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David Shortte’s AFL Preview: Round 15

Posted on | Posted by David Shortte

THURSDAY

Fremantle v Geelong, Optus Stadium, 6.10pm

The league leading Dockers have won their last 12 games in a row and return here off the bye. They last played in Bunbury against North Melbourne a fortnight ago when winning by 124 points

Geelong are the only team to beat Fremantle so far this season – that was back in round one at GMHBA Stadium when the Cats charged home to win by 10 points. They sit in 3rd spot on the AFL table with a 9 win and 5 loss record.

Geelong will be without gun midfielder Bailey Smith who will miss this match due to illness while Fremantle welcome back Caleb Serong, Brennan Cox and Matt Johnson.

This shapes as a tremendous clash between two of the most dangerous teams in the competition. Fremantle courtesy of the handy inclusions and home ground advantage get a very good look at making it 13 wins on the trot.

VERDICT: Fremantle by 17 points

Same Game Multi: Lawson Humphries and Luke Jackson to both get 15 or more disposals, Murphy Reid to get 20 or more disposals, Max Holmes to get 25 or more disposals and Josh Treacy to kick 2 or more goals @ $3.20*

FRIDAY

Gold Coast v Hawthorn, People First Stadium Stadium, 5.40pm

After a flying start to the season the Suns have stalled in recent times losing their last 3 matches to the Kangaroos, Lions and Cats. They sit 9th with a 7 win, 6 loss record.

The Hawks resume here off a bye but prior to the week off they lost to the Western Bulldogs by 6 points. They are 5th on the table with 8 wins, 4 losses and a draw.

These two sides met in round 7 down in Tasmania where the Hawks proved far too classy winning by 49 points. There are once again question marks as to whether or not Gunston will return to the Hawks lineup for this one. I found this a trappy game to tip in to. The Suns have come under pretty significant criticism for recent performances and are entitled to show something on their home deck. That said they have a significant deficit to make up on their most recent match up. I’ll tip the Hawks but with the expectation that this should be a tough fought encounter.

VERDICT: Hawthorn by 7 points

Same Game Multi: Either team to win by 39 points or less, Josh Ward to get 15 or more disposals and Jai Newcombe, Karl Amon, Christian Petracca and Jarman Impey to all get 20 or more disposals @ $3.15*

SATURDAY

Adelaide v Melbourne, Adelaide Oval, 11.15am

The Crows have really ramped up their pressure game in recent times and their form has spiked accordingly with wins at 7 of their last 9 matches including an impressive 57 point win over the Dogs at Marvel Stadium last week. They have climbed to 6th on the ladder with an 8 win, 5 loss record.

Melbourne were in a different class to Essendon last week with the Demons going on for a 45 point victory fresh off a Kozzy Pickett master class. They are nicely placed in 4th spot on the ladder with a 9 win, 5 loss record.

The Crows looked very sharp last week against the Dogs and while Melbourne are playing well I expect Adelaide to be too slick for them here.

VERDICT: Adelaide by 23 points.

Same Game Multi: Adelaide to win, Max Gawn to get 15 or more disposals and Jack Steele, Sam Berry, Rory Laird and Jordan Dawson to all get 20 or more disposals @ $3.15.*

GWS v Carlton, ENGIE Stadium, 2.15pm

The Giants showed us what their best footy looked like a few weeks ago when they towelled up the Brisbane Lions at this venue by 78 points. Since then they have beaten Melbourne by 49 points and lost narrowly to the Saints by 8 points.

Since parting ways with Coach Michael Voss, Carlton have found a new lease of life and recorded 4 wins on the trot. They weren’t overly impressive but did manage to knock off Essendon last round by 5 points.

I loved what I saw from the Giants against the Lions a few weeks ago and they will relish being back home at ENGIE Stadium. They should win this well and their high possession ball magnet posse all look well placed to get plenty of the ball again.

VERDICT: GWS by 22 points.

Same Game Multi: GWS to win, Brent Daniels, Jagga Smith, Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh to all get 20 or more disposals and Clayton Oliver to get 25 or more disposals @ $3.40*

Collingwood v Port Adelaide, MCG, 5.35pm

Collingwood sit 13th on the AFL Table with a record of 5 wins, 7 losses and a draw and arrive here off the bye.

Port suffered their 5th single digit loss of the season when losing to the Swans by 3 points last week.

Given the season record of both of these teams you could absolutely make the case that this is likely to be a very close contest. I’ll take the Pies in a cliffhanger.

VERDICT: Collingwood by 3 points.

Same Game Multi: Either team to win by 39 points or less, Jordan De Goey and Josh Daicos to both get 20 or more disposals, Zak Butters to get 25 or more disposals and Nick Daicos to get 30 or more disposals @ $3.45*

SUNDAY

Richmond v North Melbourne, MCG, 11.10am

Richmond sit in 17th spot on the table with just 2 wins for the season. They stuck with Brisbane until late in the match last week when beaten by 35 points.

North Melbourne brought up their 6th win of the season last week when they scraped home against West Coast by 1 point.

These two sides met in round 6 at Marvel Stadium where the Kangaroos won by 75 points. The blue and whites look well placed here.

VERDICT: North Melbourne by 23 points

Same Game Multi: Sam Banks to get 15 or more disposals, Luke Parker and Luke Davies-Uniacke to both get 20 or more disposals, Harry Sheezel to get 30 or more disposals and Nick Larkey to kick 2 or more goals @ $3.05*

Saint Kilda v Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium, 1.15pm

The Saints were very good last week knocking off GWS by 8 points. The victory took them 10th spot with a 6 win, 8 loss record.

The Doggies were disappointing in a 57 point loss to the Crows. They are in 8th spot with a 8 win, 6 loss record.

This should be a very entertaining affair between two sides that need to keep winning to keep their finals hopes alive. I don’t think there is too much between them and expect it to go right down to the wire.

VERDICT: Western Bulldogs by 3 points.

Same Game Multi: Callum Wilkie and Ryley Sanders to both get 20 or more disposals, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Bailey Dale to both get 25 or more disposals and Liam Ryan to kick 2 or more goals @ $3.85*

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