Digby Beacham’s AFL Wash-Up Posted on August 26, 2022August 26, 2022 | Posted by Digby Beacham 9th – CARLTON (12-10, 108.3%) *What worked: The appointment of Michael Voss helped enormously, as did a fit Charlie Curnow in attack. *What didn’t: An extensive injury list throughout the season proved telling. The narrow losses to Melbourne and Collingwood in round 22 and 23 cruelled their season. *What happens next: The Blues have talent in key areas, but also need an injection of youth. Should play finals in 2023. 10th – ST KILDA (11-11, 99.3%) *What worked: Brett Ratten’s decision to again commit to using Jack Sinclair as a rebounding half-back paid dividends. *What didn’t: An 8-3 start was wasted. The gap between the Saints’ best and worst was obviously too great. *What happens next: These Saints are precariously placed. It wouldn’t shock if they slide next year. 11th – PORT ADELAIDE (10-12, 110.3%) *What worked: The injection of Connor Rozee into the midfield enabled the young gun to earn All-Australian honours. *What didn’t: Nothing in the first five weeks. A 0-5 start reflects that. *What happens next: Finals or bust for Ken Hinkley. And by finals, I mean preliminary or grand. They can spike and quickly. 12th – GOLD COAST (10-12, 102.8%) *What worked: Fortress might be a touch strong, but the Suns finally turned home games at Metricon Stadium into a tough assignment for rivals. *What didn’t: Keeping Izak Rankine. His departure after three seasons will be felt. *What happens next: Fingers and toes crossed that Ben King makes a successful return from a torn ACL. 13th – HAWTHORN (8-14, 89.8%) *What worked: The handing over of the baton from Alastair Clarkson to Sam Mitchell did. The best is yet to come. *What didn’t: Ben McEvoy’s neck injury pre-season robbed the Hawks of experience and size. *What happens next: The build continues. Finals next year appear unlikely, but 2024 post-season action is expected. 14th – ADELAIDE (8-14, 86.7%) *What worked: Their ability to be competitive at home helped boost belief within the supporter base. The late-season win over Carlton was big. *What didn’t: Paul Seedsman’s hopes of making a meaningful contribution were ruined by concussion. *What happens next: The Crows need to satisfy Gold Coast and land Izak Rankine. 15th – ESSENDON (7-15, 83.2%) *What worked: Clearly not enough if you ask the Essendon board. Peter Wright was reliable in attack. *What didn’t: Ben Rutten’s game plan proved problematic for the players and ultimately led to his downfall. *What happens next: Watch this space. There is so much the club needs to get right in all facets. 16th – GWS (6-16, 84.6%) *What worked: After a couple of underwhelming seasons, Stephen Coniglio recaptured his best form. *What didn’t: Pretty much everything. A lack of dare within Leon Cameron’s approach saw him exit mid-year. *What happens next: Adam Kingsley has a big job ahead of him. He has the football pedigree to make an impact however. 17th – WEST COAST (2-20, 59.8%) *What worked: Very little. Shannon Hurn’s season was strong and Josh Kennedy said goodbye in a manner befitting a champion. *What didn’t: So much it’s hard to put into one sentence. The pre-season injuries hurt, COVID-19 was a disruption and it just got worse from there. *What happens next: Players to return to pre-season training in pristine shape is the start point. 18th – NORTH MELBOURNE (2-20, 55.8%) *What worked: Like West Coast, not a great deal. Luke Davies-Uniacke’s effort midfield was superb. *What didn’t: David Noble’s post-match spray at the Gabba early in the year sealed his fate. *What happens next: Over to you Alastair Clarkson.
TIPS – Greyhound Jet Set Podcast February 14, 2025 Mandurah Friday David Shortte 6-2 Curious Georgia 7-1 Crumble Monelli (1&7 Quinella) 8-1 West On Tilly Roving Bankers : 5-3 Aussie Gem / 9-1 Flying… Read More
Weekend Tipsters February 14, 2025 Flemington Saturday Warren Huntly Quaddie 3 10 6 11 – 11 12 10 8 – 1 9 10 3 5 – 9 3 7 5… Read More
Scott Embry’s Sunday Bunbury Preview February 14, 2025 RACE 1 LATER ALLIGATOR won well on debut in a country maiden at Albany and then more than held his own in a strong 3… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Friday Sunshine Coast Preview February 14, 2025 RACE 1 Track posted a Soft (6) this morning for night racing on the Sunshine Coast, we could well get an upgrade during the afternoon…. Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Eagle Farm Preview February 14, 2025 RACE 1 Racing at Eagle Farm on Saturday should take place on a Good rated surface, a few showers are possible on race day, BOM… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview February 13, 2025 RACE 1 We race at Randwick in Sydney on Saturday with plenty of Group racing on the card. Suggest we likely go around on a… Read More
Warren Huntly’s Saturday Flemington Preview February 13, 2025 Race 1 REVELARE shapes as an emerging staying talent and should relish 2000m on a big track. SHINY NEW DEEL was well backed when he… Read More
Scott Embry’s Saturday Pinjarra Preview February 13, 2025 RACE 1 CHINO LA DIVA has turned a corner in the last month. She’s amazingly having her 17th run of a preparation that dates back… Read More
Trent Cooper’s Gloucester Park Preview February 13, 2025 Race 1 CHILLI PUNTER (1) followed back-to-back victories with a solid 3rd from the breeze here last week after starting from a back line draw…. Read More
Shayne Williams’ Saturday Greyhound Best Bets February 13, 2025 CANNINGTON Race 3 No. 2 Flaws and Sins Now having her third run over the half mile trip, and she’s been really good improved 2nd… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Friday Greyhound Best Bets February 13, 2025 MANDURAH Race 5 No. 3 Aussie Gem Happy Valentine’s Day to every one out there, hopefully there’s a few winners for us tonight for all… Read More
Great Greys February 13, 2025 Shayne Train Williams Mandurah Thursday : 4-1 Not Much Kuna / 6-1 Osprey Wizard / 9-2 In Her Mood The Meadows Saturday : 5-4 Unreal… Read More