AFL Preview Round 5: Kangaroos v Hawks

Nth Melbourne v Hawthorn
Sun 3:20pm at Etihad Stadium

The first game on Sunday afternoon sees North Melbourne take on the Hawks at Etihad Stadium, with both sides sitting inside the eight. The Kangaroos have surprised many footy fans with their performances this year, while Hawthorn just keep grinding away. It may not be one of the prettiest games you’ll ever see, but it will likely be a very absorbing clash.

Form

North Melbourne (LWLW) – It is hard to believe but North Melbourne won by 86 points last round- 86! Throw in their 52 point win over the Saints and you have an average winning margin of 69- remarkable for a side many tipped to finish on the bottom of the ladder. Ben Brown has kicked 15 goals this season already, and is once again papering over the cracks of a side lacking any genuine match-winners in the midfield.

Hawthorn (WWLW) – Another side that many tipped to slide down the ladder, Hawthorn have been solid, if unspectacular, this season. Their only loss was a noble one to Richmond by 13 points, and in all the other games they have shown patches of returning to the Hawks of old. Tom Mitchell and Jaegar O’Meara have been the form midfield pairing of the comp, and the forward line has looked very dangerous- with Jarryd Roughead and Luke Breust standouts.

Stats That Matter– Hawthorn have won the past 4 meetings with an average margin of 33 points
– Luke Breust (11 goals in 2018) kicked 4 goals in their last clash
– North have gone Unders in 4 of their past 5 games
– Ben Brown is averaging 3.8 goals per match in 2018
– The Hawks are 3-1 ATS this season
– Jaegar O’Meara amassed 126 Fantasy points from his 26 disposal, 2 goal performance last round
– North Melbourne are 4-9 ATS at Etihad across 2017/8

Betting Data2018 Line: North Melbourne– 2-2; Hawthorn– 3-1
2018 Over-Under: North Melbourne– 1-3; Hawthorn– 2-2

What To Expect

The Wolf thinks this game may be closer than many expect- with Rioli and Puopolo huge outs for the Hawks. The ‘Roos have been travelling well of late but the Hawks are a different story and should prove too good for a developing Kangaroos side. Wolfie is siding with the Hawks here.

How It’s Shaping UpHawthorn by 17

Recommended Bets

Best: Hawthorn -14.5 ($1.91)
Value: Liam Shiels 10+ Tackles ($3.30)
Player Prop: Jaeger O’Meara 110+ Fantasy Points ($3.15)
First Goalscorer: Luke Breust