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Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Opening Round

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

FRIDAY

Sydney v Hawthorn, SCG, 4.40pm

Dean Cox’s moment of truth has arrived. A long-time assistant at both West Coast and Sydney, he has been entrusted with the responsibility of picking up the Swans from yet another grand final shellacking.

His maiden assignment isn’t an easy one. Not only are the hosts missing a host of key personnel, namely Errol Gulden, Callum Mills, Logan McDonald, Harry Cunningham and Hayden McLean, there are doubts over the fitness of both Brodie Grundy and goalsneak Tom Papley.

Complicating matters for Cox and his troops are Hawthorn, last year’s bolters who are extremely healthy and ready to prove to the football world that their 2024 surge wasn’t an outlier. The addition of Tom Barrass and Josh Battle is likely to see James Sicily be swung forward at stages.

VERDICT: Hawthorn to win

Same Game Multi: Jai Newcombe and Chad Warner 25+ disposals each @ $3.35*

SUNDAY

GWS v Collingwood, ENGIE Stadium, 12.20pm

Much like their cross-town rivals, GWS would be wondering why the footy gods haven’t been kind to them. The loss of Tom Green last month with a torn calf was a bitter blow which has been compounded by injuries to Jesse Hogan (finger) and Jake Stringer (hamstring).

It leaves the Giants short on premier talent in key areas of the ground against an opponent which looks reinvigorated. It might have been over only Richmond, but the community series victory was one where we saw much of what makes the Magpies a frightening proposition when in full flight.

Jordan De Goey and Dan Houston miss here, but the Magpies are decidedly healthier than GWS and in Nick Daicos, boast one of the most exciting players in the competition. The weather forecast suggests it might be an arm-wrestle.

VERDICT: Collingwood to win

Same Game Multi: Game total under 176.5 and Harry Perryman 20+ disposals @ $2.80*

*Odds correct at the time of publication.

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