AFL Round 12 betting preview, match odds & market news

Round 12 marks the first bye-week of the 2021 AFL Premiership season, with only six matches on the schedule this weekend. Several games have been relocated from Victoria due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak, including the annual Dreamtime clash between Essendon and Richmond. Let’s take a look at the matchups for round 12 and the latest outright odds.

AFL Round 12 betting odds & matchups

Melbourne Demons vs Brisbane Lions

Simon Goodwin’s Demons are the newest 2021 AFL Premiership favourites after making a huge statement against the Western Bulldogs in round 11, but the Brisbane Lions have won seven on the trot and will not go down without a fight. This match was originally scheduled for Traeger Park in Alice Springs, but the AFL is looking to move the game to New South Wales.

St Kilda Saints vs Sydney Swans

The Saints sit one win outside the top eight at the midpoint of the 2021 season, but will they keep their finals hopes alive with a win against the Sydney Swans this week? The Swans knocked off Carlton in a seesawing affair last round, keeping them in sixth position on the ladder. This match will be relocated from Marvel Stadium, potentially landing at the SCG and becoming a de-facto home game for the Swans.

Adelaide Crows vs Collingwood Magpies

Both the Crows and the Magpies nearly recorded unlikely upsets last weekend, but they fell short due to poor kicking in front of goal. This match will remain at the Adelaide Oval, where the Crows have lost to the Pies in their last three clashes. With a neck injury to Brodie Grundy, Collingwood must find another ruckman to replace the two-time All-Australian.

Essendon Bombers vs Richmond Tigers

Dreamtime at the ‘G will not take place in Melbourne for the second year running, with this year’s clash officially moving to Optus Stadium in Western Australia. The Bombers are coming off a massive win over the Eagles last week in Perth, whereas the Tigers survived an early onslaught to run over the top of Adelaide. Richmond has won each of the last 10 encounters with Essendon, but it will not be another easy clash this week.

Carlton Blues vs West Coast Eagles

Another valiant effort from the Blues resulted in yet another loss, as they have struggled to finish off their good work this season. The West Coast Eagles choked a five-goal lead against the Bombers last week, while Tim Kelly went down with a knee injury and Oscar Allen suffered a concussion. This match will be moved from the MCG – most likely to the SCG, where the Blues played in round 11.

Fremantle Dockers vs Western Bulldogs

The final match of round 12 will see Fremantle host the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium. The Bulldogs are undergoing a seven-day quarantine in Sydney before they head to Perth. Can the Dockers bounce back after their disappointing encounter against the Power, or will the Doggies notch their 10th win of the season?

BYES: Geelong Cats, GWS Giants, Gold Coast Suns, Hawthorn Hawks, North Melbourne Kangaroos, Port Adelaide Power

AFL 2021 Premiership betting update

The Demons have taken the top spot in the outright market at $4.50 with Sportsbet after defeating the Western Bulldogs ($5.50) by 28 points in round 11. The other major candidates have not shifted much, while the West Coast Eagles have fallen to $21 following their loss to Essendon. The Bombers will shorten even further if they upset the Tigers this weekend, so keep an eye on them for now.

See more AFL futures odds at Sportsbet