Saints and Swans Surge in AFL Round 16
For Aussie footy betting fans trying to predict the Top 8 in AFL 2017, St Kilda and Sydney produced the most exciting Round 16 results last Saturday. Both sides are now looking like a good bet to make the knockout rounds.
The Swans’ 118-51 dismissal of Gold Coast at the SCG got them back into contention, eighth on the ladder with 32 points. They’ll meet the Giants in a Spotless Stadium derby this Saturday. GWS are currently lying second with 44 points, after an unexpected draw against Hawthorn in Tasmania.
Like the Swans, the Saints ran in a commanding performance against Richmond at Etihad Stadium, winning 138-71. This leaves both teams on 36 points, with the Saints in seventh and the Tigers narrowly in sixth on percentages.
Saints v Dons on Friday Looks Close
Richmond face Brisbane Lions this Sunday. The Lions went down to the Cats 163-78 last week; they’re still bottom of the ladder and unlikely to trouble the Tigers. The Saints may face more of a challenge on Friday night: they’re playing Essendon.
The Dons are fresh off a 117-80 win against Collingwood, which kept their hopes of a finals berth alive in tenth place. It’s a close call, but bookies think the Saints, at $1.85, are more likely to taste victory than the Bombers at $2.20. This might be a good time to back Essendon to surprise.
Bulldogs’ Back-To-Back Hopes Dwindle
Sunday’s second match should be a humdinger: Western Bulldogs v Carlton at the MCG. The Dogs’ 104-45 drubbing by Premiership leaders Adelaide last Friday has left them in 11th place, and it’s increasingly unlikely that they will be in the finals to defend their 2016 crown. They’re nevertheless $1.57 favourites on Sunday.
Other Round 17 matches this Saturday include Geelong v Hawthorn, which should see the Cats retain their spot third on the ladder, and fourth-placed Port Adelaide against North Melbourne, which will pay $6.20 if the Roos pull off a miraculous upset. Gold Coast plays the Magpies in a more even match-up, with the Suns offered at $1.90 and Collingwood fetching $2.04.
Favourites Adelaide will probably have the edge over Melbourne in Saturday’s final game in Darwin, but the Demons could give the ladder leaders a shock. Sunday’s final match sees West Coast Eagles host Fremantle, with the Dockers $2.60 underdogs to the Eagles at $1.60. The Perth team’s loss to Port Adelaide last week left them tantalisingly close, in ninth place. For punters looking to get their bets in, Ladbrokes offers great odds on all AFL games.