Digby’s AFL Round 22 Preview

Posted on August 17, 2017June 7, 2018 | Posted by Digby Beacham

Friday, 18 August

Adelaide v Sydney, Adelaide Oval 5.50pm

There have been a handful of games with finals implications in recent times, but this contest is at another level altogether. A genuine heavyweight battle. So much so, it wouldn’t shock if these two sides square off at the MCG in the last game of 2017 given how impressive they have been for such a prolonged period throughout the year.

The Crows avoided the banana-skin game that was Essendon last Saturday night, with their midfield and slick forward line simply overwhelming the Bombers. However, with doubts surrounding the fitness of key midfielder Rory Sloane, Sydney will think they are a genuine chance of winning the engine-room battle. The Swans monstered Fremantle around the ball early last weekend and the likes of Dan Hannebery, Luke Parker, Kieren Jack and Isaac Heeney will be assisted by captain Josh Kennedy, who returns from a hamstring strain.

The forward line of Adelaide strikes fears into the hearts of most teams. And so it should. Taylor Walker, Josh Jenkins, Tom Lynch, Eddie Betts, Mitch McGovern and Charlie Cameron kick goals for fun. But the Swans defend better than anyone when at full tilt and will think they can throttle the Crows’ ball movement at a ground they do play well. If that is the case and Lance Franklin builds on what he produced against the Dockers, Sydney are capable of snatching a crucial victory.

VERDICT: Sydney by 11 points

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Saturday, 19 August

Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide, Eureka Stadium, Ballarat 11.45am

Any wriggle room the Western Bulldogs had remaining disappeared in the wake of their loss to Greater Western Sydney at Etihad Stadium last Friday night. In very simple terms, they need to win their last two matches to have any chance of sneaking into the finals and defending the premiership they snared in 2016.

It is not an easy assignment. This week’s match at a frigid Ballarat is followed by the round-23 encounter opposed to Hawthorn, who will bid farewell to Luke Hodge and Josh Gibson. Port Adelaide rebounded against Collingwood, but the doubters remain. What is not up for debate is that Port’s midfield, when at full strength, is highly capable. The influence of Chad Wingard in his return from injury last Sunday was not only timely, but profound.

The Bulldogs’ bid to book a finals berth was dealt a blow at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday when Jack Redpath was suspended for three matches. Redpath straightens up the premiers forward of centre and his absence places greater onus on Jake Stringer, Tory Dickson and Travis Cloke to do what they are paid to do — kick goals.

VERDICT: Western Bulldogs by 8 points

Collingwood v Geelong, MCG, 12.10pm

Geelong defied the odds — and the critics — to see off Richmond last Saturday and remain very much alive in their pursuit of a top-two berth. Whether they are guaranteed avoiding a trip interstate in week one of September is entirely up to them. Win this match and next week’s home game against Greater Western Sydney and they can finish no worse than second.

It is a simple equation and one that they should take care of, even factoring in the absence of suspended key forward Tom Hawkins and injured skipper Joel Selwood (ankle). Mitch Duncan is available after serving a one-week ban and slots straight into a midfield that should handle the Magpies’ runners. Collingwood play in fits and spurts and don’t have the same lure as the Cats.

VERDICT: Geelong by 20 points

GWS v West Coast, Spotless Stadium 2.35pm

What would West Coast give to turn back the clock? In the corresponding match 12 months ago, the Eagles came from the clouds to stun the Giants, thanks in no small part to Nic Naitanui’s snapped goal as time expired. It helped give West Coast momentum heading into the post-season, although that mattered little when Adam Simpson’s men were punished in an elimination final by the Western Bulldogs soon after.

Unless West Coast can conjure up something very special, their finals hopes appear doomed. A round-23 showdown with premiership favourites Adelaide is hardly appealing. Nor is this contest against a GWS side that has slipped itself the past fortnight. An emphatic win over Melbourne in Canberra preceded a thumping of the Western Bulldogs last Friday night in which the Giants’ midfield, led by Josh Kelly, Dylan Shiel, Callan Ward and Stephen Coniglio, got to work.

The Giants’ ability to finish games powerfully is in contrast to West Coast, who are battling to piece together four quarters. Josh Kennedy looms as an issue for the hosts after returning from his calf/Achilles injury mid-season in fine fettle, but the spread of contributors GWS boast is frightening.

VERDICT: GWS by 30 points

Gold Coast v Essendon, Metricon Stadium 5.25pm

There is one Queensland side wishing the season could continue for some time yet. And then there is Gold Coast. The Suns were putrid against Brisbane last Saturday and unless something has changed this week, they will get their clocks cleaned by an Essendon team striving to play finals.

The Bombers are not yet at the level of the competition’s elite — that much was evident last weekend when they were beaten by Adelaide — but they have enough weapons all over the ground to take care of Gold Coast, who are missing a host of proven personnel and incapable of sustaining a defensive effort. It wouldn’t be a shock if Joe Daniher kicked a good old-fashioned bag.

VERDICT: Essendon by 45 points

Carlton v Hawthorn, Etihad Stadium 5.25pm

Hawthorn had their finals aspirations extinguished by Richmond earlier this month, but the professionalism of Alastair Clarkson’s men ensured they were quickly back on the bike against North Melbourne last Sunday, chalking up win No.9 for the season. That figure will improve to 10 by the end of this match.

Carlton continue to fight out games, but don’t have the arsenal to worry the better sides in the competition. The Hawks still have sufficient talent to trouble any side, as evidenced by their pair of wins over Sydney this season, and in Tom Mitchell, Shaun Burgoyne, Jarrad Roughead, Jack Gunston, Ben McEvoy and Isaac Smith, boast the star power to overwhelm a youthful Blues outfit which is backing up after a trip to Perth.

VERDICT: Hawthorn by 29 points

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Sunday, 20 August

Melbourne v Brisbane, MCG 11.10am

Melbourne did what they needed to do against St Kilda to put themselves in the finals frame and only have to take care of Brisbane and Collingwood in the last two rounds to experience post-season football for the first time since 2006. And as encouraging as Brisbane have been in the second half of the year, it would take a brave person to suggest the Demons won’t complete the first half of that assignment.

Melbourne’s ability to win the contested-ball battle against the Saints early was terrific and though doubts surround the fitness of Jack Viney (foot), fellow co-captain Nathan Jones was back to his best after a long time out with a quad strain. In the absence of Jesse Hogan and Jack Watts, Melbourne also unleashed a smaller, functioning forward line. The Lions will find this a more testing examination than what Gold Coast produced last weekend.

VERDICT: Melbourne by 31 points

St Kilda v North Melbourne, Etihad Stadium 1.20pm

St Kilda supporters were entitled to look at this game throughout the course of the season as a fixture, which in all likelihood, was one their side needed to bank to be assured of a finals berth. That was before last weekend’s loss to Melbourne. Now the Saints have to win out and hope other results fall their way if they are to sneak into September.

Adding to the motivation for success in this match is it will be the last time Nick Riewoldt plays before the Saints fans in a home match. Riewoldt missed last week with concussion and any time he lines up, Alan Richardson’s side is far more formidable and efficient. North’s defence has had its issues this season and if the delivery is consistent enough, the likes of Riewoldt, Tim Membrey, Josh Bruce, Jack Billings and Jade Gresham could boot a total that is beyond the Kangaroos.

VERDICT: St Kilda by 30 points

Fremantle v Richmond, Domain Stadium 2.40pm

Fremantle would love nothing more than to give their loyal supporters some overdue joy and a reason to believe the future will be bright in 2018 at the new Perth Stadium in Burswood with a victory in their final home match of the season. Richmond would love nothing more than to play the Grinch.

The Tigers weren’t disgraced down in Geelong last weekend, but came up short nonetheless. They will finish inside the top four with wins in their last two matches and will lean heavily on their defensive efficiency here to return to the winner’s circle. Fremantle have struggled to kick big totals and were atrocious forward of centre again last weekend opposed to Sydney.

The injection of Harley Bennell is terrific for the player and the club and it wouldn’t shock if Bennell provides a spark the Dockers desperately need. However, the absence of Lachie Neale (soreness) is a blow against a Richmond midfield that is headlined by Dustin Martin, who can be expected to spend more time around this ball this week than he did against the Cats.

VERDICT: Richmond by 22 points

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