West Coast v GWS AFL R2 betting tips & multi picks – 26/3/2023

West Coast Eagles will attempt to notch up their first win of 2023 when they clash with Greater Western Sydney in the final match of AFL Round 2 at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

The Giants come into this contest full of energy after a stunning come from behind victory against the Crows, while the Eagles lament a missed opportunity to knock off the resurgent Roos in their round 1 clash.

Greater Western Sydney had an interesting beginning to their 2023 campaign. Having lost two of their best midfielders in the off-season, many pundits wondered whether or not they had the team that could challenge for the top eight.

However, securing a 16-point win after being down by 28 at half-time against Adelaide silenced a few of their critics. Unfortunately for the Giants, the victory came at a cost with Harry Perryman, Lachie Whitfield and superstar Josh Kelly all likely to miss the Eagles’ clash.

If there is a silver lining to the result for the Giants last Sunday, it’s that they were able to overcome the Crows in the end without those injured players, as they relied on veteran players and young guns in Tom Green and Finn Callaghan. Although they may not be going in with their best side, the Giants midfield and potent forward line should still prove way too strong for the Eagles, justifying their favourite price at $1.80 with online bookmakers.

If the Eagles are to win this in front of their home crowd, they will have to flip the script on their performance from last week. Strongly tipped to be a wooden spoon chance, the Eagles looked sluggish and at times disinterested at Marvel Stadium last Saturday.

Their performance is even more jarring when you consider that 10 of the players fielded were premiership players in 2018. Granted, in the case of half these players, they had an incredibly interrupted 2022 and might not have the match pace this early in the season. Tim Kelly is one such player who can’t be afforded that excuse, and his performance on the weekend has already come under scrutiny. A man of his talent and ability will not stay down for long, so expect to see him lift his standards against an undermanned GWS outfit. It will be no long shot to see Kelly go for 25 disposals against the Giants (paying $1.98 with Neds).

Relishing in his new role as Giants captain is the controversial figure Toby Greene. Arguably the best player in the AFL, the new role in leadership has seen his performance skyrocket with four goals against the Crows. He will be coming up against a tighter defence this week, but expect key forwards of Jesse Hogan and Harry Himmelberg to provide plenty of cover for their shorter, more electric teammate. If this is the case, then Greene is a good bet to find the big sticks on at least two occasions ($1.30).

Key matchup: Toby Greene v Shannon Hurn

For the Eagles, their defence will have to do a far better job than it did last week. Key pillars Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass will surely go to the Giants tall timber, leaving Shannon Hurn the task of nullifying Toby Greene. This is no small feat however, and Greene will likely try to use his speed off the mark and aerial ability to expose Hurn’s weaknesses. Hurn will have to use his larger frame and his intelligence to reduce the damage Greene will do on the scoreboard, especially if they are chance to win the game.

West Coast v GWS prediction

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