This round has been an exciting one and we aren’t done just yet! Round 17 concludes on Monday night with a clash between Collingwood and Gold Coast at the Gabba. As always, we bring you our preview and best bets for the clash below!
AFL Round 17 Collingwood vs Gold Coast Betting Tips
Gabba, Monday 7:10pm (AEST)
The Magpies will be desperate for a win to remain in the box seat to secure a finals berth, but will have to run through an improved Suns unit to do so. Action kicks off just after 7pm from the Gabba.
Collingwood
Collingwood are coming off a bye in Round 16, meaning it will be 10 days since their last match, which was against the Lions in an eight point loss. The Magpies will come into this match sitting in eighth spot on the ladder and with a chance to finish the round in sixth if they can negotiate the win.
The Magpies are starting to get some of their troops back and will get a huge boost for their clash with the Suns by welcoming back Jordan De Goey and Adam Treloar to the team. De Goey has been out since injuring his hand against the Cats in Round 7, which he was BOG in with a five goal haul. Among those making way this week are Tom Phillips (injured) and Jaidyn Stephenson (omitted).
We’re expecting the Magpies to control a lot of the play on Monday night, so the disposal markets are definitely in play for their midfielders. One of our favourites is Jamie Elliott to have 15+ touches. Elliott has played a lot more midfield lately and was second in their centre bounce attendance with 11 in their most recent outing. He’s collected 15+ disposals in four consecutive games and should continue his midfield role with Jordan De Goey back in the forward line.
Elliot 15+ Disposals
$1.67
Gold Coast
Gold Coast weren’t up to the task against their crosstown rivals in Round 16, going down to the Lions by 45 in the QClash. Prior to that loss they were huge winners against North Melbourne, which put an end to a six match run without a win. The Suns come into this clash sitting in 14th on the ladder, but can finish as high as 11th if they win their two remaining matches.
The Suns have been plagued by injuries all season and continue to field a team nowhere near their best 22 as a result. This week they’ve made two forced changes and one due to form. A key in for the Suns is Jarrod Harbrow, while a disappointing out is Ben Ainsworth (illness).
Injuries through the Suns midfield have opened up opportunities for a couple of young players, most notably Noah Anderson. Last year’s #2 pick didn’t attend a single centre bounce in his first eight games this year, but over the past three games he’s attended 6, 6, and most recently, 9. This has resulted in Anderson collecting 20+ touches in three of his past four games, which the bookies haven’t account for yet.
Anderson 20+ Disposals
$1.83
Prediction
Neither club come into this match in great form, but the Magpies do have the edge in that respect. They’ve won six of their past 10 games, while the Suns have won just two during that stretch.
Gold Coast didn’t mind playing Collingwood when the Suns were in their infancy, winning two of their first four meetings with the Magpies. However, The Magpies have had the wood over them in recent times, beating them in each of their past five meetings.
The Suns have remained competitive in most of their matches this season, but we’re expecting a desperate Magpie outfit to get the job done in a must-win game. The Magpies get a huge boost from De Goey and Treloar returning and have a huge talent edge over the current Suns line-up. Take the Magpies to cover the spread to close out Round 17.