GWS vs Sydney AFL betting tips & value picks – Round 1, 2022

One of the hardest AFL matches to tip this week will be Saturday’s massive clash between the GWS Giants and the Sydney Swans at Accor Stadium, which was formerly known as ANZ Stadium.

Both New South Wales-based sides are expected to finish in the top eight this season, so this weekend’s game could have consequences later in the season when teams are jostling for ladder positions.

Neither side made any massive changes to their list during the trade period, but the Swans did bring in Peter Ladhams from Port Adelaide to provide Tom Hickey a chop-out in the ruck.

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The Giants may not have brought in any fresh talent, but they have a few returning stars. GWS captain Stephen Coniglio looked sharp in the preseason after a couple of difficult years, while Lachie Keeffe is ready to reclaim a role in the back six.

One of the biggest factors heading into this contest is Toby Greene’s suspension, as the GWS superstar will miss the first five games of the 2022 AFL season after making deliberate contact with an umpire last year.

The Swans will be ecstatic they do not have to deal with the dangerous Greene, while the Giants will be hoping they can still kick a winning score without their best forward.

Key matchup: Sam Taylor vs Lance Franklin

Lance Franklin currently sits on 995 career goals and would surely love to bring up the 1,000 with a bag in round one. GWS’s Sam Taylor is one of the best defenders in the competition, but his recent record against Buddy is not very impressive. Franklin kicked 12 goals across three matches against the Giants in 2021, including a five-goal haul that did not get Sydney over the line in round five. One gets the feeling Taylor might need to have a good game against Buddy if the Giants are to win this weekend.

GWS Giants vs Sydney Swans match prediction

There is very little separating the Giants and Swans heading into this contest, but one part of the ground we think the outsiders will win is the midfield. Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio, Tim Taranto, Tom Green and Callan Ward are just a few of GWS’s best midfielders, while the likes of Luke Parker and Josh Kennedy are starting to age for the Swans. We’re picking the Giants, but it will be a very close contest that could easily go either way.

Lance Franklin goalscorer betting tips

It is no secret the Swans want to see Lance Franklin kick his 1,000th goal in front of a big local crowd, and we think he will get close. Although there could be some rain on the day, the superstar forward will thrive in any conditions and should have plenty of help from his teammates from the opening bounce. We would not be surprised if Buddy also kicks the opening goal, which is paying $7.50 with Sportsbet.

GWS Giants vs Sydney Swans same-game multi

We are taking the GWS Giants in a first-round upset over the Sydney Swans, but we still think Buddy Franklin will have a day out and kick over three goals. We have also gone under on the total match points, as that has been the outcome for five of the last eight GWS/Sydney matchups.