Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 5

Posted on April 13, 2023April 13, 2023 | Posted by Digby Beacham

THURSDAY

Adelaide v Carlton, Adelaide Oval, 5.40pm

Adelaide supporters are entitled to be excited about what is in store. It has been a long wait for the Crows to resemble something that was once all too common … a top-eight outfit.

The same applies to Carlton, which should only ensure this contest is a pleasurable watch. The Blues are unbeaten and now head to South Australia for Gather Round looking to spoil the Crows’ party inside what will be a heaving Adelaide Oval.

To do so, the Blues will need to stop the offensive juggernaut that Matthew Nicks is building. To be fair, Nicks and his coaching staff need to be cognisant of the power Carlton possess at the attacking end of the ground. Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay combined for 10 goals against North Melbourne and are a frightening combination.

VERDICT: Adelaide to win

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FRIDAY

Fremantle v Gold Coast, Norwood Oval, 3.10pm

A season that started full of optimism for both Fremantle and Gold Coast has been laced with disappointment. And that feeling will be replaced by dismay to the side which loses this encounter.

There is a large body of work that suggests there is no coming back from 1-4 in regards to playing finals. Therefore, expect the initial stages of this “curtain-raiser” to be intense as the respective coaches Justin Longmuir and Stuart Dew do everything in their power to evoke a response.

Fremantle’s inability to consistently win the ball at the source and some half-hearted defensive efforts have proved an Achilles heel throughout the opening month. Gold Coast, as they have for most of their existence, have floated in and out of matches. Something has to give.

VERDICT: Gold Coast to win 

Richmond v Sydney, Adelaide Oval, 6.10pm

Have Richmond committed one of the cardinal sins in the AFL? Little mercy is afforded to clubs who miscalculate their list profile and recruit for the now believing their premiership window is still ajar.

The Tigers went and acquired GWS pair Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper in the off-season in the hope they could bolster a midfield in need of rejuvenation. They have been solid, but now injuries to a string of players, most notably Tom Lynch and Toby Nankervis, has left them vulnerable.

Sydney aren’t exactly humming and will be without the McCartin brothers, along with Lance Franklin here, but the overall list is healthier than that of Richmond.

VERDICT: Sydney by 1-39 points

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SATURDAY

Brisbane v North Melbourne, Adelaide Hills, 11.10am

Having responded to a blowtorch being applied for the second time this year, Brisbane now get the opportunity to make a statement and strengthen their top-four credentials.

An interstate assignment against North Melbourne, who have shown plenty of grit under Alastair Clarkson, is simply one that cannot be wasted. Maligned pair Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood stood tall against Collingwood and the midfield also got to work.

The Kangaroos are being powered by Luke Davies-Uniacke, who is having a stellar start to the year, but they still have ground to make up on the competition heavyweights.

VERDICT: Brisbane by 1-39 points

Essendon v Melbourne, Adelaide Oval, 2.10pm

Brad Scott always shaped as the coach Essendon needed. Off only a limited body of work, the long-suffering Bombers faithful are smiling again.

A willingness to commit to the defensive side of the game has proven beneficial (surprise, surprise) for Essendon, who continue to have plenty of offensive flair even in the absence of Peter Wright. Yet they are about to tested once more.

The Bombers failed their round-three assignment opposed to St Kilda and now face an even bigger test … Melbourne. The Demons fluffed their lines at the Gabba in round two, but have otherwise been ultra-impressive. They are the real deal.

VERDICT: Melbourne -23.5 points at the line

Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs, Adelaide Oval, 6.10pm

Port Adelaide had no right to win last Saturday night’s match against Sydney at the SCG. Ditto the Western Bulldogs in their clash with Richmond after conceding eight second-term goals to trail by 14 points at half-time.

But finals-worthy sides have a belief, a will to win and more often than not, a robust attitude that serves them well in tough times. Credit where it’s due … the Power and Bulldogs displayed those traits last round and now shape up against each other in one of the more intriguing games of the weekend.

Port rolled their sleeves up after an initial Swans blitz and will need to be vigilant here because the Bulldogs’ midfield has been first rate the past fortnight at the feet of a very much in-form Tim English.

VERDICT: Port Adelaide by 1-24 points

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SUNDAY

Geelong v West Coast, Adelaide Oval, 11.10am

For the second week in a row, West Coast coach Adam Simpson could have been excused for shrieking “why us”? Crippled by injuries in the western derby defeat, Simpson would have watched in awe at how Geelong roared back to life on Easter Monday.

Now that the Cats’ machine is up and going, it seems nigh on impossible to make a case for the Eagles to avoid slipping to 1-4 and being in the conversation as a potential wooden spooner. Tim Kelly is having a breakout campaign as an Eagle and Oscar Allen’s return should be celebrated.

Outside that however, there is not a great deal to get excited about. And Geelong are not going to be in a position or mood to feel sorry for West Coast. If the weather is fine, this gets ugly.

VERDICT: Geelong -43.5 points at the line

GWS v Hawthorn, Norwood Oval, 1.20pm

Sam Mitchell knows 2023 and the next year or two are going to be a challenge. As does the football industry. But even the normally self-assured Hawks coach was rocked a little by his team’s second-half capitulation to Geelong.

Is he going to be able to pick up the players in time to have them ready to go against GWS? It would be some effort given the Giants are proving competitive for stages in games, but have only one win to their credit.

GWS have booted just 31 goals in their past three matches. It is an area of the ground that has proven problematic previously. A tussle with the Hawks, themselves on a six-day break, could be just what they need.

VERDICT: GWS by 1-39 points

Collingwood v St Kilda, Adelaide Oval, 2.50pm

Only the eternal optimists could have forecast this match being such a “must-watch” when the fixtures were released late last year. Thanks to the genius of Ross Lyon, St Kilda are 4-0 and sitting pretty on top of the ladder.

But because of their injury list and the body of work from Collingwood under second-year coach Craig McRae, the Saints are outsiders and given minimal hope of causing an upset.

On what we have seen thus far, that appears harsh. Nick Daicos has been a revelation. It would be a massive shock if Lyon doesn’t assign a Saint to the young Magpie with the strict instruction to curb his influence over anything else.

VERDICT: Collingwood to win/St Kilda at the line

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