The Cats and Lions have had some intense battles in recent years and the rivalry gets another prime-time instalment on Thursday night as the two teams do battle at the SCG from 7.40pm!
As usual, we have a full preview and betting tips for the Thursday night clash, and we’ll be bringing you previews for EVERY game in Round 9, which you can view at our dedicated AFL Tips page.
Geelong vs Brisbane Betting Tips
SCG, Thursday 9th July, 7.40pm
The Cats and Lions both sit in the top three on the AFL ladder and will be looking to improve their position when they square off on Thursday. Both teams will be coming off convincing wins in Round 5 and a win here would certainly announce premiership aspirations for either side.
Geelong
The Cats had moments of shakiness in their home clash against the Suns last week but ultimately proved to be too good, downing Gold Coast by 37 points to move to 3-2 on the season and sit in third place on the ladder. Tom Hawkins was impressive in the win, kicking three goals while racking up 17 touches and 8 marks.
The Cats injury list looks pretty good at the moment, and they will likely only be without Rhys Stanley, Josh Jenkins and Tom Stewart from their potential best 22 this week. With the likes of injury prone forwards in Gary Rohan, Jack Steven and Luke Dalhaus all fit and firing at the moment, the Cats will certainly fancy their chances in Sydney.
Patrick Dangerfield has been dominant in recent games against the Lions. In his last four meetings with Brisbane, he has averaged 32 disposals as well as kicking six goals. Dangerfield was solid in the win over the Suns, racking up 20 touches and a goal despite a quiet last quarter, expect another strong game from him on Thursday night.
Dangerfield 20+ Disposals
$1.50
Brisbane
After a huge win over Port Adelaide, Brisbane moved to 4-1 on the season and currently sit in second place on the AFL ladder. They are second favourites to win the premiership behind only GWS at most bookmakers and currently look the form side in the competition. They have, however, had the luxury of playing their four games since the season returned at the Gabba. They’ll be ‘on the road’ for the first time since a Round 1 loss to the Hawks at the MCG.
The Lions injury list also looks pretty good and they’ll likely get skipper Dayne Zorko back from injury this week, meaning only Cameron Ellis-Yolmen and Marcus Adams will be missing from their potential best 22. The return of Zorko will be big for the Lions, as he usually goes head to head with Patrick Dangerfield when the team meet.
The Lions have desperately lacked a goal-kicker in their last five games against Geelong in the past, with Zorko’s six goals being their highest mark in that span. Luckily, Charlie Cameron has been in some rare form so far this season, already booting 10 goals through the opening five games. Expect him to find the scoreboard a few times on Thursday night.
Prediction
The Lions are the form team in the competition but I sense a bit of a reality check coming for them on Thursday night. Regardless of whether or not there were crowds in attendance, they have played all four of their wins this season at comfort of the Gabba, and although they won’t be travelling to GMHBA Stadium to play Geelong, it’s still an away game.
They were deplorable in their last away game, going down to the Hawks in Round 1 when they were favoured. It’s true that you can only beat who they put in front of you, but wins over Fremantle, West Coast and Adelaide all at home don’t hold much weight. The win in Round 5 against the Power was good, but the Lions still need another big scalp or two before I’m willing to dub them a true premiership contender. They get their chance over the next two weeks against Geelong and GWS, sadly I don’t see them winning either game.
