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Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 19

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

FRIDAY

Essendon v Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium, 5.50pm

There has been a great deal to like about the way Essendon have performed in year No.1 under Brad Scott. Last Saturday night though was not one for the highlight reel, however.

The Bombers were blitzed early by Geelong and then did all they could to limit the damage. It continued Essendon’s poor recent record against the Cats ahead of a match against the Western Bulldogs, who have won eight of their past nine games opposed to the Bombers.

The Bulldogs remain an enigma of the competition. They have genuine strike weapons in most areas of the ground, but seem confused in how best to complement each other on a consistent basis.

VERDICT: Essendon to win

SATURDAY

Richmond v Hawthorn, MCG, 11.45am

Despite injuries to key personnel and their triple premiership coach Damien Hardwick walking away mid-season, Richmond remain well and truly in the finals hunt.

That they do is a credit to interim mentor Andrew McQualter and the club’s senior players. Dustin Martin seems reinvigorated, Tim Taranto shines brightly, while the influence of Dion Prestia continues to be at a high level.

Hawthorn notched their fifth win of the season last weekend when successful against North Melbourne, but it was labour intensive and a hard watch. A vastly improved effort is required here if they’re to win again.

VERDICT: Richmond by 1-39 points

Carlton v West Coast, Marvel Stadium, 12.10pm

The last thing West Coast needed entering this match was an injury to a key performer. Sadly, that is exactly what occurred this week when it was revealed Jeremy McGovern would be unavailable due to delayed concussion.

It leaves Tom Barrass without his right-hand man against Charlie Curnow, who lit up the Eagles earlier in the season as the Blues gorged themselves on a woefully inept opponent.

But Curnow is also minus his wing man in Harry McKay, although Carlton overcame his absence against Port Adelaide last round in spectacular fashion.

VERDICT: Carlton to win by 60 points or more

Brisbane v Geelong, Gabba, 2.35pm

On the brink of notching a confidence-boosting victory at the MCG against Melbourne, Brisbane turned in a shoddy seven or so minutes that left them lamenting.

Chris Fagan and his players would have spent this week reinforcing the positives from that clash, mindful that Geelong hit town giving every indication they are warming to their work nicely.

The Cats, like Brisbane, are a potent force on their home track. But this encounter is at the Gabba and we know that taking down the Lions in Queensland is one of the more testing assignments going around.

VERDICT: Brisbane to win

Fremantle v Sydney, Optus Stadium, 5.40pm

Sydney learnt the hard way how effective the one-two punch of Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson could be when beaten by Fremantle at the SCG earlier this year.

No Darcy (ankle) here changes the narrative and given how Sydney have played over the past month, they are entitled to think the result will also be different. The return of Chad Warner is a huge positive for Sydney, who are also boosted by Jake Lloyd returning from a week off through concussion.

The Dockers are also going to be aided by Caleb Serong’s presence inside the centre square after being exposed there by Collingwood, particularly before half-time.

VERDICT: Sydney to win

Port Adelaide v Collingwood, Adelaide Oval, 5.40pm

Port Adelaide have put all the eggs in their basket for this top-of-the-table showdown. That was evident from last week when they revealed their squad for the Carlton match.

Will it pay dividends? The bookmakers believe not, although that says more about Collingwood than Port. The Magpies are premiership favourites for a reason and though the cynics will say they don’t travel interstate as much as they should, they are an elite line-up outside of Victoria.

Jamie Elliott is in career-best form in attack and the return this month of Dan McStay and Steele Sidebottom from long-term setbacks only strengthens Craig McRae’s hand.

VERDICT: Collingwood to win

SUNDAY

GWS v Gold Coast, Manuka Oval, 11.10am

Greater Western Sydney’s season was on the line at three-quarter-time against Adelaide last Saturday. Trailing interstate against a finals contender, the Giants rolled up their sleeves and found a way to win pulling away.

It was a powerful statement and reinforced the job rookie coach Adam Kingsley has done. The presence of Sam Taylor in defence after he was hamstrung earlier in the year has been profound and forming a game plan that dulls his influence is something Steven King and his assistants must come up with.

The Suns got the inevitable spike with the sacking of Stuart Dew. How they butter up in conditions they are not overly fond of will be interesting.

VERDICT: GWS to win

Melbourne v Adelaide, MCG, 1.20pm

This is Max Gawn’s football side. If there was any doubt that was the case, it was dispelled last Friday night against Brisbane when, with Brodie Grundy omitted, Gawn went to work as a multiple All-Australian ruckman and captain should.

That enabled Christian Petracca to wield an enormous influence and Melbourne to consolidate their spot in the top four. It would be a huge letdown if they were to stumble against an Adelaide side that finds it hard to win interstate.

A campaign of promise by the Crows is now in danger of being frittered away. Jordan Dawson and his fellow midfielders must find a way to exploit a Demons midfield minus Clayton Oliver. Their season depends on it.

VERDICT: Melbourne 1-39 points

St Kilda v North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium, 2.40pm

Brett Ratten, like most of us, thought late last year that he would be at the helm of St Kilda for 2023 and beyond. His two-year contract was ripped up though and he was shown the door, replaced by Ross Lyon.

With the news this week that Alastair Clarkson would be taking back the reins in a couple of weeks’ time, Ratten’s stint as a senior coach in the AFL is fast coming to an end. And how he would love to land a parting blow on the chin of the Saints.

Whether he has the personnel to achieve that is debatable. The Kangaroos are wounded and lacking confidence. The Saints also have their injury concerns and aren’t anywhere near the level we saw initially in the campaign, but they remain in the finals mix and should be successful here.

VERDICT: St Kilda by 1-39 points

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