Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 6 Posted on April 22, 2021April 26, 2021 | Posted by Digby Beacham FRIDAY GWS v Western Bulldogs, Manuka Oval, 5.50pm Recent encounters between these two sides haven’t always been close, but they have contained their share of physicality. It would be a surprise if history doesn’t repeat here. Greater Western Sydney have revived their season with back-to-back wins over Collingwood and Sydney, with stand-in skipper Toby Greene leading from the front and his teammates displaying more intent around the contest. It needs to be extended for another week. Failure to do so will see the Bulldogs gorge themselves midfield as they have done for the most part in 2021. The recruitment of Adam Treloar has proven a masterstroke, as has the positioning of Tim English in attack alongside Josh Bruce and Aaron Naughton. VERDICT: Western Bulldogs by 23 points SATURDAY Geelong v West Coast, GMHBA Stadium, 11.45am Geelong have recruited for the here and now. It is a bold approach, but one that sends a strong signal to their supporters and opposition clubs. A key plank in the big picture for Chris Scott and the club though involved all of their best players lining up alongside each other in games of importance. That isn’t the case here, with Patrick Dangerfield undergoing ankle surgery that will sideline him for an extended period. His unavailability alongside a hamstrung Shaun Higgins is offset somewhat by Jeremy Cameron’s expected club debut after overcoming his latest hamstring strain. The Eagles have coughed up second-half leads in losing their only other two interstate games this year and would dearly love to make a statement of their own ahead of a round-seven western derby. VERDICT: Geelong by 11 points Gold Coast v Sydney, Metricon Stadium, 11.45am Can’t things change in a hurry? Sydney were 4-0 and being spoken about in dispatches as a top-four contender. Injuries to Dane Rampe (finger), Isaac Heeney (broken hand), Lance Franklin (bone bruising) and Tom Hickey (knee) have since joined the injury list, compounding the loss to GWS last weekend and ensuring this match has a real “red-flag” feel about it. For that to occur, Gold Coast would need to bring their best. Their first half against the Western Bulldogs was atrocious, the second considerably better. Stuart Dew needs an uncompromising approach from his players for the full four quarters. VERDICT: Sydney by 8 points Carlton v Brisbane, Marvel Stadium, 2.35pm A fire has been lit under Carlton. Will it turn into a raging inferno or fizzle out meekly? For David Teague’s sake, he better hope it is the former and burns brightly for some time to come. The Blues continually fail the big football audits, the most recent being against Port Adelaide last weekend. They now run headlong into a Brisbane side which is coming off a dominant victory at home in difficult conditions opposed to Essendon. It was a display that bore a lot of hallmarks to the better performances from Brisbane through 2019 and 2020 and could be the result that gets them up and about. This game being at Marvel Stadium rather than the MCG is another positive. VERDICT: Brisbane by 25 points Melbourne v Richmond, MCG, 5.25pm Having witnessed Richmond obliterate St Kilda last Thursday night, a selection for this game seemed simple. Then Melbourne ramped it up midway through the second term against Hawthorn three days later and powered to an authoritative win. As a result, they remain unbeaten. For them to extend their winning streak to six though, they are going to have to produce their best effort of 2021. The Tigers have dropped two games, but remain the testing material for everyone else. The Demons are likely to be bolstered by the return from injury of Steven May and Sam Weideman, inclusions which strengthen them at either end of the ground. This is a contest that is befitting of the occasion. VERDICT: Richmond by 13 points Fremantle v North Melbourne, Optus Stadium, 6.15pm We are only five games into year two of the Justin Longmuir era at Fremantle, but the signs are promising. Really promising. The Dockers took advantage of Adelaide’s susceptible midfield last Sunday — and overcame their own concerns because of Adam Cerra’s ankle injury — to post a confidence-boosting victory. It precedes three Optus Stadium matches, starting here against the wooden spoon favourites. North Melbourne were willing against Geelong, but the beneficiaries of the Cats’ wastefulness. Young sides like the Kangaroos often fare badly on the road. We saw what happened earlier in the season on the Gold Coast. VERDICT: Fremantle by 54 points SUNDAY Hawthorn v Adelaide, UTAS, 10.30am Hawthorn’s return to their Launceston fortress couldn’t have come at a better time. And nor could their round-six opponent to be fair. Adelaide venture south minus Rory Sloane (eye) and Matt Crouch (osteitis pubis) to tackle a Hawks side that boasts an imposing record at their home away from home and one looking for an easier assignment after a brutal four weeks that have resulted in losses to Richmond, Geelong, Fremantle and Melbourne. The Crows looked at stages like they were struggling to cover the ground against the Dockers and with Taylor Walker also battling a calf complaint, this shapes as a tall order. VERDICT: Hawthorn by 22 points Collingwood v Essendon, MCG, 1.20pm The market doesn’t say so, but this game feels like the ultimate 50-50 contest. Wounded and in the crosshairs of critics for the conduct of Jorden De Goey and Jeremy Howe, Collingwood are looking to improve to 2-4. As are Essendon, who have their own injury concerns and also return to Melbourne after being humbled interstate in round five. The Bombers love to play an uncontested brand and the weather forecast for Anzac Day is far more enticing than what they encountered at the Gabba. For mine, they have the ability to upset the Magpies if their kids handle the occasion. VERDICT: Essendon by 10 points Port Adelaide v St Kilda, Adelaide Oval, 4.40pm Not for the first time this season, Brett Ratten and his St Kilda players find themselves being monitored by all and sundry. That’s what happens after being spanked as they were by Richmond, a fortnight after being mauled at the hands of Essendon. It is not a great scenario and is certainly not sustainable to have to continually dig deep to redeem yourselves. And taking on a Port Adelaide team that is efficient and brave before their faithful only makes the task all that much harder. The Saints will be hoping both Rowan Marshall and Zac Jones are available after being late withdrawals last round. They might not even be enough. VERDICT: Port Adelaide by 29 points Market Market
Scott Embry’s Thursday Bunbury Preview July 15, 2025 RACE 1 LASH OUT has won his last three trials at Lark Hill and expecting that over the 950m he’ll be hard to beat on… Read More
Scott Embry’s Wednesday Northam Preview July 15, 2025 RACE 1 NEW YORK SKIE looks the logic in the first (if there’s such a thing in staying maidens). She led at 1800m and gave… Read More
Warren Huntly’s Wednesday Sandown Preview July 15, 2025 Race 1 Competitive start. ORAQUA covered ground last time and that form has held up. AD VITAM made an encouraging debut at Sale and handled… Read More
Matt Young’s Tuesday Gloucester Park Preview July 15, 2025 Race 1 BEE KIND (10) looks to have the talent but looks to somewhat of a handful on the few occasions that we have seen… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Tuesday Greyhound Best Bets July 15, 2025 NORTHAM Race 2 No. 1 Cool Runnings Resuming here off a 3 month spell and showed plenty of ability before the break. Qualified up in… Read More
Matt Young’s Monday Pinjarra Preview July 14, 2025 Race 1 COCOBOLO (4) controlled last time out but dashed home in an impressive sectional over the 2185m and won with a leg in the… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Monday Greyhound Best Bets July 14, 2025 NORTHAM Race 5 No. 2 Trunkey Jennings He was a winner two starts ago from the red marble, then no luck last start and pulled… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Saturday Greyhound Best Bets July 12, 2025 CANNINGTON Race 2 No. 1 Strip Weathers Took him 8 goes to win his maiden, but now he’s ticked that off, he will be full… Read More
Scott Embry’s Sunday Kalgoorlie Preview July 11, 2025 RACE 1 SHINE AND BURN won’t get a better opportunity to open her winning account than this. She’s had a trial at Lark Hill and… Read More
Scott Embry’s Sunday Port Hedland Preview July 11, 2025 RACE 1 MARINES CRY won a recent 950m trial at Lark Hill by over 1L in decent time. Has very little (no) race form to… Read More
Matt Young’s Saturday Northam Preview July 11, 2025 Race 1 TROUBADOUR (4) creates interest in a debut start not only in the west, but in a race overall. The shaky-isles bred pacer has… Read More
Matt Young’s Friday Narrogin Preview July 11, 2025 Race 1 Open race. Early speed looks to consist with BLIND EDITION (3) and SPEED FORCE (4) who both are just racing okay to be… Read More