AFL tipsters’ guide
Port Adelaide has lost three of its best players of the 2014 season ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with the Western Bulldogs.
Dom Cassisi, Hamish Hartlett and Jarman Impey are all out of the side because of injuries, with emerging gun Jared Polec back into the team, along with Sam Gray and warhorse Tom Logan.
For the Western Bulldogs, key midfielder Matthew Boyd comes back in, while Adam Cooney is out because of a hamstring problem.
Adelaide, who clash with Essendon at Etihard Stadium on Saturday night, have rested youngster Matt Crouch, replacing him with Jarryd Lyons.
Essendon have rested Paul Chapman, while Jake Carlisle is out with a knee injury. Travis Colyer and Dustin Fletcher return for the Bombers.
Hawthorn will regain star fullback Brian Lake for Saturday’s AFL blockbuster against top-eight rivals Collingwood.
The 2013 Norm Smith Medallist has played only twice this season, in rounds six and seven. Lake has recovered from a calf injury.
Lake’s 2013 premiership teammate Jack Gunston was absent from Hawthorn’s forward line last week because of a corked calf and he also returns to the side.
Hawthorn’s round-14 clash with the Magpies at the MCG will be a landmark day for ex-Hawk Clinton Young.
A veteran of Hawthorn’s 2008 premiership side, the Magpies’ wingman will play his first game against his former side.
Collingwood regain 2012 club champion Dayne Beams from a calf complaint while ruckman Brodie Grundy has been dropped.
Geelong have made six changes for Saturday’s game on the Gold Coast.
Small forward Allen Christensen returns for his first game of the year following pre-season back surgery, while ruckman Hamish McIntosh has been recalled after being rested.
Ex-Sun Josh Caddy is back after overcoming a foot injury suffered in April, while the Cats also regain Steve Johnson and Jared Rivers.
The Cats have named West Australian Shane Kersten for his debut in the forward pocket. Harry Taylor is out with a knee injury.
Highly rated Gold Coast teenager Jack Martin returns after suffering a shoulder injury on debut in round one.
Martin has trained strongly in the past three weeks, according to the club’s website.
“I’m pretty excited,” the midfielder said on Thursday.
“I’m extremely confident in the work that I’ve done.”
Clancee Pearce is the only inclusion for Fremantle who host Brisbane at Patersons Stadium on Saturday night.
Daniel Merrett returns for Brisbane and has been named at centre half-forward as the Lions seek to cover for the loss of concussed big man Jonathan Brown.
Sydney have recalled Mike Pyke and named 2013 first-round draft pick Zak Jones for his debut for Friday night’s game against Richmond at the MCG. Jones is the younger brother of Melbourne’s club champion Nathan.
You might like
Richmond recalled Matt Thomas and Reece Conca.
Carlton named big men Michael Jamison and Lachie Henderson in a 25-man squad for Sunday’s clash with Greater Western Sydney.
West Coast have lost midfielder Elliot Yeo (hand) for Sunday’s game against the struggling St Kilda at Etihad Stadium. The Saints are without Luke Dunstan (shoulder).
Melbourne have added Dean Terlich, Sam Blease and Daniel Nicholson to their squad for Sunday’s match against North Melbourne.
FRIDAY, June 20
Richmond v Sydney at MCG 7.50pm
Head to Head: Tigers 103 Swans 84 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 18 2013 – Swans 16.14 (110) bt Tigers 9.9 (63) at SCG
Tab Sportsbet: Tigers $5.10 Swans $1.17
Sportingbet: Tigers $4.75 Swans $1.19
The Swans might be third on the table but they’re the premiership favourites after toppling ladder leaders Port Adelaide last weekend to record their eighth win in a row. Losing 2013 All-Australian midfielder Dan Hannebery for a month because of an ankle injury won’t be a massive drama for Sydney’s midfield, which has plenty of depth and finds itself matched up against a Richmond team in 15th spot after 13 rounds, falling short of pre-season expectations of being a top-eight side.
Key: He’s the player who captivated a crowd of more than 41,000 at the SCG last weekend with a five-goal second half and Sydney’s Lance Franklin will be a constant threat for Richmond’s backline led by Alex Rance.
Tip: Swans by 37 points
SATURDAY, June 21
Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval 1.45pm
Head to Head: Power 11 Bulldogs 11 drawn 0
Last clash: Round 10 2013 – Bulldogs 10.7 (67) bt Power 8.10 (58) at TIO Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Power $1.07 Bulldogs $8.50
Sportingbet: Power $1.07 Bulldogs $8.50
Competition pacesetters Port Adelaide will be smarting after just their second loss of the season, while confidence will be high in the Bulldogs’ kennel following their upset win over Collingwood. The Bulldogs are going to find the going a bit tougher at Adelaide Oval. Onballer Matthew Boyd returns for the Bulldogs, while Adam Cooney is out with a hamstring complaint. Port are without injured trio Dom Cassisi, Hamish Hartlett and Jarman Impey.
Key: While the Bulldogs flexed their midfield power last week with Tom Liberatore and Ryan Griffen in fine form, the question for the underdogs will be if inconsistent forwards such as Liam Jones and Jarrad Grant can cope with Port’s defence.
Tip: Power by 26 points
Hawthorn v Collingwood at MCG 2.10pm
Head to Head: Hawks 61 Magpies 96 drawn 0
Last clash: Round 21 2013 – Hawks 18.11 (119) bt Magpies 12.12 (84) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Hawks $1.37 Magpies $3.10
Sportingbet: Hawks $1.35 Magpies $3.20
The return of Dayne Beams will give Collingwood’s under-performing engine room a boost after last week’s lapse against the Western Bulldogs. Magpies’ coach Nathan Buckley says his side’s five-game losing streak against Hawthorn comes down to a lack of toughness in tight, and Beams should add both flair and grunt. Ex-Hawk Clinton Young plays against his old side for the first time.
Key: Norm Smith Medallist fullback Brian Lake returns for his first game since round seven, just in time to take on Collingwood’s big forward Travis Cloke. Premiership forward Jack Gunston is another important inclusion for the Hawks.
Tip: Hawks by 14 points
Gold Coast v Geelong at Metricon Stadium 4.40pm
Head to Head: Suns 0 Cats 4 drawn 0
Last clash: Round 10 2013 – Cats 18.15 (123) bt Suns 10.11 (71) at Simonds Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Suns $2.65 Cats $1.48
Sportingbet: Suns $2.65 Cats $1.48
The chances of the Gary Ablett-led Gold Coast posting their first win against the Cats at their fifth attempt can only be helped by the fact the Suns are the home team on this occasion. However the Suns have suffered three consecutive losses and could find themselves struggling to stay in the top eight if they lower their colours to Ablett’s former side. Fourth-placed Geelong face a Gold Coast side strengthened by the return of teenage sensation Jack Martin.
Key: The return of Geelong onballer Josh Caddy from a foot injury to play against his old team is just one of several key inclusions for the Cats. Steve Johnson, Hamish McIntosh, Jared Rivers and Allen Christensen, in his first game of the season, bolster an already-strong Geelong side.
Tip: Cats by 11 points
Stay informed, daily
Fremantle v Brisbane Lions at Patersons Stadium 7.40pm
Head to Head: Dockers 11 Lions 13 drawn 0
Last clash: Round 12 2013 – Dockers 12.14 (86) bt Lions 6.10 (46) at Patersons Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Dockers $1.01 Lions $16.00
Sportingbet: Dockers $1.03 Lions $13.00
The bookies aren’t giving much love to Brisbane’s chances of an upset in Perth, especially with veteran hard man Jonathan Brown missing from Brisbane’s forward line after a head knock last round which could end the 32-year-old triple premiership star’s career. Last week’s successful move to finally give ex-Demon Colin Sylvia a game shows coach Ross Lyon has plenty of talent at his disposal.
Key: With Fremantle’s forward line boasting the likes of Matthew Pavlich and hard-working small man Hayden Ballantyne, it’s hard to see Brisbane’s defence having a easy day.
Tip: Dockers by 29 points
Essendon v Adelaide at Etihad Stadium 7.40pm
Head to Head: Bombers 17 Crows 15 drawn 0
Last clash: Round 1 2013 – Bombers 18.9 (117) bt Crows 11.16 (82) at AAMI Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Bombers $2.20 Crows $1.68
Sportingbet: Bombers $2.12 Crows $1.72
Essendon’s players face an uncertain future as ASADA’s case against the Bombers remains unresolved and perhaps it was a factor in last week’s shock loss to Melbourne. The Bombers host an Adelaide side buoyed by their upset of top-eight side North Melbourne. Goalkicking recruits Eddie Betts and James Podsiadly both fired up last week for the Crows and could prove a handful for the Bombers if they can continue that good form. Essendon have regained Travis Colyer and Dustin Fletcher, while Jake Carlisle (knee) is out and Paul Chapman has been rested.
Key: Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson has called for an end to his team’s up-and-down season and this match presents a perfect opportunity for the Crows to make a statement and break through the 50 per cent win-loss barrier.
Tip: Crows by 12 points
SUNDAY, June 22
Greater Western Sydney v Carlton at Spotless Stadium 1.10pm
Head to Head: Giants 0 Blues 2 drawn 0
Last clash: Round 10 2013 – Blues 22.16 (148) bt Giants 8.6 (54) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Giants $3.05 Blues $1.38
Sportingbet: Giants $2.90 Blues $1.42
The 12th-placed Blues might be on a three-game losing streak but Mick Malthouse’s depleted side battled on bravely last week against the Hawks despite the late withdrawal of their best defender Michael Jamison and swingman Lachie Henderson. Both have been named in Carlton’s squad for this weekend.
Key: The Giants have named star forward Jeremy Cameron despite an ankle concern, and he’ll need to be at his athletic best against a beefed-up Carlton defence.
Tip: Blues by 21 points
St Kilda v West Coast at Etihad Stadium 3.20pm
Head to Head: Saints 17 Eagles 22 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 3 2014 – Eagles 12.11 (83) bt Saints 8.10 (58) at Patersons Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Saints $6.25 Eagles $1.12
Sportingbet: Saints $6.20 Eagles $1.13
Bottom side St Kilda should pose few problems for 11th-placed West Coast, who are without midfielder Elliot Yeo because of a broken hand. West Coast forward Josh Kennedy’s seven-goal haul in last week’s three-point win over Gold Coast would be a concern for the Saints, who conceded 20 goals to an under-strength Geelong lineup last week.
Key: West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui’s return to his devastating, athletic, unstoppable best gives the Eagles a big advantage and anything like last week’s performance will prove too much for the Saints to counter.
Tip: Eagles by 23 points
Melbourne v North Melbourne at MCG 4.40pm
Head to Head: Demons 83 Kangaroos 70 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 18 2013 – Kangaroos 22.18 (150) bt Demons 4.4 (28) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Demons $3.70 Kangaroos $1.28
Sportingbet: Demons $3.20 Kangaroos $1.35
Melbourne haven’t beaten the Kangaroos since 2006, but there’s a new feeling of optimism around the club this year under coach Paul Roos. Last week’s emotional come-from-behind win over the Bombers has given the Melbourne players’ self-belief another boost, while North’s confidence has suffered another blow with a defeat against a side outside the top eight in Adelaide.
Key: The Demons say they’re preparing for North’s best but who knows what the Kangaroos will deliver as their inconsistent season rolls on. Expect to see the Kangaroos bounce back after last week’s poor showing.
Tip: Kangaroos by 11 points
Want to see more stories from InDaily SA in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily SA as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily SA". That's it.
