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Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 14

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

THURSDAY

St Kilda v Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium, 5.30pm

St Kilda fans are well within their rights to approach this contest with a sense of dread. The Western Bulldogs have won the last two encounters by 60 and 71 points, with the most recent meeting coming only six weeks ago.

Saints coach Ross Lyon will see it differently. He will view this as a perfect opportunity to right the wrongs of those two games and implement a game plan, especially around the clearances, that prevents the Bulldogs from flourishing.

It can be done. Hawthorn beat them at the source last round and from there bossed the match. There will be a response from the Bulldogs, who are undeniably stronger this week courtesy of Sam Darcy’s inclusion.

VERDICT: Western Bulldogs to win

Same Game Multi: Jack Sinclair, Tom Liberatore and Adam Treloar to have 25+ disposals @ $3.35*

FRIDAY

Hawthorn v Adelaide, UTAS Stadium, 5.40pm

Hawthorn’s season got the kiss of life it desperately needed last weekend, leaving them perfectly placed to attack the second half of 2025 in much the same manner as they did 12 months ago.

Nick Watson returns from illness to work closely with his best mate Jack Ginnivan, a two-pronged goalkicking threat Adelaide will need to quell. At the other end of the ground, the presence of Darcy Fogarty, Taylor Walker and Riley Thilthorpe will ask many questions of the Hawks’ backline.

But the midfield battle on what will be a crisp evening in Tasmania will be white-hot. Both teams have shown their class at key stages inside the centre square and the responsibility on Reilly O’Brien and Lloyd Meek to give their midfielders first use is enormous.

VERDICT: Hawthorn to win

Same Game Multi: Izak Rankine and Massimo D’Ambrosio to have 20+ disposals @ $4.20*

SATURDAY

Brisbane v GWS, Gabba, 11.20am

Brisbane probably should have beaten Adelaide. Actually, let’s remove “probably”. The Lions were wayward when they needed to be precise in the concluding stages, denying them victory over a top-four rival.

They are poised to make amends here. GWS would love nothing more than to head north and take the scalp of the Lions, who ended the Giants’ 2024 campaign in dramatic fashion in western Sydney. Alarmingly for Adam Kingsley, GWS are a long way removed from that outfit right now.

On another note, fingers crossed that Brandon Starcevich makes a seamless return from a prolonged absence through concussion.

VERDICT: Brisbane 1-39 points

Same Game Multi: Lachie Ash, Lachie Neale and Hugh McCluggage to have 25+ disposals @ $2.85*

Essendon v Geelong, MCG, 2.15pm

As hard as it might be for Essendon supporters to digest as the year goes on, Brad Scott is setting this club up for sustained success.

He is sifting through the available talent on his list, a decision forced upon him by a string of injuries and now suspension to Sam Durham. But the ruthless nature of the AFL means very little handouts are afforded to teams by their opponents.

And that applies to Geelong, fueled by a dismissal of Gold Coast last Saturday that only reinforces their top-four aspirations. The Cats ontinually do the little things right and have the uncanny knack of kicking goals when they are under pressure.

VERDICT: Geelong by 25 points or more

Same Game Multi: Gryan Miers to kick 1+ goal and Tyson Stengle to kick 2+ goals @ $4.35*

North Melbourne v Fremantle, Optus Stadium, 5.35pm

North Melbourne’s extended stay in WA got off to a solid start down in Bunbury. It would be a massive shock if it finished the same way in the metropolitan area.

Fremantle are a completely different beast to West Coast, a vastly superior beast to West Coast, and having had last round off to enjoy a mid-season break, should be primed to hit the Kangaroos right between the eyes.

The loss of Charlie Comben through injury leaves North’s already suspect defence shorthanded. If the Dockers are able to generate anyway near the forward-50 entries West Coast did at Hands Oval, this has the potential to get ugly.

VERDICT: Fremantle 25 points or more

Same Game Multi: Shai Bolton, Jye Amiss and Josh Treacy to all kick 2+ goals @ $4.75*

SUNDAY

Port Adelaide v Melbourne, Adelaide Oval, 1.20pm

An indisputable formline or a six-day break with an interstate trip off a slogging affair. Which narrative has more meaning here for Melbourne? It’s difficult to know the right answer when assessing the prospects of Melbourne.

What we do know is they have recovered bravely from a 0-5 start to still harbour ambitions of sneaking into the top eight. Port Adelaide no doubt have the same mindset. Their gallant victory over GWS in Canberra last weekend showed they are still buying what Ken Hinkley is selling.

The Power are also a far better side with Jason Horne-Francis available and his return from a hamstring tear is so timely.

VERDICT: Port Adelaide to win.

Same Game Multi: Jason Horne-Francis and Jase Burgoyne to have 20+ disposals @ $2.95*

West Coast v Carlton, Optus Stadium, 4.10pm

Carlton weren’t all that convincing against Essendon, yet got the four points they desperately needed. The pressure on Michael Voss eased as a result, but the Blues coach knows what awaits him and his players should they leave Perth without a victory.

The Blues blitzed the Eagles by 71 points when they met two months ago. The inability to stand their ground at the clearances proved costly for West Coast. It was also an issue last weekend against North Melbourne in the decisive final term.

There are positive signs surrounding the Eagles, but they still boast only one win for the year. Halting the supply to an attack spearheaded by Charlie Curnow will no doubt have consumed much of Andrew McQualter’s thoughts entering this clash.

VERDICT: Carlton 1-39 points

Same Game Multi: Sam Walsh to have 25+ disposals and Charlie Curnow to kick 4+ goals @ $4.10*

*Odds correct at the time of publication.

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