Crows V Cats |
A gastro scare went through Geelong (or at least the media) this week. Ironic timing, as last time these sides met, Harry Taylor “hammed” it up with Josh Jenkins for being unwell. Adelaide won’t be laughing though, in case it brings on a bout of appendicitis for another of their stars.
Their build ups have been polar opposite. Geelong belted the flag favourites, Sydney, in South-Pole-like conditions, while Adelaide tanned / rested up in sunny Queensland. I’m tipping both teams are pleased with their past weeks work.
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It’s one apiece between them this year and Geelong can expect a hostile Adelaide crowd grunting noises of affirmation at the umpires, so a fast start is critical for them.
Tom Lonergan will return, freeing up ham-bandit Harry to go forward, yet he might be needed down back with Adelaide’s elite forward line threatening to be the difference. Eddie, Tex, Lynch, Jenkins, Cameron, there’s no shortage of athletes in the Crows forward fifty. They’ll be a handful for the extremely experienced Cats defenders, Lonergan, Mackie and Taylor, but it’s the midfields were this game will be decided.
A pair of brothers will go head to head for the first time… since the last time it happened (whenever that was). Dangerfield, Joel Selwood, Duncan, Mend-the-pegola and TOS (The Other Selwood) will face-off with Rory Sloane, Matt Crouch, Dick Douglas, TOC (The Other Crouch), etc in an incestuous match up. If Geelong are to win, they need superiority here.
While the Cats looked like a serious contender last week, I can’t put their slow, mistake riddled night against the Tigers out of my mind.
I’m on Adelaide by 35.
Tigers V Giants |
This time last year, no Richmond supporter expected to be here, while the solitary GWS fan, Gillon McLachlan, probably did – and regardless, it’s happening.
There will be 80,000 plus success-starved Tigers supporters at the G for this one, maybe more, in what looks to be the biggest home crowd differential in AFL history, but does it really count for anything? In this instance, I think not.
The Giants are young, plucky and hold no fears. Ever since the AFL incubated them into existence, players like Greene, Coniglio, Shiel, Patton, etc. have been built for days like these, and while the Tigers aren’t short on top end talent, you have to wonder if some of their more workmanlike performers have the same big game breeding.
Trent Cotchin singlehandedly tackled Geelong into submission last outing, but was well supported by young Jack Graham and the fleet of foot Tiger forwards. If they’re to expect a Grand Final berth, that pressure meter will need to be wound up yet again to overcome the skilful GWS.
The midfield again appears critical in deciding this one. Can Dustin Martin, Cotchin, Prestia, Lambert and Caddy contend with the gut running Lachie Whitfield, Tom Scully, Josh Kelly, and insiders, Shiel, Callen Ward, and so on?
I think if the fresh Tigers can avoid a sluggish start, they’ll be too fast and intense for GWS. They have a rock solid backline, supported by the competitions best midfielder, and a hard to match up group of small forwards that should see them advance.
My prediction, Brett Deledio to try and sneak into the Tigers song post game.
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