Another round passes and some more upsets to go with it! There were some impressive GDS fantasy scores around the grounds, with some players really starting to show their worth. Now, we look to Gather Round, where all games will be played at 3 different stadiums in Adelaide. So, without further ado, let's get right into our Round 5 preview! In this blog, we'll be previewing every game of the round and providing some insight into what we might expect in the week ahead. What do you think Round 5 hold for us? Let us know who you agree with and who else you might have selected down below on all of our social channels: twitter, facebook, instagram, discord.
Adelaide Crows V Carlton Blues
Thursday 13th of April - 7:40pm AEST
Carlton got the win over the inaccurate Roos, while the Crows were strong in their victory over the Dockers. Who can keep the wins rolling?
The Crows put up a very strong effort against the Dockers, showing that their win over Port in the Showdown in Round 3 was no fluke. There were many contributors to the win over the Dockers, however Jordan Dawson was the standout with 27 disposals, 6 tackles and a goal, totalling an impressive 147 GDS Fantasy Points.
The Blues were not as dominant in their victory, ultimately getting across the line due to the Roos inaccuracy in front of goals. The key though was their key forwards, Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow, who combined for 10 goals and 32 disposals, who’s accuracy was the main difference between the two sides. Both players scored over 140 GDS Fantasy Points, highlighting their impact on the game.
Prediction:
To kick off Gather Round, we should see a nice close contest. The Crows should make good use of the home crowd to get them over the line though – Crows by 13 points
Rory Laird – 110 GDS fantasy points
Fremantle Dockers V Gold Coast Suns
Friday 14th of April - 5:10pm AEST
The Dockers will be disappointed in themselves to be beaten by the Crows last week, but can they bounce back against the Suns who were on the wrong side of a Saints thumping in Round 4?
While the Dockers couldn’t get the win against the Crows, many of their players put in good performances. The midfield duo of Andy Brayshaw and Caleb Serong combined for nearly 60 disposals and just shy of 250 GDS Fantasy Points. On top of this, they dominated Clearances and Hitout’s thanks to Sean Darcy, but they just couldn’t get the result from the 51 Inside 50’s that they generated.
The Suns went up against the ladder leaders, the Saints, in Round 4 and although they lost, were not disgraced against the dominant Saints. This was mainly due to 3 players in particular, the midfield trio of Anderson, Miller and Weller. They combined for a total of 100 disposals and averaging over 150 GDS Fantasy Points each. If not for these 3 players, the result may have been much worse than it was.
Prediction:
While the Dockers weren’t able to convert their clearances and inside 50’s against the Crows, the Suns don’t appear to be as strong in defence, and while this will be a great midfield matchup, look too classy for the Suns – Dockers by 17 points
Andrew Brayshaw – 120 GDS fantasy points
Richmond Tigers V Sydney Swans
Friday 14th of April - 8:10pm AEST
Both of these sides were beat by under a goal in Round 4, who can turn that result around this week?
The Tigers came up against the Dogs, and after a poor first quarter, they flexed their muscles with an 8 goal second quarter. Unfortunately, the second half was not very impressive like the first quarter, and not being able to ice the game in the final stages. Their shining light was another amazing performance by Tim Taranto, hitting 27 disposals and accruing 129 GDS Fantasy Points.
It was heartbreak for the Swans against Port with a kick after the siren being spoiled on the line, handing them a 2 point loss in what was a winnable game for them. The Swans dominated the stats sheet, with midfielders Oliver Florent and Chad Warner topping the stats with a combined 63 disposals and 277 GDS Fantasy Points. Worryingly, they were only able to score 64 points from an impressive 67 Inside 50’s, a whopping 22 more than Port had.
Prediction:
This should be a good matchup, and if the Tigers could put in a good performance for more than a quarter this week, they should be the better team – Tigers by 6 points
Tim Taranto – 120 GDS fantasy points
Brisbane Lions V North Melbourne Kangaroos
Saturday 15th of April of March - 1:10pm AEST Brisbane got back on the winners list with a win over a team that many thought was untouchable so far in 2023, while the Roos were inaccurate against the Blues, ultimately costing them the game.
The Lions could not have asked for a better Round 4 performance, knocking off the Pies by 33 points at the Gabba. The Lions were happy to play the game their way, not resorting to tagging gun pie Nick Daicos, but rather just focussing on their own performance, and it worked nicely. There were not many standouts in individual performance, however it must be said that their contested work around the grounds was the difference, as well as their efficiency in scoring when inside 50. Charlie Cameron led this efficiency as he kicked a bag of 6 goals and had 14 disposals, totalling 134 GDS Fantasy Points.
The Roos had a performance similar to the Pies, in that they didn’t allow their opponents to dominate the stats, however their inaccuracy in front of goal killed their chances of the win against the Blues. The Roos had a tough matchup, having to play smaller defenders against the Blues Forward Duo of McKay and Curnow, who kicked 10 goals on their smaller opponents. In their favour was the star young midfielder Harry Sheezel, who is writing himself into the record books. With another 37 disposals against the Blues, Sheezel is the number 1 player in history for number of disposals in their first 4 AFL/VFL games.
Prediction:
The most exciting part of this game will be the matchup between Ashcroft and Sheezel, who are the 2 most exciting first year players of 2023. Outside of this, the Lions should make easy work of the Roos around the ground – Brisbane by 38 points
Cam Rayner – 110 GDS fantasy points
Essendon Bombers V Melbourne Demons
Saturday 15th of April - 4:10pm AEST
3rd v 4th, with both teams coming off a win, but so tough to predict what will happen!
The Bombers have started 2023 exactly how they would have wanted, starting with 3 wins out of 4 games, a big change from how they have started in previous seasons. While the Bombers have had improvements all over the ground, shown by 9 players scoring over 100 GDS Fantasy Points, but leading the way in this game was Mason Redman. He had 27 disposals, 7 marks and 6 tackles, giving him a strong 141 GDS Fantasy Points against the Giants.
Meanwhile, the Demons travelled to WA to take on the Eagles. After a mild first half they turned on the jets and put on a strong score, eventually winning by 63 points, exactly doubling the Eagles score. As always, Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca were out to flex their muscles against the Eagles, combining for 63 disposals, 3 goals and 291 GDS Fantasy points.
Prediction: The Bombers kicked 11 goals and 22 behinds against the Giants, and will not be able to be that inaccurate against a much stronger opponent this week – Demons by 37 points
Christian Petracca – 140 GDS fantasy points
Port Adelaide Power V Western Bulldogs
Saturday 15th of April - 7:50pm AEST Both teams just scraped over the line against their Round 4 opponents, and now face each other looking to go back to back.
Port took on the Swans, and possibly the most important spoil of Aliir Aliir’s career after the siren gave Port their two-point win. While it is always good to take the win away, it was not a win that Port will be too happy with, as they were essentially dominated around the ground and were lucky that their efficiency inside 50 got them over the line.
The Bulldogs however had the Tigers measure for a good three quarters of their matchup, and yet just got over the line. Ruckman Tim English lost the Hit-outs head to head with Toby Nankervis, but what he lacked there, he made up with his skills around the ground, hitting 20 disposals and kicking 2 goals, as well as making 9 tackles, which added up to an incredible 169 GDS Fantasy Points.
Prediction:
After last weeks game, the Dogs look like they would be much to strong, however Port is at home and will keep it close – Dogs by 7 points
Bailey Dale – 130 GDS fantasy points
Geelong Cats V West Coast Eagles
Sunday 16th of April - 1:10pm AEST
Both teams on 1 win for the season, but the Cats sent a clear message in Round 4 that they are back in a big way, and the Eagles without a handful of stars look a little lost.
The Cats took 4 games to finally shake off the Premiership Hangover, waiting until Round 4 to notch up their first win for 2023. At half time, it looked as if the Hawks, who had a 9 point lead, had the Cats beaten for pace. However, the 2nd half was completely different, with the Cats controlling the game from there, with a 65 point to 0 third quarter. Leading the way for the Cats was another huge game for Jeremy Clarkson, hitting 22 disposals and a whopping 7 goals, totalling a huge 173 GDS Fantasy Points.
On the other side is the Eagles, who were on the wrong end of a 63 point loss by the Dees, albeit missing several key players in their lineup. While the scoreline wasn’t flattering, the Eagles put up a good fight, led by Tim Kelly, who racked up 36 disposals and 2 goals, with 5 tackles and 703 metres gained. His impressive stats earned him a game high 166 GDS Fantasy Points.
Prediction:
While the team lists are yet to be finalised, if the Eagles stars don’t return, this will be a bloodbath – Cats by 66 points
Jeremy Cameron – 140 GDS fantasy points
Greater Western Sydney Giants V Hawthorn Hawks
Sunday 16th of April - 3:20pm AEST
Both teams searching for their second win, but who can improve enough to find it this week?
The Giants put up 20 scoring shots against the Bombers, which was 2 less than the Bombers kicked in behinds alone, so the 13-point loss could have been much worse. But, some of their key players stood up strong, putting up solid performances, including Tom Green with 34 disposals, and Josh Kelly with 28 disposals and 2 goals.
The Hawks must have thought the job was done at half-time against the Cats, because their 9 point halftime lead evaporated quickly and ended in a 82 point loss. The Hawks controlled the game in the first half, and must have been the key difference against the highly-skilled Cats side, because the game was over once they relinquished the control to them. Will Day was one of the better players for the Hawks, getting 22 disposals, while Luke Breust kicked 3 goals and got 16 disposals as well.
Prediction: Both sides were not convincing in Round 4, however the Hawks showed they can beat any team when they control the game. If they have learnt from their second half mistakes, they can get their second win this week – Hawthorn by 8 points
Jai Newcombe – 100 GDS fantasy points
Collingwood Magpies V St Kilda Saints
Sunday 16th of April - 4:50pm AEST
What a game to finish Gather Round, with two of the competition heavyweights going head to head on Sunday evening.
The Pies were in hot form going in to Round 4, but they carried their goal-kicking inaccuracies from their win over the Tigers into that game, and it cost them the win, having 2 more scoring shots than the Lions, but losing by 33 points. They had more disposals and inside 50s, but couldn’t convert their chances, and the only downfall was having to use backup Ruckmen. Leading the way again was their young gun Nick Daicos, who continues to dominate the stats by hitting 38 disposals and kicking 2 goals, accruing a strong 148 GDS Fantasy Points.
The Saints have started 2023 with a perfect 4 wins from 4 games, delivering a dominant 53 point win over the Suns in Round 4. While the Suns matched them early, the Saints started to run away with the game in the second quarter and flexed their muscles in the third quarter. Jack Higgins had a standout game, getting 22 disposals alongside 5 goals, hitting 139 GDS Fantasy Points. It must also be noted that Brad Crouch had 7 disposals at halftime, who flipped a switch and got 27 disposals in the second half, finishing on 34 disposals and 140 GDS Fantasy Points.
Prediction: While the Pies lost last week, this will be a much closer game and they should have learned from their mistakes. Nevertheless, this will be a close one – Pies by 2 points
Nick Daicos – 130 GDS fantasy points