Fremantle v Sydney betting tips and winner prediction
Welcome to our Fremantle v Sydney betting tips and winner prediction for their AFL round 18 clash at Optus Stadium on Thursday night.
The Dockers have been installed a 1.49 favourite to defeat the Swans (2.64) with Australian betting sites in what is looming as a cracking contest between the top two teams.
Fremantle’s impervious run was finally snapped by GWS last round, but they will not have lost many fans, after rattling off 14 wins in a row.
The Swans form has also wavered in recent weeks, although they did defeat the Western Bulldogs by 35 points at the SCG last Friday, with this victory set up by the outstanding Charlie Curnow, who booted 6.1 and took the lead in the Coleman Medal.
Fremantle star Hayden Young, who has endured a wretched run with injury, hurt his groin against the Giants and could be replaced by Corey Wagner or veteran Jaeger O’Meara.
The Swans are hopeful small forward Tom Papley will return from a calf injury, but the likes of Sam Wicks, Logan McDonald, Justin McInerney and Joel Amartey remain on the sidelines.
Fremantle v Sydney betting tips
WGL’s AFL betting expert has assessed the markets and found some value Fremantle v Sydney tips:
Chad Warner 2+ goals
The Swans star has been in a strong patch of form in the last month, and he will enjoy being back in the west, albeit temporarily. He is paying 2.70 to kick 2+ goals, which is outstanding value for a guy who has kicked 11 goals in his last five games.
Fremantle -12.5 points
The Dockers will hit back hard after the GWS loss and cover the line. They look better on every line than their Sydney opponent.
Sam Switkowski 2+ goals
The Dockers forward line has many different prongs, and you never quite know which one will fire on any given week. This week we think it might be the veteran forward Sam Switkowski, because they are coming off a loss, and his tackling and pressure up forward are often their barometer. After three weeks of no goals, he’s due and great value for 2+ at 6.25.
Possessions betting tips
Fremantle gun Caleb Serong reached 30 possessions last week and looms as a key player again. He is also second favourite behind Andrew Brayshaw, who has not been as prolific this year, at 1.80 to reach 25+.. The interesting one is Karl Worner, who had 29 touches last week and is paying 2.90 to reach 25+. Murphy Reid and Shai Bolton tend to be locks for 20+.
The Swans midfield will again be spearheaded by Isaac Heeney, who did not reach 30 possessions last week for the first time in a month. Callum Mills and half-back Nick Blakey are in contention to reach 25+, while Errol Gulden had 27 last week and and is still paying 1.88 to reach 25+.
Fremantle v Sydney prediction
The Dockers have one of the healthiest lists in the AFL right now, with this a major reason they are on the top of the ladder. The Swans, until a few weeks ago, were in much the same boat – injury free and flying. But several key or highly-improved players have gone down in recent weeks, and exposed their dubious depth. We just can’t see them challenging the Dockers on the road this time. The Dockers will also be keen to respond after their poor showing against GWS, with everything pointing to this happening swiftly. Our final Fremantle v Sydney prediction? Dockers by 15 points.
