Digby’s AFL Finals Week 3 Preview Posted on September 22, 2016June 7, 2018 | Posted by Digby Beacham Geelong v Sydney Friday, MCG 5.50pm Geelong won’t admit it publicly, but there is no doubting they would have preferred to be playing Adelaide for the right to reach the grand final. Two wins over the Crows in 2016 opposed to a touch-up on home soil by Sydney in round 16 this season dictates that. And as much as the Swans’ win over the Crows last Saturday night looked to be soured by injuries, the recovery of Gary Rohan (knee) and Jarrad McVeigh (calf) have proved heartening, as has the recovery of Kurt Tippett (jaw) from a week off. The challenge for Geelong is to hit the ground running, given they enter this match having played just once in just under a month. Chris Scott will stress to his troops, chiefly his midfielders, the need to assert control from the outset. Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood power the Cats’ running division, but Sydney are extremely content with the stock they have in that area of the ground. Then there is the small issue of Lance Franklin, who thrives on the big stage. Geelong deserve to be favourites, but this is a game not beyond the Swans. VERDICT: Sydney by 7 points. 1st goal scorer: Lance Franklin GWS v Western Bulldogs Saturday, Spotless Stadium 3.15pm If you thought Greater Western Sydney’s qualifying final against Sydney was brutal, it’s best you sit down on the couch, strap on your helmet and inset the mouthguard. This will be two hours of physical combat with a Sherrin thrown in. Neither side is all that fond of the other and with a grand final berth at stake, these hard-nosed outfits will be doing their best to impose their will inside the contests. The Bulldogs couldn’t have been more impressive in their two finals victories, with the influence of Marcus Bontempelli against Hawthorn last Friday night a thing of beauty. However, he has plenty of capable mates in Lachie Hunter, Jack Macrae, Tom Liberatore, Liam Picken and Luke Dahlhaus to generate big possession numbers. Likewise, the Giants are also laced with extraordinary depth through their midfield and boast powerful goal-kicking options in Jeremy Cameron, Jonathon Patton and Rory Lobb. The arsenal GWS possess forward of centre, not to mention the advantage of playing at home, tips the scale in the favour of Leon Cameron’s men. VERDICT: GWS by 12 points. 1st goal scorer: Jonathon Patton Bet Now
Scott Embry’s Sunday Pinjarra Preview April 19, 2024 RACE 1 MANZOR MAGIC was backed into favourite on Good Friday (how?) in a 54+ against the older horses. He got within 4L late of… Read More
Weekend Tipsters April 19, 2024 Mornington Saturday Warren Huntly Quaddie 3 14 – 4 5 8 2 – 5 10 3 2 – 4 8 2 10 Best Bet 7-3… Read More
Warren Huntly’s Saturday Mornington Preview April 19, 2024 Race 1 Good race to kick off and expecting a more positive ride aboard PERSPIRATION, who went back and was left with too much to… Read More
Harry Buchanan’s Friday Greyhound Best Bets April 19, 2024 MANDURAH Race 1 No. 7 Trendy Miss Forgive last week and while the box doesn’t help again, this is much easier and the price will… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Eagle Farm Preview April 18, 2024 RACE 1 Interesting race to kick off the day at Eagle Farm with a number of the better fancied runners returning from breaks. Clearly the… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview April 18, 2024 RACE 1 Another big day of Group 1 racing at Randwick kicks off with a 1400m Midway which as per all the Midways looks very… Read More
Trent Cooper’s Gloucester Park Preview April 18, 2024 Race 1 LOUCID DREAMS (5) has been placed in two of his last three starts and looks the one to beat here with the drop… Read More
Scott Embry’s Saturday Ascot Preview April 18, 2024 RACE 1 MACK MACK is having his second start for young trainer Tom Wolfe and his first-up run was far better than it reads. He… Read More
Scott Embry’s Friday Albany Preview April 18, 2024 RACE 1 SPEEDY NOVA very importantly gets back to 1000m. Just feel at this stage of her career she might be a one trick pony… Read More
Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 6 April 18, 2024 THURSDAY St Kilda v Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium, 5.30pm The Western Bulldogs have lived in the spotlight this week following an insipid loss to Essendon…. Read More
Harry Buchanan’s Thursday Greyhound Best Bets April 18, 2024 CANNINGTON Race 1 No. 8 Chipping Away and No. 4 Run A Tick Steady Novice class race to kick things off. Small specs on these… Read More
The Scout: EPL Week 34 April 18, 2024 Luton v Brentford Last weekend’s 5-1 spanking at the hands of Manchester City might’ve been a heavier defeat than Luton Town were expecting. But it… Read More