Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 10

Posted on May 23, 2019May 23, 2019 | Posted by Digby Beacham

FRIDAY

Sydney v Collingwood, SCG, 5.50pm

Sydney have edged out Essendon and North Melbourne in the past fortnight to give their season a kiss of life, but they now run headlong in a different beast entirely.

Collingwood might not be operating at full power in regards to personnel or form, but continue on their merry way and showed in the last quarter against St Kilda last Saturday what they are capable of. Importantly, the Magpies get back gun forward Jordan De Goey after he missed last weekend with a leg injury.

Sydney scraped home in the corresponding match last season, courtesy of Lance Franklin’s six-goal haul. The superstar has missed four weeks with a hamstring strain and is no certainty to get back in time for this contest.

VERDICT: Collingwood by 21 points

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SATURDAY

Hawthorn v Port Adelaide, UTAS Stadium, 11.45am

Hawthorn’s up-and-down campaign continued last weekend when they were outclassed by Richmond, only hours after Port Adelaide’s youthful line-up stood up and overcame a spirited Gold Coast.

The Power’s win kept them very much in the top-eight conversation and with the looming returns of co-captain Tom Jonas (calf) and Robbie Gray (broken hand) from injury, their stocks could soar even higher.

Hawthorn’s ability to stand their ground at the stoppages will be tested given the absence of Ben McEvoy (ankle) against Paddy Ryder and Scott Lycett, but they rarely lower their colours at their Tasmanian fortress.

VERDICT: Hawthorn by 7 points

Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium, 12.10pm

Most of the football world is unsure on just where the Western Bulldogs sit. Their best is very good and capable of stretching the necks of the better sides. Conversely, their worst can be extremely poor, as highlighted in losses to Carlton and Gold Coast.

There is no such uncertainty surrounding North Melbourne. They are an average side which, despite being more competitive of late, has many flaws and should be found out by the Bulldogs, especially through the midfield.

The Kangaroos will hope Ben Brown’s recent good form against the Bulldogs holds up, because as he goes, so too do they. If Brown is harnessed, it’s difficult to see Brad Scott’s men kicking a winning total.

VERDICT: Western Bulldogs by 19 points

Adelaide v West Coast, Adelaide Oval, 2.35pm

After an ordinary start to the season, Adelaide have re-emerged as somewhat of a challenger. Granted, they came up short against Brisbane at the Gabba last weekend, but their body of work in the past month has been encouraging.

West Coast have also been able to ignite their premiership defence in the past three weeks without hitting top gear, but travel to Adelaide Oval for a tough assignment with the out-of-sorts Nathan Vardy leading their ruck.

The Crows’ ability to be strong at the contest has been evident in their revival, as has their ability to defend stoutly, a key plank that has been made possible by the brilliant form of Alex Keath. This is Adelaide’s game to lose.

VERDICT: Adelaide by 20 points

Gold Coast v Geelong, Metricon Stadium, 5.25pm

Patrick Dangerfield or Gary Ablett? One of them will play here and the other will not. Just who that is however had yet to be decided on Thursday morning, with Cats coach Chris Scott not in a position to make a final call.

Either way, it spells trouble for the Suns, who continue to have a crack, but are being seriously hindered by a lack of class and experience. It is not an issue Geelong need to worry about, as their ladder position would suggest.

Regardless of how you look at this match, the Cats should be winning. And unlike previous seasons, there seems to be more steel about this Geelong side.

VERDICT: Geelong by 30 points

Richmond v Essendon, MCG, 5.25pm

Essendon’s bleak season became downright gloomy this week when it was revealed reigning best and fairest Devon Smith (knee) would miss the season and game-breaking key forward Joe Daniher (groin) was facing an extended stint on the sidelines also.

Given the Bombers fell over the line against Fremantle last weekend, it is difficult to see how they overcome a Richmond side that is starting to resemble the 2017 version, with the return to form of Dustin Martin in the win over Hawthorn a sight for sore eyes.

The Tigers will be boosted by the return from injury of Daniel Rioli and his addition to an already lively forward line spells trouble for Essendon, who are battling to kick sizeable totals.

VERDICT: Richmond by 29 points

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SUNDAY

Melbourne v GWS, MCG, 11.10am

Much has been made of Greater Western Sydney’s poor record at the MCG — and deservedly so. Expect more of the same in the lead-up to the opening bounce here, given only a fortnight ago they were putrid opposed to Hawthorn.

The Demons sit many rungs below GWS on the ladder, but their efforts in recent weeks has been solid. Indeed, had they taken their chances opposed to West Coast at Optus Stadium last Friday night, they may have escaped with the four points.

The Giants will welcome back Stephen Coniglio. Sliding him in the midfield alongside Josh Kelly and Lachie Whitfield, along with in-form tagger Matt de Boer, gives the visitors a chance to notch a vital win at a ground they hope to playing at deep in September.

VERDICT: GWS by 18 points

St Kilda v Carlton, Marvel Stadium, 1.20pm

A match-up of the 15th-placed side against an opponent anchored in 18th with just one win to its name normally doesn’t do much for the neutral football observer.

But this contest has a lot riding on it. Carlton’s display against Greater Western Sydney was putrid and a similar effort here or in the coming weeks could spell the end of Brendon Bolton. Similarly, St Kilda mentor Alan Richardson knows full well that a loss to the Blues would have serious ramifications for his tenure beyond this season.

Carlton responded strongly after they were thrashed by North Melbourne earlier this month and if Patrick Cripps bounces back to his imposing best after a rare quiet day against GWS, the Blues aren’t without hope.

VERDICT: Carlton by 2 points 

Fremantle v Brisbane, Optus Stadium, 3.20pm

Lachie Neale returns to face his former club for the first time since walking out at the end of last season. It is a decision that has paid dividends for both Neale and Brisbane, who have been terrific in advancing to 6-3 and can all but nail down a finals spot with a win in Perth.

The Dockers would love to have Neale running around in their midfield at present, with much of the grunt work being left to veteran duo Nat Fyfe and David Mundy.

The Lions’ pressure against Adelaide last weekend was first class and if they are able to bring that again on a fast ground and in weather conditions that should suit, they will be in this match for a long way. But you just get the sense the Dockers know this could be the last-chance saloon in terms of their finals hopes.

VERDICT: Fremantle by 10 points

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