Sports

Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 14

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

THURSDAY

West Coast v Essendon, Optus Stadium, 6.10pm

Essendon are not overly fond of travelling to Perth to play either of the WA sides. Their record reflects that. But if the Bombers were to pick a time to venture west, this surely would be it. No Jack Darling and no Josh Kennedy because of injury presents them with a real look.

The Eagles are also on the quick back-up, having lost a physical encounter to Sydney at the SCG last Friday night. The inclusion of Fraser McInnes is entirely understandable, but he isn’t looming as the man most likely to kick three or four goals. Adam Simpson will want him to provide a target, compete and ensure the smaller forwards have an opportunity to go to work.

Essendon have claimed the scalp of GWS and Brisbane interstate this season and headed to their bye in reasonable nick. Dyson Heppell has started to have an impact, as has Zach Merrett, while Jake Stringer is warming to his work. The Eagles might be depleted, but it’s hard to justify tipping Essendon when you factor in their struggles in WA previously.

VERDICT: West Coast by 18 points

FRIDAY

Port Adelaide v Melbourne, Adelaide Oval, 5.50pm

The critics were quick to line up Melbourne in the wake of their heavy defeat to Collingwood on the Queen’s Birthday weekend. They deserved to be panned for their effort, but the accusation they don’t stack up against the better sides might be a touch unfair.

The Demons had a bad day at the office. Indeed, the midfield had a horrid day at the office. If coach Simon Goodwin is able to make the necessary adjustments and limit the damage on the spread from opposition sides, starting here against the dangerous Power runners, then they will be OK.

Port are building nicely, backing up their narrow win over Richmond with a thumping of the Western Bulldogs last Thursday night. The manner in which they torched the Bulldogs early and got the game on their terms was ultra-impressive, with the form of A-graders Robbie Gray and Chad Wingard hard to ignore. Both sides can play powerful brands and Port loom as the logical pick, but Melbourne do travel well and have a good recent record in Adelaide.

VERDICT: Melbourne by 11 points

SATURDAY

Hawthorn v Gold Coast, UTAS Stadium, 11.45am

Hawthorn did what they had to do against Adelaide last Saturday night and can now set their sights on a top-eight berth. Gold Coast just need to set their sights on playing four quarters of football.

That might sound easy, but if the Suns’ past month is any indication, it is one hell of a task. Their last-quarter meltdown against St Kilda at Metricon Stadium last weekend continued an alarming trend and they now head to the Hawks’ Launceston fortress where they have never won. It would be a result of seismic proportions if the Suns were to get the points.

VERDICT: Hawthorn by 41 points

Brisbane v GWS, Gabba, 2.35pm

In a quirk of the AFL fixture, these two sides square off for the second time this season, roughly two months after GWS won a dour affair at Spotless Stadium. The Lions struggled to score on that occasion and will appreciate being back at the Gabba where they play their best — and most attacking — football.

Buoyed by the return of key personnel, notably midfield superstar Josh Kelly, the Giants started to hit their straps in the lead-up to their mid-season bye. However, they emerge from their most recent outing, a triple-figure flogging of Gold Coast, without No.1 ruck option Rory Lobb (back).

The Lions will be desperate to stem the flow of GWS attacking forays, but neutral football fans won’t mind if the ball lives in the Giants’ forward line because that will allow us to watch the mouthwatering tussle between in-form GWS spearhead Jeremy Cameron and brilliant young Lions key defender Harris Andrews.

VERDICT: GWS by 25 points

Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne, Etihad Stadium, 5.25pm

North Melbourne received a blow in the lead-up to this match when veteran key forward Jarrad Waite tweaked a calf at training, ruling him out. But his setback is nothing compared to the string of injuries that have rocked the Bulldogs and coach Luke Beveridge.

The loss to Port Adelaide last week was compounded by skipper Easton Wood’s season-ending hamstring tear and a less serious hamstring issue that will see ball magnet Jack Macrae miss this match, and possibly two more. Macrae’s ball-winning ability will be sadly missed given the Kangaroos should regain Jed Anderson and hit this contest fresh after having a bye last weekend.

Ben Brown had a rare quiet afternoon in the loss to Geelong in round 12, but if the supply is plentiful — and all indications are it will be — it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Coleman Medal leader have a night out.

VERDICT: North Melbourne by 39 points

SUNDAY

Collingwood v Carlton, MCG, 1.20pm

These two sides have gone in opposite directions since their meeting in round three. On that occasion, the fierce rivals were looking for their first wins of the season. Carlton started well only to be overwhelmed by the Magpies, who eventually won by 24 points.

Nathan Buckley’s side has since gone on to win another seven games and is quite rightly being discussed as a top-four contender. The Blues, on the other hand, have won only one match and are coming off arguably their worst performance in the Brendon Bolton era last weekend against Fremantle.

No matter how many times you look at this match, and from what angle, Collingwood win. The only question that remains unanswered is by how much.

VERDICT: Collingwood by 35 points

Bet Now



Recent Articles