PREVIEW OF ROUND FIVE IN THE AFL (ALL TIMES AEST):
FRIDAY, April 20:
Sydney v Adelaide at the SCG, 7:50pm
Head to head: Swans 16 Crows 23 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 22, 2017 – Swans 13.5 (83) bt Crows 11.14 (80) at Adelaide Oval
TAB Sportsbet odds: Swans $1.40, Crows $3.05
William Hill odds: Sydney $1.38 Crows $3.10
An early-season fork in the road for last year’s grand finalists, who are coming off a shocker against Collingwood. The Crows also have lost six or their past seven games against Sydney and their two most-recent SCG clashes. Adelaide also have early-season injury problems, with Eddie Betts (hamstring) and Rory Sloane (foot) two major casualties this week. Sydney easily could have blown last week’s win over the Western Bulldogs, but they deservedly start favourites.
Key: Crows captain Taylor Walker is copping heat after epitomising his team’s struggles against the Pies. A foot injury had hampered his pre-season but coach Don Pyke says the key forward has turned the corner. A big statement from the skipper would be timely.
Tip: Sydney by 20 points
SATURDAY, April 21:
St Kilda v GWS at Etihad Stadium, 1:45
Head to head: Saints 4 Giants 3 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 7, 2017 – Saints 16.12 (108) bt Giants 12.13 (85) at Etihad Stadium
TAB Sportsbet odds: Saints $4.10 Giants $1.25
William Hill odds: Saints $3.85 Giants $1.26
The Giants are building form nicely and should maintain momentum at the Saints’ expense. St Kilda have lost their past three and coach Alan Richardson concedes he has several players out of form. Plus it’s unclear when Dylan Roberton (heart) and Koby Stevens (concussion) will return. Their stirring win over the Giants almost a year ago at Etihad Stadium feels like ancient history.
Key: Saints key forward Paddy McCartin showed some good signs in last weekend’s loss to Geelong. He’s not the answer to St Kilda’s problems but, if the No.1 draft pick can fire, it’s a big help.
Tip: GWS by 40 points.
Carlton v West Coast at the MCG, 4:35pm
Head to head: Blues 21 Eagles 22 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 21, 2017 – Eagles 15.10 (100) bt Blues 12.11 (83) at Domain Stadium
TAB Sportsbet odds: Blues $4.25 Eagles $1.24
William Hill odds: Blues $4.05 Eagles $1.24
The pressure is building on Carlton coach Brendon Bolton after four-straight losses, with last week’s 86-point disaster against North Melbourne sounding major alarm bells. Skipper Marc Murphy, a late withdrawal from that game with a footy injury, is out for a month. Now ruckman Matthew Kreuzer is also injured. West Coast are flying with three wins in a row and the hot form of Nic Naitanui has played a key role in that streak. Spearhead Josh Kennedy booted five goals last week on return. He needs two more to overtake Peter Sumich as the Eagles’ leading goalkicker.
Key: Carlton’s Liam Jones has conceded the most goals to his direct opponent so far this season. Fellow backman Jacob Weitering also has looked out of sorts. The Blues badly need a lift from their key defenders, especially with Kennedy looking ominous.
Tip: West Coast by 50 points
Port Adelaide v Geelong at Adelaide Oval, 7:40pm
Head to head: Power 9 Cats 21 Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 10, 2017 – Cats 11.15 (81) bt Power 11.13 (79) at Skilled Stadium
TAB Sportsbet odds: Power $1.55 Cats $2.50
William Hill odds: Power $1.53 Cats $2.50
Geelong have the form here, having won 13 of their past 14 against the Power. After starting the season with three wins, Port were off their game from the outset last weekend against Essendon. The Power need this scalp at home to show last weekend’s loss was an aberration. And Geelong haven’t really set the world on fire in the first month. They’re gettable.
Key: The Cats’ defence is without Harry Taylor and Lachie Henderson, but it’s held up so far and is mid-table for points against. Irishman Zach Tuohy is critical with his run off half-back and it’s his 150th game.
Tip: Power by 10 points
Fremantle v Western Bulldogs, Optus Stadium, 8:15pm
Head to head: Dockers 14 Bulldogs 15 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 3, 2017 – Dockers 13.11 (89) bt Bulldogs 10.13 (73) at Domain Stadium
TAB Sportsbet odds: Dockers $1.55 Bulldogs $2.50
William Hill odds: Dockers $1.60 Bulldogs $2.35
The Bulldogs have shown more ticker over the past fortnight. And if it wasn’t for a dropped mark in front of goal by Josh Dunkley, they might have pinched a win last week against Sydney. Fremantle were brave in their 31-point loss to GWS in Canberra. But just how the players perform amid the sexual harassment storm that has engulfed the club will be interesting. The Dockers will again be without Brad Hill, who is nursing a knee injury.
Key: Is Aaron Sandilands tired yet? The 35-year-old Dockers’ ruckman was meant to be rested last week. But with his apprentice Sean Darcy injured, Sandilands was forced to front up against GWS. Will his weary legs start to fade? Or will he enjoy a field day against second-year ruckman Tim English?
Tip: Bulldogs by 10 points
SUNDAY, April 22:
North Melbourne v Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium, 3:20pm
Head to head: Kangaroos 75 Hawks 96 Drawn 2
Last clash: Round 21, 2017 – Hawks 18.8 (116) bt Kangaroos 14.5 (89) in Launceston
TAB Sportsbet odds: Kangaroos $2.65 Hawks $1.50
William Hill odds: Kangaroos $2.75 Hawks $1.45
Aren’t the Kangaroos supposed to be rebuilding? They boast the league’s best defence and have been solid so far with a 2-2 record. The Hawks were awesome last week as they methodically took Melbourne apart after a slow start. But losing small forwards Cyril Rioli and Paul Puopolo to injury in that game is a major blow.
Key: The obvious duel to watch is North tagger Ben Jacobs going to ball magnet Tom Mitchell, who had to change his game last week thanks to a hard tag from Nathan Jones. Jarman Impey will also be critical for the Hawks in attack, given they are without Rioli and Puopolo for several weeks.
Tip: Hawthorn by 30 points.
Brisbane v Gold Coast at the Gabba, 4:45pm
Head to head: Lions 9 Suns 5 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 21, 2017 – Lions 22.10 (142) bt Suns 12.12 (84) at The Gabba
TAB Sportsbet odds: Lions $1.73 Suns $2.15
William Hill odds: Lions $1.70 Suns $2.15
Here’s a question: who is in worse form? Brisbane were horrible in last week’s 93-point loss to Richmond, totalling just 17 points. But Gold Coast were hardly any better in their 80-point loss to West Coast. The Suns at least have an excuse – they’ve been on the road every week this season due to the unavailability of their home ground. Brisbane were so gutsy a fortnight ago in their five-point loss to Port, but their performance against Richmond was a huge step backwards. This game could very well turn into a clanger-fest.
Key: Stefan Martin. The Lions’ ruckman has racked up some big numbers this season – not only in the ruck, but also around the ground. If he gets going again, it will give the Lions vital midfield ascendancy.
Tip: Brisbane by 10 points.
TUESDAY, April 24:
Melbourne v Richmond at the MCG, 7:25pm
Head to head: Demons 82 Tigers 104 Drawn 2
Last clash: Round 5, 2017 – Tigers 12.16 (88) bt Demons 11.9 (75) at the MCG
TAB Sportsbet odds: Demons $2.75 Tigers $1.48
William Hill odds: Demons $2.70 Tigers $1.47
Melbourne were probably the worst losers last weekend, given how badly they fell away after such a promising start against Hawthorn. Their defence was appalling and they could manage only one goal after quarter-time. For their sake, they’d want to come to the Anzac Eve clash determined to find redemption. After Richmond’s training run against lowly Brisbane, their manic pressure will be a litmus test for the brittle Demons.
Key: Star Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan is playing further up the ground and racking up possessions. But is his more-mobile role working, given how poor they were last weekend in converting their inside 50s?
Tip: Richmond by 40 points.
WEDNESDAY, April 25:
Collingwood v Essendon at the MCG, 3:20pm
Head to head: Magpies 128 Bombers 103 Drawn 4
Last clash: Round 16, 2017 – Bombers 18.9 (117) bt Magpies 12.8 (80) at the MCG
TAB Sportsbet odds: Magpies $1.80 Bombers $2.05
William Hill odds: Magpies $1.81 Bombers $2.00
Key: This pleasantly bucks the usual narrative around the biggest match of the year, outside the finals. Usually, it’s one side badly needing a win or the two sides down on form. But the Magpies had an outstanding away win over Adelaide, while Essendon ended Port’s unbeaten start to the season. If Collingwood can stifle Essendon’s run and carry early, the Magpies should take control.
Tip: Essendon full forward Joe Daniher has kicked only six goals this season in four games. But there were signs of life late in last week’s win. Should Daniher fire, Essendon are a massive shot.
Tip: Magpies by 20 points
