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Digby’s AFL Finals Week 1 Preview

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

West Coast v Western Bulldogs

Thursday, Domain Stadium 6.10pm

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge rolled the dice at selection when he recalled five established players — Jordan Roughead, Tom Liberatore, Easton Wood, Jake Stringer and Jack Macrae. The circumstances dictate he had little choice, but the question remains whether their inclusion will be enough against a West Coast side that has been outstanding in the past month.

The ability of the Eagles to terrorise opponents at Domain Stadium with their press is well known. The Bulldogs will know exactly what’s coming, but overcoming it is another matter. West Coast’s midfield of Matt Priddis, Luke Shuey, Andrew Gaff, Mark Hutchings and Dom Sheed has excelled in recent weeks and we know about their firepower forward of centre. Adam Simpson’s men get every chance.

VERDICT: West Coast by 18 points.

1st goal scorer: Jack Darling

Geelong v Hawthorn

Friday, MCG 5.50pm

The AFL is quite rightly excited about the historic final involving Sydney and Greater Western Sydney, but there is no denying the enormity of this showdown between Geelong and Hawthorn, who have won seven of the past nine premierships. The arch rivals have enjoyed a string of titanic tussles and this shapes as being another, even taking into account the prospect of wet weather.

The conditions have thrown a curve ball at this contest. Geelong have a tall defence which could find itself out of its comfort zone if the ball is on the ground opposed to the Hawks’ small-to-medium-sized forward line. Conversely, the Hawks aren’t a great contested ball-winning team and it appears there will be stoppages galore if the rain comes as expected. What does Hawthorn’s mastermind Alastair Clarkson have in store?

VERDICT: Hawthorn by 3 points.

1st goal scorer: Paul Puopolo

Sydney v GWS

Saturday, ANZ Stadium 1.20pm

In an ideal world, Sydney would be staging this qualifying final at their preferred venue, the SCG. And one suspects the Swans, while mindful that you have to beat the best to be the best, would have preferred to run into an opponent other than the emerging Greater Western Sydney in week one. The Giants took down the Swans at their most recent meeting, but the stakes are seriously raised from then to now.

Sydney have a side that appears built for finals success — a brilliant midfield feted for its ability to win contested ball, a miserly defence and a forward line bursting with options and arguably the most dangerous player in the game, Lance Franklin. But the Giants play with a maturity beyond their years and for all their exciting youth, boast plenty of high-quality personnel with premiership experience.

VERDICT: Sydney by 13 points.

1st goal scorer: Lance Franklin

Adelaide v North Melbourne

Saturday, Adelaide Oval 5.40pm

The football world is well aware of what North Melbourne has achieved in the past two finals series against the odds. However, it is highly unlikely that lightning will strike for a third time. Tapping guys on the shoulder in the lead-up to September and then asking them to lay it all on the line for you in a cutthroat final is extremely unique. How Brad Scott handles that will be intriguing to watch.

Complicating matters for the Kangaroos is they run headlong into the Crows at Adelaide Oval. The Crows were very much in the premiership discussion until their shock loss to West Coast. They had genuine excuses on that occasion, namely a six-day break after a tense showdown, not to mention the unavailability of Rory Sloane (suspension) and Brodie Smith (concussion). With the benefit of the post-season bye, expect Don Pyke’s side to be reset and recharged.

VERDICT: Adelaide by 40 points,.

1st goal scorer: Taylor Walker

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