AFL Round 13 Tips and Selections – 2016

View UniBet’s preview of Round 13 of the 2016 AFL home and away season below.

The Kangaroos are in the midst of a difficult draw after losing to Geelong, and now confront Hawthorn, Adelaide and West Coast in the coming weeks.

They have by far the toughest draw of the top 8 teams and will have a real battle on their hands to secure a top 4 berth.

They also have serious injury concerns with tough midfielders Andrew Swallow, Nick Dal Santo, Ben Cunnington and running back Shaun Atley all in doubt.

Hawthorn are playing a slick game that is far too difficult for the lesser teams to combat, but the better teams are winning more ball than the Hawks and as a consequence, they are vulnerable.

If North lose the above mentioned players, then this will be a very difficult assignment for them.

Unibet Odds: North Melbourne 2.90 Hawthorn 1.43

Last time they met: Rd 5, 2015 – North Melbourne 70 lost to Hawthorn 130

Tip: Hawthorn

Line tip: Hawthorn -15.5

Brisbane v West Coast | Saturday, June 18, 1.40pm (AEDT), Gabba 

Both teams here are well down on form and are struggling.

West Coast will have to do without top ruckman Nic Naitanui who has succumbed to an Achilles heel injury, but hope to regain defenders Eric Mackenzie and Sam Butler after they were late withdrawals in the loss to the Bulldogs.

Even though the Weagles have a poor record on the road, they could destroy Brisbane if the Lions don’t aim up here.

West Coast still have a formidable team on paper, with tall, mobile forwards and ball winning mids to supply the forwards with scoring opportunities.

If the rain stays away from the Gabba, then West Coast can have a field day.

Unibet Odds: Brisbane 10.00 West Coast 1.06

Last time they met: Rd1, 2016 – West Coast 166 def Brisbane 102

Tip: West Coast

Line tip: West Coast -51.5

Fremantle v Port Adelaide | Saturday, June 18, 4.35pm (AEDT), Domain Stadium 

Port Adelaide’s form has improved markedly in recent weeks and they were unlucky to go down to the mighty Bulldogs.

The Dockers will be a far easier task even at Subiaco, where they have only beaten Essendon there this season.

Even when Freo were winning games and on top of the ladder, Port gave the low scoring Dockers plenty of problems.

Key forward Charlie Dixon has become a formidable force up front and has been ably supported by goal sneaks Aaron Young and Chad Wingard.

The running power has returned to the Port mids with Ollie Wines, Travis Boak and Robbie Gray going great guns.

Port should be able to win this one to keep in touch with top 8 teams.

Unibet Odds: Fremantle 2.28 Port Adelaide 1.64

Last time they met: Rd 23, 2015 – Port Adelaide 122 def Fremantle 53

Tip: Port Adelaide

Line tip: Port Adelaide -8.5

Western Bulldogs v Geelong | Saturday, June 18, 7.25pm (AEDT), Etihad Stadium 

The absence of Luke Dahlhaus, Easton Wood, Toby McLean adding to the Bulldogs’ existing injury list has weakened their chances against the classy Cats.

The Bulldogs will still present a formidable hurdle to Geelong as their attack on the ball and willingness to scrap and fight is second to none.

Eventually the injury toll has to have an impact though and the Cats will fancy their chances against a weakened opponent.

Geelong are coming off a solid win against the top-of-the-table Kangaroos led by the remarkable Patrick Dangerfield, who had an incredible 48 disposals and 187 ranking points.

Fellow midfielders Joel Selwood and Mitch Duncan are providing sterling support to Patty and the Cats will welcome back super full-forward Tom Hawkins back after clocking GWS fullback Phil Davis on the chin.

A full strength Bulldogs would be more than a match for the Cats here, but will have to select Geelong for this one.

Unibet Odds: Western Bulldogs 2.15 Geelong 1.72

Last time they met: Rd16, 2015 – Geelong 72 def Western Bulldogs 64

Tip: Geelong

Line tip: Geelong -5.5

Sydney v Melbourne | Sunday, June 19, 1.10pm (AEDT), SCG

Heavy rain is forecast in Sydney for this game which will bring the Demons a bit closer to the Swans who are tough to beat at the SCG.

Sydney will be without in-form ruckman and forward Kurt Tippett due to injury which weakens the Swans significantly as this will make ruckman Callum Sinclair’s job quite difficult against his giant opponent, bigMax Gawn.

Big Maxy is averaging 101 ranking points per game this season and is now considered one the best ruckman in the game.

His tap work at the centre bounce is first class and gives his midfielders Nathan Jones and Bernie Vincethe best chance of gaining an edge in the clearances.

That is easier said than done though against the Sydney midfield which is full of street fighters ready for a scrap.

One cannot dismiss Melbourne’s chances here, but the Swans should have too much class for the emerging Demons.

Unibet Odds: Sydney 1.20 Melbourne 4.60

Last time they met: Rd 6, 2015 – Melbourne 38 lost to Sydney 88

Tip: Sydney by 2

Line tip: Melbourne +27.5

Essendon v GWS | Sunday, June 19, 4.40pm (AEDT), Etihad Stadium

Under the roof in perfect conditions at Etihad Stadium, the Giants could run wild and rack up a cricket score against the tiring Essendon, who seem to have run their race this year.

GWS are fresh off a stupendous win over flag favourites the Swans and will feast on the woefully inadequate Bombers outfit.

As noted in this blog last week, the running half backs of the Giants, Nathan Wilson, Zac Williams andHeath Shaw are dynamite and are terrifying opposition defences with their running speed and pinpoint ball distribution.

Add in their super talented midfield and tall marking targets up front and you have a serious football side that could run away with this year’s Grand Final.

One downer for the Giants this week is the likely absence of the great Steve Johnson.

Hold on a moment, he will probably be replaced by Jack Steele, one of the most promising youngsters in the game! Go you good things.

Unibet Odds: Essendon 17.00 GWS 1.01

Last time they met: Rd19, 2015 – GWS 93 def Essendon 61

Tip: GWS

Line tip: GWS -73.5

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