3 minute read

Racing and Sports will provide analysis of many games in the 2022 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.

GWS V CARLTON

Sunday 15 May @ Giants Stadium

It's one last throw at the stumps for 2022 you'd think for the GWS Giants as they tackle Carlton in a critical feature on Sunday. The small measure of the coach leaving also usually sees visceral change.

As most teams have been with Carlton in recent years, GWS has had their way with them of late. They were seen as an easy beat and so it often proved.

But this year is not the case. The Blues have only lost twice – to Gold Coast and Fremantle. Their position sets them up to play finals if they keep knocking over these types of opponents.

GWS couldn't go with Geelong last week for long enough. All year they have failed to garner momentum. From the moment Toby Greene made a terrible error of judgement in the Final against Sydney, their next campaign was humstrung. Nothing positive has come of that.

And so it was the case at Manuka as they effectively trailed Geelong the whole game, even if close at times. Scoring has been their yearlong enemy.

With 563 points they only have North and West Coast below them – that is only 70 per game. Never will that provide a coach with great confidence of victory over a long haul.

Their defence has semi-held firm enough but you always seemingly have the ball coming at you if you can't kick it through the big sticks at the other end.

Not just without Greene, there is a lack of continuity up front and with Finlayson gone, it means the Giants are playing catch up regularly.

That is one thing they cannot afford to have happen to them against Carlton. Again the Blues were only playing Adelaide but the productivity was bountiful.

Curnow with six and McKay three would naturally have concern plastered over opposition coaching line ups. Of equal fear is when Cripps and Fisher and Kennedy snag a few or when Hewett and Walsh join in. It's becomes a flood.

GWS has the talls in defence that can do good jobs on tall forward lines. Supply just needs to be halted enough times. The Blues will hope it was the same as the week before.

This match is definitely one GWS can get out of. While forward of the ball Carlton are going nicely, on the back end there are enough holes that require plugging.

It needs a strong start and then total commitment to get a four quarter effort. If they think they are still any hope of Finals this will be there hurrah.

If they get behind early, then the towel could be caste. But we're prepared to give them another chance on the big ground to show the skills needed. Plus Carlton lose McKay and Martin so there are at least five goals less.

It needs Greene to kick 4+ and the midfielders to not just rack up stats but hit that scoreboard.

One more for the road, Giants, as they see Leon Cameron's tenure off. Much like Nathan Buckley's it might be in the positive.

Match Selection: GWS by 15 points

Suggested Bets: Toby Greene 4+ Goals @ $2.90