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Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 3

Posted on | 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

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