Carlton v GWS Giants AFL R24 betting tips – August 27, 2023

Carlton v GWS Giants AFL R24 betting predictions

Carlton v GWS Giants AFL R24 match preview

In the last match of the 2023 AFL home-and-away season, the GWS Giants will head to Marvel Stadium to take on the Carlton Blues in what could be an elimination final preview.

The Blues headed up to the Gold Coast last weekend, narrowly escaping an upset to win by four points. After a slow start, Carlton trailed by 33 points at quarter-time, but they cut the margin to just two points by half-time thanks to a Charlie Curnow-led resurgence. The lead switched hands multiple times in the second half, with the Blues edging out the Suns in the end.

The Blues are now playing finals footy for the first time since 2013. Sitting in fifth position, they will most likely be hosting a final in the first week of September.

The GWS Giants put up one of their greatest-ever performances last weekend as they beat the Essendon Bombers by 126 points at GIANTS Stadium. Key forward Jesse Hogan was dominant on the day with nine goals, 24 disposals and 17 marks, while midfielder Tom Green had 39 disposals and a goal.

Sitting eighth on the ladder, the Giants are now the only side in the top eight that can miss the finals. If the Western Bulldogs beat Geelong on Saturday night, the Giants will need to win this match to secure a finals position.

Carlton will be without defender Sam Docherty this weekend due to reported calf tightness; however, they will welcome back the star pairing of Sam Walsh and Adam Cerra to their midfield.

The Giants were able to tactically substitute captain Toby Greene in the third quarter against Essendon. They are not expected to make many changes this weekend.

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Carlton v GWS Giants AFL R24 betting strategy

Other results could have a big bearing on the implications of this game. The Blues can finish as low as seventh, if the Saints and Swans win by big margins, but could also come into this game with fifth place locked in. The Giants could finish as high as sixth if both the Swans and Saints lose, but they may also find themselves out of the eight if the Bulldogs win.

Carlton have won the last three matches between these two sides and come into this one on a nine-game winning streak. However, as it is likely the Blues will already have a home final secured, we are backing the Giants to put in a big performance and win this one as $2.20 underdogs with Neds.

GWS midfielder Josh Kelly has gathered more than 25 disposals in seven of his last nine games, including a 30-disposal effort last weekend. Known for his uncontested work, look for Kelly to get on the outside to find space where he can run and carry the football. We like him to continue his form with 25 or more disposals at $1.64 with top AFL bookmakers.

Averaging 1.5 goals a game this season, Carlton’s Matt Owies plays taller than his 179cm frame, as he scores a lot of his goals from set shots. With most of the attention going to the Carlton key forward pairing, look for Owies to find some opportunities as he kicks two or more goals at $2.18 odds.

Key matchup: Charlie Curnow v Sam Taylor

Charlie Curnow vs Sam Taylor

After another five-goal performance last weekend, Charlie Curnow looks set to win a second-straight Coleman Medal. Averaging 3.4 goals a game this year, Curnow is a nightmare for defenders due to his combination of size, strength, skill, agility, and footy smarts. Leading up to his first finals series, he’ll be looking to carry over his good form into September.

Despite missing seven games throughout the middle of the season, there are calls for GWS defender Sam Taylor to still make the All-Australian team. One of the best one-on-one defenders in the AFL, he keeps the elite key forwards of the competition quiet week after week. Coming up against the best forward in the AFL, this should be an excellent contest.

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