Sports

Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 5

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

FRIDAY

Sydney v Adelaide, SCG, 5.50pm

The response from Adelaide, especially captain Taylor Walker, makes this game a must-view. The Crows were turned over at home by Collingwood last Friday night, with the lack of any meaningful reaction from their leaders when things started to go awry stunning.

Sydney rarely encounter the same issues and almost every week ask numerous questions of their opposition. They were extended by the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium last Saturday, yet found a way to snatch the points when it appeared that wouldn’t be the case.

The big issue for Adelaide coach Don Pyke is finding a way to nullify Sydney’s effectiveness through the midfield. With the Crouch brothers, Matt and Brad, sidelined through injury and Rory Sloane (foot) struggling to have an impact, the class of Swans quartet Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery, Luke Parker and Isaac Heeney looms large.

VERDICT: Sydney by 30 points

SATURDAY

St Kilda v GWS, Etihad Stadium, 11.45am

St Kilda’s season is on the precipice and it would take a bold person to believe it won’t remain there — at best — after this match. The Saints looked clueless against Geelong last Sunday and unless coach Alan Richardson and his match committee can devise a functioning forward set-up, it’s hard to see how they prevail.

GWS weren’t at their slick best against Fremantle, but had they taken their opportunities in difficult conditions, the margin could have been significant. The Giants’ midfield continues to wreak havoc, as does the ability of their creative defenders, namely Nick Haynes, to launch prosperous attacking raids off half-back.

Forward of centre, GWS boast genuine weapons in Jeremy Cameron, Jonathon Patton and Toby Greene. The Saints have struggled to curb opposition forward lines and the unavailability of reliable defender Dylan Roberton after his health scare last weekend, only compounds the issue.

VERDICT: GWS by 39 points

Carlton v West Coast, MCG, 2.35pm

We all know West Coast’s history at the MCG. But if there was ever an opportunity for the Eagles to wipe the slate clean and assure everyone, including the sceptics, that the 2018 version is the start of something new, this is it.

The loss of Marc Murphy in the warm-up last Saturday night was pounced upon by the North Melbourne midfield, which did as it wanted en route to a monster win in Hobart. With the Blues skipper’s foot injury ruling him out here, it is scary to think what an Eagles on-ball division, headed up by Nic Naitanui, might do to Carlton.

The Blues have tried to be more aggressive in 2018, but one wonders whether besieged coach Brendon Bolton can continue to adopt the same tactic. If he deviates and decides to go ultra-defensive as we have seen in his first two years, it might make for ugly viewing. But if West Coast hold their nerve, the sheer weight of inside 50s will ultimately take its toll.

VERDICT: West Coast by 38 points

Port Adelaide v Geelong, Adelaide Oval, 5.40pm

That Port Adelaide were beaten by Essendon last Sunday wasn’t a massive shock. That the Power were seemingly oblivious or not prepared for the inevitable Bombers backlash early doors however, was simply inexcusable.

Port coach Ken Hinkley will demand a similar type of response from his players to the one produced by Essendon and it is now up to Geelong to see how they handle it. Port would dearly love Paddy Ryder available to service their midfield, but that isn’t the case and it is up to the makeshift ruck combination of Justin Westhoff, Dougal Howard and even Charlie Dixon to give their runners first look.

The Cats were too slick for St Kilda last weekend and consistently repelled the Saints’ forward thrusts with trademark organised defence. Hinkley likes to make opposition defenders accountable and it would be highly surprising if the Power adopted a similar tactic to the Saints. Indeed, the presence of Robbie Gray and Chad Wingard inside attacking 50 is cause for concern for Geelong.

VERDICT: Port Adelaide by 18 points

Fremantle v Western Bulldogs, Optus Stadium, 6.10pm

Fremantle might have lost their second game of the season against Greater Western Sydney last weekend, but that is nothing to be alarmed about. It is all about how they bounce back here against a Western Bulldogs outfit that has seemingly rediscovered its 2016 mojo.

The Dockers struggled to find a way through the Giants defence, but will fancy their chances of having more success against the Bulldogs, especially given their success at Optus Stadium. Nat Fyfe, Lachie Neale and David Mundy continue to operate at a high level, while the Bulldogs’ ability to hold sway midfield was dealt a blow when Lachie Hunter was suspended for one match earlier in the week.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon would prefer to beat his rivals in an arm-wrestle, but we have seen this season at the slick Optus Stadium their capacity to play an attacking brand of football. Given the Bulldogs are still a young side, such an approach before a boisterous Fremantle crowd at a foreign venue, could be very difficult to counter.

VERDICT: Fremantle by 28 points

SUNDAY

North Melbourne v Hawthorn, Etihad Stadium, 1.20pm

If North Melbourne are going to get Hawthorn at a good time, this is it. No Shaun Burgoyne, Cyril Rioli and Paul Puopolo deprives the Hawks of undoubted class, experience, firepower and forward-line pressure.

But if there is one side that is capable of jumping the hurdles that are placed in front of it, Hawthorn is that side. The Hawks absolutely monstered Melbourne after quarter-time last weekend and their ability to do the little things right and prey on the Demons’ defensive vulnerabilities was apparent.

The Kangaroos are 2-2, but haven’t been poor in either of their defeats. They are entitled to enter this match believing they are a genuine hope of claiming a big scalp. Shaun Higgins’ display in Hobart against Carlton was first rate, while the same could be said about the input of Ben Brown, who has developed into a premier key forward.

VERDICT: Hawthorn by 10 points

Brisbane v Gold Coast, Gabba, 2.40pm

Inexperienced sides on the road can be a recipe for disaster. A case in point was last weekend. Brisbane were mauled by Richmond in their second straight interstate trip. Across in Perth, Gold Coast’s second consecutive match at Optus Stadium was a shocker, with West Coast using them as oversized witches hats.

How these teams respond for the first of two Q-Clashes will be interesting. Just a fortnight ago, the Lions nearly upset Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval thanks to a stellar ruck display from Stefan Martin. If he can again turn in a masterclass opposed to Jarrod Witts, who had been in good form prior to last weekend, then the Lions will fancy their chances.

Likewise, the Suns will think they have the weapons, chiefly Tom Lynch, to kick a winning total if their midfield generates sufficient opportunities. There is no doubting the Suns are a harder side to play against this year, but the unknown is how they have bounced out of back-to-back games in WA.

VERDICT: Brisbane by 12 points

TUESDAY

Melbourne v Richmond, MCG, 5.25pm

Will the real Melbourne please reveal itself? And quickly. Coach Simon Goodwin believes his Demons, at their best, are very much capable of playing — and winning — finals. Many in the football community believe the same. And then we witness something truly dreadful like last Sunday’s display against Hawthorn.

The problem for the Demons is they are expected to respond on a massive stage against Richmond, who are as comfortable in the spotlight as any side in the competition right now. Perhaps even more than any team in the league when you factor in preliminary finals, grand finals and round-one blockbusters.

The Tigers did as they wanted against Brisbane. To restrict an opponent to two goals in modern-day football is an outstanding accomplishment. While the Tigers were applying the clamps, Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin was going about his business with a six-goal haul. Richmond are healthy, hungry and in-form. The same doesn’t apply to Melbourne.

VERDICT: Richmond by 30 points

WEDNESDAY

Collingwood v Essendon, MCG, 1.20pm

One of the great spectacles in Australian sport, this traditional clash is even more enticing now given the long-awaited mini-revival of Collingwood, not to mention Essendon’s bounce-back win over Port Adelaide last weekend.

The Magpies have overcome their losses to Hawthorn and Greater Western Sydney in the first two rounds with wins over Carlton and Adelaide, results which have been highlighted by quick ball movement, a selfless approach, Brodie Grundy’s dominance and some overdue forward-line potency. It has been good to see.

If Nathan Buckley’s men continue in that vein, then the Bombers are going to be well and truly tested. Essendon held sway over Port Adelaide last Sunday from the outset and they need to have that same uncompromising approach here to get a foothold. Joe Daniher is showing signs of turning in a breakout performance and this grand stage could be the ideal setting.

VERDICT: Collingwood by 12 points
ANZAC Medal: Brodie Grundy

Bet Now



Recent Articles