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

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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

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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

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