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Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 18

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

THURSDAY

Carlton v Brisbane, Marvel Stadium, 5.30pm

Irony is present in many forms. Michael Voss, both one of the greatest players in Brisbane’s history and a member of the sacked-coaches club at the hands of the Lions, fronts up to his former club as he clings on to his current role as Carlton mentor.

Voss would no doubt have reviewed his side’s failings against Collingwood, but also monitored closely how the Lions dissected Port Adelaide last weekend. The first-term blitz by the premiers was something to see. Indeed it was some of the most breathtaking football we have seen in 2025.

A repeat of that, or anything resembling it, will be enough for Brisbane to continue marching towards a top-four berth. Carlton look broken, physically and emotionally.

VERDICT: Brisbane by 1-39 points

Same Game Multi: Brisbane to win and Hugh McCluggage and Will Ashcroft to have 25+ disposals @ $3.50*

FRIDAY

Gold Coast v Collingwood, People First Stadium, 5.40pm

Gold Coast wanted the big stage, the prime-time fixture, the chance to showcase they belong among the big boys. They have got it.

The Collingwood carousel rolls into town for this heavyweight clash, a match where if the Suns are able to replicate what they did last season and edge the Magpies, can start planning for September.

Collingwood has had a disjointed preparation with several players, including the Daicos brothers, being laid low by illness earlier in the week. They have been declared fit however and surely have featured heavily in Damien Hardwick’s pre-match planning.

VERDICT: Collingwood to win

Same Game Multi: Game total over 165 points, Daniel Rioli to have 15+ disposals and Jack Crisp to have 20+ disposals @ $2.80*

SATURDAY

Western Bulldogs v Adelaide, Marvel Stadium, 11.20am

Luke Beveridge openly declared last weekend that the Western Bulldogs needed “scalps” on the run home to legitimatise their premiership push. Enter Adelaide.

The Crows have gone from strength to strength as the season has progressed and now occupy every flag conversation. The absence of Josh Rachele means Izak Rankine perhaps spends more time closer to goal — denying Matthew Nicks a proven ballwinner midfield but providing him with a strike weapon in a forward line that is seriously stacked.

Talking of stacked, the Bulldogs’ midfield is one of the best in the league and has the weapons and familiarity at Marvel Stadium to carry its team to a much-needed victory against a contender.

VERDICT: Western Bulldogs to win

Same Game Multi: Sam Darcy, Aaron Naughton, Riley Thilthorpe, Darcy Fogarty and Izak Rankine to kick 2+ goals @ $15*

GWS v Geelong, ENGIE Stadium, 2.15pm

Geelong have befuddled many an opponent over a long period of time on Chris Scott’s watch. GWS aren’t one of them.

The Giants have a happy knack of toppling the Cats, even down at GMHBA Stadium, and will feel they are ideally placed to again cause Geelong concerns, especially with Jesse Hogan and Lachie Whitfield returning from injury.

However, a potential issue here is Jack Buckley’s fitness. He was subbed out of the West Coast match last Friday night with a foot injury. Even if he plays, how fit is he? And if he doesn’t line up, a GWS backline already minus Sam Taylor (toe) could be suspect.

VERDICT: Geelong to win

Same Game Multi: Geelong +7.5 points and game total over 177.5 points @ $2.63*

Richmond v Essendon, MCG, 5.35pm

Two banged-up sides limping to the line. It is not how either Richmond or Essendon would have liked to be approaching this contest.

Essendon won the earlier match-up this year, although the teams from that encounter will look completely different this time around. Importantly for the Bombers, the one-two punch of Zach Merrett and Sam Durham inside the centre square returned last weekend and their influence was profound.

If they are able to replicate that contribution, the young forward set-up of Nate Caddy, Archer May and Isaac Kako will provide plenty of headaches.

VERDICT: Essendon by 1-39 points

Same Game Multi: Sam Durham to have 25+ disposals and Zach Merrett to have 30+ disposals @ $3.30*

Fremantle v Hawthorn, Optus Stadium, 6.10pm

Fremantle have spent the week living in the spotlight after their narrow loss to Sydney. It is far from ideal considering they had won their previous six games, but if there is a positive, it’s something that isn’t entirely foreign to them.

The Dockers have been forced to talk the talk, ranging from Caleb Serong’s ability to handle a tag to responding to David King’s criticism of Justin Longmuir. All that matters now is whether they can walk the walk.

Hawthorn look to be building, the return from injury of skipper James Sicily a calming influence. In conditions which promise to be testing, the battle of the big boppers Lloyd Meek and Sean Darcy will be fascinating.

VERDICT: Fremantle to win

Same Game Multi: Game total under 172.5 points and Fremantle to win 1-19 points @ $4.70*

SUNDAY

Melbourne v North Melbourne, MCG, 11.10am

North Melbourne did a number on Melbourne when they met earlier this year. The last-term blitz, leading to a 59-point victory, was so intoxicating that it was supposed to be the result that catapulted the Kangaroos from the cellar. It was yet another false dawn.

Melbourne aren’t exactly humming yet are deserved short-priced favourites for this clash with North, who continue to specialise in mediocrity. Compounding their woes is the absence of Luke Davies-Uniacke (concussion) and Nick Larkey (knee).

The Demons had Adelaide on the ropes in front of their home fans last weekend before being overrun. A similar start here would be extremely problematic for a Kangaroos team that battles to fulfil its end of the bargain.

VERDICT: Melbourne by 1-39 points

Same Game Multi: Jake Bowey, Kysiah Pickett and Luke Parker to have 20+ disposals @ $4.25*

St Kilda v Sydney, Marvel Stadium, 1.15pm

It took longer than Dean Cox would have wanted, even factoring in an extensive injury list, but the real Sydney has started to reappear in recent weeks. Undeniably important in the resurgence has been the availability of key players.

Sadly, injuries have claimed Joel Amartey and Tom Papley and that is important here because the way St Kilda are going about their business of late, goals are hard to come by for their opposition.

The Saints have a swag of exciting young talent, with Max Hall coming off a career-best performance against Hawthorn last weekend. It wouldn’t be a shock if Ross Lyon’s men won their third successive match opposed to the Swans.

VERDICT: Sydney to win

Same Game Multi: Errol Gulden, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Jack Sinclair to have 25+ disposals @ $3.15*

Port Adelaide v West Coast, Adelaide Oval, 2.40pm

Port Adelaide have had their way with West Coast in recent times and if the current form of the two teams holds true here, it’s hard to see a deviation from that.

The Power continue to crack in on Ken Hinkley’s farewell tour and while a finals appearance is out of reach, their personnel is at a level which looks beyond the Eagles.

Can West Coast solve their slow starts of late? They need to for no other reason than to ensure Jamie Cripps’ 250th game isn’t remembered for all the wrong reasons.

VERDICT: Port Adelaide by 25 points or more

Same Game Multi: Mitch Georgiades and Willie Rioli to kick 2+ goals and Connor Rozee to have 25+ disposals @ $2.33*

*Odds correct at the time of publication.

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