AFL tipsters’ guide: Bennell back to face Crows
Gold Coast midfielder Harley Bennell is among five inclusions for Saturday’s away game against Adelaide.
Bennell has served a two-game club suspension after newspapers published images of the skilled player with what appeared to be illicit drugs. The Suns also welcome back tall forward Charlie Dixon. Luke Russell, Sean Lemmens and Henry Schade were also named.
Jarrod Harbrow is a new father and will not make the trip. Mitch Hallahan has an arm injury, a quad injury will sideline Tom Nicholls and Clay Cameron and Peter Wright were dropped.
For the home team, Matt Crouch is the unlucky omission for star onballer Rory Sloane, who could wear headgear for his return from his second fractured jaw this season.
Crouch has had 20-plus disposals in his last three games, including a solid performance in last Sunday’s Showdown win.
Key defender Daniel Talia has been cleared to play, despite being subbed out of the game against Port Adelaide with concussion.
Essendon ruckman Jonathan Giles has again failed to break into the senior team for Saturday night’s game against Port Adelaide.
Giles is yet to make his AFL debut with Essendon.
The Bombers will persist with Shaun McKernan as their main ruck option, despite coming up against North Melbourne’s Todd Goldstein, who is fresh off a dominant performance last round.
“We just think we’re too tall if we have two ruckmen, with the sort of taller players we have at both ends of the ground,” coach James Hird told the club website.
“We think Shaun deserves another chance … we back him to bounce back.”
The Power recalled speedster Matt White, Andrew Moore and Sam Colquhoun for Nathan Krakouer (hamstring), Paul Stewart and Brendon Ah Chee.
As well as Bennell, another player could return this weekend after serious off-field issues. West Coast forward Murray Newman could play his first AFL game since 2012 after the Eagles put him on their senior list.
The 21-year-old was included in the Eagles’ senior squad for the big home game on Sunday against Sydney after his promotion from rookie status on Thursday in place of injured defender Mitch Brown.
Newman served six months of a 12-month jail term last year for assault.
He missed almost two months this season with a ruptured finger tendon.
The most recent of Newman’s four AFL games was in round 17, 2012.
Geelong regained captain Joel Selwood, but dropped veteran midfielder Mathew Stokes for Saturday’s must-win game against GWS in Canberra.
The Cats also recalled Billie Smedts for Jed Bews.
The Giants dropped Cam McCarthy and Matt Buntine is out because of concussion.
North Melbourne recalled small forward Lindsay Thomas for Brent Harvey’s 400th game on Saturday night against Brisbane at the `Gabba.
Drew Petrie is back from suspension and Luke McDonald was also recalled.
The Kangaroos lost Jamie Macmillan (hamstring) and Aaron Mullett, while Aaron Black was dropped.
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The Lions brought in Liam Dawson for Ryan Harwood (hip).
Ben Griffiths and Sam Lloyd are back for Richmond ahead of Saturday’s must-win MCG match against Fremantle, who recalled Clancee Pearce for Hayden Ballantyne (pectoral muscle).
Carlton lost Andrew Carrazzo (foot) for Friday night’s game at Etihad Stadium against Hawthorn.
They also dropped Tom Fields as Liam Jones and Blaine Boekhorst were named.
The Hawks promoted Jonathan O’Rourke and Bradley Hill for Ben Stratton (ankle) and Liam Shiels (quad).
Tyson Goldsack and Darcy Moore are in Collingwood’s squad for the Sunday game against the Western Bulldogs.
They are the most obvious options to replace key forward Travis Cloke (calf).
FRIDAY, July 24
Carlton v Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium 7.50pm
Head to Head: Blues 102 Hawks 59 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 13, 2014 – Hawks 18.10 (118) bt Blues 13.12 (90) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Blues $14 Hawks $1.02
William Hill: Blues $14 Hawks $1.02
You can’t help but feel sorry for Carlton this week. If so-called premiership contenders Fremantle and Sydney can’t even get close to Hawthorn, what chance do the 16th-placed Blues have? Carlton were far from disgraced in last week’s loss to Fremantle in Perth. But they face one hell of a fight to avoid a walloping from a Hawthorn outfit which has become scarily good in recent weeks. Hawthorn have won their past 11 games against the Blues, and they are hot favourites to make it a dozen.
Key: Complacency. If the Hawks think they merely need to turn up to win, then the Blues might stand some sort of a chance. Even then, it will be a slim chance at best.
Tip: Hawthorn by 72 points
SATURDAY, July 25
GWS v Geelong at StarTrack Oval 1.45pm
Head to Head: Giants 0 Cats 3 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 18, 2014 – Cats 13.16 (94) bt Giants 12.15 (87)
Tab Sportsbet: Giants $1.77 Cats $2.05
William Hill: Giants $1.80 Cats $2
This pits old against new. Old-stagers against up-and-comers. It might sound harsh, but there’s no denying Geelong are on the slide this season. In contrast, GWS are a solid chance to reach the finals for the first time in their history. The 11th-placed Cats haven’t given fans much hope of them eeking out another top-eight finish in their golden era. But they need to win this one if they are to do it. The return from suspension of Joel Selwood is a massive boost for the Cats.
Key: Accuracy. The Giants are the least accurate team in the competition. If they let too many opportunities go begging at a cold Canberra Stadium, they could be made to pay.
Tip: GWS by 15 points
Adelaide v Gold Coast at Adelaide Oval, 2.10pm
Head to Head: Crows 7 Suns 0 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 6, 2015 – Crows 18.11 (119) bt Suns 11.12 (78) at Carrara Oval
Tab Sportsbet: Crows $1.28 Suns $3.70
William Hill: Crows $1.27 Suns $3.80
Adelaide’s players are still in grieving mode following the shock death of their coach Phil Walsh. But they would have made Walsh proud with their gutsy win over Port last week. Gold Coast have become a competitive unit with Gary Ablett back in the side, and the return of Harley Bennell is another big boost. Adelaide have been boosted by the inclusion of Rory Sloane. The Crows have never lost in seven games against Gold Coast, and should make it eight wins on the trot in front of a big Adelaide crowd.
Key: The Crows have been on a rollercoaster of emotions over the past three weeks. Will it keep lifting them, or will they soon fall flat? It’s the great unknown.
Tip: Crows by 27 points
Richmond v Fremantle at the MCG 4.35pm
Head to Head: Tigers 17 Dockers 14 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 10, 2015 – Tigers 15.7 (97) bt Dockers 10.10 (70) at Domain Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Tigers $1.85 Dockers $1.95
William Hill: Tigers $1.80 Dockers $2
There’s no doubting it – Fremantle are off the boil. Not bad for a side who still sits one game clear on top of the table. But they have clearly lost their mojo, and Richmond can take a fair bit of credit for that. The Tigers notched a shock 27-point win over the Dockers in round 10, and the league leaders haven’t been the same since. The loss of Hayden Ballantyne for the rest of the home-and-away season is another big blow to the Dockers. Richmond have shot into top-four contention with eight wins from their nine past games.
Key: Fremantle’s attacking firepower has dried up over the past seven games. And with Ballantyne out, can they find enough weapons to beat the potent Tigers?
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Tip: Dockers by 12 points
Essendon v Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium, 7.20pm
Head to Head: Bombers 11 Power 14 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 16, 2014 – Bombers 8.14 (62) bt Power 7.18 (60)
Tab Sportsbet: Bombers $2.65 Power $1.48
William Hill: Bombers $2.65 Power $1.48
It’s all over for Port Adelaide. Well, almost. Last week’s loss to the Crows means Port need to win at least six – and probably all seven – of their remaining matches to make the finals. It’s a big ask for a team that hasn’t come close to recapturing their hot form of the past two seasons. Injury-hit Essendon are ripe for the picking, but the Bombers’ youth have shown plenty of heart over the past fortnight.
Key: The Power boast match-winners all over the park. But can they finally click?
Tip: Power by 29 points
Brisbane v North Melbourne at the Gabba, 7.20pm
Head to Head: Lions 15 Kangaroos 15 Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 2, 2015 – Kangaroos 20.13 (133) bt Lions 7.9 (51) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Lions $3.40 Kangaroos $1.32
William Hill: Lions $3.40 Kangaroos $1.32
Could this be the last time we see a player reach 400 AFL games? Brent Harvey reckons so, and he’s hoping his Kangas will lift for his milestone match. The Kangaroos have been hit and miss all season, and they can’t afford to drop this one if they are to reach the finals. And with a percentage of just 97.8, they’ll be eyeing off a win in excess of 50 points in order to give it a bit of a boost. The returns of Drew Petrie and Lindsay Thomas increases their scoring potency.
Key: The Roos have lost their past six games at the Gabba, and 10 of the past 11. Can they bust that hoodoo this week?
Tip: Kangaroos by 17 points
SUNDAY, July 26
Western Bulldogs v Collingwood at Etihad Stadium
Head to Head: Bulldogs 43 Magpies 106 Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 13, 2014 – Bulldogs 16.10 (106) bt Magpies 15.8 (98) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Bulldogs $2.15 Magpies $1.70
William Hill: Bulldogs $2.15 Magpies $1.70
The Magpies are in a mini slump, and their two leading goalkickers aren’t there to dig them out. With Travis Cloke joining Jamie Elliott on the sidelines, Collingwood need to find new avenues towards goal – and fast. Four losses on the trot have left the Magpies’ finals hopes up in the air, but their form has been far from terrible. The sixth-placed Bulldogs are eyeing off a dream finals finish, but it’s games like this they need to win if they are to achieve that goal.
Key: Flexibility. With Cloke and Elliott out injured, can the Magpies conjure up a successful ‘Plan B’ to kick a winning score?
Tip: Collingwood by 4 points
Melbourne v St Kilda at the MCG
Head to Head: Demons 118 Saints 88 Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 11, 2015 – Saints 12.13 (85) bt Demons 12.11 (83) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Demons $1.95 Saints $1.85
William Hill: Demons $1.87 Saints $1.93
The Demons were left heartbroken when Leigh Montagna kicked a goal with 19 seconds remaining to lift St Kilda to a two-point win in round 11. But there have been plenty of positives for Melbourne this season, with the emergence of key forward Jesse Hogan a major plus. Hogan booted five goals against the Saints earlier this year, and he’ll be aiming to inflict a repeat dose. The Saints have won their past 11 matches against Melbourne, with their last loss coming in 2006.
Key: Midfield supply. Demons forward Jesse Hogan is capable of kicking a big bag. But without adequate supply, he won’t have much impact on the game.
Tip: Saints by 12 points
West Coast v Sydney at Domain Stadium 4.40pm
Head to Head: Eagles 19 Swans 26 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 16, 2014 – Swans 10.19 (79) bt Eagles 7.9 (51) at Domain Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Eagles $1.42 Swans $2.95
William Hill: Eagles $1.40 Swans $3
With Sydney and Fremantle suffering big losses in recent weeks, West Coast are being talked up as perhaps the best challenger to Hawthorn’s throne. This week’s clash with Sydney will be a big test of their mettle, especially with star defender Jeremy McGovern out injured. Sydney forward Kurt Tippett will also be missing, but the Swans still boast plenty of attacking firepower. The Eagles have lost their past eight games to Sydney – with the one-sided nature a far cry from the memorable rivalry the two teams enjoyed last decade.
Key: Sydney’s pride. The Swans were embarrassed by Hawthorn last week. Will they fold like a deck of cards yet again, or will they come out firing in a bid to atone?
Tip: Eagles by 9 points
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