AFL round 21: Bets are on!

Round 21 of the 2012 AFL season kicks off this weekend and bets are on about who will make it through to the finals.

Friday night (August 17) will see the home favourites Geelong take on St Kilda at Etihad Stadium. If the Saints want to snatch a spot in the top eight they will have to lift their game in Friday's clash, with the Cats tipped for the win.

With both teams' key forwards under an injury cloud, the game could go either way.
The first of Saturday's (August 18) field battles kicks off with the Essendon versus Carlton game at the MCG.

Carlton skipper Chris Judd will make a return to the field at this weekend's game, after being suspended for four games.

Judd was ordered off the field after he was found guilty of pulling back the arm of North Melbourne's Leigh Adams in round 16 of the season.

The return of Judd to the game is expected to work in Carlton's favour, with Blues coach Brett Ratten tipping he will be in top form with his eyes set firmly on the prize.

"I think he wants to come back and have an influence on the team, whether it's winning the ball or doing certain things," Ratten told Fox Sports.

"I think (with) the freshness in his legs you'll see him really run across the ground well on the weekend."

Melbourne will play off against Great Western Sydney at Manuka Oval, with experts picking the Demons will take the win. While the Demons' are a more experienced team, the Giants have also proved their expertise with the ball this year.

Fremantle will take on Richmond at Patersons Stadium on the same day, and the Tigers' will be wanting to make some ground on the Dockers of whom they lost to back in round 11 - 12.6 (78) def 9.12 (66).

Dockers' ruckman Aaron Sandilands is expected to be back on form after suffering an injury earlier on in the season, but whether the team can pull it together to deliver a win is another thing altogether.

Richmond has picked up their game considerably over the last fortnight, smashing both the Brisbane Lions and Western Bulldogs.

Collingwood and North Melbourne will meet again at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, with bets on the Pies to clean-up - North Melbourne suffered a defeat of 3.12 (30) to the Magpies 22.15 (147) in round 16.

The last game for Saturday will see the Brisbane Lions take on Adelaide at the Gabba. The Lions will be looking to edge Adelaide out of the game after suffering a five point defeat during their last clash in round 20.

Port Adelaide will play West Coast Eagles on Sunday, while the Western Bulldogs will take on the Swans, and Hawthorn will meet for a clash against Gold Coast.