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.

SYDNEY V WEST COAST

Sunday 4 July @ GMHBA Stadium

The good ole days from 15 years ago saw the Swans and Eagles fixture as one of the most eagerly anticipated.

Not just for the two team's supporters but the cardiac sections of WA and NSW Hospitals as their fans required regular check-ups given the ridiculous nature of the matches.

There was a period from the 2005 Qualifying Final when the margins of their consecutive clashes were as follows - 4, 4, 2, 1, 1, 1.

Some of the all-time greats from both clubs were matched up. It was like Worsfold and Roos said "Bugger the result – let's watch them fight it out and let the best man win".

Judd versus Goodes is one of the greatest you could ever imagine and rarely did they disappoint. Well in 2021 the teams meet again in such a strange quirk.

Sydney play home against West Coast at of all places GMHBA in Geelong. The move from the SCG has to benefit West Coast given their record up north but does it hurt Sydney? Remember they are the only team with any sort of record themselves against Geelong at the Cattery.

Both also enter the game off a loss – one an honourable one, the other a right royal shellacking.

Sydney gave it a red-hot go in Adelaide. Having the quarantine scenario placed on them the same as Geelong and Collingwood, they did lose but hardly lost much respect.

Having led early, they lost it by near three goals and really could have thrown in the towel but rallied to hit the front in the final stanza. Two late goals nabbed Port the points.

Some big names stepped up through a hard fought battle. Parker, Mills and Franklin had big impacts. But it was also Hayward, McInerney, Hewett that made their direct opponents accountable.

Sydney just needs more from Heeney, Papley and Ollie Florent had a quiet one too. Those on ball and forward of it must contend the entirety of the match and that didn't happen.

Their rivals have not just form to consider this week plus the trip east but also the matter of confidence. No question the troops will be better off after a week back but boy were they given a lesson.

Few have torn 18 adversaries to shreds like Marcus Bontempelli did to the Eagles. Not only did he win it, not only did he kick or pass it, not only did he tackle it, he cut them up like a cleaver. At least West Coast won't have to face that this week.

The annoying thing for them was that match was at home (admittedly without the 'Noise of Affirmation' there to help them with the COVID scare). They lost any advantage with that and the performance just added to it.

Only two goals down late in the third, it was a six goals hiding late and that would cause concern. That won't be winning big finals.

Again West Coast does have some strength in numbers returning with more time under their belts but lose Liam Ryan to suspension. That would have posed Sydney a huge issue.

The long, thin ground is far more the Swans way ironically as the SCG is the opposite. They can contest through the middle and not be caught wide. A true, old fashioned eight point game this one.

Thinking the Eagles might just have one or two more match winners if it got down to a close run thing. Has Sydney enough tall defenders? Mind you they did keep the Geelong crew quiet two months ago.

West Coast to win in another of those famous tight contests but a low scoring one at that.

Match Selection: West Coast by 3 points

Suggested Bets: Total Points Under 161.5 @ $1.90