Sports

McGuane Tips Pies and Demons to Progress

Collingwood Premiership player Mick McGuane has dissected this weekend’s semi-finals and expects Collingwood and Melbourne to progress to their respective preliminary finals.

Speaking on the Sports Daily on TABradio McGuane was confident that Collingwood could bounce back to winning form after their loss to West Coast.

“The Pies were brave in defeat last week and they can take some learnings out of the game.” McGuane said.

“Scott Pendlebury was well below his best and he has huge scope for rapid improvement.”

“He is a proud player with a great record – I expect him to fight back hard and respond.”

McGuane believes the key to the contest will be the midfield battle.

“This game will be won in the middle.” McGuane suggested.

“GWS have quality through there with the likes of Ward, Coniglio, Shiel, Taranto and Whitfield but the knock on them is their ability to run both ways.”

“I think the Pies have shown this season they have an enormous work rate and I believe that can be the difference between the two sides.”

In the other semi-final McGuane is favouring Melbourne to prevail.

“Melbourne love the contest, they love the defensive side of the game and they gain territory by simply getting the ball in quick and long.” McGuane commented.

“Melbourne’s players are starting to have enormous belief that their game style can win a Premiership.”

Despite McGuane being bullish on Melbourne and Collingwood prevailing this weekend he was emphatic when quizzed on who would win this year’s Premiership.

“Richmond are still clearly the benchmark.” McGuane said.

“They are in the box seat and I would take the $1.85 on offer about them to win the premiership now.”

“Whatever happens from here I can only see them getting shorter.” McGuane concluded.

Richmond are the $1.85 favourites to win the AFL Premiership with TABtouch. West Coast are on the second line at $4, Melbourne at $6.50, Collingwood $11, GWS $13 and Hawthorn $23.

The head to head markets with TABtouch for this weekend’s semi-finals have Melbourne the $1.47 favourites with Hawthorn at $2.70 and Collingwood the $1.60 favourites with GWS a $2.35 outsider.

https://soundcloud.com/tabradio/september-12-mick-mcguane