Sports

David Shortte’s AFL Preview: Round 18

Posted on | Posted by David Shortte

THURSDAY

Fremantle v Sydney, Optus Stadium, 6.10pm

Fremantle play host to Sydney in a mouth-watering top of the table clash for Thursday night footy.

The Dockers looked flat in their 21 point loss to the enigmatic GWS Giants last week but in fairness they had won 14 straight prior to that and it was not the sort of loss that had panic signals attached.

The Swans continue to be one of the most talented and reliable sides in the competition and their 13 win, 3 loss record speaks for itself.

Both of these two sides are dripping with class and the match ups around players such as Brayshaw, Heeney, Serong, Gulden, Reid, Warner, Bolton and Blakey are going to be some tremendous games within the game. Throw in the ruck duel between Jackson and Grundy and the battle for forward dominance from the likes of Curnow and Treacy and it all gets mixed in to a pot that is chock full of footy flavour.

For the Dockers veterans Mason Cox and Jaeger O’Meara come in for Sean Darcy and Hayden Young while for Sydney livewire forward Tom Papley returns at the expense of Corey Warner.

I don’t think there is too much between these two sides when they are fully dialled up and accordingly home ground advantage may well prove crucial. I’ll tip Fremantle to get home in a match where the bells of Wharfie Time could be called upon in the concluding stages.

VERDICT: Fremantle by 7 points

Same Game Multi: Luke Jackson and Jordan Clark to both get 15 or more disposals, Caleb Serong and Errol Gulden to both get 20 or more disposals, and Isaac Heeney to get 25 or more disposals @ $3.15*

FRIDAY

Collingwood v North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium, 5.40pm

The Pies have won 3 games on the bounce and find themselves back in the top 10 in 9th spot with a record of 8 wins, 7 losses and a draw.

The Kangaroos are just 2 premiership points behind the Pies in 11th spot and given how close the two teams are on the table it has all the ingredients of a high pressure contest.

Star veteran Scott Pendlebury is likely to return for Collingwood while for North Melbourne George Wardlaw is out with a hamstring but dangerous forward Paul Curtis returns from suspension.

The Magpies have won their last six in a row against North and I fancy they will stretch that record to 7 here.

VERDICT: Collingwood by 19 points

Same Game Multi: Collingwood to win, Jack Crisp and Brayden Maynard to both get 15 or more disposals and Luke Davies-Uniacke and Scott Pendlebury to both get 20 or more disposals @ $3.25*

SATURDAY

Saint Kilda v Port Adelaide, Marvel Stadium, 11.15am

The Saints returned to the Winner’s List last week thumping Essendon by 67 points and the victory saw them edge up to 12th spot on the table, just a win away from being a contender for a Wildcard position.

Port Adelaide have had a positive fortnight accounting for Adelaide in the Showdown before knocking off the Kangaroos by 21 points.

These two sides met in round 5 at the Adelaide Oval where Saint Kilda prevailed by 14 points. Zak Butters and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera were the key ball winners for their respective sides.

I’ll lean the way of Saint Kilda at their favourite venue.

VERDICT: Saint Kilda by 11 points.

Same Game Multi: Max Hall, Darcy Wilson, Jason Horne-Francis and Callum Wilkie to all get 20 or more disposals and Mitch Georgiades to kick 2 or more goals @ $3.95.*

GWS v Geelong, Engie Stadium, 2.15pm

While they have struggled with consistency GWS have shown this season that their best footy is dangerous and that proved the case last week when they defeated ladder leaders Fremantle by 21 points. They now have victories over four of the top six sides in Brisbane, Fremantle, Melbourne and Hawthorn. They sit in 13th spot on the AFL ladder.

Geelong suffered a rare defeat on their home deck at GMHBA Stadium to the resurgent Brisbane Lions last week and that loss was their 4th defeat from their last 5 matches – they have fallen to 7th spot on the table.

The Giants have got one of the more significant injury lists and they will be missing Lachie Whitfield due to concussion protocols here but last week they showed their best is still very good. Geelong have a healthy squad and Gryan Miers is a potential addition here. The Cats need to get back in to the winning groove after a tough few weeks and I expect them to up the ante for this match.

VERDICT: Geelong by 11 points.

Same Game Multi: Joe Fonti and Lawson Humphries to both get 15 or more disposals and Clayton Oliver and Bailey Smith to both get 25 or more disposals and Toby Greene to kick 2 or more goals @ $3.10*

Carlton v Hawthorn, MCG, 5.35pm

Carlton created their own piece of weird history last week winning their 7th straight match after losing 7 in a row prior to that! In the process they have climbed up in to 10th spot.

The Hawks had a rare loss in the Apple Isle last week going down to Melbourne but they maintained their 3rd spot on the Ladder.

Even though the Hawks aren’t quite full strength here and the Blues are on a run I can’t help but feel the Hawks will find a way to win. I respect the way the Blues have turned their season around but I’m happy to tip Hawthorn.

VERDICT: Hawthorn by 17 points.

Same Game Multi: James Sicily and Adam Cerra to both get 15 or more disposals, George Hewett and Jagga Smith to both get 20 or more disposals and Sam Walsh and Jai Newcombe to both get 25 or more disposals @ $3.55*

Adelaide v Gold Coast, Adelaide Oval, 6.10pm

After a slow start to the season the Crows have turned things around with victories at 9 of their last 12 matches. They now find themselves in 5th spot.

Their rivals here the Suns are almost the exact opposite. After winning their first 3 matches by margins of 56, 59 and 68 they have been on a steady decline and they have now lost their last 6 in a row slumping to 14th place on the ladder.

The Crows potentially welcome back Thilthorpe, Milera, Ah Chee and Pedlar here and they are very valuable inclusions. The Crows should be winning here at home.

VERDICT: Adelaide by 23 points.

Same Game Multi: Sam Berry and Josh Worrell to both get 15 or more disposals, Jordan Dawson, Rory Laird and Wayne Milera to all get 20 or more disposals and Darcy Fogarty to kick 2 or more goals @ $3.50*

SUNDAY

Western Bulldogs v West Coast, Marvel Stadium, 11.10am

The Doggies have won 4 of their last 6 but found Sydney too strong last week going down to the Swans by 35 points. That defeat saw them drop to 8th spot on the ladder.

The Eagles gave the Crows a run for their money but in the end it was Adelaide who prevailed by 25 points. The Eagles have lost their last 4 in a row and sit in 16th spot.

The Western Bulldogs play their best football under the roof at Marvel Stadium and their list is more mature than that of West Coast. The Dogs look too strong here.

VERDICT: Western Bulldogs by 49 points.

Same Game Multi: Harley Reid and Ed Richards to both get 20 or more disposals, Bailey Dale to get 25 or more disposals and Jake Waterman and Aaron Naughton to both kick 2 or more goals @ $3.25*

Melbourne v Richmond, MCG, 1.15pm

The Demons were dynamite in the first half against the Hawks last week and went on to record a 35 point victory. The win saw them elevate to 6th spot.

Richmond were plucky in defeat losing to Carlton by just 2 points but they have had a tough season managing just 2 wins overall.

These two sides met in Round 7 when the Demons prevailed by 9 goals and I can see a pretty similar outcome on the way for this fixture.

VERDICT: Melbourne by 47 points.

Same Game Multi: Melbourne to win by 25 points or more and Jayden Short, Jake Bowey, Jack Steele and Max Gawn to all get 20 or more disposals @ $3.45*

Brisbane v Essendon, GABBA, 2.40pm

The back to back Premiers are starting to build some momentum in to their season and last week’s 22 point win over the Cats saw them climb to 4th spot on the ladder.

On the flip side the Bombers are at the bottom of the table with just 1 win for the season and are coming off a 67 point thrashing at the hands of the Saints.

These two sides played against each other in Round 8 where the Lions were 64 point winners. If the Lions turn up hungry this could get a little untidy.

Interestingly Kai Lohmann has been the equal leading goal scorer the last three times these sides have met with 3 goals, 3 goals and 4 goals and he is coming off a season high haul of 5 goals against the Cats last week – I’m keen to play with him having a productive match in front of the big sticks.

VERDICT: Brisbane by 75 points.

Same Game Multi: Sam Durham to get 20 or more disposals, Lachie Neale to get 25 or more disposals and Kai Lohmann to kick 3 or more goals @ $4.60*

BET NOW BET NOW



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