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Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 9

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

FRIDAY

Adelaide v Western Bulldogs, Adelaide Oval, 5.50pm

Winning form is good form and because of that, the Western Bulldogs are entitled to enter this match with plenty of confidence. But it’s fair to say their three wins in a row have come against sides which aren’t in the same ballpark as Adelaide.

The Crows, however, do have their issues. They need to pick themselves up quickly after the heartbreak of last Saturday’s loss to Port Adelaide, a result that was compounded by Mitch McGovern’s ankle injury and the niggles that continue to plague skipper Taylor Walker.

Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae continues to shine brightly for Luke Beveridge, but he is going to need all the support his teammates can muster to counter a Crows on-ball division that receives high-quality service from Matt Crouch and Bryce Gibbs.

VERDICT: Adelaide by 21 points

SATURDAY

North Melbourne v GWS, Blundstone Arena, 11.45am

When the fixtures were released late last year, North Melbourne fans would have looked at this match and pencilled it in as a maybe. Taking on the might of Greater Western Sydney at the Kangaroos’ Hobart fortress gave their side a hope. Those supporters are now entitled to think it is a definite.

North continued their excellent start to 2018 with a courageous effort against Richmond last Sunday. Though they lost by 10 points, the Kangaroos had their chances and with some better finishing on goal, may have fallen across the line. Beset by injuries going into round eight, the Giants lost to West Coast and now head south without a swag of key performers, the latest being co-captain Phil Davis (concussion).

The Kangaroos’ hopes for this game received a further boost when skipper Jack Ziebell had a one-week ban overturned at the AFL Tribunal. Ziebell’s physical nature and the influence of Ben Cunnington, an unheralded inside midfielder, will ask many questions of the Giants, who will miss the leadership of Davis in defence considering the form Ben Brown is in.

VERDICT: North Melbourne by 14 points

Gold Coast v Port Adelaide, Jiangwan Sports Centre, China, 1.15pm

Gold Coast showed signs last Saturday against Melbourne that they were cooked. The constant travel week after week due to the Commonwealth Games-enforced unavailability of Metricon Stadium saw them leak goals to Melbourne.

Now they are in China to play against Port Adelaide, fresh off a showdown victory and starting to regain some of their best available talent. Suns coach Stuart Dew faces a massive task to get his players up and believing they can kick a winning score given co-captain and key forward Tom Lynch (knee) remains unavailable.

Port should have no such worries. Robbie Gray was outstanding against Adelaide to finish with six goals and if Paddy Ryder continues to get better as his fitness builds after missing a chunk of football with an Achilles injury, the Power’s midfield becomes a scary proposition.

VERDICT: Port Adelaide by 39 points

Essendon v Geelong, MCG, 2.35pm

Essendon and coach John Worsfold are under siege. Big time. The Bombers’ woeful start to the season has attracted fierce criticism and the first casualty of the spluttering campaign was assistant coach Mark Neeld, who was moved on earlier this week.

Worsfold showed a propensity to get his West Coast-coached sides up and about when they had endured a difficult week, However, those teams were far more talented and cohesive than the current Bombers line-up. Making his task even harder is the fact Geelong look like they are warming to their work. The return of Gary Ablett and Harry Taylor last week was timely, while Tom Hawkins has served his one-match suspension.

The Cats have tightened up their defence since round three and that spells trouble for Essendon, who are without club champion and No.1 spearhead Joe Daniher (groin) and All-Australian key defender Michael Hurley (hamstring).

VERDICT: Geelong by 30 points

Sydney v Fremantle, SCG, 5.25pm

We have become accustomed to expect the unexpected in the crazy world of the AFL in recent times as the competition evens up in a variety of areas. But Sydney losing three games at the SCG before the halfway mark of the year?

Not only has that caught everyone by surprise, it provides Fremantle with a glimmer of hope, especially when you factor in Lance Franklin (bruised heel) will again be sidelined. The Swans have had their issues at home, but have been brilliant away from the Harbour City, with Ben Ronke’s seven-goal haul helping them overcome Hawthorn at the MCG last Friday night.

Quite often youthful sides will struggle away from the comforts of home. Boasting many fresh faces, Sydney don’t have that issue. Fremantle, who are also exposing several youngsters each week, aren’t as fortunate when required to play away from Optus Stadium.

VERDICT: Sydney by 27 points

St Kilda v Collingwood, Etihad Stadium, 5.25pm

There were periods last season when Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley was entitled to wonder whether there would ever be light at the end of the tunnel. As bleak as his plight was, it was probably never as dire as the one confronting St Kilda mentor Alan Richardson right now.

The Saints are winless since they stumbled past Brisbane in round one, with their lack of overall talent, experience and finishing in front of goal being exposed each week. And now they have to find a way to overcome a trip to and from Perth to overcome a Magpies side playing a brand of football that is sustainable.

Magpies ruckman Brodie Grundy continues to perform at a high standard and service a midfield that is generating a lot of possessions, particularly Adam Treloar. Daniel Wells got through his first game safely and should be better again, while it would be a surprise if Collingwood were as wasteful in front of goal against the Saints as they were last week opposed to Geelong.

VERDICT: Collingwood by 18 points

SUNDAY

Carlton v Melbourne, MCG, 11.10am

In a strange way, Melbourne are flying under the radar. In the crosshairs of critics earlier this season when they succumbed meekly to Hawthorn, they have quietly strung together three consecutive wins to jump into sixth position.

Even taking into account Carlton’s stirring win over Essendon last weekend and the fact these sides had two bruising encounters last year, the Demons should stretch their streak to four and consolidate their spot inside the top eight.

The Blues scored freely against the Bombers, but will find it harder to do so against the Demons, who have an attacking mindset thanks in no small part to the dominance of ruckman Max Gawn. Patrick Cripps continues to lead by example for Carlton in the absence of Marc Murphy, but his support cast isn’t prolific.

VERDICT: Melbourne by 34 points

Brisbane v Hawthorn, Gabba, 1.20pm

Hawthorn were a long way shy of their best against Sydney last Friday night, yet midway through the final term they still appeared in control and on track to win a sixth game for the season and strengthen their position inside the top four.

With that match having slipped from their grasp, they need to get back on the bike and overcome a winless Brisbane outfit in a rare foray to the Gabba. And it would be a major shock if they didn’t. There is a clear gulf in class between the two teams as Luke Hodge faces his former teammates for the first time.

Much interest centres around what approach Alastair Clarkson will take in regards to Dayne Zorko. The All-Australian Lion struggles when tagged, but can be a devastating force when allowed to roam free. Clarkson prefers to back his players in rather than lock down, but it wouldn’t be a shock if he deviates slightly here.

VERDICT: Hawthorn by 25 points

West Coast v Richmond, Optus Stadium, 2.40pm

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick wasted little time in the wake of last Sunday’s win over North Melbourne to shift his focus to this top-of-the-table showdown. It is clearly a game that has been on his radar for a few weeks.

There is little the Tigers haven’t been exposed to in recent times and they have handled everything thrown at them with aplomb. But the Eagles at Optus Stadium is a different beast altogether. Adam Simpson’s side is playing with supreme confidence and has adjusted brilliantly to the slick new venue. The fact there will be nearly 60,000 supporters, the majority of them in full voice for the hosts, adds to the enormity of the task facing the premiers.

Nic Naitanui returns and will be refreshed after a week’s suspension, while dual All-Australian Jeremy McGovern also should take his place after missing last Saturday with a calf niggle. To think the Tigers, superbly led by Trent Cotchin, cannot win is foolish. But the Eagles do get a chance to make a statement.

VERDICT: West Coast by 11 points

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