Bontempelli bet specials for Dogs vs. Giants on AFL Friday

After a months-long slump in the middle of the year, Luke Beveridge’s men have won four in a row to bolt into finals contention.

They had to work hard for the points up at the Gabba last week, due in no small part to Easton Wood’s hamstring injury.

The club co-captain will miss the remainder of the regular season and may struggle to get up for finals if the Doggies make it that far.

Jason Johannisen was a late withdrawal against the Brisbane Lions, but the dashing defender should return for Friday night footy at the Docklands.

Bob Murphy made it through that game unscathed after coming in as the controversial travelling emergency.

Doggies fans will be out in full force to send off Matthew Boyd, who announced his retirement on Tuesday.

#ThanksBoydy ??????

? Premiership Player. 3x ? Sutton Medal. 3x ?? All Australian.

? | https://t.co/txmZtq6sxQ pic.twitter.com/TR1SmxrpuB

— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) August 8, 2017

The Giants have left some ugly form behind them to shore up their top-four status with crucial wins over Fremantle and Melbourne.

They started slow against the Demons, but eight unanswered goals to close out the opening term set them up for a comfortable 35-point victory.

Shane Mumford was one of several high-profile casualties in a busy week for the AFL Match Review Panel.

GWS officials have yet to confirm whether or not they will challenge the ruckman’s one-match ban for a careless hit on Max Gawn.

In better news for the Giants, star forward Toby Greene will return from suspension to face the reigning premiers.

Jeremy Cameron is still missing with a hamstring injury, but Steve Johnson is back and Brett Deledio made his long-awaited club debut against the Dees.

Marcus Bontempelli bet specials

• 25+ disposals – -109.89 at Sportsbet
• 120+ AFL Fantasy points – +350 at William Hill
• First goalscorer – +1300 with Ladbrokes Odds Boost

‘The Bont’ started the season as a genuine Brownlow contender, but pundits had gone right off him by mid-year.

Perhaps that is because the star Dog is not your typical modern midfielder.

While others are racking up stats and churning out massive fantasy scores, Bontempelli is busy trying to win matches.

The 21-year-old premiership star is averaging 23.8 disposals, 6.4 tackles and 4.4 forward entries per game this season, but those numbers do not come close to describing his influence and importance.

He has looked dangerous inside 50 in recent weeks, where his size, strength and craft make him a tough proposition for even the most accomplished defenders.

Essendon learned that the hard way two weeks ago when neither Michael Hartley nor Michael Hurley could shut him down.

If Bontempelli shoots straight, he may well be the difference.

Toby Greene goalscorer odds

• Anytime goalscorer – -2000 at Sportsbet
• Four or more goals – +300 at Sportsbet
• First goalscorer – +850 at Sportsbet

Greene is not a popular player, but since when did that ever matter?

The belligerent young Giant might just be the most important piece of the GWS puzzle.

Without him, the forward line simply does not function in the same manner.

He scores goals when he roams inside 50 and he sets them up when he runs through the midfield.

Greene is also very strong overhead, which makes him especially difficult to match up on.

He owes his teammates and his coach for his various indiscretions this season, so we are backing him in for a fast start.

Western Bulldogs vs. GWS Giants match tip

GWS Giants to win by 1-39 points – +130 at CrownBet

The Dogs have shown glimpses of their 2016 finals form over the last month.

Under the roof at Etihad, we can expect them to come out all guns blazing like they did against Essendon.

While the Bombers ultimately collapsed under that finals-like pressure, GWS’s faster, fitter midfield will be tougher to overrun.

With Greene back and Wood out, the Giants may also have an advantage in their forward half.

It should be a tight encounter with plenty of momentum shifts, but we have the visitors edging it by a goal or two.