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.
MELBOURNE v GWS
Sunday 26 May @ MCG
It is not often you have the chance to kick a bogie where it matters so quickly after falling foul of it but GWS get that opportunity on Sunday.
It was only two weeks ago that the football world in general, and a football director of the club specifically in gentleman Jim Bartel, was scathing of their efforts at the MCG against Hawthorn.
They did get ‘Clarksoned’ but that wasn’t the point. Now they get to face a desperate Demons team at the very same ground.
Melbourne was very brave in Perth. Some would say they really should have won it despite being totally undermanned.
Faced with a reality of their own after the Preliminary Final slaughter only eight months before, they started well and had they kicked straight would have had WC under enough pressure.
Given that door was slightly ajar, the Eagles barged through it as the weakened Demons could not withstand.
The last quarter was a rout which was unfair. Poor kicking is poor football as the adage goes. They have to address that but at least the midfield seemed back on track.
Viney was tough as usual but they finally got some run from Harmes and Hunt and Petracca. Gawn took a scalp which helps his confidence.
They now face GWS who had some feasting of their own on Sunday evening. Carlton were putrid but maybe that is a touch undermining that GWS at their best are frightening.
Few teams have even kicked 20 goals this year and it could have been that margin in the end.
Consider that the Coleman Medal leader Cameron failed to hit the scoreboard against a team bereft of conviction and ideas.
When Kelly, Taranto, Whitfield etc start running through the midfield with impunity, it spells all kinds of hurt is coming. Whitfield’s kicking is a joy to watch.
They identified Cripps as their sole danger (thanks Scoop) and tagged him out of the game. What will they do this Sunday?
Will Matt de Boer go to Oliver, Viney or Brayshaw. There is an angle for Melbourne to benefit here.
Despite it being 15th against 3rd you can see that it is a game to be worried about if you are the Giants.
You win and break the hoodoo (at least within your own four walls) of a shocking MCG record – you lose and it only reinforces how hard September might be for them to stomach.
GWS will be so hungry early to make sure that the psychological battle is not a burden from the start. They will be coming out swinging.
Whether they sustain for the whole 120 minutes away from home is the key. Melbourne will give a sight.
Match Selection: GWS by 4 points
Suggested Bet: GWS at Quarter Time line -3.5 @ $1.95
