Sports

Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 2

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

THURSDAY

Adelaide v Richmond, Adelaide Oval, 4.50pm

Richmond found a way to overcome Carlton at the MCG last Thursday night despite conceding the game’s first five goals. It’s unlikely they will be as sluggish at the start of this match before a raucous Adelaide Oval crowd. Indeed, if they are there might be no coming back.

Nothing stirs a side like an opportunity to avenge a grand final defeat. The Crows were humiliated by the Tigers in last year’s decider and several players had afternoons they would love to forget. It would be a major shock – and a major disappointment to coach Don Pyke – if the most recent meeting between these two teams doesn’t have his charges frothing at the mouth when they run out.

The return of skipper Taylor Walker from a foot injury is a big boost for the Crows, but the loss of midfielder Richard Douglas (hurts). He would have played a key role in the battle against the talented Richmond running division, headed up by Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin and captain Trent Cotchin. Adelaide monstered Richmond in the corresponding match last season and while this is likely to be considerably closer, the hosts have enough motivation and talent to avoid an 0-2 start.

VERDICT: Adelaide by 17 points

FRIDAY

North Melbourne v St Kilda, Etihad Stadium, 1.20pm

We didn’t learn a great deal about North Melbourne’s 2018 prospects in their first-up loss to Gold Coast in atrocious conditions last Saturday night. And to be brutally honest, the jury remains out on what level St Kilda will reach this year on the back of their win against Brisbane.

The Saints were good at stages and very basic at others. There is no denying they will need to raise the bar on that effort if they are to return to September action. That said, another win here will give them a 2-0 start and a terrific launch pad for their campaign.

Jack Steven was electric through the midfield for St Kilda and his presence alongside a handy group of on-ballers — Seb Ross, Blake Acres and Koby Stevens, who put the clamps on Dayne Zorko — will stretch the Kangaroos, who don’t possess a great deal of depth or speed through the midfield.

VERDICT: St Kilda by 25 points

SATURDAY

Carlton v Gold Coast, Etihad Stadium, 10.45am

Carlton took a step forward in the eyes of many in their season-opening loss to Richmond last week and duly find themselves as the punters’ pal in this clash with Gold Coast, who also showed encouraging signs in their round-one display against North Melbourne.

Both teams were viewed as potential wooden spooners entering the season, but on a very small sample size, the pair look to be in far better shape than they were at the end of 2017. When you have gun young key forwards with the ability to split open a match, the upside is enormous. Charlie Curnow booted five goals against the Tigers and could develop into an absolute beast, while Suns co-captain Tom Lynch’s skill-set is well known.

The Blues have made it clear they want to be more attacking in 2018, whereas the Suns, forever known as a talented bunch with a reluctance to adhere to the basic principles of the game, have set their sights on becoming a much harder team to score against. Something has to give.

VERDICT: Carlton by 19 points

Collingwood v GWS, MCG, 1.35pm

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley was entitled to exhale when he received a two-year contract extension at the end of last season. Just one week into the new campaign however, and the wolves are back at the door.

Few people expect Collingwood to beat Greater Western Sydney, even taking into account their record against the Giants, who have also struggled at the home of football. But that is not the point. The issue at play is the Magpies are on the verge of going 0-2 and history doesn’t look kindly on the finals prospects of teams who get away to that start.

GWS obliterated the Western Bulldogs last Sunday afternoon in the nation’s capital, further reinforcing the remarkable talent at the disposal of Leon Cameron. Midfielders Josh Kelly, Dylan Shiel and Stephen Coniglio were electric and in attack, Jeremy Cameron and Toby Greene proved an irresistible force.

VERDICT: GWS by 30 points

Brisbane v Melbourne, Gabba, 4.25pm

Melbourne didn’t start their 2018 campaign as they would have liked, but there was no disputing their display opposed to Geelong indicated they were very much on the right track and destined to snap a finals drought.

In saying that, we thought the same last year and if there is one side which can put the cart before the horse and get very comfortable with itself, it is Melbourne. There would be no better way to rid themselves of that flaw than to head north and dismiss Brisbane with a minimum of fuss — and that is exactly what they should do.

The Lions were solid enough against St Kilda, but the loss of Daniel Rich denies them a quality ball user and experience. Dayne Zorko will be eager to rebound after a rare quiet game, while talented young key forward Eric Hipwood never took flight last weekend.

VERDICT: Melbourne by 20 points

Fremantle v Essendon, Optus Stadium, 5.10pm

It would be entirely understandable this week if Ross Lyon and his coaching staff were a little on edge at how best to put the clamps on Essendon. The Bombers again look like they will employ an attack-at-all-costs attitude and when you factor in Optus Stadium looks an extremely fast track, there is trouble ahead for the Dockers.

An encouraging pre-season by Lyon’s team counted for little against Port Adelaide, but they won’t be the only side to get a touch-up from the Power in South Australia this year. However, unless the execution and decision making of the Dockers improves greatly, they are going to remain off the pace.

The Bombers boast serious weapons forward of centre and though he didn’t cash in on his opportunities last Friday night against Adelaide, Joe Daniher would have been at the forefront of Fremantle’s planning all week. Essendon haven’t had a great recent record in WA, but this is an opportunity they can’t afford to miss.

VERDICT: Essendon by 12 points

SUNDAY

Western Bulldogs v West Coast, Etihad Stadium, 1.20pm

These two sides have enjoyed some enthralling battles in recent times and while the stakes on offer here don’t appear as high as they have been previously, there remains a great deal of interest and importance in the outcome.

Are the Western Bulldogs a train wreck? Has Luke Beveridge still got some magic to weave? Can West Coast follow up their encouraging display against premiership favourites Sydney away from the emotion-charged environment of Optus Stadium? Is Nic Naitanui able to back up his stellar first-up display and become a factor week in and week out?

It is fair to assume we will get answers to the above questions, but one thing that isn’t in dispute is there will be a response from the Bulldogs after their insipid effort against Greater Western Sydney. Just how long that response lasts for and how long West Coast can resist it is likely to determine the outcome.

VERDICT: Western Bulldogs by 10 points

Sydney v Port Adelaide, SCG, 2.40pm

Lance Franklin has been the AFL’s pre-eminent power forward for the best part of a decade. And on what we saw last Sunday evening at Optus Stadium, he has no intention of relinquishing the mantle.

Courtesy of some excellent coaching from John Longmire and the sheer brilliance of the man himself, Franklin was able to station himself closer to goal, which in turn provided greater one-on-one opportunities. That resulted in eight marvellous goals and a giant headache for Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley on how best to negate his influence in this match.

The best way to achieve that would be to win the midfield battle, but an Achilles injury to All-Australian ruckman Paddy Ryder, arguably the Power’s most important player, makes that a genuine issue for Hinkley and his coaching staff. If the Swans have come through their trip west well enough, they can go 2-0.

VERDICT: Sydney by 27 points

MONDAY

Geelong v Hawthorn, MCG, 1.20pm

The time has come. The return from a hamstring injury of Patrick Dangerfield will ensure the Cats roll out the 2016 Brownlow medallist alongside Gary Ablett and inspirational captain Joel Selwood for the first time. Having seen Ablett and Selwood combine for nearly 80 disposals last Sunday, Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson will be under no illusion about the task at hand.

The Hawks weren’t without their faults against Collingwood, but they were slick enough for long enough. A hard team to get a handle on entering the year after their disjointed 2017, Hawthorn look very much capable of playing a part in September.

Cyril Rioli should only improve again, while it was a delight to see Jaeger O’Meara moving freely in round one and seemingly not troubled one bit by his knees. That is a good thing because he will certainly need to be running on top of the ground to stay in touch with the Cats’ midfield.

VERDICT: Geelong by 18 points

Bet Now



Recent Articles