Lachie’s AFL Round 20 Preview: Western Bulldogs v GWS Giants | Betting Preview
A battle for the top 8 here! Both of these sides are looking to make the bottom half of the 8 come the end of the year and currently sit there, though very narrowly. Very much an eight pointer with the winner being able to breathe a little easier, and getting to push a down a fellow contender for their spot further down. With such a large group fighting for finals come this late stage of the year, much is on the line, and in particular, this game holds a very strong case to be the most meaningful game of the round. Read below to see who I have tipped and a selection to hopefully start your Saturday off with a nice winner!
GWS To Give Dogs Rare Ballarat Loss
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Get ready for an exciting showdown as the GWS Giants take on the Western Bulldogs at the windswept MARS Stadium in Ballarat. With both teams boasting identical 10-8 records, this clash promises to be a closely contested battle. The Giants are on a hot streak, securing five impressive wins in a row against tough opponents like Melbourne and Adelaide. On the other hand, the Bulldogs have been grinding out results with a 3-2 record in their last five games, although their performances have left room for improvement.
Team Changes and Form:
The Giants enter this crucial clash with momentum on their side, riding high on their recent winning streak. Their ability to adapt to challenging conditions sets them apart, making them a formidable force at MARS Stadium, a place where the Dogs have dominated other interstate sides in the past. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have been quite uninspiring over the past few months. A few solid wins vs good teams, will be followed by tight wins against teams they should be destroying, with the occasional loss against a side they could have won against.
Gameplan:
GWS Giants’ bash-and-crash style of play, reminiscent of the tenacious Richmond Tigers, could prove advantageous in the unpredictable conditions at MARS Stadium. Their ability to cause chaos and disrupt the opponents’ short-kicking game might tilt the scales in their favor. The Bulldogs will need to counteract the Giants’ physicality and adapt swiftly to the challenging environment to secure a victory.
Prediction:
Whilst I do think this will be a tight match, I feel the odds are too high in the favour of the Dogs due to their dominance here at MARs Stadium in Ballarat. Of course, they have been impressive here but I feel a large part of it is playing against sides that either aren’t used to these sorts of conditions (Brisbane for example, or Fremantle) or their gameplan hasn’t been conducive to the cold and windy conditions provided here (like the Crows earlier this year, who love to chip the ball around). As mentioned above, the Giants style and gameplan will not be hindered at this oval, and combined with their superior form and momentum, I believe the Giants are value and I’m taking the +13.5 handicap.