Arch rivals Collingwood and Carlton go into battle at the MCG on Saturday afternoon with the Blues needing to cause a major upset against the top of the table Pies to consolidate their position in the top eight.

Collingwood have been in devastating form in the last five weeks winning by an average of 53 points with Dane Swan highly fancied for the Brownlow and the Pies at $5.50 for this year’s flag. Last week as expected they hammered the young Tigers by 82 points with Dane Swan amassing 39 disposals. Against the Blues the Pies have struggled winning just two of their last five encounters however ironically they did defeat the Blues by 53 points in their round six encounters.

Carlton turned around a poor first half against the Eagles last week to record a 26 point win in Andrew Walkers 100th game. The Win puts the Blues in seventh place on the ladder and importantly a game and healthly percentage ahead of the drop zone. Coach Brett Ratten wants his side to control their own destiny, they have won three of their past five encounters but they will have to pull out something special to defeat the Pies at the peak of their Powers.

Conclusion

Unlikely to see an upset in this game, Collingwood are near full strength with Heath Shaw the only player likely to return to best twenty two, having said that if Carlton’s small forwards can get up and about early the Blues may just do what they did against Geelong and St Kilda.

If you have played Premier fantasy football before then you’ll know just how much fun it is. It’s similar to the AFL SuperCoach and will keep you entertained during the whole Premier League season.

We’ve setup up a fantasy league of our own on our betting forum PunterZone.com.au which is free for anyone to join. Visit our EPL Fantasy Soccer thread at this link for full details.

Our very own GameTipper has been busy writing up guides to help you along your way. So check out his detailed Fantasy League guide at this link. It has everything you need to know about building the complete team such as how to start off, which types of players to buy, what to look for, and much much more.

Want to Join our EPL Fantasy League?

The more the better in our eyes! So feel free to join, just follow the steps below. Plus you can join in the discussion on the forum and have a great time along the way. We’ve already got a few involved so good times ahead.

• Join EPL Fantasy League at this link
• Enter League Code: 40878-14213
• Visit our thread at PunterZone Forum and join in the discussion

The Bletchingly Stakes is run over a distance of 1200 metres at weight for age conditions, with $125,000 in prize money up for offer. It will usually attract some pretty likely horses and there will certainly be some value on offer come Saturday.

2010 Bletchingly Stakes – Race Preview & Tips

We’ll be back later in the week to preview the race and offer our free racing tips for the Bletchingly Stakes, once the fields and odds have been finalised, so be sure to return back here then!

In the meantime, check out some of the free bets you can claim on the race below. Be sure to register an online betting account prior to Saturday.

Bletchingly Stakes Free Bets

	$300 Free Bet	Visit Sportsbet today for details	-
	$100 Free Bet	Have your first bet matched 100%	FBI2010
	$100 Free Bet	Luxbet will match your first bet	FREEBET1
	$100 Free Bet	Deposit $50 or more and get $100	FREEBET
	$100 Free Bet	Deposit $30 or more and get $100	-
	$50 Free Bet	$50 Free Bet if first bet is a loser	FBR426

Where to Discuss the Bletchingly Stakes?

Be sure to check out our new Betting Forum at PunterZone.com.au today. We’re only new, but we’ve already got some fabulous tipsters (especially for racing) who are tipping some winners at some very nice prices on sports and racing.

We’re also going to be running some good promos soon so be sure to register and get involved, who knows, you might even have some good fun. We’re a fast growing community and we’d love to hear some of your views or opinions, or you can let your hair down in our general chat section.

Visit our official Betting Forum today at this link!

Check out the AFL Ladder here at this link and odds for this weekends Round 18 matches here. The AFL Grand Final is now only two months away and will come around very quickly, so keep it here for all things AFL!

Collingwood (1st)

Carlton (MCG), Geelong (MCG), Essendon (MCG), Adelaide (MCG), Hawthorn (MCG)

A nice run home for the Pies with five games at the MCG the sweetener. Should win 4 of the 5 comfortably, with the Geelong game possibly being the difference between top spot and third spot.

Prediction: 3rd | Premiership: $4.00 | To Make Grand Final: $2.00

Geelong (2nd)

Sydney (ANZ), Collingwood (MCG), W Bulldogs (ES), Carlton (ES), West Coast (SS)

Like Collingwood, should win 4 of 5, with the Pies match hugely important. Carlton could be tricky, having won their past two against Geelong, but a top three spot is pretty much locked in now.

Prediction: 1st | Premiership: $3.00 | To Make Grand Final: $1.66

St Kilda (3rd)

Essendon (ES), Port Adelaide (ES), North Melbourne (ES), Richmond (ES), Adelaide (AS)

St Kilda have been gifted an easy run home with four games at Etihad Stadium and all against bottom eight clubs. Should win all five matches and claim a top two spot and the home final.

Prediction: 2nd | Premiership: $5.00 | To Make Grand Final: $2.50

Western Bulldogs (4th)

North Melbourne (ES), Adelaide (AS), Geelong (ES), Sydney (SCG), Essendon (AS)

Im predicting the Dogs will win four of their remaining five, with the Geelong game the only tough ask. Two interstate trips make it tough, but the Dogs look destined for the top four again.

Prediction: 4th | Premiership: $5.00 | To Make Grand Final: $2.70

Fremantle (5th)

West Coast (S), North Melbourne (ES), Sydney (S), Hawthorn (AU), Carlton (S)

The Dockers have enjoyed a very strong season, but injuries and some poor form are quickly threatening their season now. I have them winning 3 of 5, the Carlton game may be tricky too.

Prediction: 6th | Premiership: $34.00 | Top Four: $4.25

Hawthorn (6th)

Port Adelaide (AS), Sydney (SCG), Melbourne (MCG), Fremantle (AU), Collingwood (MCG)

Three trips outside Victoria, but all matches winnable, bar Collingwood which will be tough. Will certainly make the eight, but top four is a stretch. They should finish 5th-6th and snare home final.

Prediction: 5th | Premiership: $41.00 | Top Eight: $1.25

Carlton (7th)

Collingwood (MCG), Essendon (MCG), Richmond (MCG), Geelong (ES), Fremantle (S)

Tough run home, but 11 wins should be enough to make finals. The Essendon and Richmond matches are crucial. If they can upset Pies, Cats or Dockers, they are near certainties to make it.

Prediction: 7th | Premiership: $8.00 | Top Four: $7.00

Sydney (8th)

Geelong (ANZ), Hawthorn (SCG), Fremantle (S), W Bulldogs (SCG), Brisbane (G)

An absolute nightmare run home. The loss to Melbourne on the weekend has near killed them. Brisbane game will be the only one they will be confident of winning. Could be curtains for Swans.

Prediction: 9th | Premiership: $67.00 | Top Four: $1.25

North Melbourne (9th)

W Bulldogs (ES), Fremantle (ES), St Kilda (ES), West Coast (S), Melbourne (MCG)

Very tough draw for the Roos, considering they are a game and % outside the top eight. Must beat Dockers, Eagles and Dees for any hope. An upset win over the Dogs or Saints will do wonders.

Prediction: 8th | Premiership: $201.00 | Top Four: $3.20

Adelaide (10th)

Richmond (MCG), W Bulldogs (AS), Brisbane (G), Collingwood (MCG), St Kilda (AS)

Horror run home for the Crows who must face three sides in the top four. Must beat Tigers and Lions, and beat two of Dogs, Pies or Saints. Possible, but fairly unlikely if you ask me. Good night.

Prediction: 11th | Premiership: $126.00 | Top Four: $7.00

Melbourne (11th)

Brisbane (G), Richmond (MCG), Hawthorn (MCG), Port Adelaide (MCG), North Melbourne (MCG)

Yes, Melbourne are still a sniff believe it or not! They have a relatively easy run home too, bar Hawthorn. Winning 4 of their last 5 is certainly possible and they could sneak in with 10.5 wins.

Prediction: 10th | Premiership: $501.00 | Top Four: $7.00

Without doubt, the big match of the weekend is the Collingwood vs Carlton match at the MCG on Saturday (as it always is). The Blues are only two wins away from locking in a final spot and a surprise win over the Pies will go a long way, but they are long shots at $5.12 with Centrebet. The Hawks will start at short odds against Port Adelaide on Saturday and a win there will almost certainly guarantee them a final spot of their own.

Other games this weekend involve Essendon hosting the rattled Saints, Sydney trying to get their season back on track against reigning premiers Geelong, the resurgent Melbourne travelling to the Gabba to take on Brisbane, Richmond taking on Adelaide, top four bound Western Bulldogs against edge-of-the-eight North Melbourne. The WA Derby between Fremantle and West Coast will close the round, with the Dockers raging favourites.

AFL Round 18 Fixtures						Venue	Date
$5.12	Essendon			St Kilda	$1.17	ETI	Fri, 7:40pm
$1.17	Collingwood			Carlton	$5.12	MCG	Sat, 2:10pm
$3.42	Port Adelaide			Hawthorn	$1.32	AAMI	Sat, 3:10pm
$4.61	Sydney			Geelong	$1.20	ANZ	Sat, 7:10pm
$1.75	Brisbane			Melbourne	$2.09	GAB	Sat, 7:10pm
$2.33	Richmond			Adelaide	$1.61	MCG	Sun, 1:10pm
$1.16	Western Bulldogs			Nth Melbourne	$5.32	ETI	Sun, 2:10pm
$1.35	Fremantle			West Coast	$3.23	SUB	Sun, 4:40pm

This Week’s Tips

Pretty tough round to find any value with so many short priced favourites, so we’ll do what we normally do and tip a multibet for you to take advantage of. Im very surprised Melbourne are so long against Brisbane, considering they hammered the Lions earlier in the year and given their form last week, they are likely to do the same again. So why not take Melbourne at $2.09 and add in St Kilda ($1.17) and Geelong ($1.20) as sweeteners. This will pay $2.93.

Where to bet, I hear you ask? Why not place this bet at Centrebet? They are the best bookie for AFL betting with markets on just about anything you can think of. They also offer new customers a $100 Free Bet, so why not turn your $100 into $293 with this weeks tip!

Get your $100 Free Bet by Joining Centrebet today!

Where to Discuss this Weekends Action?

Be sure to check out our new Betting Forum at PunterZone.com.au today. We’re only new, but we’ve already got some fabulous tipsters (especially for the AFL) who are tipping some winners at some very nice prices on sports and racing.

We’re also going to be running some good promos soon so be sure to register and get involved, who knows, you might even have some good fun. We’re a fast growing community and we’d love to hear some of your views or opinions, or you can let your hair down in our general chat section.

Visit our official Betting Forum today at this link!

Brownlow Medal Round 15

Round 17 votes are in for the 2010 Phantom Brownlow Medal and not a lot has changed. Dane Swan and Luke Hodge have extended their lead at the top, but Hodge still unable to bridge that gap as both players polled two votes this weekend.

Gary Ablett finally got his act together and picked up three votes, but I feel he has left it too late this year. In fact, he has lost Brownlow Medal favouritism now with most major betting agencies. Adam Cooney, Adam Goodes, Chris Judd and Jobe Watson were other players in our top ten who polled votes this weekend.

Plenty of money has been coming in for Luke Hodge which has seen his odds slip to $5.00 with Sportsbet. Ablett and Swan are locked at $5.50 while Goddard ($14.00), Judd ($17.00), Scott Pendlebury ($17.00) and Lenny Hayes ($18.00) are all outsiders.

Essendon hosts St Kilda on Friday night with renewed confidence winning their first game in seven weeks while the Saints escaped an almost certain loss to record their first draw of the season on a slippery and dangerous Etihad surface.

Essendon coach Matthew Knights would have breathed a sigh of relief as his Bombers held on for a thrilling three point victory against a North Melbourne side playing for a finals spot. Young debutant Kyle Hardingham was a star up forward kicking four goals while Jobe Watson lead from the front with a game high 38 disposals. In recent times the Bombers have won their last two games against the Saints with their last victory a thrilling twelve point upset in round eight this season.

St Kilda were lucky to get away with a draw last week with the Hawks making a costly interchange mistake which let the Saints back in the game. While Justin Kositzke returned to some form kicking three goals skipper Nick Reiwoldt looked imposing up forward. Injury clouds will remain on Leigh Montagna after the Saint slipped on the controversial surface injuring his groin. The Saints on form should win this easily but the Bomber have a tendency to lift against the top sides.

Conclusion

The Bombers first win since round ten relieves some of the pressure on the club but coach Matthew Knights admits there is a long way to go. While they have matched up well against the Saints they will need to pull of the impossible to win. The Saints with skipper Nick Reiwoldt returning to form could blow this game apart.

Port Adelaide hosts Hawthorn at AAMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon with some confidence after their physical win over cross town rival Adelaide. The Hawks too look ominous and have been backed in at $9 to win this year’s flag.

Port dealt a major blow to Adelaide’s finals chances with a spirited 19 point win to hand stand in Coach Matthew Primus his first win. The Power held off a strong finishing Adelaide to record their fifth win of the season so far. With skipper Warren Tredrea set to announce his retirement the Power will want to honour their most successful player however they will have to come of their round ten defeat against the Hawks to do so. In their last five games at AAMI Stadium the Power have dominated winning four by a staggering average of 78 points.

Hawthorn dealt their top four chances a major blow conceding a seven point lead with just minutes remaining to record a thrilling draw. It was however a costly interchange mistake that ultimately cost the Hawks the four points Lance Franklin kicked five for the Hawks but he also gave away four fifty metre penalties, an area the Hawks need to be more disciplined in.

Conclusion

Despite a terrible record at AAMI Stadium you would expect the Hawks to win, they have been terrific in the second half of this season loosing just one game but importantly the addition of Shaun Burgoyne in the midfield gives them added depth, something they were lacking last season.

Sydney will welcome their return to home turf after a demoralising defeat at the MCG last week, things won’t get any easier though with Geelong looking in ominous form ahead of their Premiership defence in September.

Sydney entered their game against Melbourne as warm favourites but failed to mount any fight back after trailing by 37 points at quarter time. Adam Goodes put in a solo performance kicking four goals and racking up 26 disposals but was lacking support. For the Swans to cause an upset and consolidate their position in the top eight they will need to break a seven game losing streak against the Cats, their last win back in 2006.

Geelong lifted a gear on the weekend in their bid for three Premierships in four years with a ten goal thumping of the Lions. Joel Selwood was a standout with 41 disposals while Gary Ablett (5 goals) and Steve Johnson ( 4 goals) were in devastating form up forward. Coach Mark Thompson has made it clear he will rest his stars up for finals and is likely to bring in forward Tom Hawkins in a bid to get him right for finals.

Conclusion

Sydney will be hoping the catch the Cats off guard as Adelaide did two weeks ago to have any chance of winning this game, the Cats have had a number of injury concerns this season but are seemingly putting it all together at the business end of the season and should get the job done on Saturday night.

Melbourne take on Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday night full of confidence having won two of their last three games, unfortunately for the Lions their season is a write off having recorded just one win since round four.

Brisbane’s were praised for the effort on Saturday at Skilled Stadium despite suffering a 63 point loss. Brisbane Coach Michael Voss was pleased with his teams endeavour however conceded they were simply outclassed. Lions Skipper Jonathon Brown did his best with four goals but the spotlight is likely to come on out of sorts Brendan Fevola who managed just one goal in a terrible performance.

Melbourne hammered a disappointing Swans outfit by 73 points with Brad Green staring up forward with five goals while Colin Sylvia lead the Demons midfield charge with 28 disposals. The Demons could be set to regain trio Jack Trengrove, Jack Grimes and Brent Moloney but they have traditionally struggled at the Gabba winning just one of seven games. They will however take great confidence out of their 50 point win in round five this season and have even been predicted as an outside finals chance.

Conclusion

Very difficult game to tip a winner, Brisbane have been out of sorts in recent weeks but after two weeks on the road will be looking forward to returning to their home turf. Melbourne on the other hand has been impressive season and will only get better. Brisbane might just restore some pride and get over the line.