What better way to get AFL Round 17 underway than a matchup between two teams fighting to keep their finals hopes alive. Richmond will play hosts to Sydney at the home of footy on Thursday night, and you can find our full preview and betting tips for the match below!
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AFL Round 17 Preview & Betting Tips
Richmond vs Sydney
Thursday 7:20pm AEST, July 6th, MCG
Richmond and Sydney will do battle on Thursday night in what looms as a do-or-die match for both clubs. Each locked on 26 points on the ladder, the winner will momentarily be only two points outside the top eight, while it’ll almost be season certainly be season over for the loser.
Richmond entered last weekend’s clash with Brisbane on a three-game win streak and were seemingly building form and momentum with each win, but were quickly dealt a reality check as they were thumped by 81 points in a wire-to-wire loss.
Not only did the Tigers lose their match against the Lions, they also lost one of their best players in Jayden Short for the next 4-6 weeks. Short suffered a bad hamstring tear late in the first quarter and will now join key players Tom Lynch and Robbie Tarrant on the sidelines for the long term. On a positive note, superstar Dustin Martin is expected to be available for selection on Thursday night. He was a late out in Round 16 due to illness.
Sydney looked as though they were down and out in season 2023, but a lift in form over the past three weeks has breathed new life into their campaign. Recent results have included a narrow loss away against Brisbane, followed by a 171-point win over the Eagles and most recently an unlucky draw against the Cats.
The Swans have slowly but surely been getting back some of their key players and that’s been an important part in their recent improved performances. The big news around the Swans camp this week is that champion forward Buddy Franklin will return to the side for this clash in what will likely be his final game at the MCG. And while Franklin doesn’t quite have the same impact on the field as he once did, the enormity of this occasion will likely bring the best out of him and also inspire his teammates.
What will also inspire the Swans and fill them with confidence ahead of Thursday night is their recent record against the Tigers. They’ve won each of the last three against them including a 122-78 victory in Gather Round earlier this season. On top of that, the Swans got the chocolates the last time these teams faced at the MCG which was back in 2021.
The odds at the time of writing have the Swans as slight underdogs in this blockbuster clash, but I’m of the firm belief that they’re the ones currently playing the better football. Having the likes of Dane Rampe and Callum Mills back fit and firing makes a huge difference to their structure and gives them great balance in defence, which is something I'm not sure the Tigers have at the current time. With that said, I’m happy to have a decent crack at them to get the job done to kick off Round 17.
Sydney to Win
$2.16 (3 Units)
Same Game Multi
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Errol Gulden 1+ Goals – Like most Swans last weekend, Errol was inaccurate in front of goal kicking two behinds. However, he’s still getting looks and has kicked at least one goal in six of his last seven outings. He goes in again.
Will Hayward 1+ Goals – Loves playing away from home having kicked at least one goal in each of his last 13 away matches. Hard to argue with that form.
Tom Papley 15+ Disposals – Loves this matchup. Had 25 disposals and six goals against the Tigers earlier this year. 15+ touches in four of his last five games as well.
Same Game Multi odds: $3.50
