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Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 18

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

THURSDAY

Fremantle v Geelong, Optus Stadium, 6.10pm

Fremantle wanted the big stage to showcase their wares and development. They have been granted their wish. It is now up to Justin Longmuir and his men to prove they belong in a contest which will shape their finals aspirations.

The Dockers didn’t beat a lot when taking down Hawthorn in Tasmania, but it was full of merit. Sean Darcy’s evolution as a premier ruckman in the competition is rapid, while a midfield laced with a lovely balance of experience and youth is tough to halt.

That said, so too are Geelong. They have quality on every line and will relish the inclement weather given their proficiency in less than ideal conditions and lack of genuine leg speed. Their organised defence shapes as being tough to crack as well.

VERDICT: Geelong by 8 points

FRIDAY

Richmond v Brisbane, Metricon Stadium, 5.50pm

There was a great deal of anticipation surrounding this match after the events at the Gabba earlier in the season when Brisbane bullied the reigning premiers and had a great deal of delight in doing so.

Now with Richmond wobbly and on the ropes, the Lions have been presented with a rare opportunity to deliver the knockout blow in Jack Riewoldt’s 300th appearance. The big question though is whether Brisbane, minus Eric Hipwood (knee) and Marcus Adams (foot), have the power to do so.

Richmond will look to get speed on the ball here, but given their inability to see off Collingwood last weekend, even a couple of significant injuries to Brisbane might not be enough.

VERDICT: Brisbane by 13 points

SATURDAY

Gold Coast v Western Bulldogs, Metricon Stadium, 2.35pm

Gold Coast should prepare themselves for a football audit that is extensive and demanding. That’s not to say they won’t step up to the plate.

The Suns could well be outclassed by the Western Bulldogs, who will be eager to bounce back from their shock loss to Sydney, but their past two efforts against Richmond and GWS have been first-class. Even if they come up short, the intensity we have seen down south must be replicated.

Touk Miller is the heart and soul of the Suns’ midfield and it will be interesting to see whether Luke Beveridge opts to pit Tom Liberatore against him as a run-with opponent.

VERDICT: Western Bulldogs by 21 points

Melbourne v Hawthorn, MCG, 2.35pm

This is a match that sets up beautifully for Melbourne as they continue their surge towards the minor premiership. The Demons return to their favoured MCG off a nine-day break full of confidence after dismantling Port Adelaide.

Add to the equation a wounded opponent, in this case Hawthorn, and Demons fans should be licking their lips at the prospect of a percentage-boosting victory. The Hawks were exposed by Fremantle last Saturday and unless Alastair Clarkson finds a solution to his midfield woes, this could get really ugly.

For the most part in 2021, the Hawks have battled to generate enough supply to impact the scoreboard. The Demons’ defence is not overly generous.

VERDICT: Melbourne by 43 points

St Kilda v Port Adelaide, Marvel Stadium, 5.25pm

From St Kilda’s perspective, the signs leading into last weekend’s assignment against Brisbane in Queensland were heartening. It’s just that the Lions appeared to represent a hurdle too big to overcome. Wrong.

With that win banked, the Saints have the capacity to continue their late-season push towards back-to-back finals appearances against a Port Adelaide outfit that is undeniably talented, but a little flaky at the same time.

Jack Steele and Brad Crouch are finding plenty of football midfield, as is Luke Dunstan and Bradley Hill. That is just as well because Ollie Wines is also experiencing leather poisoning most weeks.

VERDICT: St Kilda by 10 points

SUNDAY

North Melbourne v Essendon, Metricon Stadium, 11.10am

The last time these two sides met, North Melbourne were full of beans after upsetting Hawthorn the week previously. The good vibes were soon cast to one side, with the Bombers flexing their muscles early to set up a thumping victory.

The Kangaroos will no doubt be feeling good about themselves again after toppling West Coast, but Essendon lie in wait … again. The Bombers destroyed Adelaide last Friday night and one could argue they rival St Kilda as the best side outside the top eight.

North showed a willingness to be bold with the ball against the Eagles. That is the approach that has served the Bombers well too. This should throw up plenty of goals.

VERDICT: Essendon by 30 points

Collingwood v Carlton, MCG, 1.20pm

Collingwood have clambered from the abyss. Yes, last weekend’s win over Richmond is a small sample size, but irrespective of how the Magpies fare in the win-loss column over the last six weeks of the season, the brand of football we witnessed was encouraging.

Carlton channeled their inner Collingwood last weekend with stilted ball movement and goal-front inaccuracy in the loss to Geelong. You can still hear the groans from Blues supporters as you read this.

The Blues have sufficient class and experience to get the job done here, but they need to hold their ground midfield and defend well, an area of the game which has been troublesome under David Teague.

VERDICT: Carlton by 17 points

Adelaide v West Coast, Adelaide Oval, 2.40pm

West Coast’s record away from home for too long now has been bleak. An outlier however has been their efforts at Adelaide Oval, against either the Crows or Port Adelaide.

Thank goodness for small mercies. In desperate need of a win that injects a serious dose of confidence into all concerned at the club, the Eagles are presented with an opportunity to stay inside the top eight.

Surely, their experience and overall talent level will carry them a long way against a side anchored in the bottom half of the ladder. But we did say that in the lead-up to the match against North Melbourne.

VERDICT: West Coast by 19 points

GWS v Sydney, Metricon Stadium, 4.10pm

The momentum Sydney have established since their mid-season bye is impossible to ignore. John Longmire’s side has emerged from a week off in excellent nick and is playing with an equal amount of efficiency and dare.

They were also in a really good space earlier this season before being upset by GWS before a boisterous SCG crowd, the late snap by Josh Kelly, who has rediscovered his very best form, telling in the final result.

The Giants love matching motors with the Swans and will want to make amends for their most recent trip to Ballarat, last Sunday’s soul-destroying defeat to Gold Coast. If they cannot, their task of climbing back inside the top eight becomes extremely daunting.

VERDICT: Sydney by 12 points

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