The middle game of the Saturday triple header in the AFL sees the Gold Coast Suns looking to continue their solid form against North Melbourne from 4.35pm in Darwin.
Check out our full preview and betting tips for the clash and remember to head to our AFL Tips page for the rest of the Round 12 content.
Gold Coast vs North Melbourne Betting Tips
TIO Stadium, Saturday 4th June, 4.35pm (AEST)
Gold Coast
Ins: Jy Farrar, Sam Day
Outs: Charlie Constable, Jeremy Sharp, Levi Casboult
The Suns will get back key forward Sam Day for his first game since Round 17 last season and just in time as Lavi Casboult goes out with an injury.
The media was swirling with talks of Suns coach Stuart Dew being replaced at the end of the season but he has all but secured his future in the last month, winning three of his last four games including brilliant wins over Sydney and Fremantle.
The Suns sit in 12th place on the ladder and had a dominant 67 point win over the Hawks on the weekend, led by co-captain Jarrod Witts, who had 18 touches and 34 hitouts in a best on ground performance. The Suns are starting to hit their straps and will be looking for another win to celebrate their other co-captain, Touk Miller, who is playing his 150th game.
North Melbourne
Ins: Ben McKay
Outs: Cameron Zurhaar, Jack Mahony
North Melbourne will finally get key defender Ben McKay back from injury this week but his return comes at the expense of key forward Cameron Zuhaar. The Roos are still without a further 11 players on the injury list at the moment.
There's not much to say about the Kangaroos at the moment. They are 1-10 and sit in 2nd last place on the ladder. The Eagles being one of the worst teams in AFL history is the only thing stopping the Roos from being the laughing stock of the league at the moment.
They have lost their last seven games by a whopping margin of 60.7 points and start as 41.5 point underdogs on Saturday afternoon. There hasn't been a single bright spot of the Roos season so far. To put it in perspective, 330 coaches votes have been awarded in the games that North Melbourne have been involved in this season, and Roos players have been awarded just 43, 17 of them in a single win against West Coast.
Match Prediction
I absolutely hate this game from a betting standpoint. If it was at Metricon, I'd have no problem taking the Suns at the 41.5 point line, but the Darwin factor adds a tiny bit of unpredictability.
The one slight positive that I have for the Roos is they did come out with some intent against the Saints last week, going toe to toe with a top four side for the majority of the first quarter. I'm taking an extremely small wager on them doing the same thing and potentially taking a QT time lead against the Suns, before folding as they have all year.
Qtr leader nth/gc/gc/gc
$6.00 (0.5 Units)
Prop Bets
Touk Miller Has been a little down on production of late and although it is his 150th game, I think that trend will continue. The good thing about the resurgence of the Suns is that Miller hasn't had to carry such a heavy load in the midfield. Miller is as low as $1.58 at some outlets to record 30+ disposals, so when his disposal line comes out later in the week, I like the unders against what should be a line around 32.5. Has only had 30+ in two of his last six games.
Touk Miller Under Disposals - Any Line 32.5> (Odds Coming Soon)
Joel Jeffrey has been a revelation over the past few games for the Suns. Kicked five goals in just his 2nd game to earn a Rising Star nomination before bagging another brilliant goal against the Hawks on the weekend. Is playing fairly deep in the forward line at the moment.
Joel Jeffrey 2+ Goals ($2.16 at Ladbrokes)