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Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 22

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

FRIDAY

Collingwood v Geelong, MCG, 5.50pm

Better now than in the cut and thrust of September. That is the approach you’d think Collingwood coach Craig McRae has adopted this week in the wake of a below-par display last weekend.

The challenge for the Magpies now is to address their shortcomings, a scenario that hasn’t been helped with injuries to Nick Daicos (knee) and Steele Sidebottom (foot). Not to mention a desperate Geelong outfit still in the top-eight mix.

There is no escaping the fact some of Collingwood’s premier players aren’t performing at their best. Yet they sit atop the ladder for a reason and also remain at the head of premiership betting.

VERDICT: Collingwood to win

SATURDAY

North Melbourne v Essendon, Marvel Stadium, 11.45am

Emotions will be running high when the retiring Ben Cunnington makes his farewell appearance against perhaps North Melbourne’s fiercest rival. If any side is equipped to quell the uprising it is Brad Scott.

The one-time Kangaroos coach knows Cunnington better than most and is aware of what makes North tick. He’s had a profound impact in season one at Essendon, yet needs to extract as much as he can over the final three rounds to lift them into the finals.

Zach Merrett continues to perform at a ridiculously high level and is dragging his teammates with him. The scare last Saturday opposed to West Coast should rid the Bombers of any complacency.

VERDICT: Essendon by 1-39 points

Sydney v Gold Coast, SCG, 11.45am

A September without Sydney. It has been a rare thing during John Longmire’s tenure, albeit it looked like they would be spectators in 2023 midway through the year.

Not now. The Swans are surging and hit this match full of beans after taking down GWS last Saturday night. The absence of Lance Franklin wasn’t an issue as they generated plenty of entries and capitalised on most of their authentic scoring chances, with Hayden McLean and Errol Gulden catching the eye.

The Suns are now out of the finals conversation but have shown under Steven King they have no intention of waving the white flag.

VERDICT: Sydney by 1-39 points

Brisbane v Adelaide, Gabba, 2.35pm

There are far easier assignments in the AFL than overcoming Brisbane at the Gabba. Unfortunately for Adelaide, that is their lot as they look to keep alive their faint finals hopes.

The Lions have improved to third place on the table and will have designs on a home qualifying final after staving off Fremantle in Perth. The Crows also needed to dig deep to thwart a plucky Gold Coast.

That was at home though and the record of Matthew Nicks’ men away from Adelaide Oval has been mediocre. Brisbane are on the quick back-up after being in WA, but are diligent behind the ball and have weapons in front of centre.

VERDICT: Brisbane to win

Carlton v Melbourne, MCG, 5.30pm

Michael Voss and his Carlton players have aced most challenges thrown up over the past two months. This is yet another one and potentially the hardest in that period given we’ve seen significant winning streaks of Brisbane and GWS ended recently.

The Blues enter this showdown on the back of seven consecutive victories, having rallied to beat St Kilda. The midfield dominance was pronounced after half-time and it is an area they will again need to be conscious of here, despite some glaring omissions.

Melbourne’s forward-line stocks have been encouraging of late, but they are now going to have to make do without Harrison Petty (foot) for the remainder of the season. It would be a shock if there was much in this.

VERDICT: Melbourne to win

West Coast v Fremantle, Optus Stadium, 6.10pm

It’s taken a while, but there is at last some light on the horizon for West Coast fans. Despite the prospect of having access to Harley Reid in the national draft, the Eagles would love to take down Fremantle.

It won’t be easy. The Dockers’ past two weeks against Geelong and Brisbane have yielded a win and a narrow defeat, although you could argue they have been their two most complete games of the year. Anywhere near that level again here will be sufficient.

Hayden Young through the midfield has been a success, while the likes of Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw at the feet of Luke Jackson is working just fine.

VERDICT: Fremantle by 1-39 points

SUNDAY

Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs, UTAS, 11.10am

Having effectively knocked out Richmond from the finals picture, the Western Bulldogs are ideally placed to solidify their position inside the top eight over the next fortnight.

This clash with Hawthorn is followed by a home match against West Coast. Simple, yes? Not if the Hawks replicate what they did last weekend when stunning Collingwood at the MCG. In saying that, it is a result that will allow Luke Beveridge to properly prepare his players.

There are no excuses here not to be ready. The Hawks tend to mix their form, although their best football seems to take place when James Sicily is left unchecked. Expect Finn Maginness to go to Marcus Bontempelli at some stage.

VERDICT: Western Bulldogs to win

St Kilda v Richmond, Marvel Stadium, 1.20pm

For the most part, Richmond and Marvel Stadium go as well together as beer and ice cream. Conversely, the Docklands venue is where St Kilda do their best work.

Granted, they were beaten there last weekend by Carlton, but the Tigers right now aren’t at the level of the Blues and that should enable Ross Lyon’s men to nab a crucial four points. Despite losing to Carlton, we shouldn’t forget they were in control of that match at half-time.

The Saints midfielders were eventually swamped by Carlton’s engine room. It would be a surprise if there wasn’t a response here by Jack Steele and his fellow midfielders. Provided that takes place, St Kilda inch closer to a finals berth, while Richmond’s September aspirations will be extinguished.

VERDICT: St Kilda to win

Port Adelaide v GWS, Adelaide Oval, 2.40pm

From the biggest threat to Collingwood’s premiership credentials to hanging on desperately to a top-four berth to be assured of a double chance in September.

Ken Hinkley, who remains out of contract beyond this year, loves a challenge and it’s just as well because Port Adelaide have lost their past four and have had preparations for this game against GWS disrupted by a virus that has gone through the club.

The Giants coughed up a chance to strengthen their finals prospects with a home loss to Sydney, but overall their game remains in good shape. Any team boasting Toby Greene has a fighting chance.

VERDICT: Port Adelaide to win

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