Triple M Footy Preview - Round 23

The Triple M Footy Preview is brought to you with our good mates at Crownbet. Each week, a member of the triplem.com.au team will look at the fixture and put their neck on the line with their call for the games of the round. With odds for each team thanks to Crownbet.

Keep up to date with the latest odds on all the weekend’s action at Crownbet.com.au.

Hawthorn vs. Western Bulldogs

Both teams will be keen to send off their retiring stars - Luke Hodge, Josh Gibson, Bob Murphy and Matthew Boyd - in style. The Dogs still have something to play for, but only mathematically. The Hawks, however, have been a better side over recent weeks, and that might be all it takes.

Hawthorn by 5

Crownbet odds:

Hawthorn 2.02

Western Bulldogs 1.80

Collingwood vs. Melbourne

This game means a lot more for Melbourne than it does for Collingwood: win this and they can lock in their first finals berth in 11 years. Lose this and it's up in the air. Having said that, motivation may not be completely wiped for Collingwood. They've been in reasonable form over the last few weeks and a win over their rivals will still be worth it.

Melbourne by 20

Crownbet odds:

Collingwood 2.35

Melbourne 1.60

Brisbane vs. North Melbourne

It's the Spoonbowl at the Gabba on Saturday arvo as Brisbane take on North, with the loser destined to finish the year on the bottom. North has been reasonably competitive all year, but the form lines tend to lean towards the Lions. They're at home and have the chance to send off 2017 in a positive fashion, something they've missed in recent years.

Brisbane by 15

Crownbet odds:

Brisbane 1.48

North Melbourne 2.70

Sydney vs. Carlton

Carlton has made a habit of dragging things down. Rarely have they been blown away this season with their defence a standout, keeping an in-form Hawthorn by 70 points in last week's win. But all the motivation is with Sydney. They a win here, and a percentage boost over Port Adelaide, to jump to fourth, which will mean a double chance if Richmond manage to lose.

Sydney by 58

Crownbet odds:

Sydney 1.05

Carlton 10.00

Geelong vs. GWS

An intriguing clash looms at Kardinia Park, with second versus third set to decide the permutations of second versus third. The winner here jumps to second and a home qualifying final, while the loser likely slips to third. GWS can slip down to fourth, though, if Richmond win and jump their percentage, so maybe they have slightly more to play for.

GWS by 13

Crownbet odds:

Geelong 1.87

GWS 1.95

Port Adelaide vs. Gold Coast

It's hard to see past a Port Adelaide win here. They've demolished the sides below them this season, including Gold Coast already, when they beat them by 72 points in China. They need the percentage, too: it gives them the sneaky chance of a qualifying final against Adelaide if Richmond happen to slip up the day after.

Port Adelaide by 67

Crownbet odds:

Port Adelaide 1.07

Gold Coast 9.00

Essendon vs. Fremantle

There's not much going for Fremantle at the moment - they're coming off consecutive 104-point losses to Sydney and Richmond, the highest losing margin recorded in back to back games on record. This is a chance for Essendon to lock up a finals campaign ahead of West Coast, St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs, which they should be able to manage.

Essendon by 52

Crownbet odds:

Essendon 1.09

Fremantle 7.50

Richmond vs. St Kilda

This game still means so much for Richmond. They need a win here to guarantee themselves a double chance and a likely trip to Adelaide, a reward for an excellent season. Lose to St Kilda - and they already have this season, convincingly - and an dicey elimination final against Melbourne or Essendon is probably what awaits them. 

Richmond by 15

Crownbet odds:

Richmond 1.40

St Kilda 3.00

West Coast vs. Adelaide

Finals may already be out of the question for West Coast by the time this game rolls around, and Adelaide could already have top spot locked away if Geelong beat GWS, so this clash could all be rudimentary. Having said that, Adelaide has been consistently excellent all season, so even if it means nothing for the ladder, a win could mean everything for maintaining their form for finals.

Adelaide by 20

Crownbet odds:

West Coast 2.45

Adelaide 1.56