Round 9 Review
What a round of football, all of the games were decided by 15 points or less apart from Hawthorns win over Melbourne and we had a draw between North Melbourne and Brisbane. It was an interesting round with AndrewD topping the leaderboard with 11.22 despite only picking 5/9 winners whilst Redted3 picked 7/9 and earnt 11.04 points.
ROUND 10 TIPS
Gold Coast $1.72 v Hawthorn $2.10
The Suns have really found the perfect second home in Darwin, unbeaten in 7 games there. They survived a late onslaught from the dogs last week and I think the conditions of Darwin and how well they play it is the reason they are favourites here against the Hawks. Hawthorn managed to dominate the final quarter against Melbourne last week which was the difference. If this game was played in Melbourne I’d be confidently tipping the hawks but it’s hard to tip against Gold Coast in Darwin.
Mr Pineapple thinks – It’s a genuine 50/50 for me, I’m tempted to take the extra value on the hawks but the fact they were even at 3 quarter time against Melbourne last week and the Suns beat one of the in form teams in the Bulldogs last week has me thinking, back the Suns in Darwin until they give us reason not to. Gold Coast also dominated the Hawks early last year by 53 points which was the match in round 5 before the Hawks turned things around.
Sydney $1.68 v Carlton $2.15
Sydney let the Bombers get the jump on them early last week and probably should have won in the end, with the injuries they have combined with the worst forward line in the league if Heeney and Warner don’t dominate they just lose. Carlton are turning things around and had another win against St Kilda, could they go on a run now and get their season back on track? Both teams are inefficient going forward so I like the total points under 163.5.
Mr Pineapple thinks – Carlton have the best percentage of all teams outside the 8 with 110%, compare that to Sydney’s on 96% and it’s clear the Blues are having a better season. Whichever team loses this can probably forget about September action. In a 50/50 I’m going to take the extra value of Carlton to win this!
Collingwood $1.42 v Adelaide $2.90
The Pies have set up their season perfectly, resting four players for the Perth trip last week and still getting the win. You’d expect they all come back in this week while Schultz will miss with concussion. Collingwoods system is just better than everyone else’s at this stage, they can win differently depending on what’s required in any match. Adelaide won the showdown against Port last week but I was expecting them to make it look a bit easier, however I’ll put that down to showdowns always be close hard fought matches.
Mr Pineapple thinks – I like what both teams are doing but I think that Collingwood are the best drilled team this season and there’s not really a game where I could tip against them at the moment. If you want more value I think the 1-39 option provides that in what for the most part could be an arm wrestle and close. If you’re way behind in the leaderboard then I’d think about taking the value on Adelaide.
Port Adelaide $2.95 v Geelong $1.65
Port pushed Adelaide last week led by Connor Rozee and Zac Butters, they just lacked a big marking forward. It’s been hard to pick what port team will show up week to week. The same can be said somewhat of Geelong, they should have won that game against GWS last week with Blicavs missing from right in front in the final minute. Geelong should get some defenders back this week and if both teams play their best Geelong win.
Mr Pineapple thinks – If you need to make up some points this could be a game where you take the value on Port, but I’m predicting a close Geelong victory.
GWS $1.36 v Fremantle $3.05
Jesse Hogan was just incredible against Geelong last week, kicking 7.1 from 22 disposals. The Giants looked dangerous again, maybe they’ll go on a run now they’ve found some form. Stringer was subbed out with a hamstring injury after starting well but we don’t know if he’ll get up for this week yet. Fremantle have been one of the more disappointing teams of 2025. They are the slowest ball movement side and rely heavily on Serong and Brayshaw in the midfield and Treacy up forward. They have the potential to beat teams like GWS if they can get their game plan working.
Mr Pineapple thinks – If you’re way behind you could tip Fremantle, on paper they are certainly capable of winning but they just keep disappointing. I think GWS have too many weapons and when Jesse Hogan plays the way he did last week, he’s unstoppable. I’m personally taking GWS here.
Western Bulldogs $1.28 v Essendon $3.60
The Bombers just keep winning sitting nicely at 5-3 with a game in hand but they have only just been getting over the line and I don’t think anyone really considers them a chance for finals. They’re heading in the right direction and captain Zack Merrett is having a huge season. The Bulldogs were probably the in form team but ran into Gold Coast in Darwin where they don’t ever lose last week. Naughton needs to be more consistent but it’s a lot of the lesser names standing up for the Dogs alongside leaders Bontempelli & Libertore and it’s games like these we will see the dogs show how good they are, they are capable of blowing the poorer teams away because of their midfield dominance.
Mr Pineapple thinks – The bombers have been just winning games against the lesser teams but I fully expect the Bulldogs to dominate this one. Their midfield depth is key and this should be a game where Aaron Naughton kicks himself a bag to get back into form while Sam Darcy is out. Dogs to cover the -24.5 line!
Richmond $2.35 v North Melbourne $1.58
Richmond did what they needed to do and prevailed by 2 points over the Eagles last week whilst North probably should have won but walked away with a draw against the reigning premiership in Hobart. You’d think that North being further along in their re-build should be winning this but again, the leaders at Richmond are standing up. Tom Lynch is huge as a focal point up forward and Sam Banks had his best game to date last week. It’s a similar story at North with their leaders playing well, but it’s been 3 weeks in a row now that they’ve should have won and fallen short.
Mr Pineapple thinks – I’m going to take the value on the Tigers here, they just seem more up and about and have that passion and hunger to win for such a young team who at this stage with 3 wins from 9 games are far exceeding expectations from pre season. I’ll be tipping Richmond and taking them at the line with the +9.5 for $1.90!
Brisbane $1.20 v Melbourne $4.60
Brisbane were well below their best last week against North Melbourne coming away with the draw whilst Melbourne matched it with the Hawks for three quarters. Brisbane back at home are a different team and really should be bouncing back hard here. Clayton Oliver returned but in a tagging role and if Max Gawn can replicate his match from 2 weeks ago, we could potentially see an upset here. Brisbane are the much better team on paper but they’ve been good this season without being great.
Mr Pineapple thinks – If you’re sitting nicely somewhere in the top 20 you can take Brisbane to win, if you need to make up some points this is a game where I’d be taking a punt on Melbourne to upset the Lions. Personally I’m going with the Lions to bounce back.
West Coast $3.25 v St Kilda $1.33
The Saints lowered there colours against Carlton last week, which given their age and experience you would expect from time to time. The Eagles could have beaten the Tigers if not for a brilliant chase down tackle in the dying seconds. Harley Reid lifted but he needs more help. The fact that this is in WA, I can see West Coast taking some momentum from such a good effort last week and perhaps causing the Saints some problems. They’ll need big games from Harley Reid, Jake Waterman and Tim Kelly to return to form but it’s possible against an up and down St Kilda team.
Mr Pineapple thinks – I don’t think the Saints are a lock to win this, the line is -19.5 for them and whilst I’ve said it’s hard to see West Coast beating anyone, it’s matches like this where I think upsets as possible. If you’re right in the top 10 you could take the saints, I’m going to take a risk and back the Eagles in to cause an upset at home.
I’m using my best bet of the round in a punting challenge called Mr Pineapples Punting Pyramid. I’ve been running this for years and we’ve finished all 7 levels more times than Harley Reid and Dustin Martin have given ‘Dont Argues’ – it’s my best bet each round in a roll-over style challenge, aiming to win 7 in a row. This week my best bet is Geelong to just get it done against Port, I’ve gone the 1-39 for the extra value as Port should put up a bit of a fight at home.
Punting Pyramid Best Bet
DOG OF THE ROUND – Richmond
There were a few I could have gone with as I think we might see a couple of upsets this round! But Richmond, coming off a win and playing with more passion and pressure than those other clubs down the bottom, I just think that their top end stars are equal to North’s and their young brigade seem hungrier to win whereas North seem to be okay with getting close and just losing.
MULTI WORTH A PINEAPPLE
Geelong Win $1.67
Collingwood Win $1.50
Western Bulldogs Win $1.26
$3.15-1