3 minute read

Racing and Sports will provide analysis of many games in the 2021 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.

GWS V WESTERN BULLDOGS

Friday 23 April @ Manuka Oval

Back to Friday nights for the kick off to the rounds (can't say that is the best decision ever made) and this will be one of the biggest footy games held at Manuka Oval.

That is especially the case when you consider the two combatants are vehement rivals. Much stems from that unbelievably tense and physical Prelim in 2016 but there have been other contests and incidents on top of that that fan the flames.

Both have found good form. Well one hasn't been out of form sitting atop the ladder all season but the other has rebounded as they should with their talent.

The Giants are a conundrum. Filled with talent across most lines they've been cast aside in some quarters already due to injuries and some say the door is closed on this group winning a flag.

To give them credit they gave Collingwood a shellacking and then fought back to beat the cross-town foe.

The likelihood is when they win games most of the year, it will be not 18 goals to 16, but more 13 goals to 11. Their defence and ability to contest could be what is needed as they deal with how to construct around the loss of Cameron and the influx of new forwards.

If they are to make any sort of a finals run it has to be led by the mids and it was no surprise that Taranto, Hopper, Kelly, Ward and Green would drive them late against Sydney.

Half back isn't going to develop their scoring plays. It will come from stoppages and quick developing entries to the excellence of Toby Greene and his other mates.

The harder question might be how do they stop the Bulldogs? Beating the Gold Coast at home is hardly earth shattering.

But good sides wipe the weak away with ease and never let them feel as though they have a hope in a match and that is what happened last round. It was 4 goals to 0 at quarter time and effectively over. 70 to 9 at the half more of an embarrassment.

They are certainly not the finished article and it will be interesting to see them come up against better opposition. More questions asked of the backline is one for the contemplators of a good season.

But again there were a few different names involved. Dunkley and Dale were more involved this time. It didn't need one player to kick ten either.

Often the Manuka night games, heading into the colder months, can be dewy – even some snowy or icy. That means it will be more contested and less fluent. Lace out kicking will be more of an accident than by design.

That brings GWS into the game. They usually play well in Canberra – mostly having their best side though so take that into account. But should it be one of those arctic, long sleeves games and should the Giants bring the pressure game, they are in this.

And the Bulldogs won't be able to sustain for that much longer. They aren't that much above the rest of the comp. A fall is due but is it here? It certainly should be close.

Match Selection: Western Bulldogs by 9 points

Suggested Bets: GWS +20.5 @ $1.90