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Digby’s AFL Finals Week 3 Preview

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

Geelong v Sydney

Friday, MCG 5.50pm

Geelong won’t admit it publicly, but there is no doubting they would have preferred to be playing Adelaide for the right to reach the grand final. Two wins over the Crows in 2016 opposed to a touch-up on home soil by Sydney in round 16 this season dictates that. And as much as the Swans’ win over the Crows last Saturday night looked to be soured by injuries, the recovery of Gary Rohan (knee) and Jarrad McVeigh (calf) have proved heartening, as has the recovery of Kurt Tippett (jaw) from a week off.

The challenge for Geelong is to hit the ground running, given they enter this match having played just once in just under a month. Chris Scott will stress to his troops, chiefly his midfielders, the need to assert control from the outset. Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood power the Cats’ running division, but Sydney are extremely content with the stock they have in that area of the ground. Then there is the small issue of Lance Franklin, who thrives on the big stage. Geelong deserve to be favourites, but this is a game not beyond the Swans.

VERDICT: Sydney by 7 points.

1st goal scorer: Lance Franklin

GWS v Western Bulldogs

Saturday, Spotless Stadium 3.15pm

If you thought Greater Western Sydney’s qualifying final against Sydney was brutal, it’s best you sit down on the couch, strap on your helmet and inset the mouthguard. This will be two hours of physical combat with a Sherrin thrown in. Neither side is all that fond of the other and with a grand final berth at stake, these hard-nosed outfits will be doing their best to impose their will inside the contests.

The Bulldogs couldn’t have been more impressive in their two finals victories, with the influence of Marcus Bontempelli against Hawthorn last Friday night a thing of beauty. However, he has plenty of capable mates in Lachie Hunter, Jack Macrae, Tom Liberatore, Liam Picken and Luke Dahlhaus to generate big possession numbers. Likewise, the Giants are also laced with extraordinary depth through their midfield and boast powerful goal-kicking options in Jeremy Cameron, Jonathon Patton and Rory Lobb. The arsenal GWS possess forward of centre, not to mention the advantage of playing at home, tips the scale in the favour of Leon Cameron’s men.

VERDICT: GWS by 12 points.

1st goal scorer: Jonathon Patton

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