AFL 2022 Round 6 – Betting tips & Predictions

Round 6 of the AFL takes place over ANZAC Day weekend, and will include five days of footy. It begins with an important game between the Giants and Saints in Canberra, while a couple of days later the Blues face the Dockers in a clash between two of this year’s most improved sides. ANZAC Eve will see the Tigers attempt to stop the Demons in their tracks as they hunt for a second consecutive flag, before the traditional ANZAC Day clash between the Bombers and Magpies headlines Monday’s action. It’s a big weekend of footy, and we’ve previewed all nine games right here.

GWS Giants vs St. Kilda Saints

April 22 – Manuka Oval, Canberra – 7.50pm

Friday night footy heads to the nation’s capital in Round 6, with the Giants set to face the Saints in a game which could have huge repercussions for GWS coach Leon Cameron. Cameron has been under the pump after his side’s indifferent start to the season, and another loss would likely see some pundits baying for blood, whether justified or not. Cameron aside, the Giants need to win to keep their season alive; a loss would see them fall to 1-5 and put their finals hopes in serious jeopardy early in the season. They badly need a win, but unfortunately for them they run into a rampaging Saints team which has won four in a row after an opening round loss to the Pies. On form, this is an easy tip. The reality might not be so clear cut; the Giants are capable of playing a lot better footy than what they’ve dished up so far while it’s still tough to trust the Saints after years of inconsistency. This could easily go down to the wire, and with their backs against the wall the Giants might be able to start the round with an upset.

Bet on the Giants to win @ $2.08 (Unibet)

Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide Crows

April 23 – Mars Stadium, Ballarat – 1.45pm

Round 7’s tour of semi-rural Australia continues on Saturday afternoon, when the Doggies and Crows head to Ballarat. The Bulldogs rebounded from a disappointing loss to the Tigers two weeks ago with an Easter Friday thumping of the Kangaroos in which they much more closely resembled the side that made last year’s Grand Final than they had in the four rounds prior to that. Their best should see them beat Adelaide easily, though the Crows were very good last week in beating a Tigers team which was coming off a comfortable win against the Dogs. Unfortunately, that win came at a cost for the Crows, with skipper Rory Sloane suffering a season-ending ACL injury. It’s a massive blow for Adelaide, but whether they had him on the park or not, the Bulldogs would likely be winning this game.

Bet on the Bulldogs to win @ $1.30 (Palmerbet)

Port Adelaide Power vs West Coast Eagles

April 23 – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide – 4.35pm

For much of the last few years, this would have loomed as one of the games of the round, but a Port Adelaide vs West Coast clash is significantly less enticing a few weeks into this season than it might have been previously. The Power have been the most disappointing side in the league, losing their first five games in a season in which they would have been hoping to finally take the next step after consecutive Preliminary Finals appearances. The Eagles have only been marginally better, winning just one of their first five, though they have at least had the excuse of suffering an inordinate number of forced changes to their lineup virtually every week this season. Overcoming the adversity they’ve been faced with would have been tough for any side, but they were nonetheless extremely disappointing in the way they lost to the Swans last week. It’s tough to pick either of these sides with much conviction, but on their home turf and after a good second half against the Blues last week, the Power can finally get on the board with a win.

Bet on the Power to win @ $1.38 (BoomBet)

Fremantle Dockers vs Carlton Blues

April 23 – Optus Stadium, Perth – 7.40pm

With the Eagles struggling, the Dockers have well and truly taken over as the number one team in Perth this year. They’ve won four of their first five and in the last three weeks have won by a combined total of 137 points, a period which included an eight-goal demolition of the Bombers last weekend in a game which saw Matt Taberner boot seven goals. They have been arguably the surprise packet of the season to date, though one of the sides which could rival them for that title is the side they face this weekend. The Blues appear to have finally turned a corner, with their brilliant midfield and dominant key forward duo of McKay and Curnow making them an ominous team to match up against. They are still prone to inconsistency throughout games as they demonstrated last week, and could easily have lost three of the four games they have won so far this season, but regardless they have looked really good when playing at their best. This is one of the most intriguing games of the season to date between two teams looking to prove that they are genuine top four contenders. It may just go right down to the wire, but on their home turf the Dockers can sneak over the line.

Bet on the Dockers to win @ $1.64 (Bet365)

North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Geelong Cats

April 24 – Blundstone Arena, Hobart – 1.10pm

It’s supposed to be an improvement year for the Kangaroos, but the last three weeks have suggested it’s anything but. They were thumped from the outset by the Bulldogs on Easter Friday, just two weeks after they lost by over 100 points to the Lions, and though they did put on a comeback in the second quarter they still ended up going down by 68 points to the Dogs. There’s no doubting that there is talent on the list, but the inexperienced side is struggling to be competitive at the minute and will have a tough task against the Cats this Sunday. Geelong, for their part, haven’t exactly set the world on fire and will be reeling after they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against the Hawks on Monday, but the most experienced team in the game should have the requisite talent to dispose of the Kangaroos this Sunday.

Bet on the Cats to win @ $1.18 (PlayUp)

Gold Coast Suns vs Brisbane Lions

April 24 – Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast – 4.10pm

The AFL’s endless efforts to get the Gold Coast Suns standing on their own two feet would benefit greatly if the intrastate rivalry between the Suns and the Lions could get off the ground; unfortunately, Brisbane has won the past six games between the two sides, the last five of which have all been by at least 45 points, and with the Lions starting this season like a house on fire that same result could once again transpire this Sunday. In fairness the Suns have been fairly competitive so far this year, though they’ve started the season in that way many times and never been able to sustain it. This is a massive test for Stuart Dew’s side and could easily be looked back upon as the game which either made or broke their 2022 season. With so much on the line, surely they can find a way to be competitive, but actually getting over the line against one of the best teams in the league is another story entirely.

Bet on the Lions to win @ $1.38 (Bet365)

Richmond Tigers vs Melbourne Demons

April 24 – MCG, Melbourne – 7.25pm

ANZAC Day Eve is headlined by a big game between two sides which have won four of the past five Premierships, though while one remains at the top of their game, the slide of the other appears well and truly in motion. Richmond tumbled rapidly down the ladder last year after winning in 2020, but they had a whole lot of injuries and entered this season retaining some slight hope that they could have one last crack at it. So far, their performances have alternated between disappointing and pretty impressive, making it hard to get a read on them, but at 2-3 it appears unlikely they still have what it takes to compete for a flag. Melbourne, on the other hand, have firmed with Aussie bookmakers as one of the shortest Premiership favourites just six rounds into a season in years. They haven’t been at their best but have still not really looked like losing, and should be able to continue their winning ways this weekend.

Bet on the Demons to win @ $1.24 (PlayUp)

Hawthorn Hawks vs Sydney Swans

April 25 – University of Tasmania Stadium, Launceston – 12.30pm

The ANZAC Day action starts early this year, with the curtain raiser to the traditional Bombers-Magpies clash beginning at 12.30pm in Tassie. And it may just be that this year, this game attracts more interest than the one which is set to follow it. The Hawks have been really good at times this year, with last week a prime example when they kicked four goals to none in the final quarter to upset the Cats on Easter Monday. The Swans, meanwhile, continue to stake their claim as a genuine Premiership contender, and even in the absence of Buddy Franklin had no problem putting a score on the board in disposing of the Eagles with ease last weekend. This is a big test for the Hawks as they look to prove they are capable of competing for the eight, but though they generally play well in Tasmania, the talented young Swans should be too good.

Bet on the Swans to win @ $1.69 (Palmerbet)

Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Magpies

April 25 – MCG, Melbourne – 3.20pm

The ANZAC Day clash is one of the first to be locked in every year on the AFL schedule, but this year’s doesn’t exactly shape up as one for the ages. There should nonetheless be a big crowd between two of the league’s most supported sides, though if a few Bombers fans decided to stay home after what their side has dished up in recent weeks it would be tough to blame them. They’ve had an awful start to the season, with their solitary win coming by just four points against the Crows in Melbourne, and last week they were thoroughly outclassed by the Dockers. The Magpies, in contrast, have exceeded expectations in their first year under new coach Craig McRae, and though they will be fuming following three consecutive close losses, their improvement has been plain to see. The Pies still aren’t exactly world beaters but they are playing like a top eight contender, and barring a significant form turnaround should be too good for the Bombers.

Bet on the Magpies to win @ $1.46 (PlayUp)