
Golden Slipper nominations drop with 1937 entrants in the mix
The first nominations for the Golden Slipper 2026 have been released, with the Australian Turf…
Western Bulldogs finals hopes will go on the line on Thursday night when they open AFL round 21 against GWS at Marvel Stadium.
The Bulldogs are a $1.50 favourite with AFL betting sites to defeat the Giants $2.60, and have had the recent wood over the opponent, having won their last three matches against them.
But if the Bulldogs lose against the Giants they will fall two games behind eighth-placed Gold Coast, who are expected to account for Richmond at home.
Fresh off a strong victory over Essendon, Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said the impact of his star forwards Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy were instrumental, with the pair kicking seven and six goals respectively
“Ultimately we’re tinkering with things and we think there are things we need to improve… but we didn’t go over the top improving out of sight fixing those things…. so there are still things to work on,” he said.
“It was great, as you said they converted, they kicked straight, didn’t always feel like we picked them out and kicked it to them when we should have.”
GWS has suffered a blow for the clash with captain Toby Greene suspended for one week after being booked booked for striking in their win over Sydney on Friday night. The firebrand did evade a further suspension for his “fat” jibe at Sydney goal-sneak Tom Papley.
Meanwhile, Adelaide ($1.44) will start a hot favourite against Hawthorn ($2.81) on Friday night with this clash also having deep ramifications for both the Crows top four hopes and the Melbourne-based team’s chance of playing in September, with a horror draw in front of them.
In the early game on Saturday, Melbourne ($1.08) will be hellbent on putting their disastrous last gasp loss to St Kilda behind them, when they clash with West Coast ($8) at Marvel Stadium.
Gold Coast ($1.04) is expected to account for Richmond ($11) at Peoples First Stadium with a win here locking in the Suns first finals appearance in their short history.
Sydney ($1.04) is a short-priced favourite to continue the injury-hit misery for Essendon ($11.50), with the Bombers injury list one of the worst we have seen in recent years.
Collingwood ($1.59) will attempt to emulate the 2023 grand final when they host the Brisbane Lions ($2.37) with the Magpies fresh off their first win in three weeks, which kept them on the top of the AFL ladder.
On Sunday, St Kilda ($1.26 with Sportsbet) will lock horns with North Melbourne ($3.85), Geelong ($1.05) is expected to account for Port Adelaide ($10.25) and Fremantle ($1.14) can keep their September push rolling with a win over Carlton ($5.75).
AFL Round 21 will kick off on Thursday, July 31, and conclude on Sunday, August 3.
Thursday, July 31
Western Bulldogs (Win $1.50) vs GWS GIANTS (Win $2.60) – 7:30 pm AEST – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Friday, August 1
Adelaide Crows (Win $1.44) vs Hawthorn (Win $2.81) – 7:40 pm AEST – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Saturday, August 2
Melbourne (Win $1.08) vs West Coast Eagles (Win $8.00) – 1:20 pm AEST – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Gold Coast SUNS (Win $1.04) vs Richmond (Win $11.00) – 4:10 pm AEST – People First Stadium, Gold Coast
Sydney Swans (Win $1.04) vs Essendon (Win $11.50) – 4:15 pm AEST – SCG, Sydney
Collingwood (Win $1.59) vs Brisbane Lions (Win $2.37) – 7:35 pm AEST – MCG, Melbourne
Sunday, August 3
St Kilda (Win $1.26) vs North Melbourne (Win $3.85) – 1:40 pm AEST – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Geelong Cats (Win $1.05) vs Port Adelaide (Win $10.25) – 3:15 pm AEST – GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Fremantle (Win $1.14) vs Carlton (Win $5.75) – 5:10 pm AEST – Optus Stadium, Perth