GWS Giants vs North Melbourne Prediction: Giants won’t disappoint in what should be a big win

Giants Stadium is set to be the venue for the upcoming AFL clash between the GWS Giants and North Melbourne. As the teams prepare for this matchup, the GWS Giants emerge as strong favorites, enjoying the home-field advantage, while North Melbourne assumes the role of the underdogs.

The GWS Giants delivered an impressive performance in the Opening Round, securing a significant victory by defeating the defending Premiers Collingwood Magpies with a scoreline of 114-82. The Giants displayed superior ball-handling skills, effectively utilizing handballs and kicks to navigate around the Collingwood Magpies' midfield. The key factor in the outcome was the accuracy in front of goal, with the GWS Giants converting 18 of 24 shots, while the Pies managed only 11 of 17.

The Giants were well-prepared for the Opening Round, capitalizing on opportunities presented by Collingwood. Lachie Whitfield, Josh Kelly, and Tom Green all surpassed 30 touches, with the latter two also contributing a goal each. Green's six tackles showcased his defensive prowess and played a pivotal role in the forward pressure applied by the Giants.

As they head into the upcoming game, the Giants will be without Callan Ward, who is facing a potential two-month absence due to a shoulder injury. Isaac Cumming is also dealing with a setback in his recovery. Finn Callaghan will undergo a fitness test after an incident involving a nail at the beach, while Harry Perryman (hamstring) has been cleared to play. Darcy Jones (knee) is expected to see some playing time in the VFL.

North Melbourne faced a 19-point loss to St Kilda in their Community Series game on March 3rd. While they were competitive in various aspects, their forward play was a significant concern, evidenced by a 34% Efficiency Rate Inside 50—a recurring issue in recent years. Zac Fisher and Harry Sheezel continued to lead the Disposals count with 36 and 32 touches, respectively.

The team is gearing up for the 2024 season, commencing in Round 1, and is eager to witness the impact of top draft picks Zane Duursma and Colby McKercher, both confirmed to play in this upcoming game. This news brings excitement to North Melbourne fans, although the team acknowledges they are still in the process of developing and remain a considerable distance from competing at a high level.

Given GWS's impressive performance last week and their strong run into the Finals in 2023, it seems logical to support the 40+ margin in this matchup. Our data modeling aligns with the bookies' prediction, indicating a total of 177. In light of the early season trend favoring higher scores, I am leaning towards backing the Overs for this game.