AFL 2022 Round 11 – Betting tips & Predictions

Nearly halfway through the season the ladder is beginning to take shape, but there is still plenty of water to go under the bridge before the top eight and top four are set. This weekend, a number of teams have the chance to add some much-needed percentage in what loom as one-sided affairs, though there are a couple of huge games between similarly ranked sides which could have major repercussions come the end of the season. The first of those is a big clash between the Swans and the Tigers on Friday night, while a top four clash between the Demons and the Dockers headlines Saturday night’s games. Take a look at our previews for those two matchups, and the rest set to take place throughout Round 11.

Sydney Swans vs Richmond Tigers

May 27 – SCG, Sydney – 7.50pm

Round 11 of the AFL season kicks off with a bang when the seventh-placed Swans take on the eighth-placed Tigers at the SCG. Both sides are expecting to play finals and at the top end of their ambitions is a spot in the top four, though they are currently trending in opposite directions. The Swannies have now lost three of their last four, the latest a 16-point loss to the Blues, though that was a high-quality game and they certainly had their moments throughout. The Tigers, in contrast, have gradually been clicking into gear and have now won four on the trot to jump inside the top eight. Whether they are a legitimate Premiership hope remains a point of contention, but the winner of three of the last five flags is beginning to play some very good footy. This should be a highly entertaining game and could go down to the wire, and under Friday night lights the Tiges might just be able to cause an upset to win their fifth on the trot.

Bet on the Tigers to win @ $2.39 (Unibet)

Brisbane Lions vs GWS Giants

May 28 – Gabba, Queensland – 1.45pm

The Lions have been ticking along beautifully all season and are, in the eyes of many, the Demons’ biggest challenger, but they suffered a surprise loss last weekend when the Hawks upset them by five points. They won’t be hitting the panic button just yet, though; they still sit in second place on the AFL ladder and will be expecting to return to the winners’ list on their home turf this weekend. Mark McVeigh enjoyed the easiest (or second easiest) test in football in his debut game as coach of the Giants, with his side destroying the hapless Eagles, but this one will be significantly harder. The Giants are capable of playing better footy than their 3-7 record suggests, but the Lions should be too strong in this one.

Bet on the Lions to win @ $1.15 (Palmerbet)

Geelong Cats vs Adelaide Crows

May 28 – GMHBA Stadium, Geelong – 1.45pm

There were plenty who expected the in-form Power to give Geelong a scare last weekend, but the ageing Cats outfit quickly reminded the football world that they still have plenty to give. As a team, they grow a proverbial extra leg at GMHBA Stadium, and if they beat Port comfortably there last weekend they won’t be too concerned about the threat the other Adelaide-based side poses this Saturday. The Crows have lost four on the trot, the latest a 21-point defeat at the hands of St. Kilda, though they were in that game until the dying minutes only to concede a run of late goals. They’ve been competitive in each of their last two games against good opposition, and while they might be able to repeat the dose this weekend they won’t be any match for the Cats.

Bet on the Cats to win @ $1.09 (Bet365)

Melbourne Demons vs Fremantle Dockers

May 28 – MCG, Melbourne – 4.35pm

There are a host of teams trying to raise their hands higher than the rest as Melbourne’s biggest challenger; Fremantle is one of them, but they haven’t done themselves any favours over the past couple of weeks. They’ve suffered consecutive defeats to the Suns and Magpies respectively and scored just ten goals in that time, and if they’re to get close to the undefeated Demons this weekend they’ll need to recapture the form that saw them win seven of their first eight games. They’re capable of doing that and mounting a major challenge, but while it may be an intriguing game, don’t expect this to be a free-flowing affair. These are the best two defensive sides in the league, having conceded substantially less points than every other side in the AFL. Despite their two recent losses the Dockers are a quality outfit and should be able to limit the Demons scoring at one end, but they might not be able to kick enough goals against Melbourne’s staunch defence to get the four points.

Bet on the Demons @ $1.22 (BoomBet)

West Coast Eagles vs Western Bulldogs

May 28 – Optus Stadium, Perth – 7.30pm

Testament to how poorly they are travelling, the Eagles lost by 52 points to the Giants on the weekend in what was their closest result since they beat Collingwood on the 9th of April. They sit dead last on the ladder with just that one win to their name and a percentage of 51.5%, and if it weren’t for North Melbourne would be the worst team in the league by a long way. The Dogs, meanwhile, are slowly working back into contention on the back of consecutive wins, and will be licking their lips at this opportunity to make it three in a row and jump either back inside the top eight, or out on just percentage. The Eagles have the home ground advantage but not much else in their favour, and the Doggies should be able to win this one without getting out of second gear.

Bet on the Bulldogs to win @ $1.08 (PlayUp)

Gold Coast Suns vs Hawthorn Hawks

May 28 – TIO Stadium, Darwin – 7.40pm

The Suns and the Hawks find themselves in similar positions at the moment; occupying 12th and 13th on the ladder, they are just hanging around enough to give themselves an outside shot at the finals, though realistically there is a decent gap between them and the sides above them. The Suns had won two in a row in impressive fashion heading into last week, and though they threatened to make it three they couldn’t quite get over the line against the Dogs. The Hawks, meanwhile, arrested a growing losing skid with a massive, unexpected win against the Lions, warding off the top four contender by five points. This should be a closely fought game in slippery conditions up in Darwin, and while both sides are capable of winning, it might be the Suns who can get the job done.

Bet on the Suns to win @ $1.75 (Palmerbet)

St. Kilda Saints vs North Melbourne Kangaroos

May 29 – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne – 1.10pm

After their impressive victory against the Cats a fortnight ago, the Saints looked like they might reverse all their hard work with a loss against the Crows at various points throughout the game last weekend, but they rallied late to run out 21-point winners. Max King once again shone up forward with six goals, and he will be anticipating another feast this weekend against the Kangaroos. The Roos have been woeful all year, though they did put in an improved performance to stay with the Demons for three quarters last weekend. Melbourne was, however, playing with their food to an extent, and ultimately put the foot down in the last to run out 47-point winners. The Saints are still grappling somewhat with a reputation for putting in disappointing performances when they’re expected to win, but that is a reputation based largely on years past and they should have no problems disposing of the Kangaroos.

Bet on the Saints to win @ $1.06 (PlayUp)

Collingwood Magpies vs Carlton Blues

May 29 – MCG, Melbourne – 3.20pm

Historically one of football’s biggest rivalries – if not the biggest – this matchup hasn’t quite had the zest of a bygone era in recent years; typically because of the Blues’ extended run at the bottom of the ladder. Now, however, things have turned around. The Blues are sitting pretty at 8-2 and last weekend earned plenty of respect with a strong win over another good side in the Swans. They look every bit a top four contender, something no one but the most ardent of Collingwood fans would claim their own side of being. The Pies, however, have improved under new coach Craig McRae and are just a game out of the top eight following a fantastic six-goal win on the road against the Dockers on Sunday. A repeat of that kind of performance would see them in this game up to their eyeballs, but in front of what will no doubt be a huge crowd the Blues should be too strong.

Bet on the Blues to win @ $1.46 (BoomBet)

Port Adelaide Power vs Essendon Bombers

May 29 – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide – 4.40pm

What an unusual season it’s been for the Power. Last year’s Preliminary Finalists lost their first five games before winning their next five, though that winning streak came to an end last weekend when they unsuccessfully headed to the Cattery. That was a disappointing performance after a strong month or so, but they will be confident in their chances of bouncing back strongly when they welcome the Bombers to Adelaide Oval. In a relatively benign game the Bombers were defeated comfortably by the Tigers in the annual Dreamtime at the ‘G game last Saturday night, never getting blown out but equally never really looking like threatening to win that game. It’s unlikely they’ll threaten to win this one, either, and the Power should be able to even their win-loss record at 6-6.

Bet on the Power to win @ $1.13 (Unibet)