AFL Round 18 action continues on Saturday with five matches on the schedule. Here, we run you through and provide our best bets for the blockbuster clash that will see the Dockers take on the Swans at Optus Stadium.
Also, make sure to check out our AFL Betting Tips page regularly to find our best bets for every match of every round!
Fremantle vs Sydney Betting Tips
Optus Stadium, Saturday 16th July, 7:30pm AEST
Fremantle Dockers
Injuries: Jye Amiss, Joel Hamling, Nathan O’Driscoll, Alex Pearce, Sam Switkowski
Injuries aren’t a big concern for the Dockers at the current time, with just five players currently unavailable for selection. Alex Pearce and Sam Switkowski are the only key players forced to the sidelines and both are not too far away from being in the frame for selection.
The Dockers flexed their muscles on the road against the Saints last weekend in a big 41-point win. It was their best performance since their Round 11 win over the Demons and the first time they’ve cracked 100 points since Round 8 against North Melbourne. The Dockers are now equal first on the ladder for wins with 12, but currently sit in third spot due to their lower percentage.
Sydney Swans
Injuries: Josh Kennedy, Peter Ladhams, Sam Naismith
Sydney only have three players on their injury list at the moment, which is the fewest in the competition. Josh Kennedy is the only one they’d really love to get back on the park as he continues to nurse a bad hamstring. Peter Ladhams would also probably be in their best 22 but isn’t a big out due to both Tom Hickey and Sam Reid being available.
The Swans put the clamps on the Bulldogs last weekend when keeping them to 67 points while putting up 120 themselves. Their attack was as good as it’s been all season long and produced five multiple goalkickers, with Isaac Heeney leading the charge with four. It was a necessary bounce back performance from the Swans after their horror showing against the Bombers the weekend prior. The Swans are now 10-6 on the season and will start Round 18 in seventh spot on the ladder.
Match Prediction
The Dockers were impressive with their ball movement against the Saints last weekend and seem to be getting better with every game they play. They’ve been strongly challenged in each of their last three home matches but have managed to come away with a win in all of them. They now find themselves against a Swans outfit that have lost three of their last four on the road and I expect that trend to continue.
Fremantle Dockers -9.5 (2.5 Units)
$1.90
Prop Bets
Luke Ryan was on track for 20 touches last weekend until the ball just stopped coming down his end in the second half. He’s still had 20+ in five of his last seven outings and remains good value to reach that mark on Saturday night.
Luke Ryan 20+ Disposals - $1.87 at Ladbrokes
Lachie Schultz is an important piece of the Dockers forward line and continues to prove his worth each week. He’s kicked at least two goals in three of his last four matches and even had a bag of four back in Round 11. He should be good for at least two more here.
Lachie Schultz 2+ Goals - $2.15 at Ladbrokes
The Dockers defence has been the best in the competition this season and average just 67 points against per contest. I expect them to be at their stingy best again in this contest.
Sydney Swans Under 74.5 Points - $1.85 at Ladbrokes
