PREVIEW OF AFL ROUND-12 MATCHES (all times AEST):
FRIDAY, June 8:
Port Adelaide v Richmond at Adelaide Oval, 7:50pm
Head to Head: Power 17 Tigers 11 Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 15, 2017 – Tigers 11.10 (76) bt Power 8.15 (63) at Adelaide Oval
Tab Sportsbet odds: Power $1.68 Tigers $2.20
William Hill: Power $1.75 Tigers $2.10
Port Adelaide’s top-four hopes were dealt a big blow last week when they suffered a three-point loss to Hawthorn in Tasmania. And they are set to slip outside the top eight unless they can beat Richmond. The Tigers were ruthless in last week’s 71-point demolition of Essendon, with their pressure proving too much to handle. But the loss of Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin to a calf injury is a major blow, and could swing the match Port’s way.
Key: Josh Caddy. The former Sun and Cat has been a revelation for Richmond this year up forward, booting 10 goals in his past two matches. Port face a challenge to shut him down.
Tip: Tigers by 16 points
SATURDAY, June 9:
Geelong v North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium, 1:45pm
Head to Head: Cats 97 Kangaroos 63 Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 2, 2017 – Cats 17.10 (112) bt Kangaroos 17.9 (111) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet odds: Cats $1.42 Kangaroos $2.90
William Hill: Cats $1.46 Kangaroos $2.75
Are North Melbourne the real deal? We will know more after this match. The Kangaroos were widely tipped to struggle this year, but are a top-four chance after their 7-4 start to the year. Even the pre-match withdrawal of Jarrad Waite didn’t seem to affect them in a 54-point thrashing of Brisbane, with the veteran to miss another match. Geelong regained their mojo last week with an 85-point trouncing of an inept Gold Coast.
Key: Gary Ablett. Who said the little master was a spent force? Ablett responded to recent criticism in the best possible way last week, tallying 37 disposals and three goals against the Suns.
Tip: Cats by 21 points
GWS v Gold Coast at Spotless Stadium, 4:35pm
Head to Head: Giants 6 Suns 4 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 2, 2017 – Giants 24.16 (160) bt Suns 8.10 (58) at Spotless Stadium
Tab Sportsbet odds: Giants $1.06 Suns $9.50
William Hill: Giants $1.07 Suns $9.00
GWS prevailed by 102 points last year when these two sides met. And given how badly Gold Coast are going, a repeat result isn’t out of the question. The Suns’ return to their Metricon Stadium home ended in a nightmare 85-point loss last week to Geelong, with key players Steven May and Aaron Hall injured. Five-straight losses have sent their season into freefall. Injury-hit GWS ground out a brave 16-point win over Adelaide, snapping a four-game losing run. But they will be without Stephen Coniglio (concussion) this week.
Key: Depth. Both teams are battling a long injury list, but can the Suns’ depth come even close to matching that of GWS? It’s unlikely.
Tip: Giants by 58 points
St Kilda v Sydney at Etihad Stadium, 7:25pm
Head to Head: Saints 77 Sydney/South Melbourne 135 Drawn 3
Last clash: Round 18, 2017 – Swans 14.17 (101) bt Saints 9.5 (59) at SCG
Tab Sportsbet odds: Saints $4.35 Swans $1.22
William Hill: Saints $4 Swans $1.26
Sydney have surged into fourth spot with four wins on the trot, but they are by no means playing their best football. The Swans have looked comfortable enough in recent wins over Carlton (30 points) and Brisbane (18), but they are still falling short of their potential. On paper, the Saints should be little more than a road bump for the Swans. But St Kilda’s seven-goal final quarter against West Coast last week proved they could be a force to be reckoned with when on song. The Saints have lost captain Jarryn Geary to a calf injury, while Jack Billings has been dropped. Sydney have rested Kieran Jack.
Key: Tim Membrey. The St Kilda forward overcame his recent goalkicking yips to boot 6.0 against the Eagles. A similar performance against Sydney might give his side a chance of an upset victory.
Tip: Swans by 27 points
SUNDAY, June 10:
Brisbane v Essendon at the Gabba, 1:10pm
Head to Head: Lions 14 Kangaroos 14 Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 15, 2017 – Lions 13.12 (90) bt Bombers 11.16 (82) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet odds: Lions $2.30 Bombers $1.62
William Hill: Lions $2.25 Bombers $1.66
This is absolutely the last-chance saloon for Essendon (4-7). If they lose this match, we can rule a line through their faint finals hopes. Essendon’s pressure was magnificent in recent wins against Geelong and GWS. But against Richmond last week, the Bombers were taught a football lesson on the way to a 71-point loss. Brisbane have been brave in many games this season, but were disappointing in last week’s 54-point defeat to North Melbourne. The loss of Charlie Cameron and Mitch Robinson to injury further weakens their side. The Bombers will be without David Zaharakis (shoulder).
Key: Dayne Beams. The Lions’ veteran has looked a different player since giving up the Brisbane captaincy. He booted five goals last week from 32 disposals. Kangaroos tagger Ben Jacobs might get the job on him.
Tip: Kangaroos by 19 points
Fremantle v Adelaide at Optus Stadium, 4:40pm
Head to Head: Dockers 15 Crows 22 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 10, 2017 – Crows 20.23 (143) bt Dockers 6.7 (43) at Adelaide Oval
Tab Sportsbet odds: Dockers $3.25 Crows $1.35
William Hill: Dockers $3.05 Crows $1.40
This game couldn’t come at a more-perfect time for Adelaide. Reeling from a debilitating injury crisis, Adelaide have the chance to post a much-needed percentage-boosting win against a side who have already turned their attention to playing the kids. Fremantle’s team last week featured six first-year players against Collingwood, and they were pounded by 61 points. The loss of star midfielder Nat Fyfe to suspension further weakens Fremantle’s side. Adelaide regain skipper Taylor Walker, but lose Tom Lynch and Rory Laird to injury.
Key: Aaron Sandilands. The return of the Fremantle ruckman from concussion is a huge boost to the Dockers. If he can dominate Sam Jacobs, Fremantle might be able to win the vital midfield battle – even without Nat Fyfe.
Tip: Crows by 35 points
MONDAY, June 11:
Melbourne v Collingwood at the MCG, 3:20pm
Head to Head: Demons 83 Magpies 129 Drawn 2
Last clash: Round 23, 2017 – Magpies 14.15 (99) bt Demons 12.11 (83) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet odds: Demons $1.60 Magpies $2.40
William Hill: Demons $1.58 Magpies $2.45
West Coast might be sitting on top of the ladder, but Melbourne are arguably the hottest team after six-straight wins. The loss of key defender Jake Lever to a season-ending knee injury is a huge blow, and it remains to be seen how effectively the Demons can cover his loss. Collingwood have won three-consecutive games – but those triumphs have come against strugglers Fremantle, St Kilda and the Bulldogs. This match against Melbourne will be a big test of their finals credentials.
Key: Firepower. Melbourne have booted 100 points or more in their past six matches. Can Collingwood match it?
Tip: Demons by 31 points
