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Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 6

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

THURSDAY

Geelong v Brisbane, SCG, 5.40pm

Having been bland in the season opener against Hawthorn, Brisbane regrouped and did exactly what they needed to over the past month — win every match possible on their home patch to set up a campaign which is like no other we have seen.

The challenge for the Lions is to replicate their Gabba displays now that they are on the road. Fortunately for them, they meet Geelong at the neutral SCG. The Cats were extended by Gold Coast last week in the familiar surrounds of GMHBA Stadium and are likely to find Chris Fagan’s men a different task altogether.

Brisbane will be without big-bodied recruit Cam Ellis-Yolman (calf), but the return from injury of Dayne Zorko is an undeniable boost.

VERDICT: Brisbane by 11 points

FRIDAY

Collingwood v Hawthorn, Giants Stadium, 5.50pm

The fact things didn’t go to plan for either Collingwood or Hawthorn last weekend only raises the stakes for this encounter.

Collingwood were listless after a bright start opposed to Essendon and the Hawks, as they can do from time to time of late, threw in a sub-standard display a week after beating North Melbourne. The loss of Jordan De Goey, on top of Steele Sidebottom’s and Jeremy Howe’s absence, is a further issue for Nathan Buckley.

Hawthorn’s inability to have any fluency through the midfield into attack against Greater Western Sydney is an area that needs to be addressed and quickly if they are to retain touch with the big boys. The same applies to the Magpies.

VERDICT: Collingwood by 9 points

SATURDAY

Fremantle v St Kilda, Metricon Stadium, 10.35am

The last thing Fremantle could afford in the lead-up to this clash with an in-form St Kilda was the loss of key defender Griffin Logue (toe) after a breakout performance.

The one-time first-round draft pick was superb in key one-on-one tussles against Adelaide, but his unavailability on top of Joel Hamling and Alex Pearce recovering from long-term injuries leaves the Dockers vulnerable against the likes of Max King, Tim Membrey and Jon Marsh.

Fremantle will look to slow down the Saints’ slick ball movement, but that is easier said than done, even with the expected return of dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe.

VERDICT: St Kilda by 21 points

West Coast v Adelaide, Gabba, 1.05pm

West Coast haven’t looked comfortable in the hub existence they have been forced to endure, but they put aside their discontent and chalked up the victory they simply had to bank against Sydney last Saturday afternoon.

Those four points secured, the 2018 premiers cannot afford to slip up against a winless Adelaide in this match … and it’s hard to see how they will. Taylor Walker will miss to allow his banged-up body to overcome a congested schedule on top of an abbreviated pre-season and with the lack of potency in attack, the experienced Eagles’ back line will be in its element.

At the other end of the ground, Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling and Jake Waterman, not to mention Oscar Allen and Liam Ryan, should prove way too potent for a Crows defence that is being exposed to a lot of ball.

VERDICT: West Coast by 34 points

Melbourne v Gold Coast, Giants Stadium, 4.05pm

The panic button hasn’t been pushed just yet by Melbourne supporters, but their fingers are hovering dangerously close to it. It is hard to blame them.

The inability, not for the first time this season, to have any genuine system entering their forward line proved extremely costly against Richmond. Unless Simon Goodwin can address the glaring deficiency, the 2020 season will chart a similar path to that of last year.

That accusation cannot be levelled at Gold Coast. The Suns have started the resumption particularly well and made Geelong stretch their necks last week. Even in the absence of Matt Rowell (collarbone), they are entitled to think this match is winnable.

VERDICT: Gold Coast by 12 points

Essendon v North Melbourne, Metricon Stadium, 5.40pm

Essendon appeared in all sorts early in their match against Collingwood last week. Then the pressure around the ball from the Bombers went to a different level, one that hasn’t been synonymous with them in recent times.

It was a timely performance given matches between these two fierce rivals always have their added share of spice. The Kangaroos were dismantled by the Western Bulldogs and the likely absence of a lame Ben Cunnington (back) only adds to coach Rhyce Shaw’s headache.

There is nothing worse than being a side that prides itself on applying pressure being unable to apply that pressure. That is North Melbourne right now.

VERDICT: Essendon by 20 points

SUNDAY

Port Adelaide v GWS, Metricon Stadium, 11.05am

We are going to find out a great deal about Port Adelaide during this match. Just as we did from Greater Western Sydney’s perspective after their poor effort against the Western Bulldogs late last month.

The Power headed into the heavyweight showdown against Brisbane on their toes, but were quickly put back on their heels and finished the match on the canvas. It was a brutal knockout. How coach Ken Hinkley picks his players up on the rebound will be fascinating.

Buoyed by the win over Collingwood a week earlier, the Giants comfortably disposed of Hawthorn. All lines worked with clinical efficiency, with the overall quality at Leon Cameron’s disposal frightening. It seems GWS are building nicely.

VERDICT: GWS by 20 points

Richmond v Sydney, Gabba, 1.35pm

Richmond showed wonderful resilience in the face of adversity last season, their ability to hang tough through a testing first half of the season rewarded with a favourable draw and the return of quality players at the pointy end.

Damien Hardwick is going to need history to repeat itself. The Tigers resembled (at stages) the 2019 version last week against Melbourne, but paid a massive price on the injury front, a setback that was compounded by dual premiership heroes Shane Edwards and Bachar Houli opting against joining their teammates in the Queensland hub.

The Swans flew north last week in the lead-up to the match against West Coast and while they are going to be far more settled than Richmond, it is debatable whether they have sufficient firepower to get the job done.

VERDICT: Richmond by 22 points

Carlton v Western Bulldogs, Metricon Stadium, 4.45pm

It has taken a while, but the Western Bulldogs are now starting to look like the ferocious outfit that stormed into September last year.

The obliteration of North Melbourne last Saturday night bore all the hallmarks of a top-four side and will have given Blues coach David Teague genuine reason for concern this week. His players’ inability to hit the ground running at the start of matches is becoming a massive issue.

Sadly for Carlton, the support cast outside of Patrick Cripps and Sam Docherty appears limited. For the Blues to grow, so too does the number of contributors.

VERDICT: Western Bulldogs by 19 points

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