A game at home to the Kangaroos was supposed to help the Blues keep in touch with the top 8 but an upset loss leaves them 8 points adrift. The Power also blundered their chance to make it three wins on the trot in a 71-52 loss to the Swans which increases the importance of this contest for both teams. The Blues have covered the line in only 3 of their last 14 games following a loss with the Under holding on in 79% of those matches. They are 1-4 both straight up and at the line in their last 5 as a road underdog while the Power have a 67% win rate as a home favourite in the last year. The Power have also won 6 of the last 7 night matches in this series.
Back-to-back wins on the back of stellar defensive displays have rejuvenated the Swans season but slowing down the Bulldogs will not be easy. They have also won their last two and have scored 130+ points in both of those matches. An average of 113.2ppg in their last 5 highlights their attacking ability but the Under has held on in 7 of their last 8 as the away team in this series. The Under is 5-0 in the Swans last 5 home games leading in this one with an average of 160.1 total match points in all their matches played this season. The Swans have claimed victory in only 1 of their last 4 as a home outsider while the Bulldogs have a 73% win rate as the betting favourite in the last 12 months. If the Bulldogs can get to an early lead, it will force the Swans to push the pace which does not suit them.
With both these teams having lost their last three games, the writing is on the wall. The Suns were in the top 4 prior to their losing streak and cannot afford to slide further down the ladder. Their history against the Demons is not pretty with 7 straight losses at home including an 0-3 record at the line in the last 3. They have managed to win 5 of their 7 games as a home favourite in the last year and we are likely in store for a high scoring game. The Over has hit in the last 4 meetings in this series and has hit in 67% of Suns home games in the last year. The Suns have scored 29% of their points in the final term making it their highest scoring quarter. It is the lowest scoring for the Demons and if that trend continues, the Suns will cover the line.
The Hawks posted back-to-back wins prior to the bye last week and are well placed to solidify a spot in the finals. The Kangaroos are coming off an upset win over the Blues but are impossible to trust in this spot having lost their last 5 games following a win. In contrast, the Hawks have won 12 of their last 17 on the back of a win and have covered the line in 71% of those games. Covering the big start here may be difficult as all the signs point to a low scoring match. The Under is 7-0 in the Kangaroos last 7 games and 4-0 in the Hawks last 4 (3-0 in their last 3 home games). The Hawks have won and covered the line in the last 6 meetings in this series which is accompanied by a very good record when facing teams in the bottom four.
The Pies extended their win streak to 6 games with a comfortable win over the Saints and are justifiably giving away a huge start here. The Eagles only win this season came back in Round 10 and their recent performances against the Pies suggest it will be a long day at the office for the visitors. The Pies have won the last two meetings by an average of 64.5 points and have held the Eagles to fewer than 60 points in 3 of the last 4 clashes. The Pies have covered the line in 10 of their last 16 games following a win with the under holding on in 63% of those games. The Under is also 4-0 in the last 4 meetings between these two at Marvel Stadium with an average of 155.5 total match points in those games.
The Tigers lost every quarter in a 79-point thumping at the hands of the Bulldogs last week and will be hoping that the Crows didn’t practice their goal kicking in their week off. They had won three in a row prior to a 47-44 loss against the Hawks and with a 58.2% conversion rate (2nd best in the competition), they are unlikely to have another bad day in front of the sticks. The Crows have won only 20% of games as the outsider in the last year but it has been a very different story as the bookies favourite. They have won 10 of their last 11 as the betting elect which includes three straight as an away favourite. Expecting a fast start from the Crows as they are the best first half team in the competition. They are 23-5 in individual first half quarters this season with a notable scoring percentage of 163% in the second quarter.
The Dockers made it 5 in a row with a 41-point win over the Bombers and continue to climb the ladder. In comparison, the Saints are heading in the other direction with losses in each of their last two and 5 of their last 6. Defence has been a problem area for the visitors with an average of 98.2ppg allowed in their last five games. They have a history of slow starts at Optus Stadium and have trailed at the first break in their last 9 matches at this ground. That trend is likely to flow into the second term as the Saints have won only 2 of 14 second quarters played this season. Josh Treacy kicked 3 goals last week and has kicked the opening goal on three separate occasions this season. Look for him to feature prominently.