GWS v Gold Coast Preview, ENGIE Stadium

GWS have roared back to life in recent weeks, winning their last two matches against both Carlton and Richmond and heading into this weekend’s match against fellow finals fancy Gold Coast. The Giants were smashed in the territory and clearance count against the lowly Giants, but they were potent going forward, led by Jesse Hogan and Toby Greene, who combined for eight goals between them. Their opponents, Gold Coast, continued their incredible undefeated run as the home team this year, defeating Port Adelaide last Sunday, but are still yet to win as an away side in 2024. Damien Hardwick would have been pleased with the response after he challenged his players in the lead-in, but now they’re once again faced with the all-familiar test of finally breaking their road hoodoo and knocking off a GWS side they haven’t beaten since 2021 (Giants won the fixture earlier this year in Gather Round). Both sides will be without Toby Bedford and Alex Davies after their match. Three bans were upheld at the AFL Tribunal during the week, while fellow Sun Malcolm Rosas was suspended, and Ben Ainsworth suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Gold Coast’s Lachie Weller is a chance to play his first game in 12 months after recovering from a torn ACL, as is Jarrod Witts after two games out with a back injury. The Giants are hopeful Stephen Coniglio should be good to play after being managed during their win over Richmond.

Recent Form and AFL Betting Insights

Heading into this match at Engie Stadium, both GWS and the Gold Coast Suns bring contrasting momentum that could influence how punters assess their AFL betting tips this week.

GWS have shown solid consistency at home, especially when it comes to defending tightly and converting under pressure. Their form over the past month includes a hard-fought win over Fremantle and a narrow loss to Port Adelaide, both of which show they’re capable of going toe-to-toe with mid-to-top-table sides.

On the other hand, Gold Coast has struggled with travel this season. Their away performances have been patchy, and while they’ve produced some competitive quarters, maintaining four quarters of intensity has been a concern. The Suns did notch an important win against North Melbourne recently, but whether that carries into Sydney remains to be seen.

AFL Tips: Key Match-Ups to Watch

The midfield battle could be a major tipping point. With Tom Green likely to return for GWS, his contest with Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson will be crucial in determining clearances and inside-50 efficiency. Keep an eye on how both teams structure their defensive match-ups too—Gold Coast’s backline will have to contain the dynamic Toby Greene, while the Giants will need to limit Ben King’s aerial impact.

Looking at historical performances between these sides, GWS have had the edge in recent encounters. But as we’ve seen throughout the 2025 AFL season, upsets are never off the table—especially when teams are desperate to stay in finals contention.

AFL Prediction Angle

While there’s no certainties in footy, context matters. Factors like travel fatigue, weather conditions at Engie Stadium, and player fitness could all influence the outcome. If you’re scanning AFL prediction stats and looking to make more informed decisions, it might be worth comparing both teams’ second-half scoring trends and inside-50 conversion rates.

As always, consider the form and match-ups when reviewing your AFL betting tips—recent data can offer useful context, but the game-day grind can always throw in a few surprises.

TIP: GWS by 22 points, Toby Greene multiple goals