After a little reshuffling at the start of the week, Geelong will now host GWS in the opening game of Round 21 in the AFL on Friday night. As always, PuntingInDanger has you covered for the Friday night clash with a full preview and betting tips for the clash below.
Remember to check out our AFL Round 21 Tips page for our thoughts on all nine games across the weekend!
AFL Geelong vs GWS Betting Tips
GMHBA Stadium, Friday 6th August, 7.50pm (AEST)
The game is super important for both teams as Geelong look to hold onto a spot in the top two which could potentially mean a home final at GMHBA in the first week of finals. For the Giants, they need to win at least two of their final three games to have a chance at making the top eight.
Match Preview
The Giants have been one of the more frustrating teams to watch over the past few months. They have been flirting with the top eight for the better part of seven rounds, capturing good wins over the likes of West Coast, Carlton, Melbourne and Essendon to keep themselves in the hunt but then dropping points to some of the worst teams in the league in North Melbourne, Hawthorn and Gold Coast. If they played to their potential, they are a top six side, but they have just been too inconsistent this season.
Injuries have played a big part in their inconsistency and this week they will have a few players needing to pass fitness tests this week in order to play such as Jacob Hopper, Jeremy Finlayson, Phil Davis and Stephen Coniglio.
The Cats have been without doubt the best team in the league over the past few months. They have won their last five games on the trot including good wins over Essendon and Richmond. They are still awaiting the return of some key players in Jeremy Cameron, Mitch Duncan and Gyran Miers, but everything going according to plan, they should be back in time for the finals.
The Cats will be hoping that they can finish in the top two and have Port Adelaide finish in their aligning place to face them in the first final. A qualifying final against the Power would likely be played down at GMHBA Stadium, as opposed to one against the Bulldogs or Melbourne which would likely be at the MCG.
How hard is it to bet against the Cats down at GMHBA in their current form? The answer, extremely hard. I think they win this game, but this opening line of 31.5 points is massive, even in Geelong. The Giants have been feisty and were actually really competitive against the Power on the weekend before allowing four goals to one in the final team to lose by 27 points.
The Giants have not lost a game by more than 30 points since all the way back in Round 11 when they faced the Lions up in Brisbane. They were without Phil Davis and Toby Greene that night, both of whom will be playing against Geelong. I like the Giants to cover here for a small wager.
NOTE: By game time, the line had moved out to 38.5, we are more than happy to take that line.
Giants +31.5 (1 Unit)
$1.90
Same Game Multi
Toby Greene was impressive again on the weekend despite some wayward kicking for goal. He booted 2.4 in the loss to the Power, making it the fifth straight game he has kicked at least two goals. He has kicked 2+ in 10/15 games this season.
Our other two legs are Tim Taranto and Tom Stewart to collect at least 20 disposals each. Taranto had just 15 on the weekend against the Power, just the 2nd time in 19 games this season he has failed to get 20, he’ll be keen to bounce back this week. As for Stewart, he has missed 20 disposals just once in 19 games this season and has got it easily in his last 5 games.
Greene 2+ Goals
Taranto 20+ Disposals
Stewart 20+ Disposals
GEE vs GWS Same Game Multi
$2.50
