3 minute read
Racing and Sports will provide analysis of many games in the 2023 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.
CARLTON v GEELONG
Thursday 23 March @ MCG
Two teams with just two points collectively from the Opening Round will be trying to not let a few of their perceived main rivals get a march on them in March.
Many had them both in the Finals come September and while an early hiccup is not the end of the world, for confidence alone you'd be happy to win this.
Carlton played a very stoic, conservative style game to open the season and 58 a pair was not in keeping with the rest of the games. In fact only the St Kilda match was any resemblance.
Did they win two points or lose two points? It is the time honoured question after a draw. Given they led most of the night, lost the lead, got it back and held it with two minutes to go, you'd probably say they lost points.
Clearly they missed Sam Walsh – his influence, his quality and his determination. You'd say with his presence on the park they win.
George Hewett tried ever so hard and Cripps was decent without being sparkling. Batman does need his Robin for them to be winning Flags.
The big question will be can they withstand what is sure to be a Geelong onslaught early after the way they were overcome and even over-run by Collingwood.
No doubt the Pies were excellent and despite being down for much of the game, they held enough leg rope that one slip by the Cats could make them pay.
But Geelong would be annoyed that they did so much good yet paid the highest price late. Injuries sure didn't help to Stewart, De Koning etc but after what occurred to Jeremy Howe they can't complain.
This matchup has been very much in Geelong's favour in recent years. So much so that even going back to 2004, they've played 21 times and Carlton is on the right side of the ledger in 4 of them.
However we have a Blues side that has a few more bullets to fire now. If Sam Walsh was playing you'd be pretty happy to back them.
But that Friday night game was high quality and the Cats deserve at least a chance to show they are the Premiers for a reason.
So we'll do that and suggest Geelong wins but without their marshal down back in Stewart it won't be an easy watch for their fans.
It means one of the big boppers might get off the chain eg Curnow however the loss of Hewett in the middle takes away a good degree of the Blues oomph given Walsh is out too so that aids Geelong's hopes.
Match Selection: Geelong by 9 points
Suggested Bets: Charlie Curnow 3+ goals @ $2.15
