Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 10 Posted on August 5, 2020August 7, 2020 | Posted by Digby Beacham MONDAY Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs, Adelaide Oval, 5.10pm In this helter skelter, condensed AFL season, many matches can morph into each other. Tonight’s round 10 encounter between Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval is not one of them. We are about to find out what the Western Bulldogs stand for. Genuinely exciting at their best, they have struggled to operate at a consistent level and were again embarrassed by Richmond last week. Their inability to defend with any purpose or system provided critics with further ammunition about their deficiencies. Conversely, Port Adelaide rebounded from their shock loss to St Kilda with an electric start against Melbourne and didn’t relent. They were slick. Ollie Wines found a heap of football early, adding another dimension to a midfield that can service a forward line with multiple options. VERDICT: Port Adelaide by 19 points TUESDAY Richmond v Brisbane, Metricon Stadium, 5.10pm The surging champs against the in-form challengers … welcome to Tuesday night football in prime time between Richmond and Brisbane. The winner might be well disguised, but make no mistake, whoever emerges victorious will trim up in premiership betting. If Dustin Martin maintains his current form, you can mount a strong case for the Tigers to prevail. Ditto in regards to ball magnet Lachie Neale when it comes to Brisbane’s fortunes. Neale is compiling ridiculous numbers this season and it will be interesting to see whether Damien Hardwick breaks with tradition and applies a tag to the former Docker. The Tigers’ twin towers Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt showed glimpses against the Western Bulldogs last round, but will be hard pressed to split this contest apart given the presence of Harris Andrews and a defence that is extremely efficient. VERDICT: Brisbane by 12 points WEDNESDAY Geelong v North Melbourne, Gabba, 3.40pm North Melbourne recorded an overdue victory against Adelaide last Saturday and will think they are genuine hopes of dealing Geelong’s top-four hopes a blow here. The Cats only arrived in Queensland on Sunday evening and face a quick spin around after their narrow loss to West Coast at Optus Stadium. The Cats’ ability to overcome the compromised lead-up has been offset by the return from injury of captain Joel Selwood, who will bolster a midfield that fared very well opposed to the Eagles’ on-ball brigade. Ben Brown and Jared Polec are back for the Kangaroos after being omitted against the Crows and coach Rhyce Shaw will be chasing a spike in their performance to assist his charges’ bid for an upset. VERDICT: Geelong by 11 points Adelaide v Melbourne, Adelaide Oval, 6.10pm If the old saying “every loss you have, you are closer to a win” applies, then surely Adelaide are knocking on the door. Having taken small steps in recent weeks, the Crows took a huge step back against North Melbourne last weekend. That performance left them 0-9 and Matthew Nicks aghast at how poor his players were. Normally, that would be the main story entering the following week’s match. That isn’t the case here by virtue of Melbourne being their opponents. The Demons were dreadful against Brisbane, with president Glenn Bartlett taking aim at just about everyone involved at the club, notably coach Simon Goodwin and his players. The response tonight will be intriguing. Anything less than a Melbourne victory will be unacceptable. VERDICT: Melbourne by 18 points THURSDAY Collingwood v Sydney, Gabba, 3.40pm Collingwood would have been delighted to get out of Perth after a dreadful last two weeks in WA, highlighted by their defeats to West Coast and Fremantle … and a publicised COVID-19 breach by coach Nathan Buckley and his assistant Brenton Sanderson. The Magpies now need to get back on the horse and quickly, starting with an extremely winnable game against Sydney. The Swans were outclassed by St Kilda last round, further emphasising the struggle young sides have in the course of a season, especially when playing interstate. Collingwood defend well and have a gun midfield, but they need to start applying scoreboard pressure. Sydney are quite content to be involved in an arm-wrestle and as we saw against the Dockers in the second term last weekend, a quarter of efficiency can be difficult to overcome. VERDICT: Collingwood by 20 points Gold Coast v St Kilda, Metricon Stadium, 6.10pm There is no denying Gold Coast have come forward in leaps and bounds this year. However, given the opportunities they have been presented with courtesy of a bulk of games being played in their home State, they would love to sneak into the finals. A win over St Kilda would certainly go a long way towards making that a reality. The Saints represent a daunting challenge. Fresh off back-to-back victories in Adelaide over the two South Australian sides, Brett Ratten’s men did a number on Sydney last weekend, showcasing their spread of talent. Jarrod Witts has led the ruck stocks boldly for the Suns, but the dual-pronged combination of Rowan Marshall and Paddy Ryder will ensure he and his midfielders have their work cut out. VERDICT: St Kilda by 21 points FRIDAY Essendon v GWS, Metricon Stadium, 5.50pm The football world continues to wait for Greater Western Sydney to underline their credentials in the manner we all think they are capable of. As for Essendon, many have given up expecting anything grandiose again in 2020. At their best, the Bombers play a ballistic brand that requires a great deal of concentration and planning to curb. What we witnessed against Brisbane last week was a stilted, conservative approach that left them sitting ducks. GWS have the weapons to contend again this season, but they have yet to wheel them out. Their midfield remains high class and Lachie Whitfield provides enormous rebound off half-back. If the Giants are to secure a double chance, this is non-negotiable. A big total wouldn’t go astray either. VERDICT: GWS by 19 points *Remaining games still to come. Market Market
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview June 5, 2025 RACE 1 We race at Randwick on Saturday with another wet track a certainty. Hopefully we may slip back into the soft range however that’s… Read More
Warren Huntly’s Saturday Flemington Preview June 5, 2025 Race 1 They all have claims but keen on GOLDENSTATEWARRIOR. He didn’t have the best of luck in the home straight last start, will strip… Read More
Scott Embry’s Saturday Pinjarra Preview June 5, 2025 RACE 1 FAT ROY SLIM finally gets a touch of weight relief from 62kg down to 60kg. He has been beaten fair and square by… Read More
Scott Embry’s Saturday Broome Preview June 5, 2025 RACE 1 COMMISSIONS has his first start for new trainer Kevin Collins and his last (only) win was a Gawler maiden over 1500m when leading… Read More
Trent Cooper’s Gloucester Park Preview June 5, 2025 Race 1 MANHATTAN MOON (1) has finished towards the rear in his last five starts but he gets the opportunity to try to shoot for… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Thursday Greyhound Best Bets June 5, 2025 MANDURAH Race 8 No. 1 Idyllic Page Has recently switched kennels and has been very good her last two starts with bronze medals on both… Read More
Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 13 June 5, 2025 THURSDAY Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn, Marvel Stadium, 5.30pm Hawthorn’s recent woes were compounded this week when it was revealed skipper James Sicily and livewire goalsneak… Read More
Shayne Williams Wednesday Greyhound Best Bets June 4, 2025 CANNINGTON Race 1 No. 1 Thank You Joe We will kick things off in a maiden event tonight, Thank You Joe for Joe Dailly, think… Read More
Scott Embry’s Thursday Bunbury Preview June 3, 2025 RACE 1 DECLARED INNOCENT is a 19 start maiden who will near certainly jump favourite care of the last start finishing effort behind Kermelia (races… Read More
Scott Embry’s Wednesday Northam Preview June 3, 2025 RACE 1 MARDUSA was a great run on debut behind Our Naughty Secret and subsequent Pinjarra Magic Millions runner-up in Perfectly Proper. Tipped out for… Read More
Warren Huntly’s Wednesday Sandown Preview June 3, 2025 Race 1 ILLYIVY has been most consistent to date, she chased well first up and looks suited by the rise in distance. MELBOURNE MAGIC shapes… Read More