Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 12 Posted on June 6, 2019June 7, 2019 | Posted by Digby Beacham FRIDAY Richmond v Geelong, MCG, 5.50pm Two games clear at the top of the ladder with a 10-1 win-loss record, Geelong have been ultra-impressive. Yet there are some who still question their authenticity. It is harsh, but that is the reality. Taking down Richmond, themselves looking to gain traction in the top eight after last week’s shock loss to North Melbourne, would go a long way to silencing those doubters, who have obviously forgotten the Cats’ tough draw to open 2019 and their wins over last year’s grand finalists West Coast and Collingwood. The Cats will be boosted here by the return from suspension of Gary Ablett. Sliding him into a white-hot midfield containing Tim Kelly, Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood and Mitch Duncan will give Chris Scott’s side a clear edge in a crucial part of the ground. VERDICT: Geelong by 11 points SATURDAY Carlton v Brisbane, Marvel Stadium, 11.45am Those who feel a change in coach leads to a victory, as we saw when North Melbourne saluted for Rhyce Shaw last Friday night against Richmond, will seriously consider tipping Carlton here. But there is going to have to be a monumental form turnaround for the Blues to win. David Teague will fill Brendon Bolton’s chair for the remaining 11 rounds and freeing up his players, both mentally and in a game-style sense, needs to be his priority. Brisbane coach Chris Fagan will have his players on red alert, but also encourage them to keep taking the game which has served them brilliantly. The Lions impact the scoreboard and pressure particularly well when they don’t have possession, with Harris Andrews a rock in the last line of defence. VERDICT: Brisbane by 20 points Gold Coast v North Melbourne, Metricon Stadium, 2.35pm North Melbourne made the best possible start in the Rhyce Shaw era last round, but are now presented with a banana-skin game against Gold Coast, who are giving every indication the caper is starting to wear them down. The Suns are light on for quality throughout their 22 each week and were absolutely humiliated by Greater Western Sydney last weekend. The return to Metricon Stadium will ensure they are more competitive, but they need to be stronger at the coalface. The Kangaroos’ hunt around the contest against the Tigers was outstanding, with Ben Cunnington continuing his excellent season. Shaw was eager for his players to take the game on against Richmond and that approach could bother the Suns, who battle to kick big totals. VERDICT: North Melbourne by 18 points Adelaide v GWS, Adelaide Oval, 5.40pm Adelaide’s top-eight aspirations were given a kiss of life last Saturday night in Darwin when Melbourne butchered numerous opportunities to prevail, with Sam Weideman’s last-gasp miss enabling the Crows to sneak home. They will need to raise the bar here however if they are to overcome Greater Western Sydney. Even with Lachie Whitfield (broken collarbone) joining Callan Ward (knee) on the sidelines, the Giants’ midfield is of the highest quality, thanks in no small part to Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly. The Crows must quell the influence of the Giants’ running division because if they don’t, Coleman Medal leader Jeremy Cameron, Jeremy Finlayson, Harry Himmelberg and Toby Greene will get to work and construct a total that might be beyond the hosts. VERDICT: GWS by 10 points SUNDAY Sydney v West Coast, SCG, 1.20pm When sides are presented with a venue or opponent that has proven difficult to get a handle on, coaches want every piece of the puzzle available to them. Sadly for Adam Simpson, the hamstring injury to captain Shannon Hurn denies him that luxury. However, the absence of Hurn won’t be felt as much if the Eagles’ midfielders can continue to find the football around the contest like they have. Luke Shuey, Jack Redden, Dom Sheed, Andrew Gaff and Elliot Yeo have been in excellent nick in the past month and should be a factor against a Swans midfield that is tough, but without proven extractor Josh Kennedy. Lance Franklin has got through two games since returning from a hamstring injury and looms large here — as he does every week — but the defensive mechanisms of the Eagles are extremely sound. Bogy ground or not, the Eagles have enough class and form to chalk up an SCG victory. VERDICT: West Coast by 20 points MONDAY Collingwood v Melbourne, MCG, 1.20pm Collingwood had been winning for fun. Then came along Fremantle, who stunned the football world — and the Magpies — with their performance last Saturday at the MCG. Nathan Buckley would have much preferred a victory, but he now has an opportunity to reset and launch into the second half of the year. And that spells trouble for Melbourne, whose efforts have improved in recent weeks, the display against GWS aside, but continue to shoot themselves in the foot with poor finishing in front of goal. Despite the absence of Taylor Adams and Dayne Beams, the Magpies have a more potent midfield than the Demons and a forward line that invariably does take its chances. It would be a major shock if Collingwood dropped another one here. VERDICT: Collingwood by 31 points Market Market
Shayne Williams’ Saturday Greyhound Best Bets July 5, 2025 CANNINGTON Race 4 No. 2 Sunset Capone Stepping back up in trip after having a crack the Winter Sprint at Mandurah over the 400 metre… Read More
Scott Embry’s Sunday Bunbury Preview July 4, 2025 RACE 1 TOBAIN had poor form in the Great Southern at Albany but since returning to the provincial area has really improved. Finished third behind… Read More
Matt Young’s Saturday Narrogin Preview July 4, 2025 Race 1 Open race. BLIND EDITION (1) has the speed to lead early and can pick and choose who he sits on, HEAVENLY BLISS (4)… Read More
Matt Young’s Friday Bunbury Preview July 4, 2025 Race 1 ALTA KING (5) gets a wonderful opportunity in this, did a power of work to get to the breeze last time out and… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Friday Greyhound Best Bets July 4, 2025 MANDURAH Race 2 No. 8 Jeremy’s Brigade Think he will appreciate the wide draw, drew the pink two starts back when over the longer 400… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Sunshine Coast Preview July 3, 2025 RACE 1 Huge day of racing ahead of us on the Sunshine Coast as this year’s Winter Carnival comes to an official close with the… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Rosehill Preview July 3, 2025 RACE 1 Racing at Rosehill on Saturday will be on wet ground after the deluge earlier this week. Things will dry out from Thursday suggesting… Read More
Scott Embry’s Saturday Pinjarra Preview July 3, 2025 RACE 1 ABERDEEN FLYER ran fourth on debut behind My Naughty Secret, Perfectly Proper and Mardusa in a form reference that is starting to really… Read More
Scott Embry’s Saturday Marble Bar Preview July 3, 2025 RACE 1 ROYALZEL suffered his first defeat on the dirt at Port Hedland last start when sitting three and four deep the trip under 59.5kg… Read More
Warren Huntly’s Saturday Flemington Preview July 3, 2025 Race 1 BACASH resumed with an impressive maiden victory over 1200m and should prove hard to catch. JOB DONE looked good winning on debut over… Read More
Trent Cooper’s Gloucester Park Preview July 3, 2025 Race 1 MIKI MADE MONTY (9) was well-backed first-up and made light of the back row draw to win easily against inferior opposition. He goes… Read More
Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 17 July 3, 2025 THURSDAY North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium, 5.30pm A couple of steps forward, but one mighty big step back. That is perhaps the best… Read More