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.
WEST COAST V FREMANTLE
Sunday 2 May @ Optus Stadium
We end the round with the old Western Derrrrby. They used to be such wild affairs in the past. You could trust that something rather uncivilized would occur.
Those days appear long gone but both these teams need a win for differing reasons really.
West Coast's reputation as flat track/home team bullies, be it unfair, has not taken long to resurface in 2021.
Three games in Perth have been all comprehensive victories and out of town, there has been no success – with particular reference to last Saturday which was nothing short of awful.
Probably making it worse is that they actually led at Quarter Time. You'd think that is giving yourself a good shot at winning away, especially at Kardinia Park.
Over the next 90 minutes it was 19 goals to 2. A complete obliteration. They gave up while Geelong dined out. Remember this was a Geelong team devoid of their own striking confidence and question marks about their style of game.
No Josh Kennedy is always a concern but much has been made of their other big guns up front in Darling and Allen so you'd think at least there is a target for the midfield.
Assuming he plays in the Perth clash, maybe you can just think of it as the Eagles targeting the Dockers game and not willing to risk that in a Geelong game which was more 50:50.
But 100 points losses (or near enough) are hard to fathom anywhere. Can they just be forgotten?
Throw in the loss down back of Jeremy McGovern and things are up in the air.
On the other hand Fremantle do sit inside the Eight even if rather shakily. Beating up on North will not make you Robinson Crusoe this year. Not many 50 point wins can make you disappointed but this might be one.
Without much quality from their opponents, it took them some time to put them away. They were only up by just over three goals well into the second half.
Eventually the class difference told but it was hardly the full-bore power leading into this gunslingers game.
These matches need those big guns firing and Freo has no bigger weapon than Nat Fyfe. He's clearly recovered from that concussion with 34 possessions even if his kicking is still closer to missing the sticks totally.
They are a solid team at present that needs that flash of Fyfe and Walters to be the cream on the hard workers' cake.
West Coast does love beating up on the younger brother. It has happened quite a lot and lately too. However in 2021, Fremantle could be finding them at a good time.
While it is an Eagles home game, of course it isn't in reality bar the crowd. The 'Noise Of Affirmation' is partially diluted even post a lockdown.
There is a bit of weather in Perth that might make it more of a slog. Fancy that that helps the Dockers more as West Coast love the prettier style. McGovern takes away some solidity too.
Going to either back Fremantle to win or take the start.
Match Selection: Fremantle by 6 points
Suggested Bets: Fremantle @ $2.20