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.
GOLD COAST v MELBOURNE
Saturday 6 May @ Heritage Bank Stadium
Teams that had a nice confidence builder head to the sunshine of the Gold Coast – at least they hope it will be that.
It was certainly required for the home team to follow their solid victory over North with what was a better win over Richmond.
Not that beating the Tigers is a great form angle but at least doing it in Melbourne was more of a credit. Others will say Richmond was an away side as well playing at Docklands.
They held the lead all game by small or larger margins and went away late. Their good midfielders stood up in the absence of Touk Miller and that will be the case for a while so that can only be a positive reinforcement.
Doing that is one thing against a side whose middle of the park has begun to wobble. Doing it against maybe the best midfield in the comp is another.
You know it was shaping as boys against men when Melbourne took on the Kangaroos. That might even be an unfair comparison.
The two big boys Oliver and Petracca had a night out with the latter even hitting the scoreboard. When Christian does that – there is no better in 2023.
That is because they are still having to work out the big men up front. They are a more mobile, smaller front half. It is a bit like Collingwood.
Fritsch and Pickett run defences ragged. But come the biggest games Brown or McDonald will be needed to at worst create contests for the crumbers.
Gold Coast has played Melbourne on 16 occasions since their 2011 inception. Three times they've been on the right side of the ledger. That includes the last 10 down the gurgler.
Why would this be any different? The Demons also have a habit of racking up big scores. They average 105 inclusive of their losses and shortened games. A fine day on Saturday and it should be similar.
Match Selection: Melbourne by 35 points
Suggested Bets: Melbourne -18.5 @ $1.90
