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Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 6

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

THURSDAY

Brisbane v Collingwood, Gabba, 5.30pm

How long can Brisbane continue to dodge bullets? They have done so for the first five weeks of the season, but will be hoping they won’t require to once more delve into their bag of tricks to overcome a half-time deficit.

In a game of such magnitude, specifically an opponent of the quality of Collingwood, the Lions will know full well that standing their long-time rivals a head start could spell disaster. Craig McRae’s men were slick opposed to Sydney last Friday night and have been strengthened by the return of Jordan De Goey.

Brisbane haven’t been far away from Collingwood in their recent encounters (including the 2023 grand final), but have found the Magpies a tough nut to crack. The midfield battle promises to be salivating, with the Lions’ proficiency at stoppages tipping the scales in their favour.

VERDICT: Brisbane to win

Same Game Multi: Nick Daicos and Hugh McCluggage to have 25+ disposals and Jordan De Goey to kick 1+ goal @ $2.50*

FRIDAY

North Melbourne v Carlton, Marvel Stadium, 1.20pm

Having had a taste which equated to an entree’ in the win over West Coast, Carlton can sit down for a Good Friday feast against North Melbourne. Let’s be honest … the Kangaroos seem intent on helping their opponents leave matches with a full belly.

Last round was the third successive match where North Melbourne have conceded 100 points. No Harry McKay and no Brodie Kemp through injury hurts the Blues’ offensive stocks, but Charlie Curnow has proven problematic for the Kangaroos previously and could well be again.

North’s inability to function without ball in hand is damning. Unless Alastair Clarkson finds a solution and his players understand the importance of this Good Friday stage, powerbrokers at both Arden Street and AFL House will be left scratching their heads.

VERDICT: Carlton to win

Same Game Multi: George Hewett, Sam Walsh and Caleb Daniel to all have 25+ disposals @ $2.20*

West Coast v Essendon, Optus Stadium, 4.10pm

A week after Tim Kelly was dropped because of a poor attitude and questionable work rate, West Coast this week decided that co-captain Oscar Allen was being “managed” and wouldn’t be available for a home game that many thought winnable prior to the season.

There will be some who still feel that way, but the overwhelming majority are of the belief the Eagles are dispirited, hapless and so far removed from possessing the necessary intangibles that this contest against Essendon is beyond them.

The Bombers were good against Melbourne last Saturday night, with a desire to take the game on and expose the Demons’ lack of leg speed clear for all to see. Essendon have enhanced their fortunes over the past few weeks. They can’t afford to sabotage their progression with a defeat to the 18th-placed hosts.

VERDICT: Essendon by 1-39 points

Same Game Multi: Essendon 1-39 points and Liam Baker to have 20+ disposals @ $2.75*

SATURDAY

Melbourne v Fremantle, MCG, 11.20am

Fremantle are extremely well placed to stretch their winning streak to four games. This week’s opponents, Melbourne, are in all sorts and responded at selection by dropping premiership hero Bailey Fritsch and fellow forward, WA spearhead Jacob van Rooyen.

Melbourne’s troubles are well documented. Even when they were a far more formidable team in recent times, Fremantle’s structure behind the ball and ability to negate the Demons’ prime movers held them in excellent stead.

The Dockers have shown in the past fortnight an ability to score in clumps — and quickly. If they repeat the dose here and move the ball with freedom, they boast too much firepower all over the MCG for Melbourne to pose any problems.

VERDICT: Fremantle to win

Same Game Multi: Josh Treacy and Michael Frederick to kick 2+ goals @ $2.63*

Adelaide v GWS, Adelaide Oval, 2.15pm

Adelaide’s chance for redemption starts here. The sight of the Crows fumbling and bumbling their way over the concluding stages against Geelong wasn’t pretty. Matthew Nicks said it had nothing to do with the five-day turnaround.

Others would argue it did. We’ll know more following the completion of this encounter. Do the Crows belong in the top-eight conversation or are they still a little way behind the big boys? While that is not yet known, we can confidently predict the Giants well and truly belong.

GWS are the real deal and even better this stage than 12 months ago thanks to an uptick in form of captain Toby Greene, who booted five goals in the demolition of St Kilda. The Giants’ forward line may well stretch the capabilities of Adelaide’s back six.

VERDICT: GWS to win

Same Game Multi: Either side by 24 points or less and Jesse Hogan and Riley Thilthorpe to kick 2+ goals @ $3.45*

Richmond v Gold Coast, Marvel Stadium, 5.35pm

Gold Coast have been gifted an undeniably easy fixture to start 2025. That much is evident. More importantly though, so too is the Suns’ ability to cash in on some games against lesser opposition, especially away from home.

This is another assignment that sets up beautifully. Richmond have a crack, but are not equipped physically and emotionally for a full 120 minutes to trouble the better sides in the competition.  And when you factor in Marvel Stadium and the wretched time of it the Tigers have there, this points more and more towards Gold Coast remaining unbeaten.

The Suns’ midfield brigade continues to run amok and if Ben King has enough looks, his average of more than four goals a game this year will increase.

VERDICT: Gold Coast by 25 points or more

Same Game Multi: Ben King to kick 4+ goals and Noah Anderson to have 30+ disposals @ $3.50*

SUNDAY

Sydney v Port Adelaide, SCG, 1.20pm

Ken Hinkley has shown a propensity throughout his tenure as Port Adelaide coach of being able to extract an emotional spike in effort from his players at stages in the course of a season. The first of 2025 came last Sunday night against Hawthorn.

It was breathtaking and on the back of such a poor showing the week prior, probably not all that unexpected with the benefit of hindsight. The challenge for Port is backing it up in a week where Willie Rioli’s decision to bare his soul on social media led to a media storm.

Sydney have had plenty of time to reflect on what went wrong against Collingwood. The short answer is plenty. A return to the SCG will work in the Swans’ favour, even if the Power have been good at the venue for a long period of time.

VERDICT: Sydney to win

Same Game Multi: Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Joe Richards to kick 1+ goals @ $2.55*

Western Bulldogs v St Kilda, Marvel Stadium, 5.20pm

The biggest dog of all, Marcus Bontempelli, will make his first appearance for 2025 and his return can’t come quick enough for Luke Beveridge.

The Bulldogs have dropped their past two to Fremantle and Brisbane to slide to 2-3 and need to stop the trend and square away their ledger against Marvel Stadium co-tenants St Kilda. That won’t be easy. The Saints are at their best at Docklands and will appreciate the opportunity to redeem themselves having been exposed by GWS last weekend.

How much latitude will Beveridge allow Jack Sinclair and Nasiah Wanaganeen-Milera, fresh off three goals last round, if the pair are stationed across half-back?

VERDICT: Western Bulldogs to win

Same Game Multi: Western Bulldogs to win first quarter and first-quarter total over 46.5 points @ $2.95*

MONDAY

Geelong v Hawthorn, MCG, 1.20pm

One of the game’s great rivalries of the past 20 years is set to go up a notch when the old bucks (Geelong) take on the brash upstarts (Hawthorn) before what promises to be a massive MCG crowd on Easter Monday.

The interest levels around this match heightened following Geelong’s seriously impressive come-from-behind win over Adelaide just days before the Hawks had their colours lowered by Port Adelaide. The defeat exposed some areas of concern for Sam Mitchell, both at the contest and in attack.

Geelong have had ample time to prepare and we know that Chris Scott is a master at disarming the opposition. The Hawks may well look to embrace a bit of chaos football to throw the Cats’ defence off kilter.

VERDICT: Geelong to win

Same Game Multi: Jeremy Cameron to kick 2+ goals and Jack Ginnivan and Nick Watson to kick 1+ goals @ $2.95*

*Odds correct at the time of publication.

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