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Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 10

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

THURSDAY

Gold Coast v Hawthorn, TIO Stadium, 5.30pm

Gold Coast added to their imposing Darwin record with a tense win over the Western Bulldogs last weekend. They find themselves on the quick spin against a quality opponent in Hawthorn, albeit this isn’t the strongest version of Sam Mitchell’s side.

The Hawks headed north minus Jarman Impey, Lloyd Meek, Luke Breust and Jack Gunston. They are significant outs and whilst Hawthorn fans will be happy to have Calsher Dear, Tom Barrass and Jack Scrimshaw among the inclusions, there is a reason why the Suns have firmed in betting.

Gold Coast are receiving excellent service from their off-season additions Daniel Rioli and John Noble, who are amassing big numbers and having a profound impact. Their influence needs to be quelled if the Hawks are to cause an upset.

VERDICT: Gold Coast to win

Same Game Multi: Gold Coast by 1-39 points and John Noble and Karl Amon to have 20+ disposals @ $3.60*

FRIDAY

Sydney v Carlton, SCG, 5.40pm

If Carlton’s task of toppling Sydney at the SCG wasn’t daunting enough, their issues were compounded at selection when Tom De Koning, nestled alongside George Hewett as their best player this season, was left out through injury.

His absence leaves the Blues short of not only a premier ruckman, but someone very efficient at winning stoppages. The Swans will look to cash in on his absence, especially inside the centre square, as they look to win for the 17th time in their past 19 SCG outings against Carlton.

The Swans were poor last round, but just under a fortnight ago we saw their best when they overcame GWS in a performance full of quality. Their best at home remains very good.

VERDICT: Sydney to win

Same Game Multi: Sydney 1-49 points and Adam Cerra and Chad Warner to have 20+ disposals @ $3.40*

SATURDAY

Collingwood v Adelaide, MCG, 11.20am

Collingwood’s class is undeniable. Ditto their stranglehold on encounters against Adelaide, a side they have not lost to for nearly a decade.

Offsetting that however is the Crows have stretched the necks of the Magpies in their recent meetings and will feel that a Collingwood outfit minus a very much in-form skipper Darcy Moore is gettable, particularly with their three-pronged tall forward line of Riley Thilthorpe, Darcy Fogarty and Taylor Walker.

The Magpies do welcome back key personnel, including Brayden Maynard and Scott Pendlebury. Weather permitting, this game has points in it given the way the pair like to go about their business. And that should suit Collingwood.

VERDICT: Collingwood to win

Same Game Multi: Collingwood to win and Josh Daicos to have 25+ disposals @ $2.23*

Port Adelaide v Geelong, Adelaide Oval, 2.15pm

It’s not exactly make or break for Port Adelaide, but Ken Hinkley and his players will be well aware of the importance attached to this match. They have dropped their past two in contrasting fashion and cannot afford another slip-up in round 10.

Geelong have troubled the Power in Adelaide during Chris Scott’s tenure and we only have to cast our minds back to last year’s qualifying final when they cleaned Port’s clocks to understand why the Cats are favourites here.

The return of Jack Henry stiffens a Geelong defence that looked all at sea against GWS. Lawson Humphries being available is also critical.

VERDICT: Geelong to win

Same Game Multi: Max Holmes and Miles Bergman to have 20+ disposals @ $2.85*

GWS v Fremantle, ENGIE Stadium, 2.15pm

Fremantle were a lot better against Collingwood, but the cold, hard fact of the matter is they still lost the game of football.

And if that current trend extends to this match, they are going to be 4-6 and behind the eight-ball big time in their pursuit of a finals berth. Defensively, they have to be better and offensively, the connectivity between the midfield and forward line has to improve.

If neither area is up to scratch, the Giants will have their way with the Dockers. Jesse Hogan is a powerhouse in attack and the return of both Darcy Jones and Toby Bedford significant.

VERDICT: GWS by 16 points or more

Same Game Multi: GWS to win, Finn Callaghan to have 20+ disposals and Tom Green to have 30+ disposals @ $3.60*

Western Bulldogs v Essendon, 5.35pm

Entering the season this shaped as a game that was perhaps a little ho-hum. Not now.

Essendon have done a terrific job to revive their campaign, winning five of their past six, and the Western Bulldogs, despite losing to Gold Coast in Darwin last weekend, have been extremely reliable throughout 2025.

Both sides have had to overcome genuine personnel issues, with the leadership shown by Tom Liberatore this year at a ridiculously high level. This is a seriously good Bulldogs outfit and they are trustworthy.

VERDICT: Western Bulldogs to win

Same Game Multi: Western Bulldogs to win and over 176.5 points @ $2.23*

SUNDAY

Richmond v North Melbourne, MCG, 11.10am

Outside of the most ardent Richmond supporter, very few closely following the AFL would have forecast Richmond making a 3-6 start to this season. It has been quite remarkable and a feather in the cap of Adem Yze and his coaches, not to mention the playing group.

They are a success story. North Melbourne are not. The Kangaroos have been better of late and last Sunday were able to hold Brisbane to a draw, yet they still have only one victory to their name.

Their midfield was far more attentive to detail against the Lions and if that approach holds true once more, then this is a match they can win. Nick Larkey has troubled the Tigers of late and if he has sufficient supply, expect him to do so again.

VERDICT: North Melbourne to win

Same Game Multi: Harry Sheezel, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper to have 25+ disposals @ $3.10*

Brisbane v Melbourne, Gabba, 1.20pm

A response from Brisbane is coming. Melbourne don’t need to be told twice that the side they will confront on the weekend will be look considerably different to the one we saw in Hobart last Sunday.

Doing something about it though is the issue. The Demons are tracking along well, but Brisbane at the Gabba is a seriously intense football audit. Brisbane’s midfield is gifted, arguably one of the best in the competition, and if the Lions win the inside battle, expect their forwards to have a glut of chances.

That presents a problem for Melbourne, who are hit and miss with their forward line and look unlikely at being able to match motors with the hosts’ attacking prowess.

VERDICT: Brisbane by 25 points or more

Same Game Multi: Brisbane to win and Cam Rayner to kick 2+ goals @ $3.70*

West Coast v St Kilda, Optus Stadium, 2.40pm

Which St Kilda is going to rock up to Optus Stadium? The offensive-minded one we have seen on a couple of occasions earlier in the year or the miserly, defend-at-all-costs one which we normally associated with Ross Lyon coached teams?

Regardless of which one we witness, it would seem West Coast have a tough task to prevail for the first time in 2025 under Andrew McQualter. The inability to execute with ball in hand against Richmond ultimately proved costly and the Saints are clearly more advanced than the Tigers.

The non-selection for the second week of Jeremy McGovern also leaves the Eagles’ defence exposed.

VERDICT: St Kilda by 1-39 points

Same Game Multi: Jack Macrae, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Liam Baker to have 25+ disposals @ $5.30*

*Odds correct at the time of publication.

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