Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 9

Posted on May 13, 2021May 13, 2021 | Posted by Digby Beacham

FRIDAY

St Kilda v Geelong, Marvel Stadium, 5.50pm

St Kilda are well within their rights to be feeling considerably better about themselves after a solid fortnight. The back-to-back wins were just what coach Brett Ratten wanted after the poor performance interstate opposed to Port Adelaide.

Lighting up Hawthorn and falling over the line against Gold Coast is a completely different assignment however to the one that awaits them — a rampant Geelong on the Friday night stage. There have been bigger margins this year, but the Cats’ effort against Richmond was the most powerful we have seen in the opening two months.

Tom Hawkins, Jeremy Cameron and Gary Rohan are on the same page and proving seriously problematic for their rivals, while there was something about the decision to omit Rhys Stanley and replace him with Esava Ratugolea.

VERDICT: Geelong by 23 points

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SATURDAY

Sydney v Collingwood, SCG, 11.45am

The respective ladder positions would suggest otherwise, but this presents as a danger game for Sydney. The Swans are not only coming off a bruising encounter against Melbourne inside seven days, but face a Collingwood line-up that historically travel well.

The Magpies did what they had to against North Melbourne. The decision to put Darcy Moore back and Jordan De Goey close to the goalsquare put to bed any discussion about where their best spots are. Can De Goey replicate his six-goal haul with Dane Rampe as an opponent?

Sydney continue to extract wonderful service from Tom Hickey, who is relishing the environment of a fourth AFL club, while the ability of their better players to perform well week in and week out is significant.

VERDICT: Sydney by 11 points

Hawthorn v North Melbourne, UTAS, 12.10pm

The prospect of North Melbourne going through the season winless looms large. Seriously large. They were unable to get over a struggling Collingwood last weekend and now meet Hawthorn at their Launceston base minus Jaidyn Stephenson (wrist).

The Kangaroos’ injury list is enormous, placing first-year coach David Noble at a disadvantage given how skinny the depth at the club is. Hawthorn Alastair Clarkson is also experiencing his share of issues, but the overall class at his disposal is greater.

And because of that, it’s hard to see how the Hawks squander an opportunity to win a third match for the season. With a wounded opponent before him, Clarkson will know an attacking approach could stretch North.

VERDICT: Hawthorn by 25 points

Gold Coast v Brisbane, Metricon Stadium, 2.35pm

The more things change, the more things stay the same. Gold Coast continue to tease at key stages throughout a home-and-away campaign, only to come up short and disappoint.

The Suns were on the verge of a third successive win last Saturday, only to sit down and be overrun by St Kilda. Now they face up to Brisbane, who are getting better every week, without the suspended Touk Miller, one of their genuine stars.

The Lions’ firepower forward of centre is undeniable, the midfield highly efficient on the back of Hugh McCluggage and defensively, they are resembling what we saw for most of 2020. This is Brisbane’s game to lose.

VERDICT: Brisbane by 22 points

Richmond v GWS, Marvel Stadium, 5.25pm

The greatest ability is availability. Once that becomes seriously compromised, so do your chances of winning on a weekend.

Richmond is seriously compromised at the moment. The wrist injury sustained by Shai Bolton in a nightclub scrap leaves Damien Hardwick short-changed in the midfield that is already missing Trent Cotchin (hamstring), Kane Lambert (calf), Dion Prestia (calf) and Shane Edwards (ankle).

Are GWS going well enough to take advantage of the look they have been presented with? It would be hard to argue with someone who makes a case they are. The Giants are on the improve and in form.

VERDICT: Richmond by 4 points

Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs, Adelaide Oval, 5.40pm

The season is only eight weeks old, but we have quickly established the fact there are certain sides you continue tipping at home, regardless of their opposition. West Coast are one. Port Adelaide are the other.

The Power are a different beast at Adelaide Oval before their passionate fans to the one that has flunked two serious interstate assignments already. The Western Bulldogs could well find that out here in what shapes as the match of the round.

The Bulldogs are stacked in the midfield, which proved the difference against Carlton, but are still a little light-on in the back half and if Port can generate enough forward-50 entries, they will have sufficient opportunities to kick a winning total.

VERDICT: Port Adelaide by 18 points

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SUNDAY

Essendon v Fremantle, Marvel Stadium, 11.10am

Not for the first time this season, Essendon were up to their eyeballs in the contest against Greater Western Sydney, yet had nothing to show for it by the final siren.

It is frustrating for coach Ben Rutten and his club’s supporters, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. The same applies to Fremantle, who were on the verge of being blown away by Brisbane, but fought back to add respectability to the scoreboard.

The Bombers’ tactic of using Jake Stringer as a big-bodied midfielder in the absence of Dylan Shiel has worked, but he misses here because of a hamstring strain. It opens the door for Fremantle, who can take a major step towards a finals berth if they walk through.

VERDICT: Essendon by 5 points

Melbourne v Carlton, MCG, 1.20pm

We might get a better handle on this clash after seeing how Sydney fare in their match against Collingwood 24 hours earlier. The Demons were required to dig deep to get over the Swans and will be tested at stages by the Blues.

Carlton have again had their defensive structure placed under the microscope in the wake of last Sunday’s loss to the Western Bulldogs. Deservedly so. Coach David Teague must make alterations or face increasing pressure to hold on to his position.

What we have seen throughout the opening two months is a Demons defensive unit that is miserly and organised. At the other end of the ground, Sam Weideman returns after good form in the VFL.

VERDICT: Melbourne by 15 points

West Coast v Adelaide, Optus Stadium, 2.40pm

The year hasn’t gone smoothly for West Coast, but they have found a way to not only keep their head above water, but avoid the nasty rips.

A 5-3 record will be improved to 6-3 when they dismiss Adelaide here. The Crows were okay in the contest against Port Adelaide, although the overall class and experience of the Power proved too decisive.

They now face arguably the toughest football audit in the land — the Eagles at Optus Stadium. Many superior sides to the Crows (see Port Adelaide) have tried and failed. It’s hard to see how the Eagles don’t make a statement early and then cruise to victory.

VERDICT: West Coast by 51 points

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