Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Semi Finals

Posted on September 13, 2018 | Posted by Digby Beacham

FRIDAY

Hawthorn v Melbourne, MCG, 5.50pm

The football world had spoken often about Melbourne’s brand of football and the likelihood it would stand up in finals. On what we witnessed last Friday night if their dismantling of Geelong, there is no denying that is the case. The Demons were brutal from the outset, kicked goals early to allow themselves breathing space and defended stoutly throughout.

A similar performance will surely see them through to the preliminary final, regardless of what Hawthorn throw at them. The Hawks didn’t take their chances against Richmond and paid a high price as a result, with some of their younger players failing to handle the big stage as well as they would have liked.

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson orchestrated a thumping of Melbourne earlier in the season, but much has changed since then. The loss of WA defender Ben Stratton (hamstring) is a massive blow against a flexible Melbourne forward line, which is still not super efficient, but dangerous nonetheless. And if the Demons are able to break even (at worst) in the midfield, their spread of goal kickers will have ample opportunities.

VERDICT: Melbourne by 29 points

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SATURDAY

Collingwood v GWS, MCG, 5.25pm

For most of last Saturday night in Perth, the West Coast-Collingwood game hung in the balance. The Magpies were brave as most expected they would be, only succumbing after a last-quarter midfield blitz from West Coast that allowed the hosts’ forwards to assert their authority.

The challenge for Nathan Buckley and his men is to ensure they bring the same level of intensity to a cutthroat clash with Greater Western Sydney, whose robust nature and elite talent stocks are seemingly made for the big stage. Offsetting that however is a string of injuries to key personnel, the latest being Josh Kelly’s knee injury which almost certainly rules him out of this match.

The Giants stifled Sydney in last Saturday’s elimination final, restricting the Swans to two goals for the first three quarters. It is unlikely they will have the same success against the Magpies and their talented forward set-up, but if defence wins finals as they say, GWS have a good base to start from. But Collingwood in front of a partisan crowd will be a tough nut to crack, especially if All-Australian big man Brodie Grundy can showcase his obvious talent from the opening bounce.

VERDICT: Collingwood by 20 points

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