3 minute read
Racing and Sports will provide analysis of many games in the 2020 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.
BRISBANE V PORT ADELAIDE
Saturday 4 July @ Gabba
We are back to the golden age for these teams when they were perennially atop the AFL ladder near on 20 years ago as the bubble teams Brisbane and Port Adelaide clash at the Gabba.
There might not be Brown or Black, Wanganeen or Cornes in battle but these two young teams sit handsomely at the pointy end so far in 2020.
Teams that are winning are going to have nice percentages but they are easily in the top four there as well. Attack has been their forte.
Brisbane are potentially about to embark on some hubbing of their own soon as we push on with this mad year but they have another chance to push their claims in a 'track meet'.
When you have the pace of Cameron, Berry, Rayner, McCluggage and Lyons around the skill and power of Neale and Robinson, Chris Fagan has plenty of aces in the pack.
Lachie Neale is a deserved favourite for the Brownlow as he polls well most of the time, should be in a team who are at worst making the eight and may not have a lot of noticeable vote gatherers around him. Besides that – he is darn good.
They do have to kick straight it must be said. 10.23 was appalling really on a Brisbane day which was hardly a quagmire.
Dayne Zorko has been yo-yoing and will miss again. He will be greatly missed in a big match.
They take on the team that has taken to the Hub life best in the Power.
No question three of the other teams have not handled it well, and they have, but when you're playing well, getting the four points is a tad easier.
If we're being honest West Coast were (and have been appalling to date) so winning that game was certainly easier than had it been played elsewhere.
But Port has been the one team to hold a structure and have a big forward line around which the crumbers can play around.
Charlie Dixon looks to have been the only big man to grasp this season. His six last week stands out like the proverbial this year.
He allows his forward team mates like Gray, Rozee, Westhoff and the other young big man Marshall to thrive with pressure taken off them.
Brisbane has some big man defence so that should be a superb contest.
Again perhaps lost in their percentage is that while scoring the most, they've conceded the least. That should be a warning for all opponents that it won't be easy (even given the vanquished foes plight).
Have tossed and turned about who wins this match on Saturday night. It really is a toss-up. Given those circumstances, Port are slightly the outsider so let's go their way but anything goes.
It might be one of those tight affairs when finals contenders don't go overboard so it becomes a dour contest. The unders might be the play.
Match Selection: Port Adelaide by 6 points
Suggested Bets: Over/Unders – Under 129.5 points @ $1.90
