Saturday AFL Tips, Round 7
3 Games in the AFL For Saturday the 18th July 2020.
It all starts over on the Gold Coast with a couple of this season favourites the Giants and Lions going at it to kick off proceedings. The Sydney Swans then play host to the Gold Coast Suns at the SCG, and just the one Saturday Night Game this week with the Tigers taking on the Kangaroos.
A few games that could probably go either way and it will be interesting to see who can come out on top.
Be sure to check back each round for AFL Footy Tips, AFL Previews and AFL Predictions for each round of the 2020 Australian Football League Season.
GWS Giants vs Brisbane Lions
Last Meeting
Semi-Final 2020 – GWS 12.11 83 – Brisbane 11.14 80
(GWS by 3 Points)
Last 5 Meetings
GWS – 4 Wins
Brisbane – 1 Win
Current Head to Head Odds
GWS Giants – $1.85
Brisbane Lions – $1.96
Last Week
The Giants had a test against Port Adelaide, but were outclassed last Sunday and eventually lost by 17 points.
The Lions had their biggest test of the season last week, and it may have proved that they are not quite there yet after a 27 Point loss to the Cats at the SCG.
The Giants have made a few changes to their line-ups for this one with champion small forward Toby Greene missing through injury and Veteran Callan Ward also set to miss. They do welcome back one of their best midfielders in Tim Taranto for this clash who knows how to lay a tackle and should help the out of form Giants midfield.
The Lions will go into this match unchanged from last week.
Why the Giants Can Win
The Giants were one of the Favourites to win the Flag this season, but have so far been disappointing. Their midfield has been struggling to win clearances and that showed last week with a 41-25 tally in their loss to the Power.
Fine Conditions are expected for this clash, and that should help the Giants control the football. They were wasteful in front of goal last week with a score of 6.10.
If they can win the football out of the centre which has been a strength in recent seasons that should be enough to win this match, although easier said than done against the talented Lions Midfield.
Why the Lions Can Win
The Lions come into this match with an unchanged line-up and this may indicate that their coaching staff does still feel confident after their loss against the Cats. Complacency may have set in after a hot start against the Cats last week, and they simply struggled to win the football after quarter time.
They did beat the Giants in Round 16 last season with Lachie Neale and Dayne Zorko both having big matches. They have a talented team, and the Giants are missing a few key players for this match. They may also want revenge for the Giants knocking them out of the Finals last season.
Prediction
A tough game to predict, but the Lions may be the team to bounce back after a poor performance last week and have the advantage of a more extended break.
Our Pick – Brisbane (Win)
Fantasy Pick – Dayne Zorko + 72.5 Fantasy Points
Zorko is beginning to spend more time on the ball and is a proven ball-winner and racks up tackles. Not the best season average because of injury, but should cover this number.
Sydney Swans vs Gold Coast Suns
Last Meeting
Round 15 2019, Sydney 14.9 93 – Gold Coast 7.9 51
(Sydney by 42 Points)
Last 5 Meetings
Sydney – 4 Wins
Gold Coast – 1 Win
Current Head to Head Odds
Sydney – $2.05
Gold Coast – $1.78
Last Week
In a scrappy wet affair against the Tigers the Swans lost by 8 Points in a match in which their tactics were scrutinized by the Richmond Coach.
Gold Coast were in the majority of their contest against the Demons, but fell short and may miss Matt Rowell. They lost to Melbourne by 17 Points.
Four Changes have been made for this clash for the Swans with a couple of their better on-ballers in veteran Josh Kennedy and Issac Heeney out through injury. They do get a few tall players back for this one which may help as it is an area they have lacked in recent matches.
Will Powell comes in for Brayden Fiorini who has been omitted for this match.
Why the Swans Can Win
It would be a lot easier to tip the Swans if their two gun midfielders in Kennedy and Heeney were suiting up for this clash. In saying that they are currently on a three-game losing streak and are hungry for a win.
A consistency the Gold Coast Suns have shown in recent seasons is their ability to get off to a hot start in the early stages of a season and then drop off. This may be the start of what is to come for the Suns who were projected to win the Wooden Spoon.
The Swans will be desperate for a win and will know this may be their best chance.
Why the Suns Can Win
The Suns have shown promise in the early stages of the season, and it will be interesting to see if that continues. They will know the Swans have not had an excellent record on the SCG in recent times and will back themselves in to win this contest. A slight advantage in the ruck and the loss of the two Swans midfielders help their cause. Always a chance if they continue the style of football that we have seen in the early stages of the season.
Prediction
This is a tough game to pick, and it’s hard to know which Swans side will show up. They have also had a poor record at their home ground the SCG in recent times. The Suns should be able to take advantage of the injuries from the Swans and win this match.
Our Pick – Gold Coast (Win)
Fantasy Pick – Tom Papley + 63.5 Fantasy Points
May get some stints in the midfield with the losses of Heeney and Kennedy and has a Season average of 68.5. Should cover the number easily if he spends some time in the middle.
Richmond Tigers vs North Melbourne Kangaroos
Last Meeting
Round 11 2019, Richmond 9.8 62 – North Melbourne 15.9 99
(North Melbourne by 37 Points)
Last 5 Meetings
Richmond – 2 Wins
North Melbourne – 3 Wins
Current Head to Head Odds
Richmond – $1.56
North Melbourne – $2.25
Last Week
With a lot of players out, the Tigers managed to hold off the Swans by 8 Points in a wet scrappy affair at the Gabba.
North Melbourne have now lost four on the trot and fell to the Bombers by 14 Points in Round 6.
The Kangaroos welcome back Jack Ziebell for this game who will be a welcome addition to the Squad. The Tigers go into this match un-changed although there are a lot of outs on their current list.
Why the Tigers Can Win
The Tigers are well-coached and still have a great list of players who know how to get the job done. They are beginning to find some form and have now won two on the trot after wins against the Demons and the Swans. Some of their lesser known players stepped up in the absence of key players, and if that continues they are always a chance.
Why the Kangaroos Can Win
The Kangaroos have lost four on the trot and will be desperate for a win against an undermanned Tigers team. They may have been losing, but have only been disappointing in one of their matches against the Bulldogs.
Jack Ziebell is a welcome addition to the side, and if Todd Goldstein can continue to dominate the ruck, it will go a long way to winning this match. They have also had a pretty good record against the Tigers in recent times with a win last season.
Prediction
The Kangaroos can take advantage of the undermanned Tigers team and win this match
Our Pick – North Melbourne (Win)
Fantasy Pick – Cam Zurhaar + 51.5 Fantasy Points
72 Points last week and laid 11 Tackles the previous time he came up against the Tigers. Will have to have an impact up forward if the Roos are to win.
If you want to learn a little more about each AFL Team, be sure to check out our AFL Season 2020 Preview.