The Eagles head east to take on the Giants in a bid to get rid of the ‘flat track bully’ tag they’ve gotten this year. The Giants will be looking to bounce back after a heartbreaking loss to the Tigers last week. We’ve got you covered with tips and preview for this Sunday afternoon clash.
AFL GWS vs West Coast Betting Tips
Giants Stadium, Sunday 23rd May, 1:10pm AEST
Match Prediction
After a horror showing in round six, the Eagles have bounced back with three convincing wins to move to 6-3 and remain in the hunt for a top four position. GWS suffered a second half fade out, giving up a 28 point lead in their four point loss to Richmond last week.
GWS continue to get smashed by injuries with Toby Greene and Harry Perryman set to miss a month after getting injured against Richmond. Nick Haynes, Jeremy Finlayson and Sam Reid look set to return for this clash. Despite Jeremy McGovern being out, it’s much more positive for the Eagles, who are set to welcome back Shannon Hurn and Liam Ryan.
The Eagles have put together an impressive three week stretch with victories by 59, 38 and 30 points and it’s been built on the traditional West Coast possession style brand. The Eagles are ranked first in the AFL for marks, second for kicks and second for scoring. They’ve got their game in top shape, now they put it to the test in their biggest challenge since their round six failure.
Nic Naitanui looms as a major factor for West Coast in this clash. The Eagles are ranked third in the AFL for hitouts, whilst the Giants rank twelfth. Both of the Giants main rucks don’t match up well with Naitanui. Matt Flynn can’t go with Nic Nat in the contest, while Mumford can’t keep up with Nic Nat around the ground. If Nic Nat is giving his midfield first use, he can make the Giants midfield redundant, which will go a long way to beating the Giants.
West Coast’s three headed monster of Kennedy, Darling and Allen looks set to cause some serious trouble for an undersized GWS defence. That is missing most of its key pieces.
The Giants have done well to keep their season afloat, but with the injury to Toby Greene adding to a massive injury list, it’s tough to see the Giants overcoming a West Coast outfit that is starting to find its form. The Eagles have won their last four games against the Giants and that form should continue on Sunday afternoon.
West Coast -6.5 (1.5 Units)
$1.90
Same Game Multi
Jacob Hopper is having a stellar season averaging 26 disposals a game in 2021. Hopper has been elite on the inside, picking up 25 disposals or more in six of his last seven games. Lachie Whitfield hasn’t missed a beat on return from a liver injury with disposal tallies of 30, 19 and 24 in his three games so far this year, and he’ll continue to get better with more game time under his belt. Alex Witherden has been an excellent pickup for the Eagles, slotting in perfectly at half back for West Coast. Witherden has averaged 23 disposals per game this season, and has taken plenty of kick ins. In the last three games he has taken 8, 6 and 5 kick ins. His consistency in 2021 has been outstanding, with his lowest disposal return of the season being 17 disposals.
Jacob Hopper 25+ Disposals
Lachie Whitfield 20+ Disposals
Alex Witherden 20+ Disposals
Giants vs Eagles Same Game Multi
$2.50
