The Kangaroos will host the Hawks in the opening game of the five strong Saturday slate in Round 19. As always, we have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the clash below.
Remember to head to our AFL Tips page for updates on all of the Round 19 games in the lead up to the weekend.
North Melbourne vs Hawthorn Betting Tips
Blundstone Arena, Saturday 1.45pm (AEST)
North Melbourne
Injuries: Miller Bergman, Charlie Comben, Kyron Hayden, Will Phillips, Jared Polec, Tristan Xerri (Out) Nick Larkey, Aaron Hall (Test)
The Kangaroos will put Larkey through a fitness test later this week to determine his availability for Saturday's clash with the Hawks, but it appears unlikely he will play. However, Hall should return while Comben and Hayden are closing on comebacks.
The Roos captured a brilliant win, just their 2nd of the season, on the weekend against the Tigers. Paying as much as $16.00 heading into the game, North Melbourne shot out to a five goal lead in the 2nd quarter and although the faltered in the final term to squander their lead, they were able to pinch victory.
Star forward Cam Zurhaar was best on ground in the win, booting six goals while Paul Curtis added 14 touches and another three goals. The Roos midfield has really come to the party over the last few weeks, with Luke Davies-Uniacke and Jye Simpkin having big influences.
Hawthorn
Injuries: Connor Downie (Test) Lachlan Bramble, Tyler Brockman, Sam Frost, Seamus Mitchell, Chad Wingard, James Worpel (Out)
Wingard was ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury last week, joining Frost who has taken longer than first thought to recover from the knee injury that has sidelined him since before the mid-season bye. Jack Gunston has missed the past fortnight due to personal reasons but the club is hopeful he will return for Saturday’s game against North Melbourne in Hobart.
The Hawks battled it out against the Eagles in Round 18 and after some shaky moments throughout the game, they ran away 25 point winners thanks to a four goal final term. Luke Breust was back to his glittering best, booting six goals in the win while Josh Ward continued his impressive rookie season with a career high 34 touches.
The Hawks have won their last two and now sit in 13th place on the ladder with 6 wins and 11 losses. They are all but eliminated from the finals race, so the remaining games of the season will be about development for their youth.
Match Prediction
A solid performance from the Kangaroos last week has added a little spice to the betting markets here, with the Hawks favoured by just 20.5 points. That is one of the lower lines we have seen in a Roos game all season, and deservingly so given their new lease on life.
Don’t really like either team at that line but I do like the overs here. Both of these teams have been involved in high scoring clashes throughout this season, with their last 8 combined games hitting the overs 6 times.
This one should go over 170 comfortably.
Over 169.5
$1.88 (2 Units)
Prop Bets
With the possibility of Larkey being out of the line-up, I like the odds of Zurhaar to hit the scoreboard heavy again this weekend. Liked 6 in the win over the Tigers and had kicked at least three in three of his last seven games.
Zurhaar 3+ Goals ($2.35 at Ladbrokes)
Dylan Moore has been bobbing up for goals throughout the season so far. He has booted at least two in seven of his 17 games.
Moore 2+ Goals ($2.10 at Ladbrokes)
