeated team in the AFL after 3 rounds. There are a lot of new pieces for the power that could take time to fit into their system, but the fact that they’re 3-0 is a credit to the players and the coaching staff. Power-Pepper will miss this weekend due to a club imposed suspension, although they should have the midfield depth to cover in his absence.
SmitTips is really surprised at the small line in this one and will be backing the Power to the hills.
