Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 3 Posted on June 18, 2020 | Posted by Digby Beacham THURSDAY Richmond v Hawthorn, MCG, 5.40pm The sample size is only small, but Hawthorn are proving very tough to decipher in 2020. A brilliant round-one victory back in late March was followed up last week by a shocking loss at the hands of Geelong. The second half against the Cats featured some very un-Hawthorn like moments, an area of major concern for Alastair Clarkson against Richmond, who have scored freely against them in their most recent meetings. No Dustin Martin helps the Hawks, however. The Tigers impacted the scoreboard less than Hawthorn did in their draw with Collingwood, yet they have the talent and leg speed to expose the Hawks, who also need to find a way to penetrate the premiers’ miserly back line. VERDICT: Richmond by 15 points FRIDAY Western Bulldogs v GWS, Marvel Stadium, 5.50pm The Western Bulldogs entered this year adamant they knew their shortcomings and were perfectly placed to build on an exciting end to the 2019 home-and-away campaign. Knowing what is wrong is one thing. Fixing it is another. The Bulldogs were brutalised by Greater Western Sydney in last season’s elimination final, providing a pathway that Collingwood and St Kilda have adopted in the opening two rounds. The Bulldogs now confront the Giants again, a match-up that has delivered some absorbing battles. GWS were outworked by North Melbourne last weekend and a fierce response can be expected from Leon Cameron’s men. VERDICT: GWS by 18 points SATURDAY North Melbourne v Sydney, Marvel Stadium, 11.45am Rhyce Shaw admits the best thing that happened to him was moving to Sydney from Collingwood. He carved out an excellent career at the Swans, highlighted by the 2012 flag before forging a career in coaching. Talk about biting the hand that fed him. Shaw opted to leave the Harbour City at the end of 2018 and now finds himself reinvigorating North Melbourne, who have already taken care of St Kilda and Greater Western Sydney this season. The Kangaroos are ferocious, defensively sound and have a sweet blend of hard heads, experience and youth. The Swans are minus their talisman in Lance Franklin and heavily reliant on fresh faces. VERDICT: North Melbourne by 20 points Collingwood v St Kilda, MCG, 2.35pm Collingwood and St Kilda each have one win to their name this season. They also have turned in performances which leave their fans a little bemused. The Magpies dominated Richmond early last Thursday night, yet could manage just one major after quarter-time and had to settle for a draw. The Saints were far more thorough in their victory over the Western Bulldogs in round two, thankfully for Saints coach Brett Ratten after his players downed tools in the second half of the round-one loss to North Melbourne. The Saints’ fast-paced approach could well ask many questions of Collingwood, but if the poor weather that is forecast for Melbourne on Saturday hits, goals could be at a premium … and that suits the Magpies. VERDICT: Collingwood by 14 points Brisbane v West Coast, Gabba, 5.40pm Operation Stop Lachie Neale. West Coast could do worse than embark on that in order to get their season started in week two of their hub existence. The Eagles know the former Fremantle ball magnet extremely well and it would be a shock if Adam Simpson is not looking to nullify the Lions’ No.1 midfielder. If he is harnessed, it asks questions of Brisbane’s other midfielders. While on the topic of prime movers, the Eagles’ ball winners need to start doing exactly that — winning the ball. They were minus 22 in contested ball in the loss to Gold Coast last weekend. It’s time for them to roll up the sleeves and set a standard for their teammates. VERDICT: West Coast by 9 points Geelong v Carlton, GMHBA Stadium, 5.40pm Hands up if you had reservations about how effective Geelong could be in 2020. Guilty. Despite their preliminary final exit last season, the Cats were one of the hardest teams to assess entering 2020. Last week’s demolition of Hawthorn was ruthless and underlined how potent they could be when in full flight. Cynics will say it took place at their home ground, as this contest will and the round-five match against Gold Coast. Others will follow. Carlton are 0-2 and again leaving themselves with too much to do because of slow starts. VERDICT: Geelong by 32 points SUNDAY Gold Coast v Adelaide, Metricon Stadium, 11.05am Adelaide have feasted on Gold Coast on more than one occasion. Many of the 13 defeats at the hands of the Crows have been train wrecks, including the two most recent losses which added up to 168 points. But the Suns are entitled to hit this contest full of pep. A brilliant victory over West Coast eight days earlier will do that to a young side’s self-belief. Gold Coast beat the Eagles at the coalface and then got value for effort when they went forward. The Crows did neither in their humiliating loss to Port Adelaide and, like West Coast last round, now have to adjust to life in a hub ahead of a testing assignment against a team comfortable in its surrounds. VERDICT: Gold Coast by 23 points Essendon v Melbourne, MCG, 1.35pm Credit needs to be given where credit is due. Essendon left on the same plane as North Melbourne early last Sunday morning and then had to occupy their time appropriately before locking horns with Sydney at the SCG later in the afternoon. It was a deviation from the norm for the players and they handled the disruption superbly, jumping the Swans and then hanging tough. Youngsters Andrew McGrath and Darcy Parish were brilliant, as were proven pair Dylan Shiel and Zach Merrett. The Demons, sparked by Christian Petracca, were irresistible early opposed to Carlton and then perhaps fortunate to fall over the line. It is an effort they need to improve on if they are to win back-to-back matches. VERDICT: Essendon by 19 points Fremantle v Port Adelaide, Metricon Stadium, 4.05pm Fremantle haven’t done a lot wrong in their first two matches under the guidance of Justin Longmuir. However, they are 0-2 and on the cusp of leaving themselves too much to do to play finals. The loss of Sean Darcy (knee) is a blow, but the expected return from Jesse Hogan and Stephen Hill is timely with Port Adelaide returning to south-east Queensland for the second time this year. The Power’s exciting fresh talent was on display in last weekend’s flogging of Adelaide, as was their ruthless nature once they got on top. They will ask many questions of the Nat Fyfe and Michael Walters-led Dockers. VERDICT: Port Adelaide by 17 points Market Market
Matt Young’s Monday Pinjarra Preview June 30, 2025 Race 1 SOVEREIGN JEWEL (4) was ultra impressive in a recent trial and is bred in the purple to be a nice type, looks very… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Monday Greyhound Best Bets June 30, 2025 NORTHAM Race 7 No. 4 Boiler Maker Back fresh for this off a 6 week break, and although this is a fair bit short of… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Saturday Greyhound Best Bets June 28, 2025 CANNINGTON Race 2 No. 1 Italian Stallion Got the job done for us last week and that win will only give him the confidence he… Read More
TIPS – Greyhound Jet Set Podcast June 27, 2025 Mandurah Friday David Shortte 2-1 Bula 3-1 Farmer Russell 4-2 Timmy Tesla (1&2 Quinella) ROVING BANKERS : 1-3 Major Ace / 7-8 Sunset Nightjar /… Read More
Weekend Tipsters June 27, 2025 Caulfield Saturday Warren Huntly Quaddie 3 12 5 4 – 6 5 8 3 11 – 4 5 10 – 12 10 8 Best Bets… Read More
Scott Embry’s Sunday Kalgoorlie Preview June 27, 2025 RACE 1 LAVISH CHARM finished second to My Harv first-up at Pinjarra and then second-up finished 1.2L off Simply Royalty in a race where they… Read More
Scott Embry’s Sunday Broome Preview June 27, 2025 RACE 1 AREDUET is a throw at the stumps at her first outing for new trainer Anthony Barton. 44 days ago was an alarming drifter… Read More
Matt Young’s Saturday Northam Preview June 27, 2025 Race 1 BUTTER ME UP (10) finds a suitable grade and has very good closing speed, this is a deep 2yo race and he must… Read More
Matt Young’s Friday Narrogin Preview June 27, 2025 Race 1 GINNIVAN (7) just needs a touch of luck, but the form has been good in recent runs, will run a big race. GALEOCERDO… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Friday Greyhound Best Bets June 27, 2025 MANDURAH Race 2 No. 5 Aussie Gem Back to to the races off a bit of a freshen up, draws the squeeze box, but if… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Eagle Farm Preview June 26, 2025 RACE 1 The final Group 1 of the Australian racing season takes place at Eagle Farm on Saturday with the running of the Tatt’s Tiara… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Rosehill Preview June 26, 2025 RACE 1 Racing at Rosehill on Saturday will be on good ground. This week’s Midway gets the meeting underway and it looks very tough. I’m… Read More