Round 6 saw the Saints solidify themselves as the righteous top side so far, as well as the Cats showing the competition that they are well and truly back! Even better, is the prospect of more exciting matchups are on the way, and on such a quick turnaround! So, without further ado, let's get right into our Round 7 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 7 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.
St Kilda Saints (1) V Port Adelaide Power (7)
Friday 28th of April - 7:50pm AEST
Both teams coming off wins, this will be a great start to Round 7!
The Saints showed the competition that they won’t be beaten easily in 2023 with another win, this time making light work of the Blues, who dominated the possession stats but couldn’t make use of the ball due to the Saints strong defence and high-pressure tactics. Playing a strong all-round game however was our preview highlight player, Rowan Marshall, who had 17 disposals and a goal to go with his 21 hit-outs.
Port put away the Injury-Riddled Eagles by 40 points on Saturday, and there were plenty of strong performances across the board. Although the calibre of opponent was not the highest, they definitely showed their strengths, especially in their midfield. Leading the way was Connor Rozee, who racked up 29 disposals and 2 goals, scoring an impressive 160 GDS fantasy points.
Prediction:
This should be an interesting matchup, but the Saints look too classy at the moment, and should continue their good run to start the season – Saints by 23 points
Rowan Marshall – 110 GDS fantasy points
Brisbane Lions (6) V Fremantle Dockers (13)
Saturday 29th of April - 1:45pm AEST
Lions are in hot form, while the Dockers had a shocker against the Doggies in Round 6. Can they turn it around against the Lions at the Gabba?
The Lions made it three wins on the trot with a win over the Giants in Round 6. Although it looked like they were cruising to a easy victory and a percentage boost, they weren’t the most convincing and never really put the Giants to the sword. This was mainly due to low possession stats to the Lions midfielders, while their forwards took much of the load. Showing the way was Charlie Cameron, who was at his scintillating best, kicking 7 goals with 15 disposals to compliment it.
The Dockers have definitely not risen to the levels that they were at in 2022 so far this season, and that continued in Round 6 against the Doggies. They were outplayed around the ground, although this was not without some strong individual efforts. Luke Ryan has been strong out of defence so far this season, racking up 30 disposals along with 10 marks, totalling 144 GDS fantasy points.
Prediction:
The Lions punished the Kangaroos, but showed last week that they won’t always dominate teams easily, and the Dockers midfield can put up a fight here – Lions by 21 points
Hugh McCluggage – 110 GDS fantasy points
Sydney Swans (10) V Greater Western Sydney Giants (12)
Saturday 29th of April - 2:10pm AEST
The Sydney Derby returns for 2023! The last 2 have gone to the Swans, but can the Giants turn the tables?
The Swans have had a rollercoaster start to the season, but Round 6 was their new low. They were absolutely dominated by the Cats, losing by a whopping 93 points, and only having 1 player record over 20 disposals. That player was Luke Parker, who had 21 disposals, 6 clearances and 4 tackles, in what was a disappointing outing for them.
The Giants also haven’t been able to find winning form so far this season, however in much more competitive fashion. Their largest loss of the season so far came in Round 6, succumbing to the Lions by 21 points. Although they lost that matchup, there were 2 key standout players that took the fight to the Lions from start to finish. Those players were Josh Kelly and Stephen Coniglio, who combined for 79 disposals and over 300 GDS fantasy points.
Prediction:
This is shaping up to be a tight contest, but I think that the Swans might find some fight in the Derby – Swans by 5 points
Luke Parker – 110 GDS fantasy points
Western Bulldogs (11) V Hawthorn Hawks (18)
Saturday 29th of April - 4:35pm AEST The Dogs put the Dockers away easily in Round 6, while the Hawks have made a habit of losing close games.
The Dogs travelled over to Perth with redemption in their mind after they lost to Port in Round 5, and they sure did find redemption in the form of a 49-point win over the Dockers. They weren’t flash early, but they put the Dockers away late, with a couple of standout performers in Adam Treloar and Marcus Bontempelli stamping their name on the game, where they combined for 4 goals and 66 disposals, as well as 12 clearances.
Sitting last on the ladder, the Hawks are staring down another loss if they can’t find a way to turn around their habit of losing close games. After a late shot was touched against the Giants, causing them to lose by 2 points, they fell agonisingly short against the Crows, letting a 13 point 4th quarter lead slip through their fingers, eventually losing by 3 points. It hasn’t been all doom and gloom however, with Jai Newcombe putting up another solid performance, recording 26 disposals, with 10 tackles and 7 clearances.
Prediction:
While the Hawks have been competitive, the Dogs have the ability to run away with this game. It can go either way, with a Hawks upset not out of the realm of possibility, realistically the Dogs should be too good – Dogs by 26 points
Marcus Bontempelli – 130 GDS fantasy points
Melbourne Demons (3) V North Melbourne Kangaroos (15)
Saturday 29th of April - 7:25pm AEST
This matchup has been dominated by the Demons recently, and it’s hard to see that changing this week.
The Demons bounced back from their shock loss to the Bombers with a gritty win against the Tigers, waiting until the last quarter to break the game open and take the lead. Winning best-on-ground for the clash was Jack Viney, who recorded 30 disposals, kicking a goal and recording 5 clearances.
The Kangaroos extended their losing streak against the Suns, where they didn’t show much fight against the low rated side. Although it was a more convincing performance than their outing against the Lions, they did not have many positives in what was a disappointing game for the Roos. It was their most experienced players that stood up, with Ben Cunnington and Jack Ziebell combining for 50 disposals and 201 GDS fantasy points.
Prediction:
If there’s one team that can put away an easy opponent, it’s the Demons, and this game should be a percentage booster for them – Demons by 56 points
Clayton Oliver – 130 GDS fantasy points
West Coast Eagles (17) V Carlton Blues (8)
Saturday 29th of April - 7:30pm AEST The Injured Eagles are back at home after a few away games, while the Blues have now lost 2 in a row and will be looking to return to the winners list.
The Eagles have now lost 4 in a row, falling to the Power in a convincing 40-point loss. While the outcome wasn’t ideal, it wasn’t due to a lack of trying from some of their key players. Leading the way was Tim Kelly, who continues to rack up large disposals, recording 34 disposals against the Power, as well as 8 clearances and 5 tackles.
While the Blues were also on the wrong side of the result in Round 6, it certainly did not show on the stats sheet. They came out as 22-point losers against the Saints, even though they had the top 6 disposal-getters in the game, all of which had 28 or more disposals, combining for 204 disposals all-up. Of those, two players recorded over 150 GDS fantasy points, who were Adam Cerra and Sam Walsh.
Prediction:
Originally, I had this pegged as a possible upset. But the Blues were dominant on the football against the Saints, and against the heavily injured Eagles, they should get the job done easily – Blues by 56 points
Blake Acres – 130 GDS fantasy points
Essendon Bombers (4) V Geelong Cats (9)
Sunday 30th of April - 1:10pm AEST
The Bombers had a 4th quarter collapse against the Pies, while the Cats finally put up 4 quarters of football for the first time in 2023.
The Bombers went in to the Anzac Day clash with some confidence after beating the Demons, and that confidence and hard work put them up by 5 goals at 3 quarter time. Unfortunately for them, the game doesn’t end there, and they let that lead slip, eventually losing by 13 points after the Pies kicked 7 unanswered goals in the last quarter. Darcy Parish was the Bombers leader once again, racking up 27 disposals, on top of 5 tackles and 9 clearances.
The Cats could not have had a more polarising start to the season. First 3 games, 0-3, and being the last team to record a win after being premiers in 2022. Now they are 3-3 after three dominant wins, including their latest 93-point demolition of the Swans. The Swans never looked in this game, as the Cats poured on the pressure and kept the ball moving forward led by the age-defying Dangerfield, who racked up 31 disposals and a goal, with 7 clearances.
Prediction:
The Bombers regain captain Zach Merrett for this, and that will keep this a close battle. If they have learnt from their mistakes, they might put in a 4-quarter effort this time – Bombers by 3 points
Darcy Parish – 110 GDS fantasy points
Richmond Tigers (16) V Gold Coast Suns (14)
Sunday 30th of April - 3:20pm AEST
While the Tigers have lost 4 in a row, they have all been against strong opponents. Meanwhile, the Suns found a second win for the season, knocking off the Roos.
The Tigers haven’t won since Round 2, although the way they have been going about their football has not been as poor as the results seem to show. They led the Demons for most of the game, until they took over late. Leading the way for the Tigers was Tim Taranto, who continued his good run of performances with another 33 disposals, 10 tackles and 6 clearances.
The Suns got back on the winners list with their win over the Roos. While they are not the toughest of opponents, they won well and didn’t let the Roos have even a slight chance. Lachie Weller led the way for the Suns with 28 disposals and 14 marks, totalling an impressive 156 GDS fantasy points.
Prediction:
The Tigers haven’t been able to get over the line against more formidable opponents, but they should find the Suns easier and get the job done – Tigers by 28 points
Daniel Rioli – 110 GDS fantasy points
Adelaide Crows (5) V Collingwood Magpies (2)
Sunday 30th of April - 4:40pm AEST
What could be match of the round, 2nd plays 5th in an exciting finish.
The Crows have found some good form, winning their past 4, albeit some being more comfortable than others. Their latest was a nail-biter against the last placed Hawks, where they got out of jail with a couple late goals. Their standout was Tex Walker, who kicked 4 goals and racked up 20 disposals, totalling 148 GDS fantasy points.
The Pies stormed in to 2nd position with their comeback Anzac Day win over the Bombers, taking their wins to 5 for the season so far. Still one of the strongest sides, the Pies have shown no signs of slowing down in 2023, with their only loss coming from heavy inaccuracy against the Lions in Round 4. Leading the way for the Pies is Nick Daicos, who has now added an Anzac Medal to his already impressive resume. He had 40 disposals and 2 goals against the Bombers, which totalled 160 GDS fantasy points in an impressive day out for his first Anzac Day clash of his career.
Prediction:
Both teams are in good form, but the Pies have the class here – Pies by 27 points
Brayden Maynard – 110 GDS fantasy points