AFL TIPS: Gold Coast v GWS

Saturday, August 16 – 12.35 PM AEST – Venue: People First Stadium

The Suns and Giants bring excellent form into this game having both won four of their last five games. They are both looking to grab a top two spot so that they are guaranteed to play home finals until the Grand Final, or a top four finish to get the double chance and a home final in week two. The Bulldogs are only one game behind with a better percentage so the loser will drop out of the eight and may not get back in.

For GWS, Finn Callaghan 31 disposals, 8 score involvements and goal, Aaron Cadman 4 goals and 8 score involvements and Toby Greene 3 goals and 14 score involvements, all had excellent games against the Roo’s last week and will be looking to continue in that form. The forward line will have to cope without the spark of Jake Stringer who has a hamstring injury that will keep him out for 3-4 weeks, so it could be season over for him. Josh Kelly, Jack Buckley and Brent Daniels will all miss this game, but Jesse Hogan could be a welcome inclusion. The Irishman Callum Brown will need to keep his excellent form and look to add another 5 goal bag again this week.

Stephen Coniglio found plenty of the ball after an injury interrupted season, as did Tom Green and Lachie Whitfield. Their run and clever ball use will be critical if the Giants are to prevail over the Suns.  

Young guns Finn Callaghan and Tom Green up against Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell could well decide the result. Add in Briggs and Coniglio against Witts and Miller and we have a midfield contest not to be missed. 

Matt Rowell and Touk Miller dominated the mid field battle and Ben King had a great game marking strongly and kicking straight for six goals against the Blues. He now has 57 goals for the year and sits second on the goalkicking ladder behind Jeremy Cameron on 79. Flanders should return this week if the Suns can find room for him, but Rioli is still a week or two away.

The Suns play well at home and my get the jump on the Giants. Can they hold on?

Suns by 12 points

Gold Coast and GWS meet again in what shapes as a tight, competitive battle. The Gold Coast have shown they can be dangerous at home, but they’ve struggled to maintain the same level of performance away from familiar conditions. GWS have built a reputation for fighting hard in close games, often finding a way to stay in the contest right until the siren. Recent matchups between the two have been fairly even, so history doesn’t strongly favour either team. 

Selection changes and injuries could play a big role, particularly in the midfield, where both sides rely heavily on clearance work. If the Suns can break the game open early, their attack could put real pressure on the Giants. But GWS’s defensive structure and quick rebound game make them just as capable of turning the momentum. For anyone looking at AFL Betting Tips, recent form and stoppage numbers are worth a closer look before making a call.