Digby’s AFL Preview – Round 8

Posted on May 11, 2017June 7, 2018 | Posted by Digby Beacham

Friday, 12 May

West Coast v Western Bulldogs, Domain Stadium 6.10pm

Talk about high stakes. West Coast and the Western Bulldogs kick off round eight in a rematch of last year’s elimination final which Luke Beveridge’s side snared en route to a drought-breaking flag. Both teams are 5-2 and the winners here can take a small, but significant step towards a top-four berth later in the season.

The Bulldogs were dealt a blow earlier this week when it was confirmed Jake Stringer (knee) and Josh Dunkley (dislocated shoulder) would be missing, but their ability to handle adversity, thanks in no small part to Beveridge’s coaching and their deep midfield will ensure they remain highly competitive regardless. The battle between the respective midfields will carry enormous weight and it could be argued that the Bulldogs bat deeper and have a harder edge than the Eagles.

But West Coast in Perth is as tough an interstate assignment as there is in the game at present, even taking into account the Crows’ imposing record at Adelaide Oval. The Eagles play the dimensions of the ground superbly and in Elliot Yeo and Jeremy McGovern, boast two quality players in elite form equally capable in one-on-one battles and also as intercept markers in defence. It’s hard to see this match being a blowout and the Eagles at home must be respected.

VERDICT: West Coast by 10 points

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Saturday, 13 May

Hawthorn v Brisbane, University of Tasmania Stadium 11.45am

A fortnight after being embarrassed by St Kilda at their Launceston fortress, Hawthorn venture south once more to make amends at their home away from home against a Brisbane side that is there for the taking. Even factoring in how poor the Hawks have been for the most part in 2017, it is hard to see how they cough this match up.

The Lions will be without Mitch Robertson (broken foot) for an extended period, denying the Lions — already missing captain Dayne Beams (quad) — indisputable urgency and experience. The Hawks placed great pressure on Melbourne early last weekend to establish a handy quarter-time lead and then held on for dear life when the Demons surged. They will again look to control the tempo of this contest, which holds very little appeal to neutrals other than the fact Chris Fagan squares off against Alastair Clarkson for the first time.

VERDICT: Hawthorn by 39 points

St Kilda v Carlton,   Etihad Stadium 12.10pm

With North Melbourne seemingly certain to make way, futures punters had to weigh up before the start of the season whether they opted for St Kilda or Melbourne to replace them in the top eight. Two rounds in, those in the corner of the Demons were on good terms with themselves. Not now.

St Kilda have won four of their past five and are playing a brand of football which is not only sustainable, but capable of holding them in good stead during September. Their frontal pressure against Greater Western Sydney last Friday night was outstanding, as was their midfield’s unrelenting run when the game was on the line. Carlton have also taken big strides in 2017, highlighted by their organisation in defence and understanding of Brendon Bolton’s requirements in his second year at the helm.

The Saints are an excellent side at Etihad Stadium and have the marking firepower inside attacking 50m that will ask plenty of Carlton. Tim Membrey, Josh Bruce and Nick Riewoldt work well together and the crumbing ability of both Jade Gresham and Jack Billings was to the fore against GWS. The Blues are heading in the right direction, but St Kilda are closer to the destination.

VERDICT: St Kilda by 28 points

GWS v Collingwood,   Spotless Stadium 2.35pm

Collingwood were back to their old tricks last week against Carlton, dropping a game they were expected to win. The inconsistency is alarming, frustrating and increasing the pressure on coach Nathan Buckley. A match-up against Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium is one of the last things most coaches would want, but the enormity of the challenge, coupled with the Magpies’ record against the Giants, might be just what Collingwood need.

Collingwood have established themselves as a backs-to-the-wall side. In saying that, unless Buckley finds a way for his team to be more efficient inside 50, the Magpies will continue to be mediocre overall. The same tag cannot be applied to the Giants. If anything, their supreme confidence and elite talent means they don’t view hard work and unity as important as other sides do.

The Magpies know what it takes to win at Spotless Stadium and won the corresponding match in emphatic fashion last season after spotting the Giants a handy start. Given the focus on GWS this week after their meltdown against St Kilda last Friday night, expect the hosts to start well and maintain their rage for 120 minutes.

VERDICT: GWS by 30 points

Essendon v Geelong,     MCG  5.25pm

It’s not panic stations at Geelong, but there is no disputing the importance of this match. A somewhat fortunate 5-0 has become 5-2 thanks to upset losses at the hands of Collingwood and Gold Coast, with the defensive issues of Chris Scott’s side proving a genuine concern.

Fortunately for Geelong, Essendon are this week’s opponents. The Bombers are more workmanlike than wonderful and face the prospect of a six-day break after being run over by Fremantle in 30C at Domain Stadium last Sunday. Coach John Worsfold is likely to swing the changes to rejuvenate his line-up, but there will be a swag of players on the back-up who struggled to pick their feet up in Perth.

But the Cats aren’t exactly purring, with superstar midfielders Patrick Dangerfield (ribs) and Joel Selwood (ankle) not at their peak and lacking the support needed. Geelong were opened up by the Suns, but the Bombers will not have anywhere near as many inside-50 entries this week and it would be a shock if the Cats don’t address their defensive approach.

VERDICT: Geelong by 26 points

Adelaide v Melbourne,   Adelaide Oval   5.40pm

There is a strong argument to suggest there is never a good time to get the Crows at Adelaide Oval. Indeed, Greater Western Sydney, Port Adelaide, Essendon and Richmond would vouch for that after their 2017 experiences. But they might have got it easy when you consider Melbourne venture to the venue to take on a Crows side stinging from not only its first loss of the season, but a humiliation at the hands of North Melbourne.

Adelaide’s inability to play with any real purpose and not handle the heat applied by the Kangaroos was a major shock and Don Pyke wasted little time in his post-match press conference talking about a response. Expect Rory Sloane to set that example inside the centre square and captain Taylor Walker to make amends inside attacking 50m.

If they lay down a marker, then the Demons are going to be in serious strife. Melbourne again dropped a game they should have won, against Hawthorn last weekend, with their first-term lapse and shaky defence exposed by the experienced Hawks. The Demons don’t have any real issues scoring, but they can concede goals in clumps. Such a deficiency against Adelaide spells disaster.

VERDICT: Adelaide by 45 points

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Sunday, 14 May

Richmond v Fremantle,   MCG 11.10am

Only a handful of people expected Richmond to win against Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs. Having been exposed by the Crows in Adelaide, the Tigers were really good opposed to the premiers, only to come up short. Damien Hardwick’s side, currently inside the top eight with a 5-2 record, is playing a brand of football that is worthy of a finals berth.

However, if the Tigers are to return to the post-season, an MCG assignment against Fremantle is one that needs to be ticked off, regardless of the Dockers’ rapid improvement in the past month. Essendon had Fremantle on the ropes last weekend, but were unable to deliver the knockout blow. Bradley Hill and his fellow midfielders, notably Nat Fyfe and Michael Walters, then went to work and hauled the hosts over the line.

The Dockers cannot afford a similar sloppy start against Richmond, who are different beasts altogether at their preferred Victorian venue. Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Shaun Grigg, Josh Caddy and Brandon Ellis are in good form through the midfield, while their bookends — Jack Riewoldt and Alex Rance — are in All-Australian form. The return of Toby Nankervis from suspension to combat Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands is also timely.

VERDICT: Richmond by 31 points

Gold Coast v Port Adelaide, Shanghai 1.20pm

To say getting a handle on this game is difficult is an understatement. Gold Coast continue to take steps in the right direction and though Port Adelaide lost to West Coast last weekend, there was no issue with their mindset, rather their method. Both sides will now need to show great mental and physical strength to conquer the unknown in the first VFL-AFL match outside Australia and New Zealand for premiership points.

The fact that both sides were travelling early in the week to acclimatise tells you how big an assignment this is. And unfortunately for the Suns, the long trip to Asia left them with little option but to leave David Swallow at home. Gold Coast are at their best when the bullocking midfielder plays alongside the likes of Gary Ablett and Aaron Hall.

Perhaps equalling out the welfare stakes however, is the fact Port small forward Robbie Gray is also less than 100 per cent fit, with his long-standing groin issue almost certainly consigning him to a few weeks on the sidelines after this match. Subdued by the Eagles, Gray would love to make a splash at the feet of an in-form Charlie Dixon and alongside Chad Wingard to help the Power improve to a respectable 5-3. Doing so against Jarrod Harbrow and Adam Saad won’t be easy, but Gray sits comfortably amongst the game’s elite.

VERDICT: Port Adelaide by 34 points

North Melbourne v Sydney, Etihad Stadium 2.40pm

We start round eight with the most important match of the weekend and finish it with this one, which is arguably the most intriguing. If Sydney are going to make a run at the top eight, they need to get on their bike. And fresh off a mauling of Brisbane, they look well placed to do so.

Kurt Tippett (hip) and Gary Rohan (concussion) are tipped to return, helping tilt the match ever so slightly in the favour of the Swans, who won’t have to worry about North Melbourne key forward Jarrad Waite (suspended). Waite returned from five weeks off after shoulder surgery with a six-goal haul in North’s flogging of the previously unbeaten Adelaide last Saturday, illustrating his importance.

His absence places greater pressure on Ben Brown and Mason Wood to impact the scoreboard. Though both are highly capable, the Swans can still be a tough unit to score freely against. The midfield battle will be a beauty. Sydney haven’t been at their vaunted best around the stoppages this season and know full well that the likes of Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery need to hold sway in tight against the grunt of Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington and Trent Dumont. If the Swans break even midfield, a gentleman by the name of Lance Franklin looms large,.

VERDICT: Sydney by 11 points

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