SportsBet odds: $1.85 vs. $2.00
1st vs. 2nd
Well it had to happen.
But unfortunately for most footy fans, it’s happened a week early with the two best performed teams of the year going head-to-head in a do or die shot at the Grand Final.
Stating the absolute obvious here, but this should be an absolute cracker.
We have the younger disciplined Pies, itching to usurp the older free-wheeling Geelong squad who have the chance to be remembered as one of the great teams recent football.
The rain should stay away, but the wind will be out in force so skills will suffer as a result but that will also mean that the leader in the contested possession stakes will most likely be the winner.
This should be a cracker.
Last time they met
Round 19, 2010
Geelong – 12.13 (85)
Collingwood – 14.23 (107)
Collingwood remains on top of the AFL ladder after defeating second place Geelong at the MCG. The match was to see Collingwood look the stronger team throughout the night reflected in their entries into the forward 50. Geelong was able to claw back into the game on two occasions but by the final siren it was clear the Pies were the better team on the night. …read more…
Key Players for Collingwood
Nick Maxwell – His ability to get free and help his inexperienced team-mates will be massive.
He should be able to given that the Cats don’t worry too much about adjusting for their opponents.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ling try and make him accountable if the Cat is having trouble in the middle.
Likely Match-Up: Tom Hawkins, No-one!, Cameron Ling
Sharrod Wellingham – His pace, clean hands and damaging foot-skills in space means that the Cats have to pay him some respect. Especially given how well he played against Geelong in round 19.
He’s the likely option for Ablett.
Likely Match-Up: Gary Ablett
Leon Davis – Whilst a flashy performance full of goals and silky skills are great to see for the pure spectacle of it all, his ability to rush the Geelong’s defenders is actually more valuable to Collingwood’s game-plan.
His role, as dour as it has become, is absolutely vital, despite what most people think.
Likely Match-Up: Josh Hunt, Corey Enright
Key Players for Geelong
Paul Chapman – He’s had a poor couple of games against the Pies thanks to the effort’s of Brent Macaffer. He’s playing hurt but he is just so damaging despite his problems.
Likely Match-Up: Brent Macaffer
James Kelly – He’s becoming the engine-room of Geelong; not Selwood, Bartel or Corey. Kelly is the one who has been bullocking and clearing space for his more noticeable teammates.
A hugely important player.
Likely Match-Up: Dale Thomas, Luke Ball, Alan Didak
Tom Hawkins – Can he use the pity taken on him by Darren Jolly from round 19 to his advantage?
Can he also make Nick Maxwell accountable?
If he can do both, Geelong will win.
Likely Match-Up: Nick Maxwell
Prediction
It’s with bias that I’ll be tipping the Pies in a close one.
Both teams have the will to do it, there is no doubt about that; It’s just that Collingwood have an excellent game-plan that has worked against Geelong to boot as well whereas you struggle to see Geelong changing much.
Teams
Collingwood
B: Nick Maxwell, Nathan Brown, Alan Toovey
HB: Harry O’Brien, Ben Reid, Heath Shaw
C: Sharrod Wellingham, Dane Swan, Ben Johnson
HF: Alan Didak, Travis Cloke, Luke Ball
F: Dayne Beams, Chris Dawes, Steele Sidebottom
Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Dale Thomas
I/C: Jarryd Blair, Leigh Brown, Leon Davis, Brent Macaffer
Emg: Tyson Goldsack, Paul Medhurst, Tarkyn Lockyer
No change
Geelong
B: Harry Taylor, Matthew Scarlett, Josh Hunt
HB: Joel Corey, Tom Lonergan, Corey Enright
C: Jimmy Bartel, Cameron Ling, James Kelly
HF: Steve Johnson, Cameron Mooney, Travis Varcoe
F: Paul Chapman, James Podsiadly, Mathew Stokes
Foll: Brad Ottens, Gary Ablett, Joel Selwood
I/C: Tom Hawkins, David Wojcinski, Darren Milburn, Shannon Byrnes
Emg: Andrew Mackie, Mark Blake, Taylor Hunt
No change
Tags: James Kelly, Leon Davis, Nick Maxwell, Paul Chapman, Sharrod Wellingham, Tom Hawkins
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