Before we settle in for 33 games in 20 days, there’s still one more round of normal programming to get under our belt.
Things are really starting to take shape this season.
We’re starting to sort out the pretenders and contenders, while some teams remain a real mystery as to which one is going to turn up on the day.
With a mix of blockbusters and quite possibly a few Barry Crockers this weekend, there’s plenty of value to be found for Neds punters ahead of Round 8.
We’ve searched high and low to bring you our best bets this weekend with our tips and preview.
It’s taken 10 seasons in the AFL, but the Gold Coast Suns finally have a prime-time slot and its bloody well deserved.
This Thursday night’s game against the Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium is sure to be a beauty!
The Suns have been an absolute joy to watch and while the loss of young-gun Matt Rowell had people worried they would go back to their old ways, Gold Coast has been able to keep on keeping on.
An honourable loss to Melbourne and a dominant victory over the Swans in the past two weeks has put the Gold Coast Suns in good stead and they are currently sitting 7th on the ladder.
Need we not mention the excitement machine that is two gamer, Izak Rankine?
This will be the Suns cult hero’s first game at home and those lucky enough to attend are sure in for another spectacle.
The Western Bulldogs go into this match regaining some solid form after easily accounting for Essendon with a 42 point victory last weekend.
It’s starting to look like that classic 50/50 form-line for the Doggies.
Shocking one week, amazing the next.
One stat that’s doing the rounds is that the Western Bulldogs past 14 matches have been decided by three goals or more.
I’ll be honest with you, this is a bloody hard game to tip.
While the Dogs are the $1.68 favourite in the head to head market, there’s serious value to be found for the Gold Coast Suns to cover the line (+6.2) with our $2 offering.
Given the craziness of this year, this really doesn’t have the feel of a meeting of last years Grand Finalists.
Both the Giants and Tigers have been ok of late, but they’ve hardly dominated the competition so far this season.
A win over Richmond, who smashed GWS to the tune of 89 points in last seasons Grand Final, would do a world of good for the men in orange giving them a boost to get their season on track.
The Giants have developed a reputation to drift out of games and were smashed in the inside 50s in last weekends match against the Brisbane Lions.
Two losses to ladder leaders Brisbane and Port Adelaide in the past two weeks isn’t panic stations for them just yet but they’ll need to get their skates on to be back in the mix.
Richmond seems to be getting back to business after a poor start since the season resumption.
Scrappy wins over Melbourne and Sydney before an absolute dominant 54 point win over the Kangaroos last weekend now sees the Tigers sitting in fourth place on the ladder.
While there’s been a few injuries at Punt Road (now on the Gold Coast) the likes of Derek Eggmolese-Smith, Shai Bolton and Mabior Chol have stepped up to the plate showing that the Tigers do bat deep.
GWS go into this game favourite at time of publish.
They have won their past four games against the Tigers at Giants Stadium which is something to factor in.
While Richmond won’t field the dominant team that demolished them in the Grand Final, they should be able to get the job done on Friday night and are easily the best value bet of the round.
Things are grim at North Melbourne but the green shoots are really starting to blossom at Carlton.
It’s official – the Blues are no longer crap.
North Melbourne are currently sitting 17th on the ladder and were absolutely woeful in their 54 point loss to Richmond last weekend.
The Kangaroos kicked a measly 2-11 and their captain Jack Ziebell injuring his hamstring didn’t help their cause either.
Carlton’s loss to Port Adelaide after the siren was heartbreaking but they didn’t lose any admirers with their effort last Sunday.
This is easily the best Carlton side since they played finals in 2013 and with their remaining games involving playing the bottom six teams on the ladder, the Blues have a lot to look forward to.
North Melbourne has won their past five games against the Blues but I can’t see this Kangaroos outfit beating them on Saturday.
Winning this game is a non-negotiable for Carlton.
They should get the job done easily here.
If you thought the Tigers v Swans game at the Gabba in Round 7 was awful, just you wait to see what Sydney and Hawthorn will dish up this Saturday.
Fans of both clubs will be desperate for a win, but I reckon you only need to watch this game if you absolutely have to.
Expect low scoring, flooding, keepings off, possession and just all the ugly, ugly stuff you’ve come to expect from John Longmire and Alistair Clarkson coaching tactics.
Neither side has managed more than 83 points in their last seven encounters.
They’ll be lucky to get 43 points in total for this game.
Both clubs are a long way from the days when they met in Grand Finals.
Re-builds are what’s needed for these clubs.
This game will be close, but not in a fun entertaining way.
I can’t bring myself to back either side as they are both awful so I’m going with either team to win by 15 or less.
Robbie Gray’s match winning goal after the siren ensured Port Adelaide victory from the jaws of defeat over Carlton sure was memorable.
Port are now 6-1 this season, top of the ladder and will be delighted to be back home at Adelaide Oval to take on the Saints.
The Power are a delight to watch.
Attacking, fast-flowing football with a focus on scoring.
Who’ would have thought this would be a successful way to win games of Football?
The Saints got some much-needed confidence with a win on the road over the Crows last weekend.
Dan Butler and Jack Steele are proving their worth for St Kilda who despite a few hiccups along the way have been quite impressive this season.
Can they back it up with a win over the ladder leading Port Adelaide?
Probably not.
Port have won their past eight games against the Saints and the current form line suggests the Power should be able to get the job done in this one.
It’s grim times for the once Pride of South Australia.
The Adelaide Crows are 0-7 and have a firm grip on the 2020 wooden spoon.
They were competitive against the Saints and showed some ticker but it’s nothing but doom and gloom for this club.
Adelaide has scored less and conceded the most of any club in the AFL, that is a record no one ever wants to have.
Playing Essendon on the rebound from a 42 point loss at the hands of the Bulldogs doesn’t help either.
The lack of Dylan Shiel and Jake Stringer played a major role in their loss last weekend.
Essendon is still very much in the mix for finals this season with four wins and a game in hand.
If there was ever an opportunity to get some percentage and chalk up the W’s – this is the weekend to do it.
Back the Dons to get the job done comfortably.
Easily the match of the round, Sunday arvo’s clash between the Eagles and Pies at Optus Stadium is set to be a beauty!
West Coast is starting to look good.
Three straight wins with 30+ margins and a nice, long streak at home – now is the time for the Eagles to make hay while the sun shines.
The likes of Andrew Gaff, Josh Kennedy, Elliot Yeo and Nic Nat were brilliant in their 30 point win over Freo in the Derby last weekend.
How will the Eagles match against third-placed Collingwood?
Beating the likes of Adelaide, Sydney and Freo is one thing – but can they get the job done against the Pies who are very much in the premiership contention mix?
Collingwood have been in the hunt in every game they’ve played this season.
The Magpies defence is rock-solid.
Their attack, on the other hand, needs work and the absence of Jordan De Goey who kicked five last week will hurt on field.
This game is a hard one to tip.
I feel the Pies are going to make a statement on Sunday and backing them to get the job done.
The 1-39 margin is a good value play.
Melbourne “hosts” Brisbane at Metricon Stadium this Sunday night, in what will be the first time since Round 12, 1992 these two clubs have met on the Gold Coast.
Trivia aside, this should be a good game of footy.
It was the Christian Petracca show last week with 29 disposals, 14 scoring involvements as the Dees smashed Hawthorn by 43 points.
Melbourne is starting to look like the team that made a Preliminary Final in 2018.
Clayton Oliver and big Maxy Gawn are looking great and people are starting to believe in Melbourne again.
I hate to be a killjoy, but we’ve seen this movie before when it comes to the Demons.
You can’t trust them.
The mighty Brisbane Lions (proudly sponsored by Neds) is sitting in second spot on the ladder and is coming off an awesome 20 point win over the Giants last Saturday.
Harris Andrews – Brilliant.
Dayne Zorko – Star.
Lachie Neale – Brownlow.
The battle between Petracca and Neale in the midfield will be one to look out for.
When these two met last season, you may recall Eric Hipwood kicked five and Neale suffered a case of leather poisoning with 38 disposals to his name as the Lions sailed home to a 33 point victory at the Gabba.
I think it’ll be a bit closer than last time, but we’re expecting the Brisbane Lions (proudly sponsored by Neds) to beat the line set at -11.5
Round 8 finishes off with the Dockers v Cats clash on Monday night.
Both teams are coming off losses last weekend but you would expect Geelong to get back on the winner’s list.
While they went down to the Magpies last weekend, alarm bells should not be ringing about the Cats prospects this season.
No Joel Selwood or Junior will be major outs for the Cats but the prospect of playing Freo without Nat Fyfe will be a bonus.
Geelong remains good value, especially to lead at every quarter and they should methodically get the job done over the Dockers come Monday night.