AFL Round 14 continues with the much anticipated Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs clash on Friday night 2nd July at the MCG in Melbourne.

Sportsbet has the Western Bulldogs a solid favourite to beat Hawthorn and this game promises to be a top clash between two teams aiming for a top four spot.

Fremantle, Collingwood, Geelong and St Kilda are all very short quotes at Sportsbet to win their games against Port Adelaide, West Coast, North Melbourne and Melbourne respectively.

In other matches, Adelaide are well fancied over Essendon and the Sydney Swans are expected to get the nod over Richmond.

Carlton won the opening game of the round 18.12 120 to 9.11.65 over the Brisbane Lions on Thursday night at Etihad Stadium.

Another big weekend of AFL Football and if you would like a $50 Free Bet on any AFL game this round then join Centrebet here and open an account with one of Australia’s biggest bookmakers.

AFL Round 14 Preview

Friday 2nd July MCG 7:40pm

Hawthorn 2.30 vs 1.62 Western Bulldogs

Last Round
Hawthorn won their sixth game on the trot before having the bye last week and Franklin kicked 5 goals and had 26 disposals for the Hawks. Muston chimed in with 3 goals while Sam Mitchell had 28 touches.

Western Bulldogs also had a rest last week and they were far too good for the Eagles before the break with Barry Hall grabbing 3 majors and most disposals went to Lindsay Gilbee 32, Daniel Cross 31 and Matthew Boyd 30.

Recent History

2010	Etihad	W. Bulldogs	100	vs	84	Hawthorn
2009	Etihad	W. Bulldogs	133	vs	45	Hawthorn
2008	MCG	Hawthorn	127	vs	76	W. Bulldogs
2008	Aurora	Hawthorn	74	vs	106	W. Bulldogs
2007	Telstra	W. Bulldogs	67	vs	151	Hawthorn

The Bulldogs won the earlier encounter this season by 16 points and game winners alternated before that in their past four clashes.

This Week
Hawthorn: No Change
Bulldogs: In: Reid, Ward, Higgins Out: Eagleton, Stack, Hill

We like: Western Bulldogs by 16 points

The Bulldogs have found form in recent weeks and it’s no coincidence the return of Murphy and Johnson have had much to do with their resurgence. The Hawks themselves have won their last six matches and enter this game in solid form.

The Dogs look to have more firepower than their opponents and as well as Hawthorn are going, they have still only beaten average sides in their latest winning run. We like the Western Bulldogs to stake a claim for the Top four and win this one.

Saturday 3rd July Subiaco 1:10pm

Fremantle 1.12 vs 6.35 Port Adelaide

Last Round
Fremantle scored a top win away from home over Carlton before having the bye and Michael Barlow was again outstanding with 4 goals and 30 possessions while Garrick Ibbotson had 23 touches for the Dockers.

Port Adelaide lost away to Nth Melbourne before having the bye and Jay Schulz nabbed 7 big ones with Hitchcock 3 and major ball winners were Danyle Pearce 27 and Kane Cornes 26.

Recent History

2009	AAMI	Port Adelaide	94	vs	70	Fremantle
2008	AAMI	Port Adelaide	101	vs	129	Fremantle
2008	Subiaco	Fremantle	75	vs	103	Port Adelaide
2007	AAMI	Port Adelaide	117	vs	85	Fremantle
2007	Subiaco	Fremantle	105	vs	121	Port Adelaide

Port Adelaide have won four of the past five clashes against Fremantle and that includes the last two clashes at this venue. The Dockers have been quality this season and on form they appear better than Port, but if you are considering taking the $1.12 about the Dockers here then recent history says you may want to reconsider.

This Week
Fremantle: In: Johnson Out: Silvagni
Port Adelaide: In: Salopek, Ebert, Chaplin, Westhoff, Broadbent Out: Surjan (knee), Carr (ribs), Nash, Meyer, Davenport

We Like: Fremantle by 22 points

Recent history says Port Adelaide can win this match especially coming off the week’s rest and if they play at the required level. Having said that, the Dockers have shown themselves to be the real deal this season and with a top four spot at stake they look too good for Port here.

Saturday 3rd July Etihad 7:10pm

Collingwood 1.06 vs 9.30 West Coast Eagles

Last Round
Collingwood were once again too good for the Swans in the annual ANZ Stadium blockbuster in Sydney and Chris Dawes chipped in with 3 goals while Dane Swan 31 and Heath Shaw 26 got plenty of the ball.

West Coast have been poor in recent weeks and would have been happy to have the bye last week. The Eagles were belted by the Bulldogs to the tune of 60 points before the break and LeCras kicked 3 majors with Beau Waters 29, Bradd Dalziell 29 and Andrew Embley 28 most touches.

Recent History

2009	Subiaco	West Coast	66	vs	88	Collingwood
2008	MCG	Collingwood	173	vs	73	West Coast
2007	Subiaco	West Coast	74	vs	93	Collingwood
2007	Subiaco	West Coast	87	vs	75	Collingwood
2006	Telstra	Collingwood	127	vs	90	West Coast

Collingwood have won four of the past five meetings against the West Coast and have won the last two clashes in Melbourne comfortably.

This Week
Collingwood: In: Anthony Out: Dick (shoulder)
West Coast: In: A.Selwood, Masten, Swift Out: Hurn (calf), Brown, Stevens

We like: Collingwood by 36 points

The Magpies are top four material and West Coast are bottom two material and the Magpies form says they should comfortably win this match.

Saturday 3rd July AAMI 7:10pm

Adelaide Crows 1.65 vs 2.25 Essendon

Last Round
Adelaide had the bye last round and they showed a welcome return to form scoring an easy victory over melbourne before the break. Tippett kicked 4 goals and Jaensch grabbed 3 while most disposals went by way of Simon Goodwin 36, Graham Johncock 32, Bernie Vince

Essendon lost to Hawthorn by 16 points before having the week off and Davey scored 3 goals with most disposals to Jason Winderlich 35 and Jobe Watson 33.

Recent History

2009	AAMI	Adelaide	166	vs	70	Essendon
2009	Etihad	Essendon	114	vs	130	Adelaide
2008	Telstra	Essendon	73	vs	129	Adelaide
2008	AAMI	Adelaide	74	vs	69	Essendon
2007	Telstra	Essendon	117	vs	105	Adelaide

Adelaide’s recent history over Essendon is pretty damning for the Bombers and the last time Essendon beat the Crows was back in the 2007 season.

This Week
Adelaide: In: Porplyzia Out: Mackay (ankle)
Essendon: In: T Slattery, Riemers, Quinn Out: Fletcher (suspended), Pears (pancreas), Atkinson

We like: Essendon by 11 points

The Bombers will miss Fletcher down back but we think they represent great value here against Adelaide. The Crows have won a couple of games recently but they have only been over Brisbane and Melbourne who are both perched in the bottom third of the ladder.

Essendon have played much better football than the Crows this season and recent close tussles with the Bulldogs, Swans and Hawks say the Bombers are over the odds here, especially if you pick your own line at Centrebet and take a points head start.

Sunday 4th July Skilled 1:10pm

Geelong 1.16 vs 5.30 Nth Melbourne

Last Round
Geelong enjoyed a week off before they came out and lost the big clash with St Kilda under controversial circumstances with Ablett scoring 2 goals and grabbing 32 disposals while Joel Selwood 34 and Corey Enright 31 saw plenty of leather.

Nth Melbourne went to the break in great form and they defeated Port Adelaide by 36 points in sterling fashion with Hansen 5 goals and both Brent Harvey 32 and Brady Rawlings 29 major ball winners.

Recent History

2009	Skilled	Geelong	119	vs	49	Nth Melb
2008	Skilled	Geelong	115	vs	82	Nth Melb
2008	Telstra	Nth Melb	114	vs	127	Geelong
2007	MCG	Geelong	156	vs	50	Nth Melb
2007	Telstra	Nth Melb	91	vs	118	Geelong

Geelong have dominated the young Kangaroos in recent times winning all five recent matches and scoring 115+ points or more along the way.

This Week
Geelong: In: Chapman, Corey, Kelly, Menzel, Hogan, Duncan Out: Johnson (suspended), Mooney (suspended), Taylor (lacerated foot)
Nth Melbourne: In: Harding, McMahon, Adams Out: -

We like: Geelong by 26

Many football pundits are tipping an upset here by the Kangaroos as they are supposedly catching the Cats at a good time. We completely disagree with those thoughts and North will be catching a Geelong side on the rebound and looking to make a statement. Kelly, Chapman and Corey return for the Cats and they will be too good for Nth Melbourne.

Sunday 4th July MCG 2:10pm

Richmond 2.12 vs 1.73 Sydney Swans

Last Round
Richmond scored a top win at the Gabba over Brisbane before having the bye and they are playing some solid football in the last few weeks. Riewoldt was again good with 3 goals and Collins chimed in with 3 of his own, while Brett Deledio 33 and Shane Tuck 29 got most of the pill.

Sydney went down by four goals at home to the Pies and Ryan O’Keefe kicked 3 goals with Josh P Kennedy, Martin Mattner and Nick Malceski all getting 26 disposals.

Recent History

2010	SCG	Sydney	111	vs	56	Richmond
2009	MCG	Richmond	68	vs	123	Sydney
2009	SCG	Sydney	94	vs	75	Richmond
2008	SCG	Sydney	139	vs	57	Richmond
2007	SCG	Sydney	138	vs	72	Richmond

The Swans have won the last five clashes against Richmond in easy fashion.

This week
Richmond: In: Webberley, Moore, Gourdis, Rance Out: McGuane (leg)
Sydney Swans: In: Kennelly, Dennis-Lane, Meredith, Playfair, Moore, Bradshaw Out: Jetta, Rohan, White

We like: Sydney by 22 points

The Tigers have been playing inspired footy of late and their skill level has definitely improved which is showing on the scoreboard and equating to wins. Sydney are a notch below the top sides but they are clearly better than those at the bottom of the table and when you factor in their recent record against Richmond, then the Swans will come up trumps here as they are the better side.

Sunday 4th July Etihad 4:40pm

St Kilda 1.15 vs 5.75 Melbourne

Last Round
St Kilda defeated the high flying Cats to stake their claim as a legitimate flag contender with Adam Schneider scoring 4 goals along with Steven 3 and major ball winners were Leigh Montagna 32 and Nick Dal Santo 31.

Melbourne were insipid in the loss to the Crows last week and Bate kicked 4 goals while Jack Grimes 26 and Tom Scully 25 had most touches.

Recent History

2009	MCG	Melbourne	67	vs	114	St Kilda
2009	Gold Coast	St Kilda	83	vs	46	Melbourne
2008	Telstra	St Kilda	129	vs	50	Melbourne
2007	MCG	Melbourne	62	vs	93	St Kilda
2006	MCG	St Kilda	72	vs	90	Melbourne

St Kilda has scored easy wins in their past four matches against Melbourne.

This Week
St Kilda: In: Dawson, Pattison, Heyne, Gram Out: Baker
Melbourne: In: Cheney, Maric, Spencer, Bennell Out: Morton

We like: St Kilda by 36 points

St Kilda grind out wins and restrict teams from scoring but this is a match where they might actually be able to score easily as well and it could get ugly for the Demons. The Saints are a tough outfit and the young Melbourne side will be up against it to even get close to a very good St Kilda side.

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