Collingwood legend expecting Magpies to swoop

Posted on September 5, 2018 | Posted by David Shortte

Former Collingwood Star Mick McGuane believes Collingwood’s midfield depth can give the Magpies an edge in their Final against West Coast at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.

Speaking on the Sports Daily on TABradio this morning McGuane eluded to Collingwood’s multitude of players that can run through the middle of the ground as being a potential key to the match.

“Collingwood have a host of players that can run through the middle at different stages of the game and that could be crucial. West Coast while having good top end talent through there could be left a bit light on for depth with two of their A Graders Gaff and Naitanui both out for the season.” McGuane said.

McGuane also went on to outline what game plan Collingwood needed to adopt to account for the Eagles. “ West Coast love to play a kick, mark, uncontested style of game. The Collingwood Forwards need to keep moving and make sure they force the Eagles Back 6 to defend. If they stay stagnant it plays into the hands of guys like McGovern and Barrass.”

He also touched on the importance of Jeremy Howe and Josh Kennedy returning. “Howe returns as an experienced, elite defender for Collingwood and has a significant role to play while if Kennedy is allowed in to leading lanes with space he is a major threat who can really hit the scoreboard.” McGuane concluded.

The TABtouch head to head market on the match has West Coast as the favourites at $1.60 with Collingwood the $2.35 outsiders. Line betting is a guide to how tight most people expect the game to be – it currently sits at 9.5 points.

In the other AFL Finals which commence on Thursday McGuane is tipping Richmond to account for Hawthorn, Melbourne to defeat Geelong and the Greater Western Sydney Giants to defeat Sydney.

In Thursday night’s final with TABtouch Richmond have firmed into $1.40 from 1.38 while Hawthorn are $3 out to $3.10. On Friday night Melbourne are the $1.74 favourites for their clash with Geelong who are rated a $2.10 chance while in the Battle Of The Bridge Sydney hold favouritism at $1.72 over GWS who are a $2.15 outsider.

The TABtouch Premiership market has Richmond as the $2.30 popular favourites over West Coast at $5.50, Collingwood at $7.50, Hawthorn at $9, Melbourne at $10 and all other sides are $13 and upwards.

Stay tuned to the Sports Daily on TABradio every Wednesday in the buildup to the Grand Final where Mick McGuane will give his detailed analysis of every AFL final.