PREVIEW OF ROUND 17 IN THE AFL (ALL TIMES AEST)
FRIDAY, July 13
St Kilda v Carlton at Etihad Stadium, 7.50pm
Head to head: Saints 54 Blues 162 Drawn 2
Last clash: R8, 2017 – Saints 12.13 (85) bt Blues 10.6 (66) at Etihad Stadium
TAB Sportsbet: Saints $1.32 Blues $3.40
William Hill: Saints $1.33 Blues $3.40
The AFL must regret giving four Friday night marquee timeslots to Carlton. The bottom-placed Blues have been dreadful and appear to be going backwards under coach Brendon Bolton, whose talk of “green shoots” is beginning to wear thin. St Kilda haven’t been much better but should comfortably win here.
Key: Charlie Curnow v Jake Carlisle looms as the key match-up.
Tip: Saints by 39 points
SATURDAY, July 14
Hawthorn v Brisbane at University of Tasmania Stadium, 1.45pm
Head to head: Hawks 17 Lions 14
Last clash: R9 2018 – Lions 20.9 (129) bt Hawks 11.7 (73) at Gabba
TAB Sportsbet: Hawks $1.25 Lions $4.00
William Hill: Hawks $1.25 Lions $4.00
Brisbane got the upset last time around and will head into the rematch on a two-game winning streak. But two things count against the Lions this time: the Hawks’ imperious record in Launceston and the fact Alastair Clarkson tends to get the best out of his players around this time of the year.
Key: Lions forward Eric Hipwood, who helped himself to six majors against Carlton last week.
Tip: Hawks by 26
Melbourne v Western Bulldogs at MCG, 4.35pm
Head to head: Demons 87 Bulldogs 76 Drawn 1
Last clash: R11, 2018 – Demons 15.10 (100) bt Bulldogs 7.9 (51) at Etihad Stadium
TAB Sportsbet: Demons $1.14 Bulldogs $5.75
William Hill: Demons $1.14 Bulldogs $5.75
At their best this season, the Bulldogs have resembled the team that stormed their way to the premiership in 2016. At their worst, they’ve looked like a rabble. It’s hard to know which version will show up on Saturday but the loss of skipper Marcus Bontempelli (burst appendix) is a major blow. Sixth-placed Melbourne need to bank wins to guarantee a finals spot.
Key: Bulldogs runners Jason Johannisen and Toby McLean must try to stretch the Demons.
Tip: Demons by 41
Gold Coast v Essendon at Metricon Stadium, 7.25pm
Head to head: Suns 2 Bombers 6
Last clash: R22, 2017 – Bombers 12.18 (90) bt Suns 9.3 (57) at Metricon Stadium
TAB Sportsbet: Suns $4.20 Bombers $1.23
William Hill: Suns $4.45 Bombers $1.21
The Suns are limping towards the finish line while Essendon sit two games outside the top eight and can’t afford to slip up if they’re to make the finals. The Bombers have been on the wrong end of the free-kick ledger for the past three weeks but will be hoping for a better outcome following coach John Worsfold’s meeting with umpires boss Hayden Kennedy.
Key: Gold Coast need to match the fanatical pressure of a Bombers midfield led by tackling machine Devon Smith if they’re to stand a chance.
Tip: Bombers by 67
Greater Western Sydney v Richmond at Spotless Stadium, 7.25pm
Head to head: Giants 2 Tigers 7
Last clash: Preliminary final, 2017 – Tigers 15.13 (103) bt Giants 9.13 (67) at MCG
TAB Sportsbet: Giants $2.60 Tigers $1.50
William Hill: Giants $2.60 Tigers $1.50
On paper, 10th versus first on the ladder isn’t much of a contest. But last week’s narrow loss to West Coast aside, the Giants are building and will welcome back Toby Greene. Richmond remain the benchmark but are yet to win away this season and will face a Giants side desperate to book themselves a ticket to September action.
Key: Star GWS midfielder Josh Kelly struggled during the loss to West Coast. The Giants need him at his best against a deep Tigers midfield.
Tip: Giants by 16
SUNDAY, July 15
Collingwood v West Coast at MCG, 1.10pm
Head to head: Magpies 24 Eagles 24 Drawn 1
Last clash: R18, 2017 – Magpies 13.15 (93) bt Eagles 13.7 (85) at Etihad Stadium
TAB Sportsbet: Magpies $1.46 Eagles $2.75
William Hill: Magpies $1.46 Eagles $2.75
If Richmond is the top seed, just who is the No.1 contender? This game could go a long way towards answering that question. Collingwood have overcome injuries but can they match it with the best? West Coast have struggled on the MCG but will welcome back Jack Darling, Josh Kennedy and Mark LeCras.
Key: The off-contract Andrew Gaff is in the form of his life. The Pies must find a way to stop him.
Tip: Eagles by 4
North Melbourne v Sydney at Etihad Stadium, 3.20pm
Head to head: Kangaroos 74 Swans 86 Drawn 1
Last clash: R7, 2018 – Kangaroos 9.14 (68) bt Swans 9.12 (66) at SCG
TAB Sportsbet: Kangaroos $2.05 Swans $1.78
William Hill: Kangaroos $1.97 Swans $1.85
A tough one to pick. Fifth-placed Sydney have dropped their past two games and a defeat could leave them outside the eight. North remain firmly in the finals hunt in ninth place and have Coleman Medal leader Ben Brown and midfield gun Shaun Higgins in sparkling form. Expect a tough, contested game.
Key: Higgins has copped a physical battering over the past few weeks and faces a likely tag from George Hewett.
Tip: Kangaroos by 10
Fremantle v Port Adelaide at Optus Stadium, 4.40pm
Head to head: Dockers 15 Port 19
Last clash: R1, 2018 – Port 16.14 (110) bt Dockers 9.6 (60) at Adelaide Oval
TAB Sportsbet: Dockers $3.78 Port $1.27
William Hill: Dockers $3.70 Port $1.28
The Dockers have looked terrible without Nat Fyfe (hamstring) and Aaron Sandilands (calf). It’s hard to tip against the Power, who will be looking to cement their spot in the top four. Port are the AFL’s best clearance team and Paddy Ryder should have a field day.
Key: Fremantle’s best hope might be to take the game on but can their forwards get enough supply?
Tip: Port by 58