Round 14 AFL Previews

Brisbane Lions v St Kilda, Gabba
Can the Brisbane Lions finally string together some consistent form? Last year’s grand
finalists demolished the Western Bulldogs in a commanding performance that looked more
like the Lions of the last five years. Brisbane’s midfield fired and oft-maligned forward Eric
Hipwood starred with a six-goal performance. St Kilda strung together a second-straight win
in grinding fashion against Gold Coast. But the Saints showed no signs they are ready to pull
off a giant upset against the improving Lions at the Gabba. Saints flyer Nasiah
Wanganeen-Milera will not make the trip to Brisbane due to family reasons in a major blow to
St Kilda’s prospects of a boilover.

TIP: Brisbane Lions by 32 points, Zac Bailey to kick two or more goals

Western Bulldogs v Fremantle, Marvel Stadium
It’s almost season on the line time for the Bulldogs, who were impressive before last week’s
defeat to the Brisbane Lions. Still without gun forwards Aaron Naughton, Sam Darcy and
Cody Weightman, the Bulldogs’ star-studded midfield can only do so much. Bulldogs
superstar Marcus Bontempelli received a hard tag against the Lions, blunting his influence in
the midfield and forcing him to go forward instead. Fremantle are coming off the bye, buoyed
by their stunning demolition of Melbourne in the Alice Springs a fortnight ago. The Dockers
showed then their attacking output and forward line function is improving, matching their
rock-solid defence and young midfield.

TIP: Fremantle by 16 points, Andrew Brayshaw to have 25 or more possessions

Richmond v Hawthorn, MCG
It’s all about Dustin Martin this week. The Tigers superstar will become the seventh
Richmond player to reach the 300-game milestone. After missing last week’s trip to Adelaide – arousing upset of the Crows – Martin will be given a hero’s reception at the MCG on
Saturday. The Tigers are finally starting to have relief on the injury front, with star forward
Tom Lynch to return for his first game since round four. After high-flying Sydney, Hawthorn
are arguably the in-form team of the competition. But after five wins from their last six starts,
the Hawks could find themselves on the end of a Martin-led Tigers ambush.

TIP: Richmond by 23 points, Dustin Martin to kick three or more goals

Adelaide v Sydney, Adelaide Oval
Pressure is starting to build on Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks with the Crows set to miss the
finals for a seventh-consecutive season. A campaign that began with so much promise has
turned into a disaster, losing at home against struggling Richmond last week. The Crows will
be without star forward Taylor Walker again. Crows fans will get a reminder of the infamous
match last season when Ben Keays was incorrectly denied a match-winning goal. Sydney
have enjoyed their best start to a season since 1935 and are two games and significant
percentage clear on top of the ladder. There seems no reason not to tip the Swans again.

TIP: Sydney by 29 points, Errol Gulden to have 25 or more possessions

North Melbourne v Collingwood, Marvel Stadium
A week after winning their first game of the season, North will likely come crashing back
down to earth this weekend. From beating last year’s wooden spooners – West Coast – to
coming up against the reigning premiers. Even though Collingwood are still without a host of
injured stars, the Magpies keep finding soldiers to fill the void and continue their revival
following a sluggish start to the season. Collingwood should look to boost their percentage in
this one.

TIP: Collingwood by 45 points, Josh Daicos to have 25 or more possessions

GWS v Port Adelaide, Engie Stadium
GWS’ season has hit the skids after starting 2024 looking like they were the team to beat.
After beating the Cats in Geelong before the bye, the Giants became another victim of
giant-killing Hawthorn in a thriller in Launceston. Back at Engie Stadium, this is simply a
must-win game for GWS if they are to regain the form that made them so imposing early in
the season. Port sit fourth, and will regain captain Connor Rozee, but their form against the
top sides, and on the run, still leaves a bit to be desired. It will be a massive result either way
for these finals contenders.

TIP: GWS by 21 points, Tom Green to have 25 or more possessions