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Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 17

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

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 way to summarise North Melbourne’s past few weeks, unfortunately the most recent outing against Hawthorn being one that is totally unacceptable.

It raises the stakes for this clash with the Western Bulldogs, who haven’t lost to the Kangaroos since 2019. The Bulldogs have got their challenges with personnel, but you wouldn’t know it given the campaign they have put together.

A feature of their season has been an ability to shred sides lower than them on the ladder, particularly through the midfield. If that happens again here, the forward line, spearheaded by Sam Darcy, will have a night out.

VERDICT: Western Bulldogs by 1-39 points

Same Game Multi: Luke Davies-Uniacke, Bailey Dale and Ed Richards to have 25+ disposals @ $3.35*

FRIDAY

Carlton v Collingwood, MCG, 5.20pm

Michael Voss’ hold on his coaching position is becoming increasingly tenuous. A dreadful display against Port Adelaide last week had fans demanding answers and one can only wonder what the mood will be like among the faithful if the arch enemy get hold of them.

On current form, that is a given. The Magpies are tracking beautifully and would love nothing more than to add to the Blues’ gaping wounds. Carlton’s effort for the most part has been sound. Their skill level and ability to run out four quarters not so efficient.

Collingwood are not only highly skilled, but have excellent football smarts and a wonderful ability to spread and make a ground especially big. The absence of Jack Silvagni from the Carlton backline through injury is telling.

VERDICT: Collingwood by 1-39 points

Same Game Multi: Jack Crisp and Dan Houston to have 20+ disposals @ $3.25*

West Coast v GWS, Optus Stadium, 6.20pm

West Coast get a wonderful opportunity to redeem themselves on the Friday night stage. At their latest Optus Stadium appearance against Carlton, they turned in a horror initial 45 minutes that consigned them to a bad defeat.

But the effort opposed to Collingwood at Marvel Stadium last Saturday night couldn’t be questioned. It was further evidence that the Andrew McQualter message is getting through. It will need to again in this clash with GWS, who hit their mid-season bye in a buoyant mood after running down Gold Coast.

The Giants will be without their bookends, Jesse Hogan and Sam Taylor, along with Lachie Whitfield. Normally, it would be concerning. GWS though remain in the finals conversation for a reason.

VERDICT: GWS by 1-39 points

Same Game Multi: Tom Green and Lachie Ash to have 30+ disposals @ $2.60*

SATURDAY

Essendon v Gold Coast, 10.35am

Gold Coast wins away from home have been few and far between over their existence. One of their rare successes did come in the corresponding match last season when Mac Andrew kicked a goal after the siren to give the Suns a pulsating triumph.

It ended Essendon’s finals hopes. Twelve months on, the Bombers are not even in the finals mix, thanks in no small part to an extensive injury list that seemingly knows no boundaries. Conversely, the Suns are relatively healthy and primed to continue their march towards September.

Powering Gold Coast is a midfield at the feet of Jarrod Witts that is dynamic and prolific. If the Bombers can’t stem the bleeding there, this could get ugly.

VERDICT: Gold Coast to win

Same Game Multi: Gold Coast to win and Ben King to kick 3+ goals @ $2.25*

Richmond v Geelong, GMHBA Stadium, 2.15pm

Richmond are finding it tough to compete at present. It’s not unexpected. Unfortunately for Adem Yze, this assignment has become nigh on impossible with the deserved five-match suspension handed down to Tom Lynch.

Watch for Yze and Richmond to make this as boring and unpleasant as possible in order to avoid a gouging. If there is one team that can separate itself from mediocrity and such tactics, it is Geelong, who are laced with precision.

Their ball use and undeniable home ground advantage will hold them in good stead. Jeremy Cameron is presented with a wonderful opportunity to press his Coleman Medal claims.

VERDICT: Geelong by 40 points or more

Same Game Multi: Gryan Miers to have 15+ disposals and kick 2+ goals @ $8*

Brisbane v Port Adelaide, Gabba, 5.35pm

Brisbane have flirted with their form for the most part in 2025. Their best is superb though and with September approaching you’d like to think they are ready to clear their throats.

The Lions have a seasoned midfield group which complements each other brilliantly and in Josh Dunkley, an option to run with Zak Butters or Jason Horne-Francis.

Mitch Georgiades is enjoying a breakout season, his battle with Harris Andrews a highlight in a game which has the capacity to produce plenty of goals.

VERDICT: Brisbane by 1-39 points

Same Game Multi: Hugh McCluggage to have 25+ disposals and Willie Rioli and Mitch Georgiades to kick 1+ goal @ $2.88*

St Kilda v Hawthorn, Marvel Stadium, 5.40pm

Life without Josh Weddle (back stress fractures) begins for Hawthorn. Hawks supporters will be hoping it doesn’t extend into September, but there is a real possibility of that occurring.

The availability of James Sicily and James Worpel will no doubt help ease the pain for the Hawks, the pair vitally important to their team’s fortunes. St Kilda are transitioning their list. The challenge for Ross Lyon is to ensure the back end of the year doesn’t become messy.

Their past two weeks have been solid and some of the younger talent on display will give the club’s long-suffering fans hope for the future. Right now though, Hawthorn look too polished to be taken down.

VERDICT: Hawthorn to win

Same Game Multi: Hawthorn to win and James Sicily and Jack Steele to have 2+ disposals @ $3.20*

SUNDAY

Sydney v Fremantle, SCG, 11.10am

Much of the chatter about this game during the week has been about the SCG surface. It was evident early in the week that the AFL would do everything in its power to have the match played in the eastern suburbs, not shifted out west.

It shouldn’t pose an issue for Fremantle, who have won their past two against the Swans at the SCG. They have business to attend to having coughed up their early-season encounter opposed to Sydney following a brisk start.

The Swans are playing their best football of the season, clearly re-energised by the return of Errol Gulden and Tom Papley. Brodie Grundy’s quality form receives an acid test against Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson.

VERDICT: Sydney to win

Same Game Multi: Fremantle +20.5 points and Andrew Brayshaw to have 30+ disposals @ $3.10*

Adelaide v Melbourne, Adelaide Oval, 1.15pm

Melbourne are very much on the watchlist for the rest of 2025. Specifically, Simon Goodwin. If the Demons unravel from here, there could be seismic change at the end of the season.

And alarmingly, they are up against one of the form teams of the competition with an ability to make their life hell. Adelaide have morphed into a complete package. Their one weak link, defence, has been corrected, giving Matthew Nicks a full deck of cards with which to operate.

Considering the proficiency of Adelaide in attack and Melbourne’s inability to impact the scoreboard on a consistent basis, the Crows will be one step closer to a finals return by game’s end.

VERDICT: Adelaide by 25 points or more

Same Game Multi: Izak Rankine to kick 1+ goal and have 20+ disposals and Jake Bowey to have 20+ disposals @ $3.15*

*Odds correct at the time of publication.

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