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Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Preliminary Finals

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

FRIDAY

Geelong v Hawthorn, MCG, 5.40pm

Preliminary finals and these two bitter foes have gone hand-in-hand this century. As a result, it is little wonder why the football public has a fascination with the latest instalment in the Geelong-Hawthorn rivalry.

The Cats are rested, healthy and understandably favourites. The Hawks, empowered by their swagger, are fronting up for their fourth match in the past 26 days. Importantly the injury concerns surrounding forwards Jack Gunston and Jack Ginnivan are seemingly no longer.

Geelong played almost the perfect final against Brisbane a fortnight ago. Offensively sharp and defensively minded at the appropriate time, it paved the way for a direct passage to this stage. If they are at that level again, the Cats can win for the seventh time in their last eight encounters against Hawthorn.

VERDICT: Geelong to win

Same Game Multi: Game total over 157.5 points and Gryan Miers and Tom Stewart to have 20+ disposals @ $3.45*

SATURDAY

Collingwood v Brisbane, MCG, 3.15pm

Irrespective of how they fare in this preliminary final, Brisbane can feel satisfied with their premiership defence. In the face of an undeniably quick spin around from last year’s showpiece to round one and adversity on the injury front, the Lions have done a mighty job to be 120 minutes away from a third straight grand final.

But it doesn’t mean they have full bellies. They are still hungry for more, as evidenced by the manner in which they have responded in the back half of 2025 when challenged. Can they rise once more and take down Collingwood before a pro-Magpies crowd of more than 90,000?

Their best is definitely good enough. The same applies to Collingwood, who flexed their muscles opposed to the Crows in Adelaide in week one of September. Jeremy Howe’s addition to their back six is incredibly important given this promises to be a clash where goals are at a premium.

VERDICT: Collingwood to win

Same Game Multi: Jordan De Goey, Cam Rayner and Zac Bailey to kick 1+ goals @ $2.70*

*Odds correct at the time of publication.

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