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Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Finals Week 1

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

THURSDAY

Port Adelaide v Geelong, Adelaide Oval, 5.40pm

Chris Scott is regarded by so many throughout the AFL world as being the premier coach in the competition. Much like Bill Belichick in his prime when in charge of the New England Patriots, Scott is to be feared when allowed extra time to prepare for his opposition.

Does he have the cattle though, especially through the midfield, to blunt Port Adelaide? The Power’s midfield rotation features a very much in-form quartet of Jason Horne-Francis, Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Ollie Wines. If they turn it on early doors here, the Cats’ defence is going to be working overtime.

Geelong will have their periods of dominance. They are too good not to. Their ability to cash in during those moments is critical. Jeremy Cameron is a match-up that will no doubt have caused the Power coaching staff plenty of headaches over the past week and a bit. But he can’t do it all on his own.

VERDICT: Port Adelaide to win

FRIDAY

Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn, MCG, 5.40pm

You don’t have to be a Western Bulldogs or Hawthorn supporter to be excited about this showdown on the Friday night stage before a crowd of more than 90,000 at the coliseum that is the MCG. The only downside is one of these electrifying sides will have the curtain drawn on their season with a loss.

The odds of that being Hawthorn shortened this week when it was confirmed Will Day (shoulder) was unavailable, coupled with the unfortunate hamstring strain suffered by Cam Mackenzie at training on Wednesday. It leaves the Hawks minus two midfielders ahead of a battle against a Bulldogs running division featuring Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore, Ed Daniels and Adam Treloar.

That in turn is likely to leave the undersized Hawks defence with its hands full considering the Bulldogs’ attack boasts tall targets Sam Darcy, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Aaron Naughton, along with the dangerous Cody Weightman.

VERDICT: Western Bulldogs to win

SATURDAY

Sydney v GWS, SCG, 1.20pm

GWS coach Adam Kingsley and his staff, not to mention his players, are aware of how Sydney want to play. If the Swans can get the ball into space and move it from inside to out, it might just be the most damaging brand in the competition.

But finals, as we know, is different to the home-and-away campaign and you can rest assured knowing the Giants will bring the heat. They have been unable to slow down the Swans in their two meetings this season, but as a club have a 3-0 win-loss record against Sydney in finals.

We shouldn’t lose sight of the fact they also possess a Coleman medallist in Jesse Hogan and Toby Greene, one of the most destructive players in the land.

VERDICT: Sydney to win

Brisbane v Carlton, Gabba, 5.30pm

The reinforcements are coming for Carlton. The question is how many will make it to the start line on Saturday night and what impact will they have?

There is no denying the good news surrounding Sam Docherty’s recall early from another knee reconstruction. There seems to be an element of desperation attached to it however, and if he is susceptible physically or mentally, the Lions will make him and the Blues pay a high price.

Brisbane at home have been vulnerable at stages in 2024, but they are reasonably settled and do have weaponry midfield and in attack which will ask the Blues many, many questions.

VERDICT: Brisbane by 16 points or more

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