After a hiatus of three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, AFL Football is at last returning this weekend, and for the Eagles and Dockers it will look a little different (for a little while at least).
Both WA Teams will be temporarily situated in a hub on the Gold Coast to play the next 4 matches depending on border restrictions, but despite this, both teams are keen to get on with business on the field.
As with most sports leagues in Australia, fans will not be present this weekend at the grounds, with supporters encouraged to watch from home or at their local pub whilst observing safe social distancing.
Brisbane vs Fremantle
To kick off the action, Fremantle travel to the Gabba to play a rampant Brisbane side who last year tipped the form book upside down by finishing third.
But the Dockers have to avoid the same habit of falling away when the game is on the line that saw them lose to Essendon by a goal.
Brisbane will be fresh and will have a impressive midfield depth with Lachie Neale, whereas for Fremantle they need Tucker and Bradshaw to provide support for Nat Fyfe, with the Brownlow Medallist often being relied upon to deliver the ball into attack.
And that alone isn’t going to be enough to contain a rampaging Lions side, the Dockers will need something special.
Paul’s Tip: Brisbane by 23 Points
West Coast v Gold Coast
Following their first up win against the Demons in Round 1 in March, the Suns are next for the Eagles on Saturday night.
The Eagles have won nine of their last eleven encounters with the struggling Suns and they are perennial favourites to again do the double in 2020.
Despite a strong pre-season for Gold Coast it turned out to be back to reality as they crashed to a 47-Point loss to Port Adelaide back in March.
The Eagles are relatively at full strength in this match, with Nic Naitanui & Oscar Allen providing the tall depth in the centre.
Gold Coast have six or seven top players in the mix that include leading goal-kicker Alex Sexton while draftee Sam Flanders is expected to be named.
Paul’s Tip: West Coast By 34 Points.
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