It’s the Queen’s Birthday round, which means we have Round 12 spread out over four days/nights. Read on for our thoughts, tips and best bets for a big weekend of footy.

Essendon vs. Hawthorn

The glaring mismatch of the round, and most likely the high/low double in the betting market. Etihad Stadium on Friday night, it’s Hawthorn’s chance to rack up a big win, along with a much-needed percentage boost. It’ll get ugly. My son’s primary school disco is also on Friday night. It’ll be far more entertaining than this game! Hawthorn – 60 plus

Port Adelaide vs. Western Bulldogs

Both teams are coming off wins, but at Adelaide Oval, after their MCG mauling of Collingwood last week, Port will come away with the win here. Should be a close game though. Both teams have a lot to play for. Port – 1-39.

Brisbane vs. Fremantle

Saturday afternoon at the Gabba, between two sides who are struggling to string some consistency together, I’m not looking forward to this game at all. Fremantle are coming off their first win of the season. The duck has been broken and the pressure’s now off. The confidence that gives to a club can’t be underestimated. Despite struggling with injuries, I think Freo will overrun the hapless Lions, even on their home ground. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse for Brisbane, struggling coach, Justin Leppitsch is going on a work experience expedition to learn a few things from Brisbane Broncos premiership coach, Wayne Bennett. Yep, Thursday night’s NRL game at Suncorp Stadium, the Broncos play the Raiders, and Justin will be following Wayne around with his notepad and pen. Ummm, isn’t he supposed to know how to coach? Isn’t that what he’s getting paid to do? In case it’s not yet clear, this little cross-code excursion screams, ‘I have no idea what I’m doing and I need help and motivation from someone who does!’ Geez, if Brisbane weren’t cooked before, they’re char-grilled remains now! At least Ross Lyon knows how to communicate with his players. It’ll be two in a row for the Dockers. A winning streak! Fremantle – 1-39.

Geelong vs. North Melbourne

Well, Tom Hawkins has been throwing his weight around. He’s been suspended for a week, which makes this game much more even than first thought. At the time of this writing, Geelong were still slight favourites (yep, even with news of Hawkins being suspended), which baffles me, because I still rate the Roos as the better team. This is that really awkward game where Mrs. Scott has to wear two scarves. Her twin boys are coaching against each other. No doubt, she’s hoping for a draw! North – 1-39.

West Coast vs. Adelaide

Adelaide smashed St. Kilda last week, but traveling to Domain Stadium has been a problem for them, as it is for most teams. I can’t see the Crows bringing the same intensity and free flowing scoring to this game. The Eagles are slick and unstoppable on their home ground, just as the Crows are on theirs. It’s an Eagles home game, so the Eagles will get the win here. Flat track bullies, and all that. West Coast – 1-39.

St. Kilda vs. Carlton

St. Kilda have massive injury concerns and Carlton have a sniff of making the top eight. Enough said. Carlton – 25+

Richmond vs. Gold Coast

If Richmond ever needed a confidence boost after last week’s humiliation at the hands of North Melbourne, they get their chance in this match against the Suns. Sure, it’s false hopes, but they’ll get the win, and coming into the bye round, a fragile Richmond need a positive mental edge. This game will do it. Make no mistake though; a depleted Suns team will make the Tigers look far better than they truly are. Richmond – 25+

Greater Western Sydney vs. Sydney

The Sydney derby could well be the match of the round. It’s at Spotless Stadium, it’s the Giants’ 100th game as an AFL club, and there will be a full house for the first time this season. It’s hard to separate these two. I’m going for the Swans in a close one, but only because they have more experienced players in these big games, and Buddy! Sydney – 1-39

Melbourne vs. Collingwood

There’s a brand new tradition that puts a whole different spin on this game. The “Big Freeze” at the MCG on the Queen’s Birthday holiday on Monday afternoon. It’s hard to believe it’s already been a year since Neale Daniher started his brave campaign to raise money for a cure for Motor Neurone Disease, “the beast,” as he calls it. Daniher approaches his own battle with “the beast,” with the upmost courage and humour, and that humour carries over into the pre-game fun, where nominated celebrities slide into a giant ice bath to raise money for a cure. It’s already been three years since Neale Daniher was diagnosed with MND. Sadly, that’s the average life expectancy of most sufferers, and yet, Daniher is still fighting the good fight. Three years on, he considers himself lucky that he can still walk and communicate. He just recently walked his daughter down the aisle. Monday’s pre-game gets people talking about a debilitating and fatal disease that, until recently, has flown largely under the radar. When we’re given permission to laugh at a serious situation, it’s not nearly as confronting. Neale Daniher has done just that. He’s given us permission to laugh. Get down to the MCG, have a laugh, watch the last game of the round, and more importantly, put some money into the tins to help find a cure for this dreaded disease. No one is immune to MND. It could strike any one of us.

Anyway, on to the game itself…both Melbourne and Collingwood are hard teams to catch. Collingwood were horrendously bad last week. On the other hand, Melbourne showed glimmers of hope against Hawthorn. There were some good patches of play, which can’t be said about what the Pies dished up. Max Gawn will destroy Collingwood in the ruck. He’ll feed Melbourne’s mid-field, giving them first use of the ball. Together with Neale Daniher’s pre-game motivational speech, he’ll be giving the Demons extra incentive to win. Melbourne – 1-39.

Best Bets

Multi #1 – Hawthorn 40+, West Coast H2H, Carlton over -8.5, Sydney 1-39 > $7.84

Multi #2 – Hawthorn 40+, West Coast H2H, Port Adelaide H2H, Carlton H2H, Richmond H2H > $6.18

Player Disposal Multi Treble – Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) 30+, Robbie Gray (PA) 25+, Tom Rockliff (Brisbane) 30+ > $3.50