AFL Round 21 Betting Tips: George Hewett, Rory Atkins provide value in disposals market

Kieran Francis

Bryn Wakefield

AFL Round 21 Betting Tips: George Hewett, Rory Atkins provide value in disposals market image

Finals are just around the corner with four teams locked into the top eight and 10 others competing for the final four positions.

Friday night will see the last dance for Richmond regarding finals, while the Bulldogs need a win to keep their chances strong.

The result of St Kilda and Carlton on Sunday will also have a strong bearing on the top-eight race.

The Sporting News gives you the best betting tips for Round 21

Odds courtesy of Bluebet.

Last week, we scored seven of our nine predictions with Luke Pedlar scoring two goals, GWS and St Kilda at the line, plus Melbourne 1-39 coming through strong.

MORE: AFL Injury List 2023

Western Bulldogs (8th) vs Richmond (11th) best bet

With Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin both managed for the Tigers, it definitely makes sure the ledger is in favour of the Bulldogs.;

The return of Liam Jones is a huge boost for the Bulldogs as well, with the defender seeming to be a barometer for the team's performance this season.

With the line sitting at just above two goals, the Bulldogs can get the job done comfortably.

Bulldogs -13.5 - $1.85

- Kieran Francis

Essendon (13th) vs West Coast (18th) best bet

It's not been an easy season to predict the output of Essendon, who has lost its last three matches in a dive down the ladder. 

West Coast is coming off a win over North Melbourne and should regain defender Jeremy McGovern while offering more game time to midfielder Elliot Yeo. 

That said, the Bombers duo of Zac Merrett and Darcy Parish will get the ball pumping into their forward line, with skipper Luke Shuey out of the Eagles' side. 

West Coast has conceded a number of blowout margins away from home this year and we're tipping them to do so again. 

Essendon -50.5 - $1.90

- Bryn Wakefield

Adelaide (12th) vs Gold Coast (14th) best bet

Both teams are coming off big wins against top four sides and the Crows are probably a little short despite being at home.

Gold Coast utility Rory Atkins, playing against former club, looks reborn in an half-back role, getting over 25 possessions in his last four matches.

He represents value to get over this tally once again.

Rory Atkins 25+ disposals - $2.10

- Kieran Francis

Hawthorn (16th) vs Collingwood (1st) best bet

Collingwood felt the unexpected pain of defeat last week against Carlton, but they'll have the chance to regroup in Round 21.

Hawthorn has leaked some big scores in 2023, and should be fodder for a full-strength Magpies side. 

The Hawks are also susceptible to conceding large margins at the MCG, where Collingwood has been dominant this season. 

Expect the Magpies to cover the line -33.5 line. 

Magpies -33.5 - $1.90

- Bryn Wakefield

Nick Daicos Josh Collingwood
Getty Images

Geelong (9th) vs Port Adelaide (2nd) best bet 

Another tough game to read with Geelong suffering injuries and Port Adelaide out-of-form on the road.

The Cats looked weak in the last quarter against Fremantle without an injured Tom Hawkins and Mark Blicavs.

For this reason, we like the Power at the line in a match that is likely to be tight.

Port Adelaide +11.5 - $1.90

- Kieran Francis

GWS (6th) vs Sydney (10th) best bet

GWS has taken the league by storm, with a seven-game win streak spanning nearly two months. 

The Giants will find a challenge against neighbours Sydney, who are desperate to make a late run into finals. 

Expect a closely-fought affair, with neither team wanting to relent its ladder position at this late stage of the season. 

Triple Margin II Any other result (both teams to win under 24.5 points) - $1.72

- Bryn Wakefield

North Melbourne vs Melbourne (4th) (17th) best bet

North Melbourne hit rock bottom with last week's loss to West Coast but Alastair Clarkson does return to the box.

Melbourne really got going against Richmond and look like they are hitting their straps.

Even though it's in Tasmania, Melbourne covering their line looks real likely.

Melbourne -42.5 points

- Kieran Francis

St Kilda (5th) vs Carlton (7th) best bet

It's another vital clash for both St Kilda and Carlton, with the result to play a big part in top eight calculations. 

The Blues will be without key midfielders Adam Cerra and Sam Walsh, who have both gone down with hamstring concerns. 

It leaves the door open for Carlton onballer George Hewett, who has yet to stamp himself on the season, to collect his share of disposals. 

George Hewett 25+ disposals - $ 1.80

- Bryn Wakefield

Fremantle (15th) vs Brisbane (3rd) best bet

Brisbane proved they are road strugglers in their last match - even though it was just down the highway against Gold Coast.

While the Dockers showed their capabilities by getting one over Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.

Fremantle are decent underdogs because of their ladder position, so taking them at the line is smart.

Fremantle -13.5 -$1.85

- Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.

Bryn Wakefield

Bryn Wakefield Photo
Bryn is a content producer for Sporting News, covering AFL and Australian Rules Football. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, he has thrived in the passionate sporting city, desperate for ultimate success despite its underdog tag.