Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 3

Posted on March 30, 2023April 6, 2023 | Posted by Digby Beacham

THURSDAY

Western Bulldogs v Brisbane, Marvel Stadium, 4.20pm

Having seriously fluffed their lines in the opening fortnight, there is now no place to hide for the Western Bulldogs. Coach Luke Beveridge knows anything other than a win against Brisbane won’t suffice.

Brisbane were required to respond in round two after their capitulation to Port Adelaide and did just that. It started in the midfield where they dominated Melbourne. Considering the reluctance of the Bulldogs to defend through the middle of the ground, one is entitled to think the Lions are well placed to again hold sway.

And if that is the case, the likes of Joe Daniher, Eric Hipwood, Charlie Cameron, Lincoln McCarthy, Dayne Zorko and Zac Bailey should be afforded ample opportunities to boot a winning total.

VERDICT: Brisbane by 1-39 points

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FRIDAY

Collingwood v Richmond, MCG, 4.50pm

You suspect this is a match that Richmond coach Damien Hardwick would have had circled a fair way out. He would desperately love to postpone it for another month at least.

The Tigers are facing the hottest team in football without the suspended Nathan Broad and injured stars Dustin Martin, Jacob Hopper, Jayden Short and Robbie Tarrant, along with young defender Josh Gibcus. A daunting task has become borderline impossible.

If Collingwood are able to operate anywhere near the standard we have seen in the opening fortnight, it’s difficult to fathom how Richmond can slow them down.

VERDICT: Collingwood -15.5 points at the line

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SATURDAY

Hawthorn v North Melbourne, UTAS, 10.45am

Alastair Clarkson was thrilled at being able to engineer a round-one win over West Coast. He was immensely proud at guiding the Kangaroos to an equally pulsating victory against Fremantle on the road last Saturday night.

Imagine his emotions if North Melbourne improve to 3-0 with success against his old club Hawthorn down in Launceston. Clarkson and his successor Sam Mitchell don’t exchange Christmas cards and would love to get one-up on the other.

Even in the absence of Jy Simpkin, the Kangaroos’ on-ball division and options in attack seem more plentiful than what Hawthorn have to offer. The Hawks’ 2023 looks a barren one.

VERDICT: North Melbourne -10.5 points at the line

GWS v Carlton, Giants Stadium, 1.35pm

A criticism of Carlton in the back half of 2022 was they didn’t learn from previous mistakes. It is only a small sample size, but you could argue they have made positive strides thus far this season.

The ability to inject speed on the ball against Geelong was telling, as was their ability to hold their nerve when the Cats surged. A similar display against the Giants should be sufficient to ensure they remain unbeaten.

GWS, led brilliantly by new skipper Toby Greene, have been solid enough in the opening fortnight under new coach Adam Kingsley, but have leaked goals to Adelaide and West Coast. This is another step up.

VERDICT: Carlton by 1-39 points

St Kilda v Essendon, MCG, 4,25pm

Surely there has to be a tipping point when it comes to an injury list. Saints coach Ross Lyon and his players would argue that is not the case … and they may well be right.

But the latest collarbone injury to Jack Steele, the inspirational St Kilda captain, could be the final straw. The pressure applied by the Saints against Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs has been admirable. Essendon will know what’s coming and could be aided by this contest being held at the spacious MCG, not Marvel Stadium.

The Bombers have shown a propensity to defend with more intent than we have seen in recent seasons and while they are fluctuating in the course of games, they are enjoying dominant periods as well.

VERDICT: Essendon to win OR Either side to win by 15 points or less

Port Adelaide v Adelaide, Adelaide Oval, 4.30pm

It is fitting this clash is being held in the City of Churches as the losing coach might need some divine intervention.

Port Adelaide’s second-week surrender to Collingwood was abysmal and the manner in which Adelaide fronted up against Richmond for the first quarter and a bit alarming. Crows mentor Matthew Nicks is well aware that a 0-3 start could be catastrophic.

That’s not to say Ken Hinkley, in the last season of his existing deal, isn’t out of the woods either. The Power are an emotional bunch however and will relish playing in front of their faithful in what promises to be an absorbing contest.

VERDICT: Port Adelaide by 1-39 points

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SUNDAY

Gold Coast v Geelong, Heritage Bank Stadium, 12.10pm

It seems strange that so many coaches are feeling the pressure after just two weeks of the new season. But the AFL environment is a brutal one and that is why Stuart Dew must somehow eke out a victory … sooner rather than later.

Unlike Geelong counterpart Chris Scott, who is also winless in 2023, he doesn’t have serious credits in the bank and the twin defeats to Sydney and Essendon have been quite meek.

The Cats are banged up and perhaps vulnerable in what are expected to be challenging conditions in south-east Queensland, but they also possess more class than the Suns. Expect that to shine through here.

VERDICT: Geelong by 1-24 points

Melbourne v Sydney, MCG, 1.20pm

Melbourne were on the Gabba far later than they would have been expecting last Friday night. A blackout will do that. But the unexpected delay and overtime lodged by the Demons could be important for Simon Goodwin’s men.

The Demons were able to rediscover their mojo in the darkness and finished round two full of running, even though they came up short opposed to Brisbane.

Ball movement upon the resumption was crisp. It will need to be maintained here against Sydney, who are both bold and slick with ball in hand. The Swans have won their past two against Melbourne, both at the MCG, and can lay down a top-four marker here with another victory.

VERDICT: Sydney to win

Fremantle v West Coast, Optus Stadium, 3.20pm

Just over a fortnight ago, this was a match Fremantle supporters would have pencilled in. Those same fans are probably just hoping to see their side prevail after an inglorious opening to the season.

Heightening their anxiety levels is the round-two effort by West Coast against GWS, headlined by an eight-goal second term when the ball movement was at a level we don’t normally associate with the Eagles.

That victory will have given the Eagles enormous self-belief. Fremantle seem to be lacking that at present. Will coach Justin Longmuir release the shackles?

VERDICT: Fremantle by 1-39 points

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