Round 4 made it clear to some teams that they will need to improve to make the playoffs this season.
Poor losses from a few clubs has thrown a spanner in the works and Round 5 promises to be another high-quality round with plenty of action.
Sydney takes on Adelaide to open the week on Friday and there are some perfectly-balanced matchups throughout the week.
We have form and free tips for every Round 5 AFL game this week.
All odds are with Sportsbet – our No. 1 rated bookmaker. You can join Sportsbet by clicking HERE.
Friday 20/4/18
7:50pm Sydney vs. Adelaide @ SCG
The Swans pulled out plenty to score against the Bulldogs last week and they will be seeking consecutive wins back on home soil.
The 86-79 victory will give the Swans plenty of confidence going forward and they play against a team which had its confidence destroyed last week.
Last year’s finalists Adelaide were soundly beaten by Collingwood on home soil and that loss should sting for quite some time.
It’s tough to see Adelaide rebounding after that loss and we’re expecting another good showing from Sydney.
Betting tip: Sydney –15.5 @ $1.92 (BET NOW)
Sydney by 24
Saturday 21/4/18
1:45pm St Kilda vs. GWS @ Etihad Stadium
The Greater Western Sydney Giants were professional when beating Fremantle last week and we’re expecting something similar this week, as are bookmakers.
Bookmakers have the Giants as $1.27 favourites to beat St Kilda, which were poor when losing to the Cats 103-56 last week.
The Saints play at home this week which is a bonus but this game should be comfortably won by GWS, which are looking playoff-bound this season.
Betting tip: GWS -24.5 @ $1.90 (BET NOW)
GWS by 40
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4:35pm Carlton vs. West Coast @ MCG
This shouldn’t be a close affair if Round 4 form is anything to go by.
Carlton were absolutely woeful against North Melbourne, scoring just 30 points and giving up 116 in the process.
After a somewhat promising start to the season it looks as though it will be another struggle for Carlton, which faces the West Coast Eagles here.
The Eagles won 139-59 against the Suns last week and we’re expecting something of the same nature this week.
Betting tip: West Coast –27.5 @ $1.92 (BET NOW)
West Coast by 40
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7:40pm Port Adelaide vs. Geelong @ Adelaide Oval
After such a great start to the season, Port Adelaide now must battle back after losing to Essendon last week.
The 106-84 loss could well start a losing streak for the Power, which looked good in the first three games of the season and taking on a tough Geelong team with some quality youngster could be tough.
That being said, Geelong’s side is still missing some stars and Port find themselves back in Adelaide for this contest.
The Power might need this win more and pull out all the stops.
Betting tip: Port Adelaide to win @ $1.52 (BET NOW)
Port Adelaide by 22
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8:10pm Fremantle vs. Western Bulldogs @ Optus Stadium
This is a key game for both teams with Fremantle looking to secure its third win and the Bulldogs looking to notch their second.
GWS were too good for the Dockers last week and Sydney were a goal and a behind better than the Bulldogs, but which team performed better?
Scoring only 51 points is going to make it tough to win games this season and Fremantle will need a better offensive show this week.
This will likely be a low-scoring affair and we’ll take the value for the Bulldogs when it’s on offer.
Betting tip: Bulldogs to win @ $2.35 (BET NOW)
Bulldogs by 7
Sunday 22/4/18
3:20pm North Melbourne vs. Hawthorn @ Etihad Stadium
The Hawks looked impressive when winning 115-48 over the Demons last week and they are capable of producing consecutive efforts of that quality.
North Melbourne were equally impressive when limiting Carlton to 30 points and both teams will be coming into this game full of confidence.
Bookmakers have it going in favour of Hawthorn and team lineups would have to agree with that prediction but don’t expect the Kangaroos to go down quietly.
Betting tip: North Melbourne +15.5 @ $1.92 (BET NOW)
Hawthorn by 10
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4:40pm Brisbane vs. Gold Coast @The Gabba
This is more a decision as to which team is worse than the other, because both teams are relatively awful this season.
It started well enough for Gold Coast but back-to-back losses have derailed their season and they’re now underdogs against an 0-4 Brisbane side.
Should Brisbane be favoured after scoring 17 points last week? No, which is why punters should be jumping all over the $2.05 for the Suns.
It won’t be pretty – just a warning!
Betting tip: Gold Coast to win @ $2.05 (BET NOW)
Gold Coast by 22
Tuesday 24/4/18
7:25pm Melbourne vs. Richmond @ MCG
Richmond were ruthless in beating Brisbane 110-17 last week in what was a tremendous defensive effort.
The Tigers showed why they should be respected this season and they have Melbourne in their sights, which are looking to stave off consecutive defeats after starting the season well.
Losing 115-48 last week has put Melbourne on the backfoot and we’re not sure taking on Richmond is the best way to get back on track.
The occasion might lift Melbourne but the form is with Richmond and so is our pick.
Betting tip: Richmond to win @ $1.49 (BET NOW)
Richmond by 19
Wednesday 25/4/18
3:20pm Collingwood vs. Essendon @ MCG
Collingwood got back to their brilliant best against the Adelaide Crows last week and if that doesn’t give them confidence we don’t know what will.
Essendon also got back to their winning ways with a quality effort against the Power and they should continue with quality play this season.
We were happy to see the Magpies get the result last week but Essendon are the better side with better players.
That should be evident on ANZAC Day and they’re paying a nice price.
Betting tip: Essendon to win @ $2 (BET NOW)
Essendon by 12
Once again, all odds are with Sportsbet – our No. 1 rated bookmaker. You can join Sportsbet by clicking HERE.
