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.
ESSENDON V GWS
Friday 7 August @ Metricon Stadium
Two teams that almost have the same record (Essendon with a game in hand) can set themselves up for a second half the season charge with a win on the Gold Coast Friday.
Hard to believe but this ends the Round on a Friday night not starts it.
Essendon has not found the last month invigorating. Big losses have accompanied wins against poor teams. They can't get the collective form right – affected by injury and performance.
Never judge a team without their best players and the loss of Heppell, Stringer, Hooker etc doesn't help. Their backline can't be forever bombarded.
Younger lights like McGrath, Ridley, Parish certainly add to their team but the older guys haven't got the impact that is needed across the entirety of the match.
Something is missing but in this season you can find yourself struggling one week and on the ninth cloud the next.
That is very much the GWS show of late. Just as they knocked off Richmond and then the Suns with Toby Greene a lynchpin, he does his hammy.
As we've said before, when he plays they win invariably. When he doesn't they struggle as the forwards become very clone like.
Whitfield off half back and Kelly, Coniglio, Hopper and Taranto are all back getting touches but it is best transferred for Greene to do his thing.
The thing is they find Essendon lacking in some confidence. That might be a recipe to take on the Dons and attack ferociously.
They'd be stinking 'mor….' (I can't bring myself to say the word) had No 4 been playing. They may still be.
It will need Cameron and to a lesser extent Finlayson and Himmelberg to start hitting the scoreboard with more than just one or two a game. Someone needs a bag and now is a good time to start.
Given they too can toss in a bad one it is not beyond the Bombers to win but GWS are a better team right now.
We missed Whitfield to get 30+ possessions last game by one stinking handball. Just when you need one of those little cheapies on the give and go that certain names do love to pad their stats with.
He should still have a chance to do it again unless the weather intervenes as it might to on the forecast.
Safest might be just to cover the start again at the minus.
Match Selection: GWS by 19 points
Suggested Bets: GWS – 13.5 points @ $1.90
