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 PORT ADELAIDE
Sunday 1 August @ Metricon Stadium
The middle match of Sunday is the only one containing two current Top Eight teams and it is crucial to both their season outcomes so much will be made of the result.
GWS will slip back once more if they lose while Port become a huge risk for the double chance as Brisbane and Sydney are potentially snapping away at their prospects. They will have some idea by the time the game starts if that is in more peril.
Like so many of those teams from seventh down, inconsistency has been their great consistency.
GWS is the embodiment of that. They've lost to some of the weaker mobs and then knocked off Melbourne in the middle of that.
However one of the reasons that that has been occurring is their lack of forward output. Just their last five games has seen scores of 72, 64, 64, 72, 66. That is not getting the job done in September unless it's a wet old day.
Defence is well and good in finals but you still have to put scoreboard pressure on and that can be the best pressure index of them all.
They were definitively made better with the addition of Lachie Whitfield. His skill and execution with both sides of his body are elite and almost non-existent these days. Not many kick as well both feet since say Sam Mitchell.
His composure allows the midfield more time to get from contest to contest and they have been added to in the last couple of years by Tom Green who has to go close in the Rising Star. While other youngsters have dropped away, he's now standing tall. Selectors love a strong end to the year.
Jesse Hogan is providing a contest up front which does help them too – oh and Toby Greene will be back. They automatically are three goals better.
Now it is up to Port Adelaide to fight the good fight. So far in 2021 they have failed to tackle those above them with much success. That can't be a positive come the most important games of September.
Will they view GWS as one of them or one of the lesser brigade? They certainly viewed Collingwood as such last Friday night in what was a funny old game.
After a good start to the Pies, it was near level well into the second quarter. But once the Power began to get the ball moving, despite a short hiccup within sight of the last change, it wasn't a close tussle late.
It was Travis Boak's big night but Willem Drew and Ollie Wines helped him celebrate even if it wasn't a star-studded performance by all.
To be fair the likes of Durrsma, Rozee, Butters etc, who are seen as the bright future of the Port Adelaide Football Club, will take time to get their 'footy legs' back and need a consecutive run of games.
One thing they definitely need is Charlie Dixon kicking goals. He did that with four against Collingwood but he has to do it against the big names.
With the changes, this is GWS's last chance to show they are fair dinkum and worthy of the finals position they currently hold.
Look for Greene to have a big game given the football he has missed out on. Tigers let out of big cages usually thrive on their freedom. He will go hunting and GWS has a winning record against the Power when he plays.
Match Selection: GWS by 8 points
Suggested Bets: GWS @ $2.60
