Sports

Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Finals Week 1

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

THURSDAY

Adelaide v Collingwood, Adelaide Oval, 5.40pm

An ageing list with injury concerns is never great heading into a finals series. But a pre-finals bye could well be a godsend for Collingwood as they seek redemption against the Crows before a sold-out Adelaide Oval crowd.

The decision to include Mason Cox at the expense of Dan McStay provides the Magpies with a target forward of the ball to best enable them to capitalise on forward-50 entries. It’s not an issue for the Crows, who boast Riley Thilthorpe, Darcy Fogarty and Taylor Walker.

That trio have been immense in Adelaide’s surge to the minor premiership and they will undoubtedly have a role to play here. Expect an arm-wrestle with periods of dominance from both sides. In fact, expect a game very similar to the one we saw late last month which Adelaide won narrowly.

VERDICT: Adelaide to win

Same Game Multi: Game total under 168.5 points and Adelaide to win by 1-39 points @ $2.95*

FRIDAY

Geelong v Brisbane, MCG, 5.40pm

Brisbane’s best, to the eyes of many, remains the best in the competition. They have certainly risen to the occasion at various stages this year, with matches against fellow heavyweights piquing their interest considerably.

It is why they are viewed excellent “outsiders” here against a Geelong side they dismantled down the highway during the home-and-away campaign. The ability of the Lions to hunt the Cats and finish in front of goal, notably Logan Morris (five majors), was superb.

Chris Scott has had ample opportunity to go to work on that game and even though he enters this clash without Rhys Stanley, the Cats have no excuses.

VERDICT: Geelong to win

Same Game Multi: Tom Stewart, Gryan Miers and Zac Bailey to have 20+ disposals @ $3.65*

SATURDAY

GWS v Hawthorn, ENGIE Stadium, 1.15pm

We won’t know for certain until the second week of the finals but there is a feeling that the winner of this clash is well and truly capable of making a run at it.

It’s easy to see why. GWS have been boosted by the return from injury of key personnel, including Jesse Hogan, while the Hawks showed they belong last year and seem even stronger in 2025 thanks to the off-season additions of key backs Tom Barrass and Josh Battle. A fit Josh Weddle is also paramount.

The Giants have played in patches a lot this season. Their ability to cash in on though when they have seized momentum is arguably as good any team in the competition. They will ask many questions of Sam Mitchell’s men.

VERDICT: GWS to win

Same Game Multi: Jack Ginnivan, James Sicily and Jarman Impey to have 20+ disposals @ $3.85*

Fremantle v Gold Coast, Optus Stadium, 5.35pm

Fremantle fans shouldn’t have had to wait this long for their side to make another finals appearance. The emergence in 2022 was supposed to be the start of a golden run from the Dockers.

A couple of years of false starts ensued but here we are now — Fremantle at home in an elimination final. Sound familiar? This season’s opponents Gold Coast will more than make their presence felt. Damien Hardwick will demand as much and his hard-nosed midfield group should relish the conditions.

The Dockers have long held captain Alex Pearce in high regard. His nullifying of Sam Darcy a fortnight ago was a defensive masterclass. If he can repeat that display opposed to Ben King, it’s difficult to see how the Suns boot a winning total.

VERDICT: Fremantle to win

Same Game Multi: Fremantle to win and game total under 166.5 points @ $2.38*

*Odds correct at the time of publication.

Market Market




Recent Articles