3 minute read
Racing and Sports will provide analysis of many games in the 2019 AFL Season.
We’ll endeavour to run through the form, incorporate appropriate stats and also supply a betting prediction which won’t always just be who will win.
ADELAIDE v WEST COAST
Saturday 25 May @ Adelaide Oval
Two teams vying for potentially a Top 4 position clash at the Adelaide Oval and the winner could well end up with one of those spots in three months’ time.
Adelaide fell one short in a really good game against Brisbane last Saturday afternoon. They missed Matt Crouch before the game and then a sickening clash between Hartigan and Keath during it caused some disruption.
They still played pretty well away from home even though they had previously a very nice record against the Lions. Brisbane has been breaking hoodoos it must be said.
At one stage the home team got five goals clear but to the Crows credit, they fought back late and some even think were stiff not to win with some decisions that coulda/shoulda gone the other way.
They couldn’t get control of the match at any stage so what happens with someone like Crouch is vital.
Defensively they are holding up well but their attack hasn’t flourished so far. It is still about a goal a game better than the Eagles though.
Eventually Walker, Betts and Lynch will prosper but it probably has to happen all at once to be effective.
Their opponents were generally very lucky to win at home against Melbourne.
The Demons beat them to the ball for three quarters and if they’d kick straight could have seen them off.
But if you give players the quality of Yeo, Hurn and McGovern a free run at it from the back, they will punish.
Then you allow Flyin’ Ryan to run and jump at his marks, it is such a great facet of the sport. Tack on Rioli’s return and Kennedy and Darling with influence and you have danger from so many areas.
Lewis Jetta’s 45 degree kicking to attack the middle of the ground is so precise. His suspension is definitely an important factor toward who might win.
West Coast has a good record over the long term at the Adelaide Oval. They’ve won Preliminary Finals and other finals against Adelaide and Port Adelaide in hostile territory.
The shape of the ground suits their style and the flight is much less than all the way to Melbourne – something not enough consider when criticising some Perth records out east.
The Eagles have been just going in their title defence so far so to be 6 and 3 is a fair achievement. This is their time to show their worth.
In a match which is pretty much a toss of the coin, West Coast as the outsider is worth a gamble.
Match Selection: West Coast by 12 points
Suggested Bet: West Coast @ $2.30
