Preview of AFL Round 19 matches (all times AEST):
FRIDAY, July 27
Essendon v Sydney at Etihad Stadium, 7.50pm
Head to head: Bombers 130 Swans/South Melbourne 88 drawn 1
Tab Sportsbet: Bombers $1.75 Swans $2.10
Sydney coach John Longmire was left shellshocked by last week’s 24-point loss to Gold Coast. It’s left Sydney’s top-four hopes precariously balanced, and they’ll be looking to bounce back hard. Essendon will probably need to win four of their remaining five games to sneak into the finals. Jake Stringer returns for the Bombers.
Key: The Swans did a brutal review in the wake of the loss to Gold Coast. But will that angry rocket work?
Tip: Swans by 13 points
SATURDAY, July 28
Richmond v Collingwood at the MCG, 1,45pm
Head to head: Tigers 89 Magpies 117 drawn 1
Tab Sportsbet: Tigers $1.35 Magpies $3.25
This is arguably the biggest match between these two clubs since the 1980 grand final. Richmond (13-4) are on top of the ladder, but Collingwood (12-5) are shaping as a genuine premiership threat. The winner of this one will take an important step towards locking down a top-two berth. Jordan De Goey’s leg injury is a huge blow to the Magpies, but they welcome back Darcy Moore.
Key: Midfield battle. Both sides possess a glut of match-winners through the midfield. Who will come out on top?
Tip: Tigers by 21 points
Geelong v Brisbane at GMHBA Stadium, 2.10pm
Head to head: Cats 18 Lions 14 drawn 0
Tab Sportsbet: Cats $1.18 Lions $5
A seven-goal haul to Tom Hawkins and an after-the-siren goal to Zach Tuohy lifted Geelong to a two-point win over Melbourne last week. Brisbane had their three-game winning streak snapped by Adelaide, but they only lost by five points in a brave effort. The Lions welcome back Luke Hodge and Harris Andrews.
Key: Curbing Tom Hawkins. The Geelong spearhead was unstoppable with four goals in the final quarter against Melbourne.
Tip: Cats by 25 points
GWS v St Kilda at Spotless Stadium, 4.35pm
Head to head: Giants 3 Saints 4 drawn 1
Tab Sportsbet: Giants $1.13 Saints $6
GWS have won six of their past seven games to move back into premiership contention. St Kilda copped a 54-point thumping from Richmond last week, but they are capable of pulling off the odd upset. The two teams drew in round five when St Kilda swingman Jake Carlisle dropped a mark in the dying seconds.
Key: Can the Saints shut down Josh Kelly? The star Giant tallied 30 disposals and five clearances in last week’s win over Port.
Tip: Giants by 37 points
Gold Coast v Carlton at Metricon Stadium, 7.25pm
Head to head: Suns 4 Blues 5 drawn 0
Tab Sportsbet: Suns $1.35 Blues $3.25
Gold Coast pulled off the upset of the season last week when they came from 30 points down to beat the Swans, with the result snapping their 11-match losing streak. Carlton have won just one game all season, and were thrashed by 72 points by Hawthorn last week.
Key: Confidence. The Blues are bereft of it at the moment, while the Suns have just received a much-needed dose.
Tip: Suns by 29 points
Adelaide v Melbourne at Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm
Head to head: Crows 24 Demons 14 drawn 0
Tab Sportsbet: Crows $1.70 Demons $2.15
Melbourne fans brace yourself – 2018 could end up being another year of heartbreak. The Demons’ last-gasp loss to Geelong last week has left them clinging to a spot inside the top eight. Such is the closeness of the ladder, Adelaide are in 12th spot, despite being just one win adrift of seventh-placed Melbourne. This match is huge for both sides, and the Crows welcome back skipper Tex Walker.
Key: Angus Brayshaw. The star Demon tallied 37 disposals and three goals when Melbourne beat Adelaide by 91 points two months ago.
Tip: Demons by 2 points
SUNDAY, July 29
North Melbourne v West Coast at Blundstone Arena, 1.10pm
Head to head: Kangaroos 21 Eagles 27 drawn 0
Tab Sportsbet: Kangaroos $2.10 Eagles $1.75
West Coast started life after Nic Naitanui with a 54-point belting of the Bulldogs. The Eagles will take a major step towards locking away a top-two berth if they can post another victory this week. North Melbourne are fighting for survival after last week’s 66-point loss to Collingwood left them in 10th spot, one win and percentage adrift of the top eight.
Key: The ruck battle between West Coast’s Scott Lycett and North big man Todd Goldstein is set to prove critical in the final result.
Tip: Eagles by 11 points
Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide at Mars Stadium, 3.20pm
Head to head: Bulldogs 13 Power 15 drawn 0
Tab Sportsbet: Bulldogs $3.25 Power $1.35
Losses to Fremantle and GWS have seen Port Adelaide fall to fifth on the table. The Power have a tough run home against a host of finals contenders, meaning they need to take full advantage of a wounded Bulldogs outfit by posting a percentage-boosting win.
Key: Clearance battle. The Power were thrashed 52-30 in this area by GWS last week, and will need a vastly improved performance.
Tip: Power by 27 points
Fremantle v Hawthorn at Optus Stadium, 4.40pm
Head to head: Dockers 8 Hawks 26 drawn 0
Tab Sportsbet: Dockers $2.75 Hawks $1.45
Hawthorn sit in eighth spot and have their finals destiny in their own hands. A percentage-boosting win over the Dockers will help their cause immensely. But Fremantle have been tricky to beat at home this year, and could prove to be somewhat of a banana skin for Hawthorn.
Key: Can Bailey Banfield shut down Brownlow medal favourite Tom Mitchell? Banfield would love to add Mitchell to his list of scalps.
Tip: Hawks by 9 points
