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Digby’s AFL Preview – Round 2

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

Thursday, 30 March

Richmond v Collingwood, MCG, 4.20pm

After an opening week that served up more than its share of upsets, the last thing tipsters needed to launch round two was a 50-50 game. But that is what we have with Richmond and Collingwood, with the Magpies installed as slight favourites for this encounter.

Richmond didn’t beat a great deal against Carlton and the Magpies were gallant in losing to the Western Bulldogs, but there are nagging doubts on whether Nathan Buckley’s men can replicate that effort a week on. Alarmingly, Collingwood prime movers Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Taylor Adams and Adam Treloar couldn’t have played any better and they still lost.

Richmond showcased an attacking brand of football during the pre-season and carried it into their season opener, with the performance of Dustin Martin simply breathtaking, while the addition of Dion Prestia gave them an extra quality midfielder and eased the load on Trent Cotchin. If the Tigers can generate enough forward entries, Collingwood’s wobbly defence could again be exposed.

VERDICT: Richmond by 9 points.

Friday, 31 March

Western Bulldogs v Sydney, Etihad Stadium, 4.50pm

Some seasons of pre-season premiership contenders just never take flight for one reason or another. Having lost to Port Adelaide without several unavailable stars and quality defender Dane Rampe breaking an arm in innocuous circumstances during a running session this week, one wonders whether Sydney are facing that scenario.

Indeed, a date with the Western Bulldogs, who will unfurl their premiership flag before the match, at Etihad Stadium to avoid going 0-2 is less than ideal. Swans coach John Longmire will be hoping a contest against a side that denied his players in last year’s epic grand final provides the extra motivation needed to steady the ship.

But this Bulldogs outfit is seriously good. They were beaten in key indicators by Collingwood last Friday night, yet still prevailed. Their efficiency and ability to score quickly at critical junctures was impossible to ignore. The loss of Dale Morris (broken leg) is a blow, but the overall talent and occasion tips the scales in their favour.

VERDICT: Western Bulldogs by 15 points.

Saturday, 1 April

Hawthorn v Adelaide, MCG, 10.45am

Writing off a champion athlete or a champion team is fraught with danger. However, there can be no denying there were some alarming signs if you were being super critical of Hawthorn last weekend, chiefly their inability to move the ball crisply and their lack of cohesiveness defensively.

They are two areas that will be well and truly tested by Adelaide, who hit town six days after dismantling premiership favourites Greater Western Sydney. The Crows were everything the Hawks weren’t and should be strengthened here by the return of captain Taylor Walker.

The Hawks have enjoyed an excellent recent record against Adelaide, although some of the games have been very close. How Alastair Clarkson harnesses the potent Crows forward line will be intriguing, although he will be assisted in doing so by the availability of Luke Hodge. In saying that, Hodge is only one man.

VERDICT: Adelaide by 20 points.

GWS v Gold Coast, Spotless Stadium 1.35pm

There were some that thought Adelaide could upset Greater Western Sydney in round one. However, you could count on one hand the number of people who believed Don Pyke’s men would obliterate the popular pre-season selection to claim this year’s flag.

What does that all mean? Pain and plenty of it for Gold Coast and their coach Rodney Eade. The Suns butchered an opportunity to start 2017 with a much-needed win against Brisbane at Metricon Stadium and now face the daunting prospect of heading out west to play GWS.

The Giants spanked the Suns in the corresponding game last season and though some of Gold Coast’s better performances in tough times in the past two years have been against quality opposition, this has thumping written all over it. Expect the GWS midfielders to set the tone early and the forward line to fill its boots.

VERDICT: GWS by 49 points.

Brisbane v Essendon, Gabba, 4.25pm

One of the hardest sides to get a handle on in regards to their 2017 fortunes leading up to the season was Essendon. After what we witnessed last weekend, it’s fair to assume they will be in the top-eight mix approaching September.

It is a predicament that is beyond Brisbane, but the Lions play host in this encounter buoyant — and understandably so — after toppling Gold Coast. The influence of new skipper Dayne Beams through the midfield was profound and if that is the baseline, Brisbane supporters will see many of his teammates fall into line.

The Bombers were bold and efficient against Hawthorn, with their ball movement from defence and willingness to look into the corridor more often than not refreshing. The attacking approach wouldn’t have been lost on first-year Lions coach Chris Fagan, who will have his work cut out curbing the likes of Dyson Heppell, Zach Merrett, Jobe Watson and David Zaharakis.

VERDICT: Essendon by 23 points.

West Coast v St Kilda, Domain Stadium, 4.40pm

St Kilda entered the 2017 campaign full of hope. So they should have. An excellent second half to last season delivered a 12-10 return and a ninth-placed finish, outside the top eight only on percentage. One game in and a post-season berth later this year looks a long way away.

The five-goal defeat to Melbourne at Etihad Stadium last Saturday was compounded by a knee injury to Nick Riewoldt, a setback that was compounded by news on Wednesday that gun midfielder David Armitage (groin) would also miss the trip to WA. Armitage’s absence leaves the Saints midfield at the mercy of West Coast’s on-ball division, led superbly against North Melbourne by Sam Mitchell, Matt Priddis, Andrew Gaff, Jack Redden and Luke Shuey.

The Saints have had their issues travelling in the past, especially to Perth, and unless Alan Richardson’s side finds a way to hold its ground inside the centre square, an Eagles forward line boasting an in-form Josh Kennedy and Mark LeCras, not to mention a host of other goal-kicking options, will gorge itself like it has done against St Kilda in recent times.

VERDICT: West Coast by 48 points.

Sunday, 2 April

Geelong v North Melbourne, Etihad Stadium, 11.10am

For the best part of the last decade, Geelong have been able to play at a higher level than most. What we saw against Fremantle in round one however, was a far more hard-nosed, uncompromising Cats line-up. It appears the preliminary final embarrassment against Sydney last September hit a nerve.

That is problematic for North Melbourne, who were no match for West Coast. Yes, the Kangaroos were inaccurate in front of goal, but the ease with which the Eagles moved the ball and scored was alarming on the day and, most likely, at the review for coach Brad Scott and his players.

No Jarrad Waite (shoulder) deprives North of their most damaging forward, a concern when it looks like Lindsay Thomas’ yips might have returned. At the other end of the ground, the Cats have an excellent mix of talls and smalls, even in the absence of Nakia Cockatoo (thumb). Geelong should cruise to victory.

VERDICT: Geelong by 38 points.

Melbourne v Carlton, MCG, 1.20pm

It has been a long time since the football world watched a Melbourne side perform on a weekend and, collectively, nodded its head in appreciation. Expect that to become the norm in 2017. A five-goal win against St Kilda isn’t groundbreaking by any means, but the manner in which the Demons rallied after quarter-time caught the eye.

The Demons are a gifted team with more than a smattering of class. Importantly, much of that talent is in and around the football where Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca, Jack Viney, Nathan Jones, Jordan Lewis, Angus Brayshaw and co. work at the feet of the best ruckman in the game, Max Gawn.

Carlton don’t have anywhere near the same talent levels. In fact, they are reliant on too few to do the heavy lifting and still have issues in impacting the scoreboard like most of their opponents. Brendon Bolton will take some heart from the fact the Blues have a sound recent record against Melbourne. But so too did St Kilda.

VERDICT: Melbourne by 45 points.

Port Adelaide v Fremantle, Adelaide Oval, 2.40pm

We are about to find out a great deal about these two sides. Are Port Adelaide capable of backing up their terrific round one win over Sydney and dismiss Fremantle to again stake a claim as finals contenders? Are the Dockers in for another torrid campaign in the wake of their terrible first-up effort against Geelong.

From a Fremantle perspective, Ross Lyon and his players would want to improve greatly — and quickly. Even taking into account how poor they were, especially their execution with ball in hand, it wouldn’t be a great shock if the likes of Nat Fyfe, Aaron Sandilands, Stephen Hill, Lachie Neale and David Mundy lead a spirited response. But how efficient is their support cast?

The Power were brilliant through the midfield against the Swans and very efficient all over the ground. Paddy Ryder couldn’t have wished for a better return, while their unheralded defence stood firm. There is no denying Port deserve to be favourites, but they might just be unders.

VERDICT: Port Adelaide by 13 points.

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