Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 8

Posted on May 6, 2023May 6, 2023 | Posted by Digby Beacham

FRIDAY

Carlton v Brisbane, Marvel Stadium, 5.50pm

How much weight do you put on emotion when it comes to settling on a tip? If the answer is a lot, then you simply must select Carlton to win a second match in six days.

Sam Docherty, having overcome testicular cancer twice and multiple knee reconstructions, will make his 150th senior appearance in a game that has the potential to shape the Blues’ season. Conversely, Brisbane venture south minus veteran pair Dayne Zorko (hamstring) and Daniel Rich (calf).

The Lions have showcased their offensive firepower in an impressive month of football and will be content with their recent head-to-head record against Carlton, who monstered West Coast last weekend thanks to Charlie Curnow’s nine-goal haul.

VERDICT: Carlton to win

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SATURDAY

Richmond v West Coast, MCG, 11.45am

You get an appreciation of how dire West Coast’s plight is when you look at the TABtouch market for this contest with Richmond. The Tigers haven’t won since round two, yet are raging $1.11 favourites.

They will feature in a fistful of multis over the weekend considering the Eagles occupy bottom spot and could well remain there for weeks to come. They are a mess and were uncompetitive at home against Carlton.

As much as the Tigers are stuttering rather than roaring, they should be winning comfortably despite the forecast of hail and rain.

VERDICT: Richmond by 1-39 points

Geelong v Adelaide, GMHBA Stadium, 12.10pm

As much as they would like to feel sorry for themselves after the events of last Sunday, Adelaide need to get back on the horse and ride into Geelong with a positive mindset.

Granted, it is easier said than done. The Crows became the latest side to be gunned down by Collingwood and now must find a way to slow down the Cats, who have been awesome over the past month to once again storm into premiership calculations.

Tom Hawkins has warmed to his work beautifully, making this assignment even tougher for Adelaide factoring in Jeremy Cameron’s legitimate claims to being the best player in the competition at present.

VERDICT: Geelong by 1-39 points

Gold Coast v Melbourne, Heritage Bank Stadium, 2.35pm

Gold Coast made a statement in round three when they upset Geelong at home. It wasn’t the first one they have made over the years and it won’t be their last. However, they have been sporadic during an underwhelming existence.

They can change the narrative here though if able to notch a third successive win with an upset of Melbourne. The Demons are building nicely and have a one-two punch in Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca that is well known, but continues to excel.

Gold Coast have struggled to kick big totals and you wonder if they have the defensive capabilities to stifle a free-scoring Demons side.

VERDICT: Melbourne by 1-39 points

GWS v Western Bulldogs, Manuka Oval, 5.30pm

The latest instalment in what has become a fierce rivalry in a short space of time takes place in the nation’s capital when GWS host the Western Bulldogs.

Both can be polarising … their best is intoxicating, but their worst is lacklustre with a capital L. We do know that the Giants have shown real grit at stages in 2023, with their last-gasp win over Sydney full of merit. It must be said though that the Bulldogs are also tracking very well.

Marcus Bontempelli is in rare nick and as he goes, so too do the Bulldogs. The same applies to GWS skipper Toby Greene. Good game this one.

VERDICT: Western Bulldogs by 1-24 points

Fremantle v Hawthorn, Optus Stadium, 5.30pm

It might have taken a little longer than many Fremantle supporters had hoped for, but there were noticeable tweaks to the way the Dockers went about their business against Brisbane.

Did it lead to a victory? No. But the intent to take the game on from the back half was evident and if certain areas are tinkered with, it could be the start of a game-plan shift that will assist Justin Longmuir’s men in the long term.

Sam Mitchell will be well aware of how Fremantle want to play. Though the Hawks have won just once this year, their levels of competitiveness have been heartening. Will Day is shaping as a beauty for Hawthorn.

VERDICT: Fremantle by 1-39 points

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SUNDAY

Port Adelaide v Essendon, Adelaide Oval, 11.10am

Nobody needs to inform Brad Scott that the AFL is a brutal environment. The Bombers begin round eight in ninth position after what can only be described as a highly encouraging start to life under their new coach.

But the inescapable fact is they are 0-2 over the past fortnight after coming up short opposed to the might of Collingwood and Geelong. And it is not about to get any easier.

Port Adelaide have caught fire over the past month and quite rightly believe a top-four spot is attainable. The performance of Jason Horne-Francis against St Kilda last Friday was breathtaking.

VERDICT: Port Adelaide by -13.5 points at the line

Collingwood v Sydney, MCG, 1.20pm

There are five other clubs who would have loved to have won as many games (3) as Sydney. That is not the point. The Swans, last year’s grand finalists, are in a funk and facing an uphill battle to force their way back into September reckoning.

Collingwood would love to add to their misery and avenge the heartbreaking defeat to Sydney in last year’s preliminary final when they meet here. The Magpies have dodged bullets for most of Craig McRae’s tenure and their unwavering self-belief and efficient system has been clear for all to see in the past two weeks.

Sydney’s renowned defensive prowess has been missing for most of this season. Can John Longmire rediscover the formula in time to save his side’s campaign?

VERDICT: Collingwood by 1-24 points

North Melbourne v St Kilda, Marvel Stadium, 2.40pm

Two of the sharpest minds in football in Alastair Clarkson and Ross Lyon will go head-to-head when North Melbourne and St Kilda square off to round out the weekend’s action.

In saying that, there were some that felt Clarkson had lost his mind when he spoke in the aftermath of the Kangaroos’ heavy defeat to Melbourne last Saturday night. The four-times premiership mentor felt his charges weren’t as bad as the scoreboard suggested.

Similarly, Lyon was glass half-full despite his team’s loss to Port Adelaide. He bemoaned some self-inflicted defensive wounds. Knowing how Lyon operates, it would be a shock if the same mistakes occurred again within a week.

VERDICT: St Kilda by 1-39 points

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