Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 10

Posted on May 24, 2018 | Posted by Digby Beacham

FRIDAY

Collingwood v Western Bulldogs, Etihad Stadium, 5.50pm

Collingwood get a golden opportunity to show their improved brand is sustainable when they encounter their bogy side, the Western Bulldogs. The Magpies have had their issues with the Bulldogs in recent times, but are now ideally placed to take care of them and zero in on a top-eight spot.

The return of captain Scott Pendlebury against St Kilda gave Collingwood’s talented midfield a timely boost and though Daniel Wells will miss here as the club manages his load, the Magpies have enough class around the ball to supply a forward line that has a genuine game-breaker in Jordan De Goey.

The Bulldogs failed to adhere to the basic fundamentals of wet-weather football against Adelaide last round and will be much more comfortable inside the sterile surrounds of Etihad Stadium. Jack Macrae is enjoying an outstanding year, but he needs more support if the Bulldogs are to revive their own finals aspirations.

VERDICT: Collingwood by 20 points

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SATURDAY

Richmond v St Kilda, MCG, 11.45am

When you are having one of “those” years, the hits just keep on coming. St Kilda have been unable to buy a win since their unconvincing effort against Brisbane in round one and now confront a Richmond side stinging from a thumping by West Coast at their preferred MCG.

The Saints continue to butcher the ball going forward and when shooting for goal, a major issue given the number of opportunities they have to apply scoreboard pressure in this match are likely to be limited by the Tigers and their tight defence.

Richmond need to back up quickly considering their game against the Eagles finished late on Sunday (Easterm Standard Time), but you sense Damien Hardwick’s men will be desperate to make a statement and prove to all and sundry they remain the side to beat in 2018.

VERDICT: Richmond by 32 points

Brisbane v Sydney, Gabba, 2.35pm

Brisbane opened their account in style last Sunday against Hawthorn, but face a mighty task to repeat that effort in this encounter. Sydney have shown their travelling ability this season and, having finally notched a win at home, will be eager to ensure the mini-break established on potential top-four rivals Geelong and the Hawks doesn’t go to waste.

Dayne Beams dropped a bombshell earlier in the week when he announced he would step down as captain, handing over the role to Dayne Zorko. Importantly for the Lions however, Beams will continue to play a key role through the midfield, which showed its class opposed to the Hawks.

This looms as a game of contrasts. Brisbane will want to play a slick, high-octane brand and the Swans will do their utmost to slow the match down and execute precisely with controlled chains of possession. History says Sydney’s method works best.

VERDICT: Sydney by 29 points

Geelong v Carlton, GMHBA Stadium, 5.25pm

Both Chris Scott (Geelong) and Brendon Bolton (Carlton) spoke about the need for their sides to respond after poor performances against Essendon and Melbourne respectively last weekend. The Cats loom as the most likely for a variety of reasons — talent, home-ground advantage and body of work.

That spells trouble for the Blues, who continue their extensive rebuild under Bolton, now in his third season at the helm. Charlie Curnow is likely to return from a tight quad that ruled him out last weekend, while older brother Ed is available after serving a suspension. His return is significant given the midfield options Geelong boast.

The Cats didn’t adjust to the heat applied by Essendon and while Carlton’s desperation is likely to be far greater than they showed against the Demons, Geelong at home are a tough nut to crack.

VERDICT: Geelong by 45 points

GWS v Essendon, Spotless Stadium, 5.25pm

Touted as premiership contenders entering the season, Greater Western Sydney find themselves outside the top eight and confronted with a myriad of issues ahead of this crucial match against Essendon. A lack of leadership, fit players and, in the eyes of some, genuine hunger plague coach Leon Cameron’s team.

The return from a groin injury of silky midfielder Josh Kelly is an enormous boost for GWS, who have lost three straight and need to make a stand of some note very quickly. The same was said of Essendon ahead of round nine and they responded grandly opposed to Geelong.

It was the type of performance we have seen from John Worsfold-coached sides when they have had their backs to the wall. The challenge for Worsfold and his players is to repeat that display. Provided Dyson Heppell and Zach Merrett perform at the level they did last week, there is no reason why they can’t.

VERDICT: Essendon by 10 points

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SUNDAY

Hawthorn v West Coast, Etihad Stadium, 11.10am

Early in the first quarter of last Sunday’s match at the Gabba, all appeared rosy for Hawthorn. They led four goals to one and were seemingly on track for win No.6 for the season that would have entrenched them inside the top four. Then came wave after wave of Brisbane attacks that ultimately resulted in an avalanche of goals that sunk Alastair Clarkson’s side.

It was a display which bore a resemblance to some of Hawthorn’s performances early last season when they were struggling. Unless Clarkson and his match committee, in conjunction with his leadership group, make the necessary adjustments, they will encounter more of the same against ladder-leading West Coast.

The Eagles won their eighth straight in emphatic fashion opposed to Richmond, with their disposal by foot out of the back half staving off the Tigers’ famed pressure. Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett set a high standard inside the centre square and in attack, Jack Darling is playing at a level few key forwards have reached in recent times. The fact this match is at Etihad Stadium, not the MCG, is another tick for the Eagles.

VERDICT: West Coast by 18 points

Melbourne v Adelaide, Traeger Park, Alice Springs, 1.20pm

Melbourne have dined out on some mediocre opposition in recent weeks, but the manner in which they have gone about their business is impossible to ignore. They are doing all the right things and the return from a long-term foot injury of Jack Viney last weekend against Carlton was the cherry on top.

Adelaide know a thing or two about long-term injuries to key personnel and their extensive casualty ward makes their job in this match particularly difficult. Captain Taylor Walker will miss with back and glute issues, denying him an opportunity to confront former teammate Jake Lever, who has now settled nicely into the Demons’ back line.

At the other end of the ground, Tom McDonald and Jesse Hogan give Melbourne a one-two key-forward punch that is proving hard to counter. The Demons have overwhelmed their opponents of late with big totals and the forecast of  fine weather and a fast track at Traeger Park looks ideal.

VERDICT: Melbourne by 21 points

Fremantle v North Melbourne, Optus Stadium, 2.40pm

In a perfect world, Fremantle would have been presented with a fine, late autumn afternoon to go to work against North Melbourne. If the weather forecast for this match is correct, they will not be getting anything of the sort.

And that is music to the ears of North Melbourne, who are more comfortable getting involved in an arm-wrestle than a shootout, highlighted by their efforts in the past three weeks against Sydney, Richmond and Greater Western Sydney. It’s not to say the Kangaroos don’t have weapons forward of centre. Exhibit one is Coleman Medal leader Ben Brown.

The Dockers have their own stars also, with Nat Fyfe heading that list. Though he is hobbled slightly at present by a knee injury, Fyfe has been a beast in most matches this season, especially those at Optus Stadium. Fremantle expect Stephen Hill (quad) to be available and that is critically important for the hosts.

VERDICT: Fremantle by 7 points

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